What to expect
Your first appointment is focused on understanding your symptoms and identifying the best way forward. This page outlines each stage of the process so you know exactly what to expect.
So you know what to expect from your first appointment
We talk about what’s brought you in
Your first appointment begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and what you are hoping to achieve. This helps build a clear picture of the problem and how it is affecting your daily life.
I assess the problem
A physical assessment will then be carried out, which may include range of movement testing, strength assessment, and functional movement assessment where appropriate. Specific clinical tests may also be used to help clarify the diagnosis. This helps identify the likely source of your symptoms and guide treatment.
We make sense of what’s happening
You can expect a clear explanation of the findings, along with a discussion of what is most likely contributing to your symptoms. Where possible, this will include a working diagnosis and a plan agreed together for your recovery.
We start your treatment
Treatment may begin during the first session and can include exercise-based rehabilitation, advice to support recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence, and manual therapy where appropriate.
You leave knowing what happens next
You will leave with an understanding of the next steps in your recovery, and where appropriate, exercises or strategies to work on between sessions. Your progress is reviewed at each visit, and treatment is adapted based on your progress and stage of recovery.
Recovery timescales
How long recovery takes varies from person to person. Some problems improve quickly, while others, particularly those that have been present for a longer period of time, may require a more gradual approach. Physiotherapy is a process of understanding your symptoms, starting an appropriate treatment plan, and adjusting this over time based on how your body responds. Regular review allows us to progress exercises when you are improving and make changes when needed to support your recovery.