A Guide to Your First Physiotherapy Appointment
Welcome to Physioelite Clinic
Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or seeking to improve your mobility, physiotherapy can play a crucial role in your health journey. Here is a guide on what to expect during your physiotherapy appointment.
Before Your Appointment
Once you have booked your initial appointment, gather any relevant medical documents, such as MRI reports, X-rays, or notes from your doctor. These documents can provide your physiotherapist with valuable information about your condition and increase the accuracy of your initial assessment.
Arriving and Parking
Arrive at the time of your appointment. Please ONLY park in the space on the right hand side of the drive. If this space is occupied there is off road parking on Filton Rd. We will ask you to complete initial paperwork and signed consents, including a short medical history, and details about your current condition. Please provide insurance details if you are using one of our contracted Private Health Insurance providers.
Initial Assessment
Your physiotherapist will start with a comprehensive assessment. We will take a subjective history which enables you to tell us about your current symptoms, physical activity levels and expectations of treatment. We will then conduct a physical examination which looks at your range of movement, strength, flexibility, posture and includes special tests to determine a more precise diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
After the assessment, your physiotherapist will explain your diagnosis and discuss a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This could include a combination of manual therapy, exercises, use of equipment like Shockwave and Laser therapies and advice on self-management strategies. Be sure to ask any questions you may have about your condition or treatment.
Beginning Treatment
In the first appointment the primary focus is often on assessment, a treatment plan and providing you with the costs of treatment and the recommendation of a treatment block if appropriate (LINK TO TREATMENT COSTS PAGE). There may be time to start your treatment is the assessment process is very straightforward. Your next appointment will be scheduled by your physiotherapist so bring your diary with you!
Home Exercise Programme
Often your injury limits your ability to load the injured area. Your physiotherapist may use taping or advise you to restrict activity until the injured site is improved. Your physiotherapist will provide a set of exercises to do at home or in the gym when the time is right. We have an app called Physio Tools trainer which you can download free of charge that allows exercises to go to your phone. You will be provided with a hard copy of your exercises on request. These exercises are an essential part of your recovery and can help to speed up the healing process and improve your strength and flexibility.
Follow-Up Appointments
Before you leave, you will schedule your next appointments. The frequency and duration of your appointments will depend on your specific condition and treatment plan. Follow-up sessions typically involve ongoing treatments, reassessments, and adjustments to your treatment plan, as necessary.
After Your Appointment
You might feel a bit sore after your appointment, which is a normal response to new exercises or manual therapy. Drinking water and applying heat or cold to the affected area can help to reduce discomfort. You are supported throughout the treatment process, and if you need any advice outside the treatment time you can book a free 15-minute call with your physiotherapist on 0117 9570206 from 09:00 to 17:00.
Remember, communication with your physiotherapist is key to a successful outcome. Do not hesitate to share your concerns, ask questions, or provide feedback about your treatment. Physiotherapy is a partnership, and your active participation is crucial to your recovery.
