First Visits

A physiotherapy assessment appointment is the first step in understanding your condition and creating a tailored treatment plan. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Welcome & Initial Discussion
The physiotherapist begins by asking about:

Your main concern (pain, stiffness, weakness, injury, etc.)
When the problem started and how it has changed
Activities that aggravate or ease the symptoms
Your medical history, medications, and lifestyle
Your goals (e.g. reduce pain, return to sport, improve mobility)

This helps form a clear picture of the issue before the physical exam begins.

2. Observation & Posture Analysis
The physiotherapist may observe:

Posture (standing, sitting)
Movement patterns (walking, bending, reaching)
How you perform tasks that reproduce your symptoms

This helps identify visible imbalances or functional limitations.

3. Physical Examination
Depending on your condition, the physio may assess:

Range of motion (how well joints move)
Muscle strength & flexibility
Joint mobility (how freely joints glide or rotate)
Neurological signs (reflexes, sensation, nerve tension tests)
Functional tests (squatting, lifting, balance tests)
Palpation (gentle touch to feel muscle tension, swelling, or tender points)

These tests help pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms.

4. Explanation of Findings
The physiotherapist explains:

What they believe is causing the problem
How it relates to your symptoms and daily activities
Any underlying factors (muscle imbalance, posture habits, overuse, etc.)

You’ll have the chance to ask questions to fully understand your condition.

5. Treatment Plan
Together you develop a personalized plan that may include:

Manual therapy (massage, joint mobilizations, soft tissue work)
Exercise therapy (strengthening, stretching, mobility work)
Posture or movement retraining
Education on self-management and lifestyle modifications
Advice on activity levels, pacing, or ergonomics

Hands-on therapy is usually started during the assessment itself (unless you have specifically asked for a verbal assessment and advice only).

6. Home Exercise Program
You’ll typically receive a simple set of exercises to begin working on right away. The physio makes sure you understand:

How to perform each exercise
How often to do them
What sensations are normal and what isn’t

7. Plan for Follow-Up
Finally, the physiotherapist discusses:

How many sessions you may need
What progress to expect
How you will measure improvement