What to expect at your first physiotherapy appointment
If you've never been to see a Physio before, you might be wondering...what do they actually do at a consult?
Will I feel better or worse after my appointment?
You will find that Physiotherapy typically offers an immediate level of pain relief BUT this does depend on your injury.
Sometimes we actually have to make it worse to get it better (paradoxically).
Your treating Physio will let you know if you can expect to feel more sore after your first appointment compared to when you arrived.
You may also feel sore in different places than your original injury. If you are ever unsure and want to make sure that this is normal, please don't hesitate to contact your Physio.
Sometimes we actually have to make it worse to get it better (paradoxically).
Your treating Physio will let you know if you can expect to feel more sore after your first appointment compared to when you arrived.
You may also feel sore in different places than your original injury. If you are ever unsure and want to make sure that this is normal, please don't hesitate to contact your Physio.
Will it hurt?
Possibly!
We may have to move your body into uncomfortable positions to be able to assess your injury thoroughly. We promise we'll make it as quick as we can!
We may have to move your body into uncomfortable positions to be able to assess your injury thoroughly. We promise we'll make it as quick as we can!
What kinds of treatment could I receive?
Depending on your examination and injury type, you may recieve any of the following:
- Massage
- Soft tissue release
- Stretching
- Mobilization
- Manipulation
- Exercise
- Pilates
- Heat therapy
- Acupuncture/dry needling
- Real-time ultrasound
- ESWT - Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
- Hydrotherapy
Will you fix my problem?
Wow, that's a big question! We certainly aim to - it's why we got into this profession in the first place.
At the end of the day, a physiotherapy treatment session can offer a level of immediate relief and recovery. However, a big part of fixing your problem involves you changing some behaviours and activities out in the real world to eliminate the source of the issue, re-align your body and hopefully get you even better than when you first came to see us.
We can provide you with the tools, information and bio-feedback to do this.
You see where we're going with this...physios will usually prescribe you with exercises and stretches to complete regularly at home to ensure that short-term relief is converted into future injury prevention. That's why it's so important that you do your exercises and do them CORRECTLY!
In the USA, Physiotherapy is actually called "Physical Therapy". This name is actually a better descriptor for what physio is all about - we use physical movement as therapy to correct posture and movements of your body.
Sometimes there's a quick fix, but (as with most things in life) you typically have to put some work in to get the results you want.
PhysioLabs has a studio gym on-site with best-in-class equipment to assess and treat your body as it moves.
And lastly, sometimes we may need to refer you on to another medical professional if your illness or injury is not something that physiotherapy is able to treat.
At the end of the day, a physiotherapy treatment session can offer a level of immediate relief and recovery. However, a big part of fixing your problem involves you changing some behaviours and activities out in the real world to eliminate the source of the issue, re-align your body and hopefully get you even better than when you first came to see us.
We can provide you with the tools, information and bio-feedback to do this.
You see where we're going with this...physios will usually prescribe you with exercises and stretches to complete regularly at home to ensure that short-term relief is converted into future injury prevention. That's why it's so important that you do your exercises and do them CORRECTLY!
In the USA, Physiotherapy is actually called "Physical Therapy". This name is actually a better descriptor for what physio is all about - we use physical movement as therapy to correct posture and movements of your body.
Sometimes there's a quick fix, but (as with most things in life) you typically have to put some work in to get the results you want.
PhysioLabs has a studio gym on-site with best-in-class equipment to assess and treat your body as it moves.
And lastly, sometimes we may need to refer you on to another medical professional if your illness or injury is not something that physiotherapy is able to treat.
Why do you ask me all these probing questions?
It's really important that you give us as much information as possible about your pre-existing medical conditions, medical history, lifestyle and work.
This information is asked solely for the purpose of correctly examining, diagnosing and treating your injury.
We are completely non-judgemental and have heard it all before. It is kept in absolute confidentiality.
This information is asked solely for the purpose of correctly examining, diagnosing and treating your injury.
We are completely non-judgemental and have heard it all before. It is kept in absolute confidentiality.
Will I need more than one appointment?
Not always, but usually yes.
As mentioned above, your progress will often depend on completing exercises and stretches with increasing complexity and difficulty over time. We assess whether you are completing these with correct form and ensure that we are pushing your body to recover as quickly as possible within safe parameters.
We may also have to periodically update your other medical providers/contacts with technical data relating to your injury progress.
So, if you are prescribed exercises/stretches, remember to do them - you will get better quicker (and probably need fewer appointments!).
Please be patient with your body. For some patients, it's taken years to get yourself into your current condition. Therefore, it will take time to re-train your body out of its habits. But you CAN do it!
As mentioned above, your progress will often depend on completing exercises and stretches with increasing complexity and difficulty over time. We assess whether you are completing these with correct form and ensure that we are pushing your body to recover as quickly as possible within safe parameters.
We may also have to periodically update your other medical providers/contacts with technical data relating to your injury progress.
So, if you are prescribed exercises/stretches, remember to do them - you will get better quicker (and probably need fewer appointments!).
Please be patient with your body. For some patients, it's taken years to get yourself into your current condition. Therefore, it will take time to re-train your body out of its habits. But you CAN do it!
