What happens at a first physiotherapy assessment
Why the first visit is usually an assessment before it is a treatment, what is generally covered, and how to make the most of it.
Before you read this
This is general information about how a first physiotherapy assessment usually works. It is not a description of exactly what happens in every visit at Physiometry — what your own assessment covers depends on your condition.
Why the assessment comes before the treatment
Two people can have what sounds like the same problem — "knee pain", "a stiff shoulder" — and need entirely different treatment. A proper assessment is what tells the two apart: it establishes what movement is currently possible, where the pain or limit actually is, what makes it better or worse, and what the likely cause is, before any exercise or hands-on technique is chosen. Reviewers at Physiometry specifically describe this being taken seriously — a thorough assessment before treatment starts, and findings explained clearly rather than a routine applied without explanation.
What is generally covered
A typical first assessment usually includes questions about how the problem started, how it has changed since, and what makes it better or worse day to day; a look at posture, movement and range of motion around the affected area; and, where relevant, simple strength and function tests. From there, a plan is usually put together — what the sessions will focus on first, roughly how often they are likely to be needed, and what, if anything, is worth doing at home between visits.
None of that is a guarantee of what any specific visit will cover — it is a general shape most physiotherapy assessments follow, adapted to whatever the actual problem turns out to be.
What is worth bringing
Any relevant reports, scans or notes from a doctor or hospital, if there are any, are usually worth bringing — they can save repeating tests that have already been done. Comfortable clothing that allows the affected area to move freely also tends to make the assessment itself more useful, since a proper look at movement is difficult through stiff clothing.
Where Physiometry fits
Physiometry's assessments are the starting point for both post-fracture and injury rehabilitation, and reviewers specifically credit the clinic with taking the time to do this step properly rather than rushing to treatment.
Meet the physiotherapist reviewers name
Why home exercises matter between sessions