What happens at your first physio appointment

Before you go

A little preparation makes the assessment more useful. Think about when the problem started, what seems to make it better or worse, and what you want to be able to do again, whether that is sleeping through the night, lifting your child, running a 10 km or getting back to HYROX training.

• A list of any medicines you take and any health conditions
• Letters, scan reports or discharge notes from your GP or hospital
• Your training programme or a rough idea of your weekly activity
• Your usual trainers if you have a running or foot problem
• Comfortable clothing: shorts for knee, hip or ankle problems and a vest top for shoulder or neck problems

In the UK, physiotherapist is a protected title, and anyone using it must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can check a physio's registration on the HCPC's online register.

The conversation

The first part of the appointment is a detailed conversation, often called the subjective assessment. It is usually the most important part. Your physio will ask about the problem in depth: where it hurts, how it started, how it behaves across the day and week, what you have tried, and how it affects your work, sleep and training.

They will also ask general health questions, some of which may seem unrelated, such as your weight, sleep, bladder and bowel function, and any history of cancer or recent illness. These are screening questions to rule out rare but serious causes of symptoms, and they are routine for everyone. They will ask about your goals and concerns, because the plan needs to fit your life.

Be honest about what worries you. If you are afraid the pain means something is damaged, or you are anxious about a scan result, say so. Addressing those concerns is part of good treatment.

It also helps to mention anything that has worked or not worked before. If a previous course of treatment helped for a while, or a particular exercise always flares things up, that information shapes the plan and saves time.

The physical examination

Next, your physio will examine you. What this involves depends on the problem, but it commonly includes:

The examination is usually gentle and guided by you. Your physio may need to reproduce some of your symptoms to understand them, but they should explain what they are doing first and stop if anything feels too much. Tell them if a movement is more painful than you expected.

• Watching how you move: walking, bending, squatting, reaching or lifting
• Measuring range of movement in the painful area and nearby joints
• Testing strength, sometimes in several positions
• Specific tests for particular structures, such as ligaments, tendons or nerves
• Checking nerve function, such as reflexes and sensation, if you have pins and needles or numbness
• Feeling the area to find tender points and assess the tissues

You may be asked to remove some clothing so the physio can see the area properly. You can ask for a chaperone, ask why anything is being done, and say no to any part of the examination or treatment at any time.

The explanation and the plan

Your physio should explain what they think is going on in plain English, what is likely to be driving it, and what the outlook is. Sometimes that is a clear diagnosis; sometimes it is a working diagnosis that will be refined as you respond to treatment. If anything suggests a need for further investigation or medical review, they will explain why and help you arrange it with your GP.

You should then agree a plan together. That usually includes what treatment will involve, roughly how many sessions you might need, what you can keep doing in training, and what to modify for now. Our guide to how many physio sessions you might need explains what shapes that number.

If you do not understand something, ask again. A good physio would much rather explain twice than have you leave confused about what to do.

Treatment in the first session

Treatment often starts in the first session, time permitting. It might include manual therapy to ease pain or stiffness, a few exercises to get you started, advice on managing aggravating activities, and education about the problem. Most people leave with a short home exercise programme. Our guide to getting home exercise programmes done has tips for fitting them into a busy week.

It is normal to feel a little sore after the first session, especially if the examination involved testing painful movements. This usually settles within a day or two.

Follow-up sessions usually focus on reviewing how you have responded, progressing exercises and adjusting the plan. As things improve, sessions tend to become less frequent and more focused on building you back to full activity and reducing the risk of it coming back.

If you are not sure whether your problem needs a physio at all, our guide on when to see a physio covers the common situations where it helps.

Your first appointment at Lycan Strength

Here at the gym, the first physio visit is a full assessment to find the root cause of the problem, followed by a tailored treatment plan. Treatment may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, injury prevention education and a home exercise programme. Gym members get 20% off treatment, and a cancellation fee applies if you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment.

You can find out more about the on-site physiotherapy service or book a physio appointment online. You can also call 07428 442526.

Questions