What to expect at your first physiotherapy appointment
Not sure what a physio appointment involves? Here's a straightforward walk-through of your first visit to Vital Motion.
Before you arrive
- Wear comfortable clothes you can move in; shorts for knee or hip problems, a singlet for shoulders
- Bring any scans, reports or referral letters, and your Medicare, health fund, WorkCover or NDIS details
- Jot down when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and what you want to get back to
The conversation
Your physiotherapist starts by listening: your history, your symptoms, your work, sport and daily life, and your goals. This usually takes ten to fifteen minutes and shapes everything that follows.
The assessment
We watch how you move, test strength, range of motion and specific structures, and compare sides. We explain what each test tells us as we go.
Your diagnosis and plan
You'll get a clear explanation of what's going on, what will help, and roughly how long it will take. We usually start treatment on the day — hands-on techniques, exercises or both — and send you home with a short program and video guidance.
How long it takes
Initial appointments run 45 to 60 minutes. Follow-ups are typically 30 minutes. Most people know within a few sessions whether the plan is working, and we review it with you.
This article is general information, not individual clinical advice. Talk to us about your own circumstances.
Ready to move better?
Book online, call the clinic or send us a message. We'll match you with the right physiotherapist or exercise physiologist and get you started.