What to expect in your first appointment –

The minimum standard

Please take time to ask yourself these questions. Do the answers compare with your own?

Have I ever been to a physio before?

👉 No, never even thought of going, especially a private one.

Why have I never been to a physio before?

👉 thought didn’t cross my mind.
👉🏼 doctor referred me to NHS but I got better before the session became available.
👉🏼 physios are for sports people.
👉🏽 scared of going. Don’t really know what to expect.
👉🏾 it’s not my priority. I am under a GP and consultant, how would a physio help me differently?
👉🏿 I am not ill or have a problem. I would just like a relaxing massage.

How am I feeling about attending a session?

👉 nothing…just going through the motions.
👉🏼 scared and worried
👉🏽 apprehensive and nervous
👉🏾 intrigued and curious
👉🏿 excited and eager (haha)

Why am I feeling this about attending a session?

👉 I need to do this so I can progress to consultant level and get my replacement.
👉🏼 they may find something bad or sinister, surely this pain means I have the worst thing imaginable.
👉🏽 they are going to look at my body! MY BODY!
👉🏾 haven’t got a clue what to expect. What will I have to do? What do I have to say? Will I have homework? What happens during the time I am there?
👉🏿 just can’t wait to find out what the issue is or what I could do about it. This could actually help my life in a lot of ways that I may not have thought of. Getting back to the things I enjoy or start something new!

What to expect from a typical initial assessment?

✅ the initial appointment lasts 1 hour.
✅ normally this is broken down into separate parts: subjective history of the client (approximately 15 to 20 mins), objective assessment of the body part concerned (15 to 20 mins) and lastly the management/treatment (15 to 20 mins).
✅ each stage informs the next. So it should all make sense and tie together. For example: if you attend with a history of going over on your ankle, and then the ankle is swollen and sore, then the resulting management and treatment would address the pain and swelling at the ankle….not a manipulation at your neck.
✅ you would be expected to expose the area involved. This area only, so no need to remove underwear. It maybe the case that changing into shorts maybe better.
✅ your dignity, respect and confidence/confidentially are always maintained.
✅ a thorough medical history will be asked in the subjective history as specific other illnesses can impact on others.
✅ please do not feel offended if specific sensitive questions are asked. They are asked for a reason.
✅ you are in control at all times. If something is uncomfortable please say! No pain, no gain is scientifically flawed in the main. This includes assessment and treatment.
✅ you will be listened to.

What will not happen in an assessment?

❌ you are laughed at, judged and insulted.
❌ you are made to do something that is out of your comfort zone or out of your control.
❌ you are ignored.
Please take note that:
👌Physio is for everyone not just sporty ones.
👌Physio may not be your initial ‘go to’ for a relaxing massage, but we are more than qualified!