Your First Visit
Everything you need to know to get ready for your first appointment.
With the most board-certified physical therapists of any practice in the area, MOTION offers you the highest quality care available – and it all starts with a call.
When your first appointment is booked, you’ve taken the first step on your road to recovery.
Our team is ready to get to know your unique story during your very first visit, ensuring we understand your challenges, medical history and the goals you’re setting for your future.
Your First Appointment:
Here are a few simple things you should know before we get started:
- You can make the most of your visit to the clinic by filling out the new patient paperwork at home and bringing it with you to the clinic.
- If you have already filled out the forms, arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. If you haven’t filled out your forms yet, no need to worry – just allow yourselves a few extra minutes prior to your appointment to fill them out.
- Your first appointment will last about an hour.
- Wear comfortable clothes that allow for easy movement.
- Remember to bring your health and insurance details, as well as any braces, crutches, and splints if required.
- Bring your referral if you have one.
That’s it! That’s everything you need to know to get started.
FAQ
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Not necessarily. If you miss an appointment or forget to do your HEP, it is important that you make that up. Most of the time, when a patient reports no progress, it turns out they struggled to commit to the process throughout their treatment. On the flipside, when our patients are consistent, they achieve positive results quickly.
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Yes. Physical therapy works based on the science of how the body rebuilds and heals. The biggest killer of progress is inconsistency. We recommend adhering to your prescribed sessions agreed upon in your PT Eval to achieve desired results.
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It is common for patients to experience some muscle soreness in the first few weeks of physical therapy. The reason for this is because you are exercising and stretching a part of your body that isn’t used to the activity. When we recommend an exercise or stretch, we are specifically targeting the muscles, tendons/ligaments, and bone structures that are dysfunctional and causing you pain.
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During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.
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We understand that unexpected situations can arise, and you may find yourself running late or needing to cancel your appointment. If that happens, please call your clinic directly. This allows us to adjust the schedule and reschedule you in a timely manner so your care plan stays on track.
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Most physical therapy plans recommend 2–3 visits per week for 4–6 weeks. The exact number will depend on your condition, your doctor’s referral, insurance coverage, and how quickly you progress. Our team will verify your insurance benefits before you begin and review them with you at your first visit to ensure there are no surprises. If your plan has a high deductible, we’ll also reach out beforehand to provide full transparency about any potential out-of-pocket costs.
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Please bring a form of identification, your insurance card, and a method of payment if required. Having these items ready helps us check you in smoothly and ensures there are no delays with your appointment. Some of our clinics operate as cashless and checkless locations, meaning credit card payments are the only form of payment accepted. Online payment through MyChart is also available for your convenience.
For every visit, we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and gives your therapist access to the area being treated. Many patients find that athletic wear, such as shorts, yoga pants, and sneakers, works best, but any clothing that lets you move comfortably is acceptable.
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Your first appointment will include a full, comprehensive evaluation so we can understand what’s causing your pain and build a personalized treatment plan that works for you. We ask that you arrive 15–20 minutes early so you have time to complete any remaining paperwork and review your insurance benefits. You can save time by completing your new patient forms online before your first visit.
During the evaluation, your therapist will take time to learn about your medical history, listen to your concerns, and perform a detailed assessment to understand the root cause of your symptoms. This information helps us create a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
You’ll then begin your initial treatment session. This usually includes guided exercises and stretches that focus on building strength, improving mobility, and reducing pain. Depending on your condition, your therapist may also incorporate other techniques to support your recovery.
At the end of your visit, you’ll receive a personalized Home Exercise Program (HEP) to continue your progress between sessions.
Follow-up visits focus on advancing your program, tracking progress, and making adjustments to keep you moving forward. Because we schedule future visits ahead of time, please bring your schedule with you to help us plan your upcoming visits.