If you've been in an accident or are experiencing pain, your primary doctor may refer you to physical therapists. If you haven't been to physical therapy before, there are a few things you should know. Keep reading to learn what you can expect at your first physical therapy appointment.

Paperwork

You'll want to arrive a few minutes early to your first physical therapy appointment to complete the paperwork. The paperwork is similar to what you fill out at a doctor's office, your name, contact information, your insurance, any emergency contacts, etc. The biggest difference in the paperwork is that you will also have a questionnaire to fill out related to what brought you into physical therapy. This questionnaire asks specific questions about your pain, range of motion, and daily activities you need help with due to your condition.

Physical Assessment

Even though your primary care doctor referred you to physical therapy for pain, your physical therapists will want to confirm where the pain you are feeling originates with a physical assessment. This is done to make sure you are getting the correct physical therapy sessions and treatment for your pain.

Home Exercises

When you attend physical therapy, you'll do exercises with physical therapists, but you'll also need to do exercises at home. Since physical therapy is about getting you back to where you once were, the exercises your physical therapist gives you are meant to help you be able to do the movement you require at home.

Discussion of Goals

Before you can get started on your exercises and get better, your physical therapist will want to make sure you understand your condition and why your body is in pain. They will also want to discuss your goals or what you plan to achieve from physical therapy. While big goals like running a race are good for your physical therapist to know, they'll want to know more realistic and daily goals. This could be picking up your child or being able to cook dinner.

Emotional Therapy

It can be emotional and frustrating not being able to move how you want, but your physical therapist is there to support you. Their goal, just like yours, is to get you back to your life and regular daily activities.

Physical therapists are not people you need to be afraid of, actually, the treatment is very common. Many people start physical therapy for pain relief and according to thegoodbody.com, 41% of patients looking for drug-free pain relief, found physical therapy to be an effective alternative treatment. If you have pain, talk to your doctor to see if physical therapy is right for you.