What to Expect on Your First Day at Physical Therapy

I often ask my new patients what questions they have about physical therapy. Do they already know that it can help them with their pain or injuries? What I find is that these newcomers often wonder “What is it all about?” So I decided to explain what the first day of physical therapy is like for most people. If you’re curious about physical therapy or what it is like to go through PT, this is for you. 

Here’s what happens as a person starts and then goes through a physical therapy program:

1. Before you start physical therapy, we will consult your insurance and provide you with information about your coverage for therapy and what your cost share will be. 
2. Your first day with a therapist will be an evaluation, during which we will discuss your situation and how your problem or injury came to be. We want to get a good understanding of your history. 
3. We will then run through tests to measure your limitations.
4. When that is done, we’ll discuss your plan of care and answer any questions you have.
5. Next, we’ll schedule you based on what the therapist thinks is needed for you to get better.
6. After this, you’ll be given some exercises to begin working on at home. This is called your home exercise program. This will change and develop based on how you progress in physical therapy. 
7. Next, you and your therapist will talk about what happens after your first day. Each future session will address your deficits, working in order of importance. Hands-on techniques focused on pain reduction and improving mobility and flexibility may be utilized. 
8. As mobility and pain improve, we advance to the next phase: addressing the weak areas of your musculoskeletal system. These weak areas are often directly related to making your body vulnerable to pain and injury. Strengthening them brings you closer to your goals and your ideal lifestyle.

Your Home Exercise Program Is Specifically Tailored to Your Needs

Your home exercise program will be tailored to you and will progress and change over the course of your physical therapy. When your plan of care is complete, we want you to know how to continue building on your gains at home. 

We offer a comprehensive system of rehab, but the goal always is to bring a person from pain and limitation to living their best life. At Full Potential Physical Therapy, you can always expect to have one-on-one care with a therapist who is attentive and focused on helping you reach your goals. 

If you think you can benefit from physical therapy or you have any questions, please call us at (616) 537-2837 to schedule an appointment or get your questions answered. I look forward to helping you live your best life. 

About Alisha

Alisha earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University in 2019 and continued her education at the University of Michigan-Flint, where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree in 2023.

Her experience in providing outpatient orthopedic care has enabled her to work with a variety of patient populations and diagnoses. She excels in providing one-on-one care for her patients, and in developing individualized programs to help each patient achieve their unique wellness goals. In her free time, Alisha enjoys weightlifting, running, reading, and spending time outdoors in the company of friends and family.