Physiotherapy appointments - What to expect on your first visit

Thinking about visiting us for the very first time?
​Here is a guide as to what Physiotherapy actually is and what to expect from our service. WHAT DOES A PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO?

Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals who are trained to assess, diagnose and help you manage your injury, condition or complaint. They take into account your goals and other factors such as time and access to equipment, to form a management plan that is optimal for you.
Some treatment methods physiotherapists use include:

• Tailored exercises to help bridge the gap between your current capacity and what you hope to achieve
• Manual therapy such as soft/deep tissue release, joint mobilisations and joint manipulations as necessary, to help with movement and pain management
• Dry needling and acupuncture
• Airway clearance techniques and breathing exercises
• Education and advice regarding your condition, the timeframe of recovery, what to expect going forward, and load management
• Assess your day to day activities, and make recommendations regarding your activity and environment to help you see improvements faster
• Assistance with walking aids and other equipment to help you move better

 
CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP ME?
It is not necessary to have an injury or condition to see a physiotherapist.
​Here are some common reasons to see a physiotherapist:

• Injury prevention
• Chronic pain management
• Performance improvement
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Assistance with airway clearance
• Assistance with forming a suitable exercise program
• Ongoing exercise (classes or 1:1 sessions) for health and wellbeing
• Falls prevention
• Pelvic floor and general body strengthening before and after giving birth

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WHAT HAPPENS IN MY FIRST PHYSIOTHERAPY SESSION AT MOVEMENT 101?

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO RECOVER OR SEE PROGRESS?
The bad news is.. there is no quick fix to injury! This means that even with optimal rehabilitation, certain injuries can take weeks to years to completely heal. In the initial stage of physiotherapy, we will focus on pain management and improving your function. Despite the alleviation of pain, your body may not be ready to take on the same loads that led to the injury in the first place. Premature return to previously aggravating activities can lead to re-injury and pain. In the second stage of physiotherapy, we focus on correcting the cause of the injury or pain to help you reach your goals while reducing the likelihood of re-injury.
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Timeframe of recovery can depend on many things, such as:

• Individual characteristics: This includes age, gender, fitness level, health literacy, nutritional state and existing comorbidities.
• Individual goals: This includes the level of support you prefer, the physical demands of your desired outcome and whether you are attending physiotherapy for rehabilitation, maintenance or pain management.
• Individual circumstances: This includes your priorities, work, access to equipment and time devoted to your recovery.
• Severity of injury: The more severe the injury, the more time is required to fully recover.
• Location of injury: Injuries in locations that are difficult to offload may require more time to fully recover. Additionally, the type of tissue affected will also affect the time required to fully recover.

Your physiotherapist will guide you through your recovery by taking into account the above factors and form a treatment plan with you.
Are you ready to start your recovery journey?