What to Expect From Your First Physio Appointment

If you’ve never seen a physiotherapist before, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to expect. Here’s a straightforward guide to your first appointment at Active Recovery Physio.

The Initial Assessment

Your first session is all about understanding you — your body, your history, and your goals.

We’ll start with a conversation covering:

What brought you in today
How long you’ve had the problem
Your medical history and any previous injuries
Your activity levels and lifestyle
What you want to achieve

Physical Examination

After the chat, we’ll carry out a hands-on assessment. This will typically include:

Checking your posture and movement patterns
Testing range of motion and strength
Special orthopaedic tests relevant to your area of complaint
Palpation (hands-on examination of the tissue)

You may be asked to move in certain ways or perform simple exercises — wear comfortable clothing if you can.

Your Diagnosis and Plan

By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear understanding of:

What’s going on and why
A realistic prognosis and expected recovery timeline
Your personalised treatment and rehab plan
What you can do at home between sessions

How Long Does It Take?

Initial assessments typically last 45–60 minutes. Follow-up sessions are usually 30–45 minutes.

Have questions before you come in? Feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to help.