• Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you will find patient forms under the Insurance tab).  Please print out and complete prior to coming to your first visit. 
• You will provide us with your prescription for physical therapy.
• We will copy your insurance card and a photo I.D.
• You will be seen for the initial evaluation by the therapist.
• The therapist will discuss the following:
  
  1. Your current problems/complaints.
  2. Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem.
  3. How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.
  4. Your goals with physical therapy.
  5. Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.
     
• The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following:
  
  
  1. Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
  2. Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
  3. Muscle Testing - the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening.
  4. Neurological Screening - the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
  5. Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
  6. Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.

As a result of their findings, he therapist will then formulate a treatment plan developed specifically for your individual needs and challenges.  The therapist will communicate to you how many times you will see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy.  You will be given an individualized home program and patient education to teach you the proper way to perform your home exercise progam.  Your short and long-term goals will be discussed to that we can ensure you will meet these goals and expectations.