What to expect from a physical therapy evaluation

Have you ever seen a physical therapist for treatment? For most people who haven’t gone through therapy before, it can be overwhelming to think about going for the first time. Especially if you don’t know what to expect. If you’re a first-time patient, here’s what you can expect from your first physical therapy evaluation.

What conditions can physical therapy specifically help?

• Joint conditions.
• Muscle conditions.
• Bone conditions.
• Old injuries.
• Orthopedic conditions.
• Neuromuscular conditions.
• Athletic injury and athletic injury prevention.

Why are physical therapy evaluations so important?

An initial physical therapy evaluation is an important part of physical therapy treatment. It’s necessary for your physical therapist to perform an initial evaluation so that they can get a better understanding of what your current physical condition is. It helps them assess what you’re in physical therapy to treat or address and what your unique therapy goals will be. 

An evaluation is so important because it’s the time when the therapist and patient communicate expectations and desired outcomes. Evaluations help therapists develop a personalized treatment plan designed to treat the patient’s unique needs specifically and create a more productive outcome.  The initial evaluation provides a baseline to track progress, and small evaluations will be made by the therapist over the course of the patient’s treatment. That way, both parties know what improvements are being made during their sessions together. 

What can you expect from a physical therapist’s evaluation, and how can you prepare for it?

If you’re new to physical therapy, you may be nervous or unsure what to expect. You might even have some questions you’re hoping to get answered. Generally, there are a few things you can expect during your first session at therapy. Here’s what you should be prepared for during your physical therapy evaluation:

• Be sure to describe and discuss your condition — One of the first things that you can expect from your physical therapist is that they’ll ask you to provide a detailed description of your condition. They’ll want to know what you’re dealing with currently and if you’re in any pain or discomfort. If you are dealing with some sort of condition, they’ll ask you to describe your symptoms.
   
• Be ready to present your medical history and medications — Next, you should be ready to disclose your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking. This is to provide your therapist with some extra context. They’ll need to know if there are any areas of the body or treatment techniques to avoid or strengthen depending on what your unique medical history is.
   
• Wear loose, open clothing around the area you’re getting treated — When you go into your initial evaluation, your therapist will also prefer that you wear loose, open clothing around the area you’ll be receiving treatment for. You should be sure to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing that covers up the area you’re getting treatment for. It’s likely that your therapist will need access if they’re performing soft-tissue manipulation or some similar type of manual treatment during your sessions.
   
• Expect your therapist to take some measurements — You can also expect your therapist to want to take measurements during your initial evaluation. They may measure your strength levels, mobility, range of motion, flexibility, balance and gait to create a baseline before tracking progress.
   
• Expect your therapist to draft a treatment plan with you — It’s also likely that your physical therapist will go over a potential treatment plan with you toward the end of your initial evaluation. They’ll draft a plan that’s tailored to your specific needs and goals and ask if you have any questions or would like to make any adjustments.

Alliance PTP is ready to help you find a caring partner to provide you with a physical therapy evaluation

Need a partner to provide you with your first physical therapy evaluation? Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here for you.

We can help you find the in-person or virtual physical therapy that’s right for you, and even better, we’ll help you find a team of caring professionals who are ready to walk with you through your entire PT journey. 

Contact us today to start getting the care you need.