Have some concerns about therapy? Need to know what to expect before your first visit? Here is some helpful information to know before you come to therapy.
What do I need to bring to my first therapy visit?
For your first visit to see a therapist, please bring your Insurance Card, Driver’s License, and a copy of the prescription from your doctor. Please wear comfortable clothes including shoes that you can move around in. Most often, your therapist will want to see the body part you are being assessed for. For example, if you are being evaluated for your knee, please wear shorts or loose fitting sweatpants so your knee may be exposed. If you are being seen for your shoulder, plan to wear a short sleeved shirt or tank top.
What should I expect during my first therapy visit?
During your first visit, your Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist will perform objective tests and measurements including checking strength, range of motion, muscle tension, posture, and alignment assessments. They will also discuss the following with you:
- Medical History
- History of current complaint/condition
- Areas of pain and things that are limited because of your pain
- Goals for therapy
What is the difference between a Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT), and Athletic Trainer (ATC)?
- A Physical Therapist is a movement specialist. They are able to treat you for just about any area of the body, but focusing mainly on achieving an upright posture, having proper movement patterns and improved balance while walking or performing your daily tasks.
- An Occupational Therapist is an arm, wrist, and hand specialist, working closely with the doctors to improve your fine motor ability, decrease hand or arm pain, and improve your ability to perform daily activities with your upper extremity.
- An Athletic Trainer is a Sport Specialist, working with athletes and people of all ages to improve their movement patters, strength and form to return to sports or recreational activities without pain and with reduced injury risk. At In Motion Therapy, we are an Orthopedic Specialty clinic, meaning we specialize in treating any disorder or injury involving muscles, tendons, joints, bones, fascia, or nerves.
How long will each treatment last?
Each treatment session including your first session will be about 45 minutes.
Who pays for the treatments?
In most cases, insurance covers all or some of the costs for physical therapy. We highly advise you to check with your insurance company prior to your first visit to see what your outpatient physical therapy benefits are. We also have two billing specialists at our Montrose location who can help answer your billing questions.