What to Expect at your First Visit
Physical Therapy
Your initial Physical Therapy appointment will start with a private conversation between you and your therapist. He or she will work with you to assess your overall movement history, your medical history, and your goals moving forward. Your therapist will then perform a thorough physical evaluation including clinical diagnostic tests, and for most patients, a 3 Dimensional Functional Movement Assessment. Through this assessment, your therapist will analyze your movement patterns (noting muscle imbalances, weaknesses, stability, mobility, stiffness, etc.) and how these movement patterns relate to the cause and/or irritation of your injury. Your therapist will then create a treatment plan and work with you to schedule follow-up visits as needed. Your First Visit will last approximately 60-75 minutes. The intent of the first visit is to create an individualized and specific road map for the Physical Therapist and patient to follow in order to achieve each patient’s goals.
The therapist will discuss the following:
- Your medical history
- Your current problems/complaints
- Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem
- How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations
- Your goals with physical therapy
- Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health
The therapist will perform a variety of assessments to understand the symptoms you are experiencing and just as importantly to devise a comprehensive program to treat the underlying cause of your problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient’s input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. Each patient will go home with pictures and/or video of an individualized Home Exercise Program to help the patient achieve their goals as quickly as possible. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor.
Many physical therapy patients will come to MOTI after first seeing a General Practitioner and/or Orthopaedic Surgeon. However, California is a direct-access state, meaning you can receive physical therapy treatment without a prescription from a physician. At your initial evaluation, your Physical Therapist may be able to diagnose your problem. In some cases, your Therapist may refer you to an Orthopaedic Surgeon or another medical office for imaging. We have close relationships with the best physicians in Los Angeles, many of whom lead their field on the world-wide scale. If we cannot help you, we will strive to connect you with the medical professionals who can.
Personal Training
Your initial Personal Training appointment will start with a private conversation between you and your trainer. He or she will work with you to assess your movement history and your goals moving forward. You will then participate in a 3 Dimensional Functional Movement Assessment, in which your trainer will analyze your movement patterns, noting muscle imbalances, weaknesses, stability, mobility, and flexibility, stiffness, etc. Your trainer will then lead you through your first workout and develop a training plan to move forward. At the conclusion of your session, your trainer will work with you to schedule follow-up sessions as needed.
Please wear comfortable athletic clothing, as well as athletic shoes and socks, for your Physical Therapy and/or Personal Training appointment.
For your first appointment, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Payment will be collected at the beginning of your appointment.