What to Expect at Your First Physiotherapy Appointment
By Toby Sullivan, MCSP - Chartered Physiotherapist
A lot of people put off booking a first physiotherapy appointment simply because they don't know what's actually going to happen. It's a fair thing to want to know before you turn up. Here's roughly how a first appointment at Fit by Physio actually runs.
It starts with a proper conversation, not a form
The first part of the appointment is spent talking through what's going on - when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, what you're trying to get back to, and anything relevant about your training, work, or general health. This isn't a box-ticking exercise. It's usually where the biggest clues about what's actually causing the problem come from.
Then a proper look at how you move
Depending on what's going on, this might mean checking a joint's range of movement, testing strength, or watching how you move more generally. For runners, that includes a look at training load and cadence rather than watching you run on a treadmill, since that tends to tell you more about what's actually driving the injury.
You'll get a straight answer
By the end of the assessment, you'll get a plain-speaking explanation of what's going on, why it's happening, and roughly what it'll take to sort it out. If something needs a scan, a referral, or a second opinion before physiotherapy makes sense, you'll be told that straight rather than being kept on as a patient regardless.
Treatment starts on day one
Where it's appropriate, hands-on treatment happens in the first session, alongside the start of an exercise plan built specifically around what's actually wrong - not a generic sheet handed out at the end. You'll understand why each part of the plan is there, not just what to do.
Practical bits
A new patient appointment is 45 minutes and costs £80, which allows enough time to actually get through all of the above properly rather than rushing it. Wear something you can move comfortably in, and bring any scans, GP letters, or surgeon's notes if you have them. Full details on pricing and insurance are on the Fees & Insurance page.
If you're still not sure
If you're not sure physiotherapy is the right thing for your problem, you don't need to guess. Email a quick description of what's going on and I'll tell you straight whether it's likely to help before you book anything.