If you’re curious about what happens in a physio session or considering booking an appointment, you’re likely looking for details on how it unfolds and how you can prepare. Physiotherapy can be a game-changer in addressing ongoing pain, rehabilitating injuries, and improving overall mobility, but let’s walk you through a typical session, answering common questions like what happens, how long a session lasts, and what you should wear.
What happens during your first physiotherapy session?
I’ll preface this by saying that every physio session is slightly different depending on the client’s challenges and goals. However, each initial appointment will generally have a similar structure, broken into three main sections: assessment, goal setting, and treatment.
Assessment: We’ll start with an informal conversation about your health history, general symptoms, and specific injuries that might relate to your condition. Once we’ve had a chat, I’ll get you to stand up or lie on the bed so I can assess your mobility, muscle strength, and overall movement patterns.
Goal setting: Based on our conversation and my assessment together, we’ll set realistic goals for your therapy, whether it’s to reduce pain, increase strength, or enhance flexibility. We’ll also discuss roughly how many sessions will be required to reach your goals.
Treatment: With consent, I’ll spend 15-20 minutes performing a range of manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilisation and soft tissue therapies, to improve movement and decrease pain.
At-home exercise: Before we finish our session, we will demonstrate and teach you specific exercises that will be completed at home to help strengthen and improve your range of motion. We’ll discuss any return to exercise or sport and be able to modify certain elements so you can return to action sooner.
What happens in a review physio session?
Similar to your first appointment, a review session with a physiotherapist includes re-assessment, goal setting, and treatment. However, these sessions are usually only 30 minutes long.
We’ll discuss your progress, provide further treatment and review your exercise program. We’ll adapt our goals if required and usually get straight to the physical treatment part of the session. This might involve the same manual therapies as the initial appointment or the addition of other physical therapies like stretching, dry needling, electrotherapy, or taping.
What to do before your first physio session?
Do you need a referral to see a physio? You don’t need a referral to see a physiotherapist; however, if you want to claim a rebate from your session, you’ll need a Chonic Health Care Plan from your GP.
What to wear to a physio session? Wear clothes that allow easy access to the area of concern, like shorts for a knee issue or a loose t-shirt for shoulder troubles. If you’re coming straight from work, you can always bring a change of clothes; we have change rooms you can use before our session.
What should you bring to your physio session? If you have relevant scans, such as X-rays or MRIs, please bring these with you. Otherwise, you don’t need to bring anything specific, just yourself.
What time should I arrive before my appointment? Ideally, you should arrive about 5-10 minutes before your first appointment to complete any new client paperwork. For any review appointments, you can show up just before you have booked time.
How long is a typical physiotherapy session? Your initial session will last about 45 minutes. Follow-up sessions are generally shorter, around 30 minutes, depending on your treatment needs.
Book your physio session today
Understanding what happens in a physiotherapy session can transform your approach and mindset towards booking that first appointment. Knowing what to expect, how long sessions last, and what to wear so you can show up to each visit feeling relaxed.
If you’re ready to reduce pain, increase mobility or reduce your risk of sports injuries, don’t hesitate to book an appointment.
Our doors are open, and we are ready to support you every step of the way.
Wondering what a physio does? We’ve answered your common questions here.