What to expect on your 1st appointment:

On your 1^st physiotherapy appointment at Pivotal Motion the physiotherapist will ask you some questions about your condition, medical history and general lifestyle. This helps us gain a better understanding of your body, what the problem is and what your goal of treatment is.

The physiotherapist will then do a physical examination. This may involve exposing the relevant area, such as the back or leg, and looking at your range of movement, strength and general function. They will also gently feel the area and the surrounding muscles and tissues.

Your Pivotal Motion physiotherapist will then discuss the findings with you and talk about a suitable treatment plan.

Here are some pointers to make your physiotherapy experience more successful:

Before your appointment at Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy:

• Write down any points you want to discuss in your appointment in advance, such as the nature of your symptoms or any concerns that you have, so you don’t forget to talk about them. Also bring a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications you take.
• Wear appropriate clothing. If you are worried about stripping down to your underwear, bring along some shorts or a singlet top.  Your Physiotherapist will need to be able to see and feel your back or painful area in order to treat you successfully.
• Bring any referral letters and previous MRI or X-ray reports with you if they are available.
• Remember to bring your private health card with you if you have one.

During your appointment at Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy:

• Arrive 5 minutes before your appointment as you will be asked to fill out a short form on arrival about your medical history and other relevant details.
• Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t understand something your Physiotherapist has told you – ask that it be explained again.

After your appointment at Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy:

• Once you agree on a physiotherapy treatment plan, follow it through! The exercises that your Physiotherapist asks you to do at home will be a vital part of the overall treatment plan and progress. Remember to stick to your goals that you have set.
• Do not ignore the lifestyle issues which may contribute to your susceptibility to your pain or injury. Many of the causes of musculoskeletal pain are lifestyle related. For example, long hours on a computer, and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle are frequently found to be contributory causes of back pain or increase the likelihood of suffering a sports injury.

Bobbie-Jo Strong is looking forward to seeing you at Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy soon!