How to prepare for your home physiotherapy appointment

If you are attending the physio appointment at home for the first time, getting ready 10-15 minutes before your first appointment will give you enough time to ask any pre-assessment questions to your physio, and inform the physio about appropriate car parking prior to the appointment. This helps you and your physio run on time. You won’t have to fill out any paperwork for your appointments, but it is still a good idea to send any referral or investigation reports. 

Physiotherapists generally need good visual and physical access to the area you have injured, so it is important that you choose appropriate clothing for your appointment. If you are getting treatment for a shoulder or elbow, it is helpful to wear a T-shirt or tank top. Some physios will ask you to remove your shirt if you have sore back, and wearing shorts or leggings can help them manage your hip or knee pain. All assessment and treatment methods can be adapted, however, and it is very important that you feel safe and comfortable throughout your appointment. Feel free to discuss your preferences with your physio to ensure you can feel comfortable while receiving the best quality treatment possible.

If you have been referred to your physio by a GP or specialist, please make sure you bring your referral with you. This will help your therapist get a clear idea of your history and condition and allows them to communicate with your referrer following your appointment. You may also have scans and imaging reports from previous medical appointments. Make sure you send these prior as they can give the therapist a better understanding of your presentation.

At the start of the appointment, your therapist will ask you lots of questions about your injury and your previous medical history. It is important that you have a clear idea of when your injury started and how it has progressed over time. You should also consider if you have made any recent lifestyle or activity changes that may have impacted your body. The more information you provide, the easier it is for your therapist to understand your specific injury and how it affects you. This means they can tailor their treatment to your requirements and gives you the best chance of getting back to what you love.

The most important person during your physio appointment is YOU. If you have a question about your diagnosis, treatment or prognosis, your physio will be more than happy to discuss this with you. Sometimes it can help to write your questions down so you don’t have to remember them on the spot during your appointment. No question is a silly question, and it is your therapist’s goal to ensure you leave the appointment with clarity and confidence.

While it may be nice to lay back on the physio bed and get a relaxing massage, a big part of your appointment is being prescribed exercises that you can do at home to help manage your injury. Your physio will lead you through a home exercise program during the appointment, so make sure you are ready to move and remember the cues you are given. Do not be afraid to ask questions or clarify anything about your exercises, as this will help you remember exactly how to perform them on your own at home.