Your first physical therapy appointment can be intimidating. But it shouldn’t be! Here’s what you can expect when you arrive at Sports PT of NY.
Expect us to live up to our mission, which is: “To be the premier provider of quality physical therapy services in a positive, professional, and compassionate environment.” That’s our culture with every patient, every time. Let’s explain what you can expect to experience.
First call: When you make the first call, you will be warmly greeted by one of our patient services coordinators (PSCs) who will help schedule your initial evaluation appointment to your convenience. We will obtain information about your injury, as well as insurance information so our experts can verify insurance benefits. We want to support you in every way, so you can focus on your care.
First visit: On your first visit, you will be welcomed by one of our PSCs, and your paperwork will be thoroughly reviewed. Many patients prefer to fill out the required paperwork at home, which you can do by downloading the forms from our website at www.sptny.com (under “Forms and What to Bring”). If you choose to complete this paperwork at our office, it typically takes about 10–15 minutes to fill out. The PSC will go over your insurance coverage with you and can answer any other questions you may have.
Your physical therapist (PT) will be delighted to meet you, and you will be welcomed into an evaluation room. This is where your PT will seek to learn more about your injury and determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. The evaluation is thorough, combining discussion and hands-on assessments. Comfortable clothing is recommended, and clothing that allows access to the injured area is preferred. First, your PT will ask questions for about 10–15 minutes regarding your symptoms, goals, and medical history. After this discussion, your PT will perform the physical evaluation to determine what needs to be addressed in physical therapy. Often there are areas of tightness and weakness that a PT will assess. The objectives of physical therapy will be to help restore your normal activities and to achieve your goals! If for some reason your injury or condition requires a different healthcare provider, a referral to that provider will be facilitated that day.
Education: We are committed to patient education, which includes: injury education, prognosis, and treatment plan. Our PTs will use medical resources such as posters, models, computer videos, and demonstration to help you understand your injury and why/how physical therapy can help. The PT will make a recommendation as to how many times a week you should attend physical therapy and what the main focus of your treatments will be. Most patients attend physical therapy two to three days per week, depending on the condition. Sometimes it’s more, sometimes less.
Treatment: Many times, the PT will perform some type of hands-on skilled care to help restore motion or to help reduce pain. You will have the same PT for the majority (if not all) of your visits to maximize your consistency of care. In most cases, on your first day of physical therapy, you will be given between one and three exercises (with photos and clear instructions) to perform at home.
Day One Is Complete! What’s Next?
After the evaluation, treatment, and hands-on care, your PT and PSC will coordinate appointments with you. The average first visit lasts a little over an hour. After your visit, the PT will write up your initial evaluation note. If an MD referred you, that evaluation will be sent to him or her.
This begins your physical therapy journey with us! Thank you for choosing Sports PT of NY. We are committed to clinical excellence and outstanding customer service in a fun environment.
For more information, or to schedule your first appointment, visit us at www.sptny.com.