First Visit

First Visit at Orthocare Physical Therapy Center 

What happens during my First Visit?

At your first visit to Orthocare Physical Therapy Center, you will:

• Complete Paperwork

  • Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment with your paperwork completed
  • You will provide us with your prescription for physical therapy
  • We will take your information and forms (e.g. ID, insurance card etc.)

• Provide your History

  • Your therapist will discuss the following:
    • Your goals with physical therapy
    • Your current problems/complaints and past medical history
    • How your problems are impacting your life
    • Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.

• Undergo Testing

  • Then, your therapist will perform some tests that may include:
    • Palpation – touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc.
    • Range of Motion (ROM) – the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions.
    • Muscle Testing – the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded.
    • Neurological Screening – the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well.
    • Special Tests – the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems.
    • Gait and Posture Assessment – the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed.

• Complete a Plan of Care

  • Your therapist and you will then develop a plan to treat those problems. This plan will detail:
    • The number of times you should attend physical therapy per week,
    • How many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and
    • What is expected after discharge from physical therapy.

Other Questions about your First Visit?

If you have other questions, refer to our FAQs page

Contact Us

Contact us or Call Us at 703-310-7610