What to Expect During Your First Physio Appointment
Your path to feeling better starts here.
Make it stand out
Starting physiotherapy can feel a little uncertain — especially if it’s your first time. At Fieldwork Health, we’re all about making you feel informed, empowered, and supported from the moment you walk in.
Here’s exactly what to expect during your first physiotherapy session with us.
How Long Is the Appointment?
Your initial physiotherapy consultation is 40 minutes long. This gives us enough time to:
Discuss your current concern or injury
Go through your full history (this includes past injuries, surgeries, lifestyle, and even work habits)
Conduct a thorough physical assessment
Begin hands-on treatment (where appropriate)
Prescribe simple but effective home exercises
Create a tailored treatment plan for you moving forward
If you’re dealing with more than one injury, or your case is more complex (e.g., post-operative care, chronic pain, long-standing conditions), we offer extended 60-minute consultations. This gives us extra time to properly assess and treat two areas, or provide a more in-depth plan.
What Happens During the Consultation?
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The first part of your appointment is a chat — we’ll ask about your pain or issue, how long it’s been going on, what makes it better or worse, and how it’s impacting your daily life. We want to get to the root cause, not just treat the symptoms.
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We’ll take you through some gentle movement tests and functional assessments. These help us understand your movement patterns, limitations, strength, balance, flexibility, and joint or muscle function.
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We often begin treatment on the first day. This could include:
Joint mobilisation
Soft tissue massage or trigger point therapy
Dry needling (if appropriate and consented to)
Stretching or guided movement
Taping for support if needed
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We’ll give you a clear action plan, which might include:
A simple set of at-home stretches or strengthening exercises
Activity modifications
Postural or workplace tips
Education around your condition and what to expect during recovery
You'll leave with an Action Sheet and a link to an app, summarising your treatment plan, exercises, and follow-up schedule.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that you can move easily in. Depending on the area being treated, we may need to access your back, shoulders, legs, or arms — so activewear, shorts, or a loose T-shirt are ideal. If you're unsure, just bring a change of clothes.
What Happens After the Appointment?
Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave the clinic and neither does our support.
Make it stand out
After your appointment, we’ll check in with you on your progress and adjust your program as needed in follow-up sessions. Our aim is always to not just treat the symptoms, but build your strength and confidence so you can return to the things you love doing — pain-free.
If you ever have questions between appointments, our team is only a call or email away.
Final Thoughts
Your first physio appointment is your first step toward moving better, feeling stronger, and taking control of your health. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
If you're ready to get started, you can book your first session online or give our friendly team a call. We can’t wait to support you on your recovery journey.