What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit is designed to understand your symptoms, movement, goals, and the most appropriate plan for your recovery.
Your first physiotherapy visit at Cogent Rehab is a one-on-one assessment focused on understanding your concerns, explaining what may be contributing to your symptoms, and developing a clear treatment plan. The information below will help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect before, during, and after your visit.
Before Your First Visit
-
Complete any required intake forms before your appointment, if available.
-
Arrive 5–10 minutes early so we can complete registration and confirm your information.
-
Bring any relevant medical documents, imaging reports, referral notes, insurance details, or claim information.
-
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move and allows the area being assessed to be examined when appropriate.
-
Bring a list of current medications if your condition is complex, neurological, vestibular, post-surgical, or related to a recent injury.
What to Bring
-
Comfortable clothing - Allows movement testing and exercise
-
Imaging reports or medical notes - Helps review relevant medical history
-
Insurance information - Supports direct billing or receipts
-
Medication list - Useful for complex, neurological, vestibular or post-surgical cases
-
Walking aid, brace, orthotic, or splint - Helps Assess how you move your usual supports
During Your Visit
Your first visit begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, medical history, current concerns, activity limitations, and goals. Your physiotherapist may ask about:
-
What symptoms you are experiencing
-
When and how the problem started
-
What makes your symptoms better or worse
-
How your symptoms affect work, sleep, walking, stairs, sport, exercise, or daily activities
-
Previous treatments and how you responded
-
Your goals for physiotherapy
After the discussion, your physiotherapist will complete an assessment based on your presentation. This may include testing movement, strength, balance, walking, posture, mobility, transfers, neurological function, vestibular symptoms, or functional tasks.
Some assessment tests may reproduce your symptoms briefly to help understand the problem, but testing should not cause significant or prolonged worsening. Please tell your physiotherapist if anything feels too uncomfortable.
Your Treatment Plan
After the assessment, your physiotherapist will explain the findings and discuss a plan of care. This may include your likely diagnosis or contributing factors, treatment options, recommended visit frequency, home exercises, activity guidance, and goals for recovery.
When appropriate, treatment may begin during the first visit. This may include education, guided exercise, manual therapy, balance or gait training, vestibular rehabilitation, taping, acupuncture, dry needling, or other methods suited to your assessment findings.
After Your Visit
Before you leave, we will review your next steps, answer your questions, and discuss follow-up appointments if needed. You may receive a home exercise or self-management plan to support progress between visits.
Your recommended frequency will depend on your condition, goals, irritability of symptoms, and level of support required. Some people need only a few sessions, while others may benefit from a more progressive plan over several weeks.
We can also help confirm billing details, provide receipts, and discuss direct billing where available.
Frequenly Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. You can book directly with a physiotherapist. Some insurance plans may require a doctor’s referral for reimbursement, so it is best to check your benefits.
Will treatment start during my first visit?
Treatment may begin during the first visit when appropriate. This depends on your assessment findings, symptoms, goals, and available time.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move. For lower-limb concerns, shorts or loose pants are helpful. For shoulder, neck, or back concerns, clothing that allows access to the area may be useful.
How long is the first appointment?
Most initial assessments are about 60 minutes. Complex neurological, vestibular, concussion, mobility, or multi-region cases may require a longer appointment.
What should I bring?
Bring any relevant imaging reports, medical notes, referral documents, insurance information, and a list of medications if applicable.