What does the initial assessment involve?
The Initial Assessment (IA) process allows me to identify the injured tissue(s) and the underlying factors that have contributed to your injury/problem. The IA comprises three sections:
History taking
This involves asking you lots of questions on how your injury /problem developed, what activities make it better or worse and identify how you have been affected by the injury/problem. I will also ask questions on your medical history, work history and your exercise history in order to identify any genetic and lifestyle factors that may have impacted your problem.
Physical examination:
The second part of the IA will involve me looking at your posture and alignment and seeing how well your injured body parts move. Please ensure you wear loose comfortable clothing (ideally vest and shorts) in order to permit accurate assessment. I will then apply a range of diagnostic tests in order to identify the structures at fault.
Treatment planning:
By compiling the information gleaned from the history taking and physical examination, I can then develop an injury profile, explain the findings to you and give you a diagnosis. You will be given a clear list of Do’s and Don’ts and, if appropriate, you will be started on your exercise programme.
Time permitting, I will also treat the injured area in order to begin getting you back to normal. Whilst I acknowledge that hands-on treatment is important, the number one priority of the initial assessment is to establish a precise diagnosis and ensure you know exactly what to do and what not to do in the time you are not in the physio clinic.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
On completion of the initial assessment you will be given an estimate as to how many therapy sessions you are likely to need. In some cases some simple advice and exercises may be enough to successfully manage your condition in which case you would only need one or two sessions.
In the majority of cases a short course of treatment (5-7) sessions should be sufficient to achieve optimal recovery and significantly reduce your risk of relapse or re-injury.
Do you treat children?
I am happy to treat children under the age of 18 provided they are accompanied by an adult. It is important that your child is capable of communicating the nature of the problem to me; otherwise we may struggle to help.
What should I wear to my appointments?
Please ensure you wear loose comfortable clothing (ideally vest and shorts) in order to permit accurate assessment of your body and its movement patterns. Please be aware that I am the sole therapist at Physio117; if you feel uncomfortable being treated by a male physiotherapist you are more than welcome to bring a friend or significant other to your appointments.
Is Parking Available?
Yes. Free parking is available either on the driveway in front of the clinic, or on the street. Physio117 is located on Upwood Road SE12 which is home to Colfe’s School; when booking your appointment time please bear this in mind as traffic is heavier around school drop-off and pick-up times.