Your first appointment
What to expect at your appointment
Feeling a little nervous about your first visit is completely normal — most people are. Here’s exactly what to expect, step by step.
Each label anchors down to its step below
1
Complaint History
At your first appointment, we’ll start by talking through your complaint — how it began, how it’s changed over time, and anything that makes it better or worse.
We’ll also ask about your general health history, including any past injuries or surgeries. This gives us the full picture before we move into a physical assessment, so your treatment plan is built around your whole health story, not just today’s symptoms.
2
Musculoskeletal Assessment
Depending on what we’re assessing, we may ask you to change into something more comfortable — like shorts or a singlet — so we can properly examine the area causing you trouble. If you’d feel more at ease, we’re always happy to provide a robe or gown.
Your comfort and privacy come first, always. We’ll explain what we’re checking and why as we go, and we’ll never ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
From there, we’ll assess your range of movement and pinpoint exactly where the pain or restriction is coming from.
3
Diagnosis
Once we’ve built a clear picture from your history and physical assessment, we’ll work with you to reach a diagnosis. Occasionally this includes simple additional checks, like blood pressure or orthopaedic testing, to confirm what’s going on.
From there, we’ll put together a treatment plan tailored to you — combining hands-on therapy with rehabilitation techniquesdesigned to support your recovery.
4
Hands On Therapy
If hands-on treatment is right for your condition, we may use a combination of techniques including soft tissue massage, stretching, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, dry needling, joint mobilisation, and manipulation.
Treatment shouldn’t be something that’s done to you. We’ll check in throughout, adjust pressure to your comfort, and nothing happens without your okay. Some techniques can feel firm, and it’s common to feel a little tender for a day or so afterwards — we’ll let you know what’s normal and what to do if anything doesn’t feel right.
5
Home Exercise And Management
Great outcomes don’t stop when you leave the clinic. We’ll give you practical strategies to support your recovery and help prevent the issue coming back, which may include:
- Exercises — A simple, tailored program of stretches or strength work to improve mobility and function.
- Injury prevention — Guidance on warm-up, cool-down, and technique to reduce your risk of re-injury.
- Ergonomic advice — Practical tips for your workspace or daily activities to take pressure off the affected area.
- Lifestyle support — Small, sustainable changes to sleep, activity, or stress that can make a real difference to recovery.
6
Continued Care
Recovery isn’t always a straight line, and some conditions benefit from an ongoing, coordinated approach.
Where it’s helpful, we’ll liaise with your GP or other allied health providers to make sure everyone’s on the same page — so your care stays joined-up, consistent, and focused on your long-term health.
Ready to get started?
Book your appointment online today or contact our team if you have any questions.
