Booking a physio for the first time?
If you've never seen a physiotherapist before — or it's been years — you might not be sure what actually happens in the appointment. This page walks through what a typical first visit at our Melton clinic looks like, so you arrive knowing what to expect.
Before your appointment
- Wear or bring something comfortable that lets the physiotherapist see and move the relevant area (shorts for a knee or hip issue, a singlet for a shoulder, etc.)
- Bring any relevant scans, reports or referrals — but they're not essential
- Have a think about: when the issue started, what makes it better or worse, and what you want to get back to doing
The conversation comes first
Most of the first session is talking and listening. Your physiotherapist will ask about the history of the problem in detail — onset, mechanism, pattern of symptoms, what you've already tried, your work and activity levels, and your goals. This isn't just box-ticking; the history usually gives most of the diagnostic information.
Then the physical assessment
Depending on the area of concern, this can include watching how you move, testing strength and range, palpating tissues, running specific orthopaedic tests, and checking related joints. Your physiotherapist will tell you what they're looking for and what they're finding as they go.
The working diagnosis and the plan
At the end of the assessment, your physiotherapist should be able to give you their working diagnosis (sometimes provisional, depending on the clinical picture), explain what's likely driving the problem, and outline what treatment is likely to involve. Where clinically appropriate, this might include hands-on techniques, exercise, taping, education, or referral.
Treatment on day one
Many patients also receive treatment in the first session — some manual therapy, an exercise to start with, advice on activity modification. The aim is to leave the appointment with something practical to take away, not just a diagnosis and a follow-up booking.
What about scans?
Imaging (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) is sometimes warranted, but often not. Physiotherapy assessment can guide whether imaging would change management. If it would, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you and (depending on the situation) coordinate with your GP.
How many sessions?
The honest answer is: it depends. Acute, simple presentations may need only 2–3 visits. Chronic conditions can need a longer programme. Your physiotherapist should give you their best estimate at the first appointment and review the plan as you progress. Outcomes and timeframes vary between individuals.
Costs and rebates
Initial appointments are typically longer (and slightly more expensive) than follow-ups. Many patients claim through private health insurance (extras cover for physiotherapy), Medicare CDM plans, WorkCover, TAC, NDIS or DVA. Our reception team can explain what applies to your situation.
The Melton clinic
Our Melton location on Barries Road is set up with multiple treatment rooms, a rehabilitation gym for exercise progression, and on-site podiatry and psychology if a multidisciplinary approach is appropriate. Appointments may be available across weekdays and select Saturdays.
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