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What to Expect During Your First Session With a Physical Therapist in Atlanta

Meeting with your physical therapist in Atlanta for the first time can be uncomfortable. For some of our clients, it’s even intimidating. When you don’t know what to expect, it can be rather stressful. That’s why the practitioners at our Atlanta injury center like to explain what happens when you first come into the office.

What Injuries Have Brought You to Our Atlanta Injury Center?

Your first session with a physical therapist in Atlanta will depend on your injuries. One of the first things we’ll ask is what brought you to our Atlanta injury center in the first place?

Before we know what will take place during your initial appointment, we need to know what caused your injuries. For example, a lot of our clients were injured in a car accident. They may have suffered whiplash or a much more serious injury in their neck or back.

Other people come to our Atlanta injury center for chronic pain. As people get older, they are less able to function with the same level of pain that they experienced when they were younger. 

A physical therapist in Atlanta can help teach them exercises that will reduce their pain and help them regain mobility.

Did You Suffer Injuries in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, there is a good chance that you suffered serious injuries. 

This is not to say that some of our clients suffered nothing more serious than whiplash. However, even whiplash can be extremely painful and, for some people, it can take quite some time to recover.

A physical therapist in Atlanta also treats people who suffered very serious injuries. We have had clients come to us after learning that they are totally paralyzed. 

In addition to helping these patients increase their mobility, it’s important that we help them become accustomed to their new ways of living.

Maybe You Suffered a Slip and Fall?

If you weren’t in an accident, you may have suffered injuries in a slip and fall. Perhaps you were doing your grocery shopping and fell on a wet floor in the produce section.

People who suffer these types of accidents often end up with injuries to their ankles, knees, and back. When they first come to our Atlanta injury center, we make sure we run all the necessary diagnostic tests to determine the nature and extent of their injuries.

Our Physical Therapists in Atlanta Treat a Variety of Injuries

One of the nice things about seeing a physical therapist in Atlanta is that they’re able to treat all sorts of injuries. They have been trained for years on how to make their patients gain mobility and increase their range of motion.

Some of the more common injuries that we treat at our Atlanta injury center include the following:

  • Neck and back injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Sprains and strains
  • Elbow injuries
  • Foot and ankle injuries
  • Amputation
  • Stroke
  • Shoulder injuries

When you first come to see a physical therapist in Atlanta, the first thing they’ll do is conduct a thorough assessment to determine what types of injuries you’re suffering from.

You’ll Undergo a Thorough Assessment Before Any Treatment is Given

Before you’ll be able to undergo any kind of treatment at our Atlanta injury center, you will need to undergo a thorough assessment to identify any physical or neurological issues you’re suffering from.

Some of the diagnostic tests that your physical therapist in Atlanta may need to conduct include the following:

  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • X-ray
  • Ultrasound
  • Physical examination
  • Neurological examination

In addition to running these tests, your physical therapist in Atlanta will also need to see a copy of your medical records. 

Patient getting CT scan at Atlanta injury center

Typically, someone from our Atlanta injury center will reach out to your treating physicians and ask for the last 7 to 10 years of medical records.

This allows our physical therapists in Atlanta to look at any pre-existing conditions you may have had prior to your most recent injuries.

Your Physical Therapist in Atlanta Will Explain Your Proposed Treatment Plan

During your initial appointment at our Atlanta injury center, you will sit down with one of our practitioners so they can explain how the treatment process works. Once we have ascertained the nature and extent of your injuries, you will more than likely be assigned to a physical therapist in Atlanta.

Your physical therapist will design a unique treatment plan customized to your situation. Before they commence treatment, they will make sure that your insurance covers the medical care they intend to provide you with. 

They will also have a detailed conversation with you so that you know what to anticipate. Our physical therapists in Atlanta do not believe it’s fair to force patients to undergo any type of treatment. 

It is always best that you work together with our practitioners to determine the best treatment plan and timetable for recovery.

You May Also Be Asked to Perform Simple Exercises to Determine Your Range of Motion and Mobility

Before you leave our office after your initial assessment, your physical therapist in Atlanta may ask you to perform some exercises for them. It’s critical that they determine your range of motion so that they know how rigorous their treatment plan can be.

You will also be sent home with a set of exercises to do outside of the office along with instructions on how to do them. You may also receive pamphlets about the type of injuries you’ve suffered and what treatment options are available to you.

Call Today and Schedule Your Initial Assessment at Our Atlanta Injury Center

We recommend that you contact our Atlanta injury center as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner you come in and meet with a physical therapist in Atlanta, the sooner they can commence treatment. 

Our goal is always to provide our clients with a safe and gradual recovery. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office directly.

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