Patient handout · Holistic

Physical therapy (what to expect)

What it is

Stick figures doing guided physical therapy exercises lying down and on hands and knees.

A physical therapist teaches you exercises to help you move better and feel stronger. Therapy is often one of the first steps for back, neck and joint pain.

Check with your provider before starting, especially if you have a heart or lung condition, recent surgery, osteoporosis, or are pregnant.

It may help with

Low Back Pain
Neck Pain
Knee Pain
Sciatica

How to start

Evaluation: First visit, about 45–60 minutes
Your plan: Often 1–3 visits a week
Treatment visits: Each visit builds on the last
Home program: Most days, 10–20 minutes

Self-care tips

Bring a list of your medicines, past imaging and any questions.
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in.
Tell your therapist honestly how exercises feel, during and the day after.
Check your insurance for visit limits or referral requirements; our staff can help with referrals.

When to call us

Sharp pain that is worse during or after the activity and does not settle in a day or two
New weakness, numbness or tingling in a leg or arm
Fever, weight loss you cannot explain, or pain after a fall

Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

This handout is general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.

Try the moves

1. Evaluation

The therapist asks about your pain, goals and daily activities, then checks posture, movement, strength and flexibility.

First visit, about 45–60 minutes

2. Your plan

Together you set goals, such as walking 20 minutes or sitting through a movie, and agree on how often to come in.

Often 1–3 visits a week

3. Treatment visits

Visits may include guided exercise, hands-on techniques, posture and lifting training and education about pain.

Each visit builds on the last

4. Home program

You get a short set of exercises to do at home. This is where much of the progress happens.

Most days, 10–20 minutes

Step 1 of 4