Welcome to The Therapy Network
We’re so glad you’ve chosen The Therapy Network, and we can’t wait to help you start your journey toward better movement, strength, and wellness. Whether you’re coming to us for recovery, pain relief, or performance, you’ve taken the first step toward feeling your best.
We know your first visit to physical therapy can bring up questions—what to expect, what to wear, how to prepare—and we’re here to make it easy. Our goal is to help you start off on the right foot with confidence and clarity.
Get ready for your first appointment by reviewing what to expect and how to prepare.
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- Go to the Patient Portal From the welcome email, click on the button that says “Intake Form” or visit.
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- Enter Your Email Use the email you provided when registering with The Therapy Network.
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- Set Up Your Account
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address (must match what’s on file)
- Mobile Phone Number
- How you identify yourself (male, female, other)
- Set Up Your Account
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- Check Your Email Look for your verification code.
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- Enter the Code Input the verification code into the portal to complete verification.
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- You’re In! You now have access to your patient portal.
- Completing Your Intake Paperwork
Once logged in, navigate through the menu to complete the following:
- My Profile
- Insurance Info
- Outcome Measures (if assigned)
We know understanding health insurance and the financial side of physical therapy is important. At your first visit, we’ll review your insurance coverage and share an estimate of costs provided by your insurance company.
We also encourage patients to contact their insurance directly for more details about their specific plan, including deductibles, copays, and coverage limits. As always, our front desk and billing team are available to answer any questions and help you feel confident about your care.
Comfort is key! Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely during your appointment. Supportive shoes are recommended for exercises and mobility testing.
If you’d like to change into workout clothes, changing rooms and restrooms are available at all clinics. For patients participating in aquatic physical therapy, there are changing rooms conveniently located near the pool area.
To help us provide the best care, we recommend bringing a list of your symptoms. Include details like:
- When the symptoms started
- What makes them better or worse
- Activities, positions, or times of day that affect your pain
You can also note any recent injuries, stressful events, or other factors you think may contribute to your condition. This information helps your therapist create a personalized treatment plan from day one.
Your therapist will want to understand your overall health, so bring a summary of your medical history. Helpful items include:
- A list of medications, supplements, or vitamins
- Any past or upcoming surgeries
- Contact information for your physician or other healthcare providers you want involved in your care
This ensures your treatment plan is safe, comprehensive, and coordinated with your healthcare team.
Your first visit typically lasts up to 90 minutes, giving us time to gather information, perform evaluations, and start your treatment. Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial Discussion: Your therapist will ask questions about your health, symptoms, daily activities, work, and recreation.
- Physical Evaluation: We’ll assess strength, flexibility, balance, posture, coordination, and mobility. Hands-on techniques may be used to examine affected muscles and joints.
- Goal Setting & Treatment Planning: Together, you’ll outline your goals and begin a personalized care plan. Many patients start treatment during this first visit.
Your input and details are essential, so answer questions as fully as possible to help your therapist create a plan just for you.
We believe that open communication is vital to your success. Your therapist will:
- Keep you informed about your progress
- Ask for feedback to adjust your plan
- Coordinate with your physician, case manager, or other providers at your request
This ensures everyone involved in your care is aligned and your recovery stays on track.
To make the most of your first visit:
- Arrive 30 minutes early to complete check-in, intake paperwork, and initial outcome surveys.
- Share your availability with your therapist and front desk so we can schedule follow-ups at convenient times.
- Keep your appointments and follow the clinic’s cancellation policy to avoid missed care or fees.
- Discuss any schedule or frequency changes with your therapist. We’ll help you adjust your plan while keeping your recovery on track.
Your therapist may recommend a home exercise program (HEP) to complement in-clinic treatment. Completing your HEP is critical to long-term success and helps you achieve your recovery goals faster.
Learn more about Home Exercise Programs and how they impact your physical therapy experience.
1. Accessing Your Patient Portal & Intake Paperwork
1. Insurance
2. Dress for Success
3. Make a List
- → Do certain activities, movements, or specific positions, such as sitting or standing, increase or improve your pain?
- → Is your pain more noticeable at certain times of the day?
- → When resting, is your pain more significant or reduced?
Make a note of any critical personal information, including any recent stressful events, injuries, incidents, or environmental factors that you believe might have contributed to your condition.
4. Review Your Medical History
- → Make a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements that you are taking.
- → Make a list of any medical conditions of your parents or siblings.
- → Bring the contact information for your physician and other healthcare professionals you would like your physical therapist to contact regarding your evaluation and your progress.
5. What to Expect During Your First Visit
First, your physical therapist will ask many questions about your health and the specific condition that requires physical therapy today.
Your physical therapist may also ask specific questions about your home or work environment, health habits, and activity level. Note that your leisure and recreational interests are also vital.
Answer the questions with details to help your therapist create a custom recovery plan.
Second, your physical therapist will perform a detailed examination. This examination will include an evaluation of your strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, posture, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Your physical therapist might use their hands to examine or “palpate” the affected area or to perform a detailed examination of the mobility of your joints, muscles, and other tissues. Your physical therapist may also evaluate the following:
- → How you walk (your “gait”)
- → How do you get up from a lying position or get in and out of a chair (“functional activities”)
- → How you use your body for certain activities, such as bending and lifting (“body mechanics”)
The TTN physical therapist will work with you to determine your physical therapy goals and begin to develop a plan for your treatment. In many cases, the physical therapist will make a diagnosis and begin treatment during the first appointment or shortly.
6. Communication is Key
7. Your Appointment Schedule is Important
- → Plan to arrive a few minutes early for each scheduled appointment. Late arrival may affect your 1-on-1 time with the therapist and that of other patients in the clinic.
- → Actively participate in discussions with your therapist on your schedule and the frequency of appointments.
- → Show up for appointments. Please review the facility’s Financial and Cancellations Policy before starting a TTN treatment program. Failure to show up for an appointment without following the TTN cancellation policy may result in a fee. If an emergency prevents you from attending, try to provide adequate notice.
- → If you plan to discontinue therapy or change the frequency of treatment because of personal or financial considerations, please discuss this with your physical therapist.
8. At - Home Therapy
Only perform exercises Learn more about Home Exercise Programs here at the therapist-specified repetition, frequency, and resistance (such as weight or resistance band color). More is not always better and may cause injury!
We’re Excited to Get Started
Your journey to recovery begins here! Our team at The Therapy Network is ready to guide you every step of the way with personalized care and support.
If you have any questions before your first appointment, don’t hesitate to contact your nearest TTN clinic. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you move, feel, and live better.