A clear, step-by-step guide to your first hour with us.

Walking into a clinic for the first time can be intimidating. At CT Physical Therapy Care, we believe that knowing exactly what will happen helps you feel more comfortable and ready to heal.

Your first session is more than just an appointment—it is a comprehensive evaluation where we listen to your story, analyze your movement, and build a roadmap for your recovery.

1. Arrival & Check-In

When you enter our Woodside clinic, you will be greeted by our front desk team. If you have already filled out your forms online, we will quickly review your insurance and ID to get you registered.

2. The Consultation: We Listen First

Your physical therapist will sit down with you to discuss your condition. We don’t just want to know “where it hurts”—we want to know how it affects your life.

  • The History: We will discuss when the pain started, what makes it worse, and your past medical history.
  • The Goal: Whether you want to run a marathon, return to work, or simply pick up your grandchildren without pain, your goals become our goals.

3. The Physical Evaluation

Next, we look for the root cause of your symptoms. Pain in your shoulder might actually be coming from your neck, or knee pain might be related to your hip strength. Your therapist will evaluate your:

  • Range of Motion: How well your joints move.
  • Strength: Testing specific muscles for weakness.
  • Posture & Alignment: How your body holds itself against gravity.
  • Functional Movement: Watching you walk, squat, or reach.

4. Your Custom “Level of Care” Plan

This is what sets CT Physical Therapy Care apart. We don’t use a “one size fits all” approach. Based on your exam, we will design a treatment plan using our Level of Care system:

  1. Protective Care: If you are in acute pain, we focus on relief and protecting the injury.
  2. Gentle Care: We introduce slow, safe movements to restore mobility.
  3. Progressive Care: We begin strengthening the area to support your daily tasks.
  4. Enhance Care: We max out your skills to get you back to sports or heavy work.

5. Your First Treatment

You won’t just talk on your first day—you will start healing. Depending on your condition, your first session may include:

  • Manual Therapy: Hands-on soft tissue mobilization to reduce tightness.
  • Therapeutic Exercise: Learning the first 1-2 specific exercises to do at home.
  • Pain Management: Modalities like heat, ice, or electrical stimulation if needed.

6. Next Steps & Scheduling

Before you leave, we will explain your Plan of Care. This includes how many times a week you should come and how long your recovery is expected to take.

We will schedule your future appointments in advance to ensure you get the time slots that work best for your schedule.

Ready to Get Started?

Now that you know exactly what to expect, you can feel confident walking through our doors.