Your First Physiotherapy Appointment: What to Expect

A first physiotherapy appointment can feel unfamiliar. What exactly will you talk about, what gets tested, and will you be doing exercises right away? Below we walk through what to expect at your first appointment, from the intake to the treatment plan, so you can walk in prepared.

How long does an intake take, and what does it cost?

A first appointment, the intake, usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. That's longer than a regular follow-up session, because it includes time for the conversation, the physical examination, and drafting an initial plan.

In the Netherlands you don't need a GP referral for physiotherapy: you can book directly (direct access physiotherapy). During the intake we always screen for any signals that would call for a referral to your GP before starting treatment.

In the Netherlands, physiotherapy is typically covered from supplementary (aanvullende) insurance rather than the basic policy, with a limited number of chronic-condition exceptions. How many sessions are covered and at what rate depends on your specific policy and insurer. Always check your own policy first, for example with the insurance-check tool on our site, or contact your insurer before scheduling appointments.

The intake conversation: what will the physiotherapist ask?

The appointment starts with a conversation, where the physiotherapist tries to build as complete a picture as possible of your complaint and your situation. Common questions include:

• When did the complaint start, and was there a clear trigger, such as a fall, an awkward movement, or a sports injury?
• Where exactly is the pain located, and does it radiate to other parts of the body?
• What makes it worse or better, and at what times of day do you notice it most?
• What does your daily load look like: work, sport, repetitive movements, a lot of sitting or a lot of standing?
• What do you want to be able to do again, for instance return to a sport, walk stairs comfortably, or sleep through the night?
• Any previous injuries, surgeries, medical conditions, or medication that might be relevant?

This conversation, the case history, matters because it shapes the direction of the examination. The more concretely you can describe when and how the complaint shows up, the more targeted the physiotherapist's testing can be.

The physical exam: what gets tested?

After the conversation comes the physical examination. The physiotherapist looks at posture, mobility, strength, and how you move. Depending on your complaint, this can include:

• Range-of-motion testing: how far a joint moves, and where the restriction or stiffness sits.
• Strength testing: whether there's a difference between left and right, or compared to what would be expected.
• Functional tests: for example how you walk, bend, lift, or perform a specific sport movement.
• Palpation: feeling for tender spots, muscle tension, or swelling.

At Physical Studio this exam can, where relevant, be supplemented with ultrasound imaging of muscles, tendons, and joint structures, and with VALD Force Decks measurements to objectively map strength and asymmetry. We use these as an addition to the clinical exam, not a replacement for it, and they aren't needed for every complaint.

When does the physiotherapist refer you to your GP?

During the exam the physiotherapist also watches for signals outside the scope of physiotherapy, so-called red flags. Think of unexplained weight loss, fever combined with symptoms, night pain that doesn't ease with rest, loss of strength or sensation, or pain following serious trauma. If you notice this yourself, or it comes up during the exam, we'll refer you to your GP for further assessment. This is a normal, careful step, not a reason for alarm.

Do you get treated right away during the first appointment?

In many cases there's already room during the intake for an initial form of treatment or advice, for example an explanation of posture and load, a first mobilising exercise, or practical advice on what you can and can't do over the next few days. A full, detailed treatment plan usually follows once the full picture is clear.

Sometimes a proper assessment needs more information, for instance how your complaint responds to an initial exercise or movement. In that case the physiotherapist will discuss the next steps with you, and why.

Building a treatment plan together: goals and expectations

After the intake, the physiotherapist builds a treatment plan together with you. That plan is tailored to your complaint, your goals, and your daily life. For back pain the focus might be on posture and core stability, for shoulder issues on mobility and building strength, for knee pain on load capacity around the joint, and for sports injuries often on a gradual build-up toward the sport-specific movement.

The plan typically covers:

• Concrete, achievable goals, both short and longer term.
• Which form of treatment seems most suitable: for example exercise therapy, manual therapy, or a combination.
• A broad estimate of the trajectory, always given as an indication and depending on the nature and duration of your complaint, never as a fixed promise.
• What you can do yourself between sessions, such as exercises at home or adjustments to your work posture.

Research shows that active exercise therapy can be a valuable part of recovery for many musculoskeletal complaints, often combined with other forms of treatment such as manual therapy. What works best differs per person and per complaint, and you'll determine that together with your physiotherapist.

What should you wear, and what should you bring?

For the physical exam it helps if the physiotherapist can clearly see and move the relevant body part. A few practical tips:

• Wear sporty, comfortable clothing you can move in easily, like shorts or leggings and a loose top.
• For back, hip, or knee complaints, loose trousers or shorts make it easier to view and move the joint.
• For shoulder complaints, a tank top or vest is more practical than a buttoned shirt, so the shoulder is free to move.
• Bring any relevant medical information, such as a referral letter if you have one, a medication list, or previous scans and reports.
• Bring your insurance details and check your policy beforehand, so there are no surprises about coverage.

Trainers are useful if functional tests such as walking or jumping are part of the exam, for example with sports injuries.

How many sessions do you typically need?

The number of sessions needed varies a great deal from person to person and complaint to complaint, and depends on the nature and duration of your complaint, how long you've had it, and how your body responds to treatment. An acute, recent complaint often calls for a different path than one that's been present for months or years.

Rather than promising a fixed number of sessions upfront, the physiotherapist regularly reviews the trajectory with you: what's working, what could change, and where you stand relative to your goals. That way the plan keeps matching how you're actually recovering, instead of following a schedule set in advance.

If you're unsure whether physiotherapy is right for your complaint, or you notice any of the alarming signals described above, contact your GP first. For most muscle and joint complaints, you can simply book an appointment with us directly.