Your first visit to a physiotherapist — what happens and what to bring?

A first visit to a physiotherapist has 4 stages: a medical history covering your symptoms and illnesses, a functional examination, a discussion of the findings and the therapy plan, and – if possible – the first treatments or exercises. Bring your medical records, imaging results and a list of your medicines, and wear comfortable clothing. At the clinic in Rydułtowy a physiotherapy consultation costs PLN 180.

Below we describe when it is better to start with a doctor, how to prepare, what the consultation looks like step by step and which mistakes to avoid.

Contents

What to bring to your first physiotherapy visit?

For your first visit, bring the records related to your problem: hospital discharge summaries, surgical reports, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT results (preferably with a report), the doctor’s recommendations and a list of the medicines you take. Wear comfortable clothing that lets you uncover the area being examined. If you have a referral or a certificate from a doctor, bring those too.

A short note is also a good idea: since when it has hurt, what makes it worse and what eases it, whether the pain wakes you at night, and what treatment has already been tried and with what effect. Under stress it is easy to forget the details, and this is valuable information for the physiotherapist. For knee or hip pain, bring the shoes you usually walk in.

Choose clothing to suit the problem: for back and shoulder pain a vest top or sports bra works well, for knee or ankle pain – shorts. You can always change at the clinic.

What happens at the first visit, step by step?

The first visit follows a set order: first a conversation, then an examination, then a discussion of the findings and the plan. The physiotherapist asks about your symptoms, illnesses and medicines, looks at your posture and movement, carries out functional tests and finally explains what is probably causing the problem and what the therapy will look like. The length and course of the visit depend on the problem.

1. Booking. You book the visit via Booksy or by phone (505 417 624) and briefly describe the problem.
2. Medical history. The physiotherapist asks about the onset and nature of your symptoms, other conditions, operations, medicines, work and physical activity, and about your goals, e.g. getting back to running or gardening.
3. Examination. This includes assessing posture, range of motion and muscle strength, functional tests and palpation, i.e. examination by touch. If needed, the physiotherapist also checks sensation and reflexes.
4. Discussion of the findings. You find out what is most likely causing your symptoms, whether a medical consultation is needed and which therapy methods could be used.
5. Therapy plan. The physiotherapist proposes a type of therapy, e.g. manual therapy, exercise, TECAR or shockwave therapy, and explains how the number of visits will be decided.
6. First steps. If your condition allows, you may receive your first treatment or exercises to do at home at the very first visit.

Physiotherapy consultationmedical history, functional examination and therapy plan, for adults and children180 PLN

Prices valid from 08.2026.

What happens after the first visit?

After the first visit you receive recommendations: exercises to do at home, advice on activity, work and sleep, and a proposal for further therapy. The physiotherapist decides on the type of treatments and the number of visits individually, depending on the problem and your progress. After the consultation you may have temporary tenderness or muscle fatigue, especially after the examination and the first exercises.

Progress is assessed at subsequent visits – the physiotherapist checks how your pain, range of motion and function are changing and adjusts the plan accordingly. If your symptoms get worse or new, worrying symptoms appear, contact the clinic straight away. If travelling is difficult, part of the therapy can be carried out at the patient’s home – we compare both options in our article physiotherapy at the clinic or at home.

Which mistakes to avoid before the first visit?

The most common mistakes are coming without test reports and discharge summaries, taking a strong painkiller just before the visit without telling the physiotherapist, wearing tight or uncomfortable clothing, keeping quiet about illnesses and medicines, and expecting one visit to solve a long-standing problem. It is also best not to put off the visit when pain makes everyday life difficult.

You do not need to have any tests done “just in case” before the visit – the physiotherapist will assess whether they are needed and suggest a medical consultation if necessary. Do not stop treatment prescribed by your doctor on your own either. If you cannot come at the booked time, cancel the visit in advance – the rules are described on the “Cancelling visits” page.

Summary

A first visit to a physiotherapist consists of a medical history, an examination, a discussion of the findings and a therapy plan, and at the “W zdrowym ciele” clinic in Rydułtowy it costs PLN 180. Bring your test reports, discharge summaries and a list of medicines, wear comfortable clothing, and if you have warning symptoms, start with a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to see a physiotherapist?

For a physiotherapy visit, wear comfortable, loose clothing that lets you uncover the area being examined: a vest top or sports bra for back and shoulder pain, shorts for knee, hip or foot pain. Your clothes should not restrict your movement, because various tests and exercises are done during the examination.

Is there any treatment at the first visit?

Often, yes. If the medical history and examination do not reveal any contraindications, the physiotherapist may start treatment at the first visit, e.g. manual therapy, or show you your first exercises to do at home. If your symptoms require a medical consultation first, therapy only begins after it. This is decided by the physiotherapist after examining the patient.

Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?

For a private visit at the “W zdrowym ciele” clinic a referral is usually not required. However, if you have a referral, a medical certificate or recommendations from a doctor, bring them, as they contain important information about your diagnosis and treatment. Details are described in our article on whether you need a referral to see a physiotherapist.

Does the clinic accept NFZ patients?

No. The “W zdrowym ciele” physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic in Rydułtowy has no contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ, the Polish public health fund) and sees private patients only. A physiotherapy consultation costs PLN 180, and prices for other treatments can be found in the price list. The clinic is a healthcare provider entered in the RPWDL register (the Polish register of healthcare providers).

Does the physiotherapist see children?

Yes, the clinic also sees children, including those with postural defects and scoliosis. A parent or legal guardian is present at the child’s visit, answers the questions in the medical history and gives consent for therapy. It is worth bringing the child’s health record book, test results, e.g. a spinal X-ray, and comfortable clothing for the child.

How do I cancel a visit?

You can cancel a visit through Booksy, where it was booked, or by phone on 505 417 624. Detailed rules for cancelling and rescheduling appointments are described on the “Cancelling visits” page of the clinic’s website. Cancelling in advance allows the slot to be given to another patient who is waiting for a visit.

Can a physiotherapist come to my home?

Yes, the clinic provides home physiotherapy within 15 km of Rydułtowy, including in Rybnik and Wodzisław Śląski. A visit costs approximately PLN 200 for up to 5 km, then PLN 2/km beyond that, and we agree the exact price when booking. This is an option for people after a stroke, after a hospital stay and for older people.

Sources

• Polish Act of 25 September 2015 on the profession of physiotherapist (Journal of Laws – Dz.U. 2015, item 1994, as amended).
• National Chamber of Physiotherapists (Krajowa Izba Fizjoterapeutów), Kodeks Etyki Zawodowej Fizjoterapeuty (Code of Professional Ethics for Physiotherapists).
• NICE, Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59), 2016, updated 2020 – red flags.