Your First Session

Welcome!

Your initial evaluation will be performed by one of our Physical Therapists. They will go over your medical history with you and the history of your current problems, as well as discuss the goals and expectations you have regarding your treatment.

The Lighthouse Therapy staff utilizes an integrative diagnostic approach. As part of the evaluation, you may be asked to perform any number of tasks such as walk, bend, sit, stand, or lift for the purpose of observing your functional abilities and limitations. Tests of strength, flexibility, balance, and other factors relevant to your complaints will also be performed.

Also, as part of our Manual Therapy approach, a number of unique tests will be used for the purpose of finding areas of increased tension in the connective tissue, muscle spasm and guarding, nerve tension, decreased circulation and drainage, and other issues which may be contributing to your symptoms. Pressure scans, mapping, and manual listening are just some of the special diagnostic techniques which allow our therapists to evaluate the entire body along with the relationships of different body systems and how they may be impacting your health. All of this information is used to formulate a treatment plan specifically for you with the intent of helping you reach your goals.

If time remains during your initial evaluation, your therapist will begin the treatment plan. Typically, patients will leave with some “homework,” ranging from to stretching and strengthening exercises, to keeping a diary of symptom trends, to the use of various reflex points specific to their problem, or any number of activities to begin making positive changes.


Attire

Please wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Athletic clothes are not generally required, but street clothes which allow you to bend and flex without restriction is helpful. Skirts and dresses are sometimes difficult to work with if you are asked to move in such a way that requires the legs to move independently.

Treatment sessions are done fully clothed, although you may be asked to expose an area so your therapist can apply treatments directly to the skin or to view scars, blemishes, or other issues with the skin and surface tissues.


When to Arrive

We ask clients to arrive at least 15 minutes before their first scheduled appointment so you have time to fill the necessary paperwork.

If you prefer, you can download and complete the forms beforehand and bring them in with you:

  • Health History form.pdf

  • Patient Information form.pdf

  • Patient Consent Form.pdf

  • Billing Policies form.pdf

  • Cancellation Policy.pdf

  • Notice of Privacy Practices.pdf

    We still ask that you arrive early for administrative purposes. Included in these forms is a detailed medical history form along with a form that helps you to give us a description of the current complaints that you are experiencing.


    Minors

    We ask that an adult parent or guardian be present for the treatment of children and young adults under the age of 18 for their own comfort. There are sometimes questions that the therapist may have for the adults making their presence essential.


    Special Assistance 

    The facilities of Lighthouse Physical Therapy, LLC, are fully handicap accessible. Our doorways and hallways are more than adequate for standard and even most large size wheelchairs and assistive devices. We have a handicap accessible restroom with considerable space for movement and transfers. We feel it is important for people to have pleasant and easy mobility while they are in our care. 


    We cannot anticipate all the potential needs of every individual. If you have any unusual requirements that regularly create a difficulty for you when you travel or communicate, please bring whatever special assistance you would need in a public place. This would include special equipment, translators, personal aids, or any assistive device you normally use.


    Treatments will usually be performed while you, the client, lay on a massage style treatment table. However some of your session may be performed while you are in a sitting or standing position. Having the proper equipment and assistance to make the necessary transfers safely is important. 


    If you have difficulty with reading or writing, our office staff will do their best to help you, but they are also busy with other tasks. If at all possible, please come with someone who can help you with your initial paperwork, or and prepare it beforehand.


    If you have any special needs you feel we need to be aware of before your visit, please contact us and let us know. We will always do our best to accommodate you.