I understand this has been delayed for a while, the first pain you have been experiencing started a few weeks ago (or longer), and you kept thinking it would settle down by itself. But here you are, and you are finally ready to book a physio appointment Galway.
My name is Niall, and I have been running Craughwell Physiotherapy for some time now. Everyone who comes through the door is a tad nervous. Not because they think I am going to torture them or anything! But simply because they have never done this before, and because they don’t know what happens.
So let me explain to you exactly what happens.
Getting Ready for Your Physio Appointment Galway
The Basics
The first appointment is usually 45 minutes to an hour. Ring us on 087 716 4628 or book online. We’re out in Roo, Craughwell. Easy to find, plenty of parking.
Try to get here five minutes early. Gives you a chance to fill in a quick form and settle yourself.
What Should You Wear?
Everyone asks this. Here’s the thing: just wear something comfortable that lets me see whatever’s bothering you.
Honestly, I’ve seen people in everything from full tracksuits to GAA gear. Just be comfortable and don’t overthink it.
Bring Your Paperwork (If You Have It)
If you’ve got old X-rays, MRI scans, and letters from other doctors or physios, bring them along. They help me see what’s already been done.
But if you’ve got nothing, that’s better, too. We can always get reports sent over, or I can refer you for scans if we need them.
One thing that really helps, though: before you come in, write down when the pain started, what makes it worse, and what makes it better. Maybe a few questions you want answered. Trust me, you’ll forget half of it once we start talking otherwise.
When You First Arrive
We’ll Have a Proper Chat
Right, so you’re here. The first thing we do is sit down and talk. I need to hear your story.
Tell me about the pain, however it makes sense to you. Is it sharp? Dull? Does it burn? Ache? Throb? I’m not looking for medical terminology here. Just tell me what it feels like.
When did it start? Did something specific happen, like lifting something awkward or taking a bad fall? Or did it just gradually creep up on you?
What makes it worse? Sitting? Standing? Reaching up? Bending down? Walking? And what gives you relief?
Your Life Matters Too
Then I’ll ask about the rest of your life. What you do for work, whether you play sport, or what you do in your spare time.
This chat usually takes 15 or 20 minutes. Sometimes just listening to someone describe their problem tells me more than any test would.
The Physical Side of Things
Looking at How You Move
After we’ve talked, I need to actually look at you and see how you’re moving. I’ll tell you what I’m doing before I do anything.
Sometimes just watching someone walk across the room or get up from a chair tells me loads. Your body does weird things to compensate when something hurts.
Then we’ll look at the specific problem. I’ll check how far you can move, ask you to do certain movements, and feel around the sore area. Might test how strong different muscles are, check your joints, and see how your balance is.
Don’t Worry About Feeling Awkward
Some people get self-conscious during the exam, especially if it’s your lower back or hip, and you need to take your jumper off or whatever. It’s a medical assessment, the same as going to any doctor.
You can bring someone with you if that makes you feel better. Partner, friend, your mam. Whatever works.
And if you’re already in pain, I’m not going to make it worse. I need to understand what your body can and can’t do right now, but I’m not trying to hurt you. If something’s too sore, just say. We’ll work around it.
Working Out What’s Wrong
Getting Your Diagnosis
Once we’ve talked and I’ve examined you, I’ll tell you what I think is causing the problem.
A lot of people come in worried sick. They’ve been on Google (we all do it), convincing themselves they’ve got something terrible. Usually, just knowing what’s actually wrong makes you feel better before we’ve even started fixing it.
What to Expect Going Forward
I’ll be honest with you about how long this is likely to take. Some things get better quickly. Others take a bit longer. You deserve to know that upfront.
I’ll also tell you if there’s something you should avoid for now, or things you can keep doing. No point wrapping you in cotton wool if you don’t need to be.
Ask whatever you want. There’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your own body.
Your Treatment Plan with Physio Craughwell Ireland
What We’re Going to Do
Taking everything into account, we will prepare a plan that makes the most sense for you and your life. This plan could involve hands-on treatment from me, exercises for you to do, changes to the way you are doing certain activities, or a combination of the three. If you are recovering from surgery or you have something complex going on, I may include sports massage or refer you off-site for an MRI to take a closer look.
Sometimes I’ll refer people to an orthopedic consultant if that’s what’s needed. I’ll explain why if that’s the case.
You’ve Got Homework
Here’s the thing about physio: it’s not just what happens in this room. What you do at home matters just as much, maybe more.
I’ll give you exercises or strategies to use between appointments. You actually doing them is what gets you better faster. Simple as that.
We’ll Start Today
First Treatment
We don’t just assess you and send you on your way. If we’ve got time, we’ll start some treatment in this first session.
I’ll explain what I’m doing as we go. Some of it might be a bit uncomfortable, especially if we’re working on tight or sore spots. But it shouldn’t be agony. If it is, tell me and we’ll ease off.
How Will You Feel After?
Depends. Some people feel brilliant walking out. Others feel a bit sore for a day or two while their body adjusts. Both are normal.
If you might be sore after, I’ll warn you and tell you what to do about it. Usually, it just means your muscles are waking up and working properly again.
Stop Putting It Off
Your first appointment at our physio Craughwell Ireland clinic is where we figure out what’s going on, why it hurts, and what we’re going to do about it. Sports injury, post-surgery, chronic pain, whatever it is, this is where we start.
Been putting this off because you didn’t know what to expect? Now you do. The hard part is just picking up the phone and ringing us on 087 716 4628.
Let’s get you sorted.
