If you’ve ever felt unsure about what to expect during your first physiotherapy visit—or what makes the FreeForm approach unique—this post is for you. We believe in creating a space where you feel supported, seen, and actively involved in your rehab. Here’s how we get started.
The First Appointment: It All Starts with Listening
Our initial session begins with a thorough conversation. We genuinely believe the subjective history—your story—is the most important part of your assessment.
We want to understand the full picture of the nature of your injury, dysfunction, or pain:
When did it start?
What brought it on—was there a specific incident, or did it begin gradually?
What’s the nature of the pain—sharp, dull, intermittent, constant?
What movements or activities make it better or worse?
How is this impacting your work, hobbies, sport, or family life?
Beyond your current symptoms, we’ll take a deep dive into your injury history, past rehabilitation experiences, and what has (or hasn’t) worked for you. We’ll also talk about how we can make this a positive experience and build a long-lasting, trusting relationship.
We also want to know who else is part of your care team. Rehabilitation—like people—is holistic. We believe in a team-based approach with consistent messaging across your providers. We make a concerted effort to keep your other practitioners updated on your progress, and we’re always open to learning from their insights too.
We’ll talk about your short-term and long-term goals and ensure they feel realistic and motivating—not overwhelming. The rehab process doesn’t need to be frustrating. Let’s keep it grounded and achievable so you can stay committed to the journey.
One key question we always ask is: how do you learn best? Whether you prefer visuals, verbal cues, hands-on feedback, or written instructions—education is part of our partnership, and we want it to be meaningful for you.
Home Programs: Let’s Make It Work for You
Not everyone thrives on a long list of exercises. And that’s okay.
Some people love a structured home program; others prefer simple cues integrated into their daily life. We’ll work with you to create something that actually fits—whether that means three targeted exercises or helpful posture reminders while doing everyday tasks.
Our goal is to give you tools that stick—not just busywork.
The Physical Assessment
We typically begin in standing, where we observe posture, breathing patterns, and where your body tends to hold tension.
Then we move on to functional movement testing—this might include squats, sit-to-stands, step-ups, lunges, or activities specific to your lifestyle (like lifting your child, rolling over in bed, or throwing a ball).
Next, we assess:
Range of motion (active and passive): Are you compensating with other areas of your body when moving? Are your restrictions joint-related or muscular in nature?
Strength testing: Are there specific weaknesses? Do some muscles appear strong but rely on significant compensation strategies, like breath holding or postural shifts?
If there’s time, we’ll wrap up with targeted cues or an introductory exercise program based on your goals and the assessment findings.
Ongoing Treatment: More Than Just Manual Therapy
Follow-up sessions are about checking in, refining our plan, and building on your progress.
We often combine:
Manual therapy and soft tissue work
Dry needling (when appropriate)
Movement-based rehab
Passive treatments like manual therapy or soft tissue work can be incredibly effective for reducing pain and supporting the healing process. We aim to integrate these with movement-based rehab to create long-term, sustainable change. Together, we’ll practice specific skills, functional drills, or use Pilates equipment to help challenge or support your movement based on where you’re at.
In Summary
Our approach is grounded in collaboration, education, and treating the whole person, not just the injury. The goal is always long-term improvement, not just a temporary fix.
If you're ready to get started—or still unsure if physiotherapy is right for you—don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s work together to help you refine your form and free your movement.