Curious about what your initial assessment appointment entails? Let’s walk through the process together to give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Step 1: Free Discovery Call
The first step in your injury assessment journey is a quick phone call. You can book this call online, or have our staff assist you scheduling a convenient time to chat. Whether it’s a sports injury, accident-related, or a chronic condition, we are here to help.
During the Discovery Call, you may be asked some initial questions about your injury to ensure that the Movement Underground is the right fit for you and vice versa!
Our comprehensive approach, fueled by our experience working with elite athletes, attracts a wide variety of clientele. However, we like to be honest and transparent about who we are best served to help, and who we are not. For example, some patient populations, like the elderly, that may have other complex medical and health conditions, may not be the best fit for our semi private personal training, and hands on rehab model, as we don’t have the adaptive equipment for specialized medical concerns.
On the other hand, we frequently work with older adults (currently have plenty of clients ages 60-75!), who are generally healthy, but maybe have some injury or pain concerns with exercise or sports participation. So for us, a good fit, is someone looking to return or achieve a physical goal related to sports, hobbies, and exercise…
Every case is unique, which is why it’s best to start with a FREE DISCOVERY CALL, which you can book here! Feel free to raise any concerns or special requirements you may have during this call.
We understand that injuries/pain can be stressful, so our team will do their best to accommodate your needs and make the scheduling process seamless for you. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’re one step closer to finally getting real, actionable solutions to your problem.
If you have any specific preferences, such as requesting a particular specialist or a certain time of day, don’t hesitate to let us know during the call. Your comfort and convenience are our priorities.
Step 2: Initial Consultation
Upon arrival at our facility for your injury assessment appointment, you will be greeted by our team, shown around the facility, and fill out some pre-assessment paperwork. The initial consultation is a crucial part of understanding your injury and its impact on your daily life.
During the consultation, one of our clinicians will take the time to listen to your concerns, gather information about the nature of your injury, and assess any symptoms you may be experiencing. This personalized approach ensures that we develop a tailored plan for your care.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have during the consultation. Our team is here to provide clarity and support as we work together to address your injury. Unlike many PT places and Doctors offices, we want to hear what you think, not just what we see on scans. Speaking of scans, if you have some, please bring any supporting reports or documentation with you. Many times, it can be useful to see what other treatments or diagnostics you have.
This is where we usually dive deep into your current goals, expectations, and history. In many cases, there are usually variables that you think aren’t currently relevant, that can be profoundly related to your chief complaint. An example of which, are old injuries, that are seemingly resolved, that could play a role in how you move, or compensations you may have developed that contribute to a different body part or complaint.
The initial consultation sets the foundation for your treatment plan and allows us to tailor our hands on approach and custom program design to best meet your needs. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality of information, and have you leave more informed about your injury, your body, and what steps you can take immediately to start on your road to recovery, whether you sign up to work with us or not. The mission on day 1 is to help you connect the dots in your recovery…
Step 3: Physical Examination
After our initial chat and getting to know each other, you will undergo a comprehensive physical examination as part of your injury assessment. This examination helps our staff assess the extent of your injury and its impact on your physical function.
During the physical examination, our team will carefully evaluate the affected area, your overall posture, and movement patterns… assessing your range of motion, and perform any necessary diagnostic tests to gather more information about your condition. Your feedback during this process is valuable in guiding our assessment.
Our clinicians will explain each step of the physical examination to you to ensure that you are comfortable and informed throughout the process. We are here to address any concerns you may have and provide you with the support you need.
The reason we spend 90 minutes on day 1, is to make sure we take the time to gather as much information as possible, while teaching you about your injury, and its many potential contributing factors. This sometimes can be overwhelming in the beginning, as for many clients, it can feel like getting a 4 year kinesiology degree in an hour, but rest assured, our team are experts at taking complex biomechanics, and making it easy to understand, and relatable. There is also plenty of time for questions to be answered, or for more in depth discussion dueing the treatment phase of the initial visit, and of course, in future 1 on 1 sessions.
The physical examination allows us to gather vital information about your injury, which informs the development of a personalized treatment plan. By the end of this examination, you will have a clear understanding of the next steps in your recovery journey. So while it may feel like a lot of information…always remember knowledge is power, and our aim is to TEACH you, so the understanding gained can serve you the rest of your life.
Step 4: TREATMENT
After we’ve completed your initial evaluation, it’s time for the hands-on treatment. At The Movement Underground, we believe in giving you a comprehensive experience from the start, so you know exactly what to expect and can begin your journey to recovery immediately. Your therapist will choose techniques best suited to your needs and condition based on the assessment, but frequently includes some of the following:
Hands-On Soft Tissue Work: This involves various techniques to manipulate and relax your muscles, helping to alleviate tension and improve circulation. This can significantly reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM): Using specialized tools, we target deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to promote blood flow and tissue glide, aiding in pain relief and improved range of motion. This method is highly effective in promoting healing and restoring normal function.
Cupping: This ancient technique uses suction to lift the skin and fascia, increasing blood flow and reducing muscle tension. Cupping can be particularly beneficial for chronic pain and muscle tightness.
Joint Mobilizations: Depending on your specific needs, we may also include joint mobilizations to improve your joint function and range of motion. This involves carefully moving your joints to reduce stiffness and enhance movement.
Personalized Treatment Plan
During your first treatment session, we’ll also take the time to discuss the key findings from your initial evaluation. We’ll educate you on what these findings mean and outline the next steps in your recovery journey. This ongoing dialogue ensures you’re fully informed and involved in your treatment plan.
We’ll continue to assess your tissue quality, pain sensitivity, and overall response to the treatment through palpation and other hands-on techniques. This continuous assessment allows us to tailor the treatment to your specific needs, ensuring the most effective results.
Experience the Difference
By the end of your first visit, you’ll have a clear understanding of what our treatments entail and how they can benefit you. Our goal is not only to provide immediate relief but also to set the foundation for long-term recovery and improved performance. At the end of the visit, we will present treatment plan options for you, and recommend a plan that best suits your injury, schedule, and budget.
We’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re ready to experience the difference for yourself, book a Free Intro on our website today. Let’s work together to unlock your full potential and get you back to doing what you love, pain-free.
