Visiting the Clinic

Why Do People Go to Physical Therapy?

Low back pain and anterior knee pain are the most common reasons for referral to our clinic. People seeking complete recovery from injury or surgery, relief from orthopedic pain, injury prevention programs, and better athletic performance also come in for treatment and training.

What Should I Wear?

Wear clothes that you would normally wear to the gym (e.g. shorts, T-shirt) or bring them with you. If you forget, we have clean, appropriate clothes in various sizes that you can borrow for your visit.

Can I Reschedule My Appointment?

If you can’t make your appointment,  (408) 358-6505 as soon as possible to reschedule. If it’s after hours and the clinic is closed, leave a message or send e-mail to wwalker@ptoflosgatos.com.

What Will Happen at My First Visit?

First, we’ll make sure we have all the information we need to get started. Visit our”forms” page or request forms from the clinic so you can fill out necessary forms prior to your visit. You’ll have an opportunity to change into clothes that will allow us to evaluate your orthopedic condition and allow you to practice prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises. You’ll meet with a licensed Physical Therapist who will ask questions about your symptoms, make and record a a number of orthopedic measurements, and talk with you about your goals for Physical Therapy. You’ll then discuss your treatment plan with your Physical Therapist, and your treatment will begin. Near the end of your visit, you’ll receive instructions on how to treat any discomfort arising from your condition, how to avoid aggravating your condition, and how to continue your treatment at home. You’ll then have an opportunity to shower and change your clothes. Prior to your departure, we’ll handle any outstanding paperwork and, if needed, schedule a follow-up visit.

Does Physical Therapy Hurt?

Sometimes recovery can be accelerated if a patient can tolerate some discomfort. For instance, an I-T band can be relaxed more rapidly if a patient can apply a significant amount of body weight while rolling his or her hip over a foam cylinder. If an exercise like that is too uncomfortable, please tell us! We’ll choose a different method that’s better for you.

Unfortunately, we have heard from patients who have visited other clinics that they were casually gouged or aggressively manipulated by a therapist who was simultaneously involved in an unrelated conversation during treatment, or somehow otherwise insensitive to the patient’s experience. Such inattentive, unprofessional behavior simply never happens at Physical Therapy of Los Gatos. We pay close attention to you during your entire visit, and you’re always in control.

Why Do You Take So Many Measurements?

Physical therapy is based on proof of effectiveness. As a medical specialty, physical therapy offers a great many ways to quantify orthopedic parameters such as joint flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength, endurance, and more. Measuring these parameters is a necessary element of our evaluation of your condition, and the evaluation is necessary to enable us to design effective treatment. Quantification enables us to express your goals for recovery in specific terms and measure your therapeutic progress accurately.