Ask questions at four points: before you book (license, who treats you, session length, cost), at the evaluation (what is going on, what the plan is, how progress will be measured), partway through (am I on track, what changes next) and before discharge (what to keep doing, what would bring me back). Clear, specific answers are a good sign. Write the questions down, because the first visit moves quickly.
Last reviewed By the Monon Therapy Collective editorial team
What should you ask before booking a physical therapist?
Before booking, ask the questions that decide whether this practice can work for you at all: credentials, format, schedule and cost. These are logistics, so the therapist’s office or the matching team can usually answer them by phone, and the answers save you from finding out at the third visit that something does not fit.
The cost questions matter most if you have a high deductible or are paying yourself. Uninsured and self-pay patients are entitled to a written good faith estimate; our page on what a good faith estimate is explains it, and how to find a therapist who takes your insurance covers the insurance side.
- Is the therapist licensed in Indiana, and how often do they treat problems like mine?
- Will the physical therapist treat me at every visit, and is the session one-on-one?
- How long are sessions, and what times are available before or after work?
- Will my benefits be checked before the first visit, or what is the self-pay rate?
- What is the cancellation policy?
What should you ask at the first evaluation?
At the evaluation, ask about the diagnosis and the plan, in words you understand. You are entitled to know what the therapist found, what they think is going on and why they chose this plan. If an answer is full of jargon, ask them to say it again simply; good clinicians are happy to.
Pin down the timeline and the goals, because they are your yardstick later. A goal like “walk the Monon from Main Street to 116th Street without knee pain” is far more useful than “improve function”. For more on how the first appointment runs, see your first physical therapy visit.
- What do you think is causing my symptoms?
- Is there anything in my history or exam that needs a physician?
- What are the goals, and how will we measure them?
- How many visits, over how many weeks, do you expect?
- What should I avoid for now, and what is safe to keep doing?
- What exactly is my home program, and how often should I do it?
What should you ask partway through treatment?
Around the third or fourth week, ask whether you are on track and what the numbers say. A therapist should be retesting strength, range or function and comparing them with the evaluation. If progress has stalled, ask what they plan to change; a different approach, a referral or imaging can all be reasonable next steps.
This is also the moment to raise things you have been holding back: an exercise that always flares your symptoms, a home program you cannot fit in, or a goal that has changed, such as signing up for the Indy Mini in May. Plans adjust well to honest information. If you are worried things are not moving, read what to do if physical therapy is not working.
- How do my measurements compare with the first visit?
- Am I where you expected me to be by now?
- What is the next progression, and what has to happen first?
- Is soreness after this exercise normal, or should we change it?
What should you ask before you are discharged?
Before discharge, ask how to keep the gains and what would bring you back. The end of physical therapy is usually the start of you managing alone, so you want a maintenance routine that fits your life and clear signs that mean it is time to check in again.
If your goal is a sport or heavy lifting, ask whether you have met objective criteria for it, not just whether the pain has gone. Athletes may be offered formal return-to-sport testing, and what to do after physical therapy ends covers the next stage.
- Which exercises should I keep, and how often?
- How should I progress them on my own?
- Am I cleared for running, lifting or my sport, and on what basis?
- What warning signs mean I should come back or see a physician?
How do you get answers before anything is booked through the network?
Put the most important questions in the questionnaire, or ask them on the call. The matching team can answer the logistics: which therapists in the network fit your schedule, how to reach Carmel City Center and where to park, and how the therapist’s office confirms cost. A free phone conversation is available before you commit.
Clinical questions are for the therapist. Only the therapist you are matched with can examine you and tell you what is going on, so save those for the evaluation. Start with the two-minute questionnaire and note your goals in your own words; it gives the therapist a head start.
Related questions
Is it rude to ask a physical therapist about their experience?
No. It is a normal, reasonable question. A therapist should be comfortable telling you how often they treat problems like yours and what training they have.
Should I bring a written list to my first appointment?
Yes. The evaluation covers a lot in one visit, and a short written list makes sure your main concerns are answered. Add notes on what makes symptoms better or worse.
What if I do not understand my therapist’s explanation?
Ask them to explain it again in plain terms, or to draw it or show you on a model. Understanding the problem helps you follow the plan.
Can I ask my physical therapist to talk to my doctor?
Yes. With your permission, your therapist can send findings to your physician or surgeon and ask questions about a protocol or medication.
Which question matters most at the first visit?
Probably “How will we know this is working?”. The answer tells you the goals, how they will be measured and when you should expect to see change.
Keep reading
- How do I choose a physical therapist?
- How do I get the most out of physical therapy?
- What is a physical therapy plan of care?
- What to expect at your first visit
- Questions about cost and insurance, answered
- Start the matching questionnaire
Sources
This page is general education, not medical advice. A physical therapist can only advise on your situation after an examination.
