What to Expect at Your First Physical Therapy Visit in Wayne, NJ
Dr. Rob Letizia PT, DPTShare
Your First Physical Therapy Visit: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you have never been to physical therapy before, you might be wondering what actually happens during your first visit. At Spectrum Therapeutics in Wayne, NJ, we want you to feel comfortable and prepared from the moment you walk through our door. Here is exactly what to expect.
Before Your Visit: What to Bring
- Insurance card — we will verify your benefits and explain your coverage
- Photo ID
- Any imaging reports (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) — bring the actual disc if you have it
- Doctor's referral (if you have one, but it is NOT required in New Jersey thanks to direct access)
- List of medications you currently take
- Comfortable clothing — wear something you can move in. Athletic shorts and a t-shirt work great. We may need to see and touch the area that hurts, so avoid jeans or restrictive clothing.
The Evaluation: What Dr. Letizia Will Do
Your first visit at Spectrum Therapeutics takes approximately 45-60 minutes. This is significantly longer than the 15-minute evaluations at high-volume clinics because Dr. Rob Letizia, DPT, personally performs every evaluation — no assistants, no technicians.
Step 1: Your Health History (10-15 minutes)
Dr. Letizia will sit down with you and ask about your condition, including when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, what activities are limited, and what your goals are. He will also review your medical history, previous treatments, and any imaging results.
Step 2: The Physical Examination (15-20 minutes)
This is where the hands-on assessment begins. Depending on your condition, Dr. Letizia may test:
- Range of motion — how far your joints move
- Strength — testing specific muscles to find weaknesses
- Flexibility — checking for tight muscles or fascia
- Joint mobility — how well your joints glide and move
- Special tests — specific clinical tests that help identify the exact structure causing your pain
- Posture and movement patterns — watching how you sit, stand, walk, and move
- Neurological screening — reflexes, sensation, and nerve tension if indicated
Step 3: Your Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (10 minutes)
After the examination, Dr. Letizia will explain exactly what he found, what is causing your pain, and lay out a treatment plan. He will tell you:
- What your diagnosis is (in plain English, not just medical jargon)
- How many visits he expects you will need
- How often you should come in (typically 2-3 times per week initially)
- What your home exercise program will look like
- A realistic timeline for recovery
Step 4: Initial Treatment (10-15 minutes)
Most patients receive some treatment on their very first visit. This may include manual therapy (hands-on joint and soft tissue mobilization), therapeutic exercises, modalities like electrical stimulation or ultrasound, and education about your condition.
Does Physical Therapy Hurt?
This is the number one question new patients ask. The honest answer: some treatments may cause mild discomfort, especially if you are dealing with significant stiffness or inflammation. But physical therapy should never cause sharp or lasting pain. Dr. Letizia will check in with you throughout every session and adjust the intensity based on your feedback.
Most patients report feeling better after their first visit — not worse.
How Long Does Physical Therapy Take?
A typical course of physical therapy at Spectrum Therapeutics runs 4-8 weeks, with visits 2-3 times per week. Some conditions resolve faster, some take longer. Unlike high-volume clinics where you might see a different therapist each visit, you will see Dr. Letizia every single time, which means faster progress and better outcomes.
Insurance and Cost
We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Horizon, and Oxford. Most patients pay only their standard copay per visit. We verify your insurance benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.
Ready to Schedule?
Whether you have been referred by a doctor or are coming in on your own through New Jersey's direct access law, we are ready to help. Call (973) 689-7123 to schedule your first visit at Spectrum Therapeutics.