A lot of people put off booking a physiotherapy appointment because they're not sure what to expect. Will it hurt? How long will it take? Will they just tell me to do some exercises and send me home?
These are fair questions. Here's exactly what happens at your first appointment at Primus Physio — from walking through the door to leaving with a clear plan.
Before You Arrive
No GP referral is needed. You can book directly online and be seen within the same week in most cases, including evenings and weekends. The clinic is based at Copthall House, King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme — see the arrival guide for parking and entrance instructions.
It helps to wear or bring comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being treated — shorts for knee or hip problems, a vest or loose top for shoulder or neck issues.
What Happens During the Session
Your first session is 60 minutes — long enough to do a thorough assessment, reach a diagnosis, provide hands-on treatment and put a plan in place. All in one appointment. The cost is £60.
Discussion of your symptoms
We start by understanding your problem in detail — when it started, what makes it better or worse, how it's affecting your daily life, work and activity. Your medical history and any relevant previous injuries are also covered. This typically takes 10–15 minutes and gives a strong initial picture of what's likely going on.
Physical assessment
A hands-on assessment of how you move — range of motion, strength, neural tension, joint mobility, and any specific tests relevant to your presentation. This identifies the structure causing your pain and any contributing factors elsewhere in the body.
Diagnosis and explanation
After the assessment, you'll receive a clear explanation of what's causing your pain, why it happened, and what the recovery process looks like. Most patients find this part valuable in itself — understanding the problem reduces anxiety and improves engagement with treatment.
Hands-on treatment
Treatment begins in the first session. This may include manual therapy, joint mobilisation, soft tissue work, taping, or specific exercise guidance depending on your condition. Most patients notice some improvement before they leave.
Your personalised plan
You leave with a clear rehabilitation plan — specific exercises to do at home, activity guidance, and an honest estimate of how many sessions you're likely to need. There's no vague "come back next week and we'll see" — you'll know exactly what the plan is.
Will It Hurt?
Assessment and treatment should not be significantly painful. Some techniques — joint mobilisation, soft tissue work on sensitive areas — may cause some discomfort, but this should be manageable and brief. You are always in control of what happens during a session and communication throughout is encouraged.
It's common to feel some muscle soreness for 24–48 hours after the first session, particularly if exercise or hands-on treatment has worked muscles that haven't been loaded properly. This is normal and settles quickly.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Most straightforward musculoskeletal problems — back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries, knee pain — resolve in 4–8 sessions. More complex cases or sports rehabilitation may take longer. After the first appointment you'll have a realistic estimate for your specific problem.
The goal is always to get you back to what you want to do as quickly as possible — not to keep you coming back indefinitely.
Ready to book in Newcastle-under-Lyme?
Same-week appointments available — evenings and weekends included. First session £60. No GP referral needed.
Book Your First Appointment