What to Expect at Your First Visit to 865 PT

Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or just trying to move better, starting physical therapy at 865PT is one of the most proactive things you can do for your health. Many people wait until pain becomes unbearable—but the truth is, early intervention can save you time, stress, and setbacks down the road.

Physical therapy is more than just rehab. It’s a long-term investment in strength, mobility, and injury prevention. At 865PT, we focus on empowering you with the tools and guidance you need to recover, perform, and stay active in your daily life or sport.

For Knoxville locals who are tired of temporary fixes, PT offers a clear path forward—one based on science, movement, and real results.

Step-by-Step: Your First Appointment at 865 PT

We get it—starting something new can feel a little uncertain. That’s why we make your first visit to 865PT as clear, welcoming, and purposeful as possible. Here’s what you can expect during your initial session:

1. One-on-One Evaluation

Your session begins with a private, in-depth evaluation with one of our expert physical therapists. We’ll review your health history, current concerns, and movement goals—whether you’re aiming to recover from injury, improve performance, or simply feel better day to day.

2. Movement Assessment

Next, we’ll take you through a guided movement screen. This helps us identify:

• Joint mobility and flexibility limitations
• Muscle imbalances
• Faulty movement patterns
• Strength or stability deficits

This step allows us to see how your body functions in real time—not just on paper.

3. Goal Setting and Plan Creation

Together, we’ll define clear goals based on your lifestyle and priorities. From there, your therapist will build a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your needs, schedule, and progress potential.

4. Hands-On Treatment (Yes, on Day One)

You won’t just talk about your pain—you’ll get to work on it. Most first sessions include manual therapy, mobility drills, or activation work to start making progress right away.

At 865PT, we believe you should leave your first visit feeling not only hopeful, but physically better—and with a clear plan in hand.

Common Questions New Patients Ask

Starting physical therapy at 865PT should feel exciting—not overwhelming. To help ease any first-visit nerves, here are answers to some of the most common questions we get from new clients:

What should I wear?

Dress comfortably in clothes you can move in. Athletic wear like shorts, leggings, or joggers paired with a t-shirt or tank is perfect. We may assess how you move, so you'll want to be able to stretch, squat, or walk with ease.

How long will my first session take?

Plan for about 75 minutes for your initial appointment. This gives us time to complete a full evaluation, answer your questions, and begin treatment right away.

Will I be doing exercises on the first day?

Yes—most likely. After your movement assessment, your therapist will often guide you through a few light exercises to begin correcting any dysfunction and give you a jumpstart on your recovery plan.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

In most cases, no referral is needed to begin physical therapy at 865PT in Knoxville. Tennessee allows direct access to physical therapy, meaning you can schedule an appointment without seeing a physician first.

What if I’m not in pain, just trying to move better?

Perfect—you’re in the right place. Physical therapy isn’t just for injuries. We work with active adults who want to improve strength, mobility, and performance as part of their long-term health strategy.

How 865 PT Personalizes Your Recovery Plan

No two bodies move the same, and no two recovery journeys should either. That’s why at 865 PT, your plan isn’t built from a template—it’s built around you.

Tailored to Your Goals

Whether you’re looking to return to sport, lift without pain, improve flexibility, or just keep up with your kids, we’ll align your plan with your real-life priorities. We don’t define success by arbitrary milestones—we define it by your ability to move and live well.

Based on How You Move

After your initial assessment, we use your movement patterns—not just your symptoms—to design a plan that targets the root cause of dysfunction. This ensures long-term progress, not just short-term symptom relief.

Adjusted as You Improve

Your recovery plan evolves with you. As your strength and mobility improve, we progress your exercises, reassess your movement, and make strategic updates to keep you moving forward—not stuck in the same routine.

Education Comes Standard

We don’t just treat—you’ll also learn. We believe that understanding your body is key to long-term success. You'll leave with not only a better sense of how to move, but the confidence to keep making progress between visits.

At 865 PT, your recovery isn’t passive—it’s a guided, collaborative, and personalized journey toward lasting results.

Take the First Step Toward Better Movement

Starting physical therapy at 865 PT is more than an appointment—it’s a decision to move better, recover faster, and take control of your health. Whether you’re managing pain, rebuilding strength, or simply looking to feel better in your body, our team in Knoxville is ready to help you get there.

You don’t need to wait until you’re sidelined to get started. The earlier you address movement issues, the more likely you are to prevent setbacks and reach your goals faster.

 Book your first visit today and see how personalized, movement-focused care at 865 PT can make all the difference.