What to Expect on Your First Visit

Starting care for pain, mobility, or performance can feel a bit uncertain. Many people aren’t sure what the process will look like or what they’ll actually get out of it.

The goal of your first visit is simple: understand what’s going on, identify what’s holding you back, and create a clear plan moving forward.

Getting to Know You

We start by having a conversation.

This includes:

  • What you’re dealing with
  • When it started
  • What makes it better or worse
  • What your goals are

Whether your goal is to play golf without pain, train jiu-jitsu consistently, or just move better day-to-day, everything we do is built around that.

Full Body Movement Assessment

Next, we go through a full body movement screen.

This helps us evaluate how your body moves as a whole and identify any limitations or compensations. Often, the area that hurts isn’t the root cause of the issue.

For example, limited ankle or hip mobility can contribute to stress in the knees or lower back. This step gives us a better understanding of how everything is connected.

Focused Examination

After the movement screen, we take a closer look at the specific area you came in for.

This allows us to better understand:

  • What’s happening locally
  • How it’s being affected by your overall movement
  • Why the issue may be lingering

Sport-Specific Screening (If Applicable)

If you’re a golfer, we may use the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) screen to assess how your body moves in relation to your swing.

For jiu-jitsu athletes, we look at how your movement limitations may be affecting positions, transitions, and overall performance on the mat.

Initial Treatment

When appropriate, we will begin treatment during your first visit.

This may include:

  • Hands-on care or adjustments
  • Mobility work
  • Guided movement

This session also helps us see how your body responds so we can better guide future care.

Movement and Exercise Plan

You’ll leave with a small number of targeted exercises (typically 1–3).

These are selected to address your specific limitations and help you start making progress right away. The focus is on quality and consistency, not overwhelming you with too much.

Review and Next Steps

At the end of your visit, we’ll review:

  • What we found
  • What it means
  • What your plan looks like moving forward

You’ll have a clear understanding of the next steps and what to expect as you continue care.

Conclusion

Your first visit is about building a foundation.

By taking the time to assess your movement, understand your goals, and create a personalized plan, we set you up for long-term success—whether that means staying pain-free, improving performance, or simply moving better.

How do you prepare for your visit?

Think about when your symptoms started, which activities affect them, what you have already tried, and what you want to get back to. These details help shape the conversation and assessment.

Meet Dr. Ethan Coghill, explore our rehabilitation services, and find our Old Hickory and Belle Meade locations. When you are ready, schedule your initial evaluation.