Generalized instability/pain going in for PT evaluation, "one body part per exam/appt." How do you choose?
About to get an exam and will potentially be sent on to physical therapy. Problem though, I'm only allowed to schedule an exam for one body part at a time, according to the woman that scheduled me. Not sure where to go from there since this is a generalized full body situation.
For context, I've been referred to sports medicine by my pcp with joint pain. This is fairly full body instability and weakness. I deal with chronic pain and hypermobility (likely eds, mcas and autonomic dysfunction on top of it but diagnoses are pending). PCP referred me to this place though, and they're more known for helping hypermobile patients but of course I'll need an evaluation before we can move forward with physical therapy.
I understand I'll have to talk to the doctor through the wide range of issues and I'll likely come loaded with physical documents of my previous evaluation (different PT/OT situation - they didn't know what they were doing), but my brain has hit a dead end, I blanked. Too many things went through my head at once.
How do I pick the "right" one that will possibly warrant a further look? Or perhaps I'm overthinking this and it won't be so rigid and literally ignoring everything else? But then, won't I need multiple exams (or am I overthinking this too)? I don't know how this works but I wish I did. But I just really really don't want to blow this chance at getting back into physical therapy. I said "hands" off the top of my head when scheduling but I'm probably going to call them back and say something else. Idk, neck? Back? Arms? Legs? Ankles? Feet? Shoulders?
Anyone have thoughts or experience on deciding something like this or how this process works?
Posted Sep 11, 2026, 3:29 PM UTC