What to Expect
At your first appointment with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s (PAMF) Department of Physical Therapy, a licensed physical therapist will evaluate your injury or condition, identify functional limitations and the cause of any symptoms. The therapist will then prescribe an individualized treatment plan designed to enable you to resume normal activities. While being treated in PAMF’s Department of Physical Therapy, you will have access to highly sophisticated equipment.

When to Arrive
On the day of your first appointment, please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time in order to complete any paperwork prior to beginning your appointment. If you were given a physician referral, please bring that document with you to the appointment.

What to Wear
Wear or bring comfortable exercise clothes. It is best to have the injured area exposed to allow proper treatment. For example, shorts are preferable for people with knee injuries. If the injured area is not accessible, a therapist may provide a gown for you to wear.

Bring any braces or other adaptive devices that have been prescribed by your physician.

If your appointment will include use of the therapy pool, bring a swimsuit, water socks (if you desire), towel and change of clothes.

Lockers and Showers
There are men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers at the facility. Please bring your own towel. You may request a locker and exchange your car keys for a locker key when you check in for your appointment.

If you have any additional questions prior to your first appointment, please call the Physical Therapy Department at 650-853-3355.