First Visit

At Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy, your first visit is much more than a quick evaluation. We take the time to understand your symptoms, movement limitations, goals, activity level, and concerns so we can build a treatment plan designed specifically for you. Every appointment is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy for a full 60-minute session, giving us the time to provide truly personalized care without rushing.

To make the most of your appointment, we'll ask you to complete digital intake paperwork in advance. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining forms in the office — this ensures we can dive right into your care from the moment your session begins.

Whether you are dealing with pain, recovering from surgery, returning to sport, or working to improve mobility and function, your first visit is focused on understanding the full picture of your movement health.

Your evaluation begins with a conversation about your medical history, the background of your condition or injury, and your goals for recovery. This helps us understand how the issue developed and what factors may be contributing to your symptoms.

From there, we move into a comprehensive physical examination that may include:

Posture and movement analysis
Range of motion testing
Strength and flexibility assessment
Balance, walking mechanics, and coordination
Special orthopedic tests to pinpoint the source of pain or dysfunction

Our goal is not simply to identify symptoms, but to understand the underlying factors driving your condition so that treatment can be as targeted and effective as possible. You will leave your first visit with a clear diagnosis, a transparent plan of care, and a realistic picture of what recovery looks like for you.

After your evaluation, we will review our findings together and build a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs, lifestyle, and recovery goals. We believe you should fully understand what is contributing to your symptoms, what treatment will involve, and what to expect at each stage of the process.

Your care plan may include hands-on treatment, movement training, strengthening exercises, mobility work, education, injury prevention strategies, and progressive rehabilitation — all based on your specific condition and activity goals. You will also receive a personalized home exercise program and, at no extra cost, resistance bands to support your recovery between sessions.

We encourage questions at every stage. The more informed you are, the more confident and engaged you will be throughout your recovery.

What to Bring:

A valid photo ID
Your health insurance card (if applicable)
A referral if required by your insurance (Medicare and Workers' Comp); these are typically faxed directly to us
Any imaging from the past year (X-rays, MRIs, etc.) if available

What to Wear:

Athletic attire is ideal but not required. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area — for example, a sleeveless shirt for shoulder issues or shorts for lower-body concerns. Gowns and shorts are available in the clinic if needed.

Unlike many traditional clinics, Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy was built around quality care rather than patient volume. You will never be handed off to aides or techs, rushed through your appointment, or left with a generic exercise sheet. Every minute of your session is spent directly with Dr. Benjamin Stokes, a Hillsboro native and Doctor of Physical Therapy.

With same or next-day appointments often available and no referral required in many cases, getting started is simple. Our boutique, cash-based model means transparent pricing, no surprise bills, and a supportive environment where your care is never compromised by insurance red tape.

We are committed to making your first visit a genuinely positive experience and helping you feel confident about every step of your recovery moving forward.