Take any referral letter, relevant medical reports, recent prescriptions and records of previous treatment to your physiotherapy appointment. If you have had surgery or a hospital stay related to your problem, bring the discharge summary and any written restrictions from your treating doctor as well.
You do not need a complete medical file before seeking physiotherapy. These documents help the physiotherapist understand your health history, check precautions and avoid repeating investigations or treatment unnecessarily.
Referral Letters and Medical Summaries
If a doctor has referred you for physiotherapy, carry the referral letter or prescription. It may explain the reason for referral, the working diagnosis and any precautions the physiotherapist needs to follow.
A referral is not required for every physiotherapy appointment, but requirements can differ between facilities and payment arrangements. Ask before your visit if you are unsure, especially if you plan to claim treatment costs through insurance.
Bring relevant consultation notes from specialists who have assessed the same problem. For example, a note about a fracture, joint condition or nerve problem may contain findings that are not included in a brief prescription.
If your health history is complicated, a short medical summary can help. Include major diagnoses and conditions that may affect exercise or treatment safety, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes or a bleeding disorder. A summary prepared by your doctor is useful if one is already available; you do not usually need a separate consultation simply to obtain one.
Scan Reports and Investigation Results
Bring existing investigation reports that relate to the condition being assessed. These may help explain previous medical decisions, but the physiotherapist will also assess your symptoms, movement and day-to-day difficulties.
- X-ray reports: Relevant records of fractures, joint changes or previous orthopaedic procedures.
- MRI or CT reports: Reports requested during assessment of the current problem, particularly where a specialist has given treatment precautions.
- Ultrasound reports: Relevant findings involving muscles, tendons or other structures being treated.
- Nerve test reports: Nerve conduction studies or electromyography results, if these have already been performed.
- Relevant blood test results: Tests your doctor has used to assess a condition that could affect rehabilitation.
If you have access to the actual images, bring them in the format provided, along with the written report. Check whether the clinic can open digital files or whether printed reports would be easier to review.
Do not arrange a new scan or blood test just to attend physiotherapy unless a qualified healthcare professional recommends it. Older reports can still be useful, particularly after an injury or operation, so keep the dates visible rather than assuming only the newest report matters.
Surgery Records and Hospital Discharge Papers
After an operation, the discharge summary and surgeon's rehabilitation instructions are especially useful. The exact procedure and the tissues involved can affect which movements, exercises and levels of loading are appropriate.
Bring the operation note if it was given to you, along with follow-up letters and any rehabilitation protocol. Written instructions about weight-bearing, joint movement, brace use or lifting should be shown to the physiotherapist before treatment begins.
If you have an implant information card, keep it with these records. Also bring any updated instructions from later reviews, because restrictions may have changed since discharge.
If two documents appear to give different instructions, point this out rather than choosing one yourself. The physiotherapist may need to clarify the current plan with the surgeon or treating doctor before progressing treatment.
Medicine Lists and Previous Physiotherapy Records
Carry your current prescription or a clearly written list of medicines, including non-prescription products and supplements. Medicines can affect bleeding risk, balance, alertness or exercise tolerance, so an accurate list supports safer assessment.
Record known allergies and significant reactions to medicines, adhesives or skin products. You do not need to stop any prescribed medicine for a physiotherapy visit unless the prescribing clinician has instructed you to do so.
If you have received physiotherapy before, bring the assessment summary, progress notes or exercise sheet if available. Include exercises you are still doing and any written advice about activities to avoid.
A brief note about your response to previous treatment is also useful. Record which exercises helped, which increased symptoms and why treatment stopped, if you know. This gives the physiotherapist more useful information than a list of treatment names alone.
Administrative Documents and Missing Records
Ask the clinic which registration and payment documents it requires. Depending on its procedures, you may need identification, an appointment confirmation, an insurance card, a claim form or an authorisation letter. These support administration and do not replace medical records.
Keep relevant papers together in date order, with the latest instructions easy to find. Clear photographs or digital copies may be acceptable, but make sure every page is readable and includes your name and the report date. Share medical files through the method requested by the clinic rather than sending them to an unverified contact.
If records are missing, tell the physiotherapist what is unavailable. Do not postpone an assessment solely because you cannot find an old report, but contact the clinic beforehand if recent surgical restrictions or other safety instructions are unclear. Request replacement copies from the treating hospital or doctor when those details are needed for safe rehabilitation.