Your First Visit — WildHer Physical Therapy

New patients

Your First Visit

Everything you need to know before you arrive.

I know that booking your first pelvic floor PT appointment takes courage. I want you to feel completely prepared — not just logistically, but emotionally. Here is everything you need to know before you walk through the door.

“You will never be rushed, never be pressured, and nothing will happen without your full consent. This is your appointment, at your pace.”

Before we begin

It’s completely okay to be nervous.

Most of my patients feel some degree of anxiety before their first visit — especially if this is their first experience with pelvic floor PT, or if they’ve been carrying something painful or private for a long time. I want you to know that your nerves are welcome here. You don’t need to have it together. You don’t need to know exactly how to describe what’s been going on. You just need to show up.

My job is to create a space where you feel safe enough to share your story — and we will go at whatever pace feels right for you. There is no expectation, no pressure, and absolutely no judgment.

“Making my patients feel heard, validated, and safe is the top priority. I am proud to create a wholesome environment where my patients feel seen and fully understood.”

What to wear & bring

Come comfortable. Nothing fancy required.

There is very little you need to prepare before your first visit. Here’s what I’d suggest:

What to wear
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing you can move in easily. Athletic wear, leggings, or anything stretchy works perfectly. You don’t need to dress up or prepare anything special — just come as you are.
What to bring
Just yourself. If you have relevant imaging reports, surgical notes, or referral paperwork, feel free to bring those — but they’re not required. Your story is enough to get us started.

What happens during your first session

A full hour, entirely focused on you.

Your first visit is 60 minutes. Here’s how that time typically unfolds:

1
We talk — and I listen
We’ll spend a significant portion of your first visit simply talking. I want to hear your story — what’s been going on, how long it’s been happening, how it affects your daily life, what you’ve already tried, and what your goals are. You will never feel rushed through this part. It matters.
2
A movement & postural assessment
I’ll observe how you move, assess your posture, and look at how your hips, core, and surrounding structures are functioning. This helps me understand the full picture — not just the area that hurts, but everything that might be contributing to it.
3
A pelvic floor assessment — if you’re comfortable
Depending on your condition and comfort level, I may offer an internal pelvic floor assessment. This is always optional — you can absolutely say no, or ask to wait, and we will simply work from what we can assess externally. More on this below.
4
My findings & a plan of care
I’ll share what I found, explain what I think is contributing to your symptoms, and walk you through a proposed plan of care. I want you to leave your first appointment understanding your body better than when you arrived.
5
Treatment begins
In most cases, we’ll begin hands-on treatment in the same session. You don’t have to wait for a second appointment to start feeling better.

The internal exam

Always optional. Always your choice.

An internal pelvic floor assessment involves gently inserting one gloved finger internally to assess the tone, strength, and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles. It allows me to understand what the muscles are actually doing in a way that external assessment simply can’t replicate.

For many pelvic floor conditions — including incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, and painful intercourse — an internal assessment provides information that meaningfully improves the accuracy and effectiveness of your treatment plan.

What you need to know

“You are always in control. Nothing happens without your full, enthusiastic consent.”

An internal assessment is never required, never assumed, and never pressured. If you prefer to decline — at any point, for any reason — we simply don’t do it. We can still do excellent, meaningful work together without it.

If you’re unsure, it’s completely fine to decide in the moment. I will always explain what I’m about to do before I do it, check in with you throughout, and stop immediately if anything feels uncomfortable. Many patients who feel nervous about this before their first visit find that it’s far more gentle and matter-of-fact than they expected.

After your first session

What to expect in the days that follow.

It’s completely normal to feel a little sore or tired after your first pelvic floor PT session — especially if we did hands-on work or an internal assessment. This typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Staying hydrated, moving gently, and applying heat to any sore areas can help.

What’s normal after your first visit

  • Mild muscle soreness in the pelvic floor, hips, or low back — similar to post-workout soreness
  • Feeling emotionally tired — sharing your story and being heard can be more cathartic than expected
  • A temporary increase in awareness of the area we worked on
  • Occasionally, a temporary increase in symptoms before they improve — this is normal and expected

If you have any concerns after your visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to answer questions between sessions.

Finding us

We’re easy to find — here’s exactly how.

We’re located in a professional office building in Columbia, Maryland. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in before we get started.

Address
10450 Shaker Drive, Suite 108
Columbia, MD 21046
We are located on the first floor — Suite 108 is easy to find once you’re inside the building. Look for the WildHer Physical Therapy sign.
There is free parking directly outside the building. No need to worry about meters or parking fees.
Get directions on Google Maps →

If you have any trouble finding us, please call or text 410.305.9052 and I’ll help you get here.

Payment & insurance

Simple, transparent, no surprises.

WildHer Physical Therapy is a cash-pay practice, which means we do not bill insurance directly. Payment is due at the time of your visit.

How to pay
We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as FSA and HSA cards. Payment is collected at the end of your session.
Using your insurance
If you have out-of-network physical therapy benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. I’m happy to provide a superbill after your visit — just ask.

If you have questions about pricing before your first visit, please visit the Investment page or reach out directly.

Not sure what you’re dealing with?

Here’s what we commonly treat.

Many patients arrive not quite knowing how to name what they’re experiencing — just knowing something isn’t right. Here are some of the most common conditions we see at WildHer. Click through to learn more about any that resonate.

Pelvic floor

Orthopedic

Specialist techniques

Ready to take
the first step?

I can’t wait to meet you. Book your first visit below — or start with a free 15-minute virtual consultation if you’d like to talk first.

Book your first visit
Questions? Call or text 410.305.9052 ·