Your first visit at Chatsworth Physical Therapy: what to expect
About an hour, one-on-one with Dr. Ed. You leave with a plan you can follow at home.
Before you come
Call (818) 749-3205 or use the booking section at the bottom of this page. Tell us what hurts, and we confirm your time, usually the same day.
What to bring
- A referral from your doctor, if you have Medicare.
- Imaging reports, if you have them.
- Your surgeon's protocol, if you had surgery.
- A list of your medications.
What to wear to physical therapy
Comfortable clothes you can move in. Shorts for knee, hip or ankle issues, and a tank top or loose shirt for shoulder, neck and back.
Parking
Parking is free in the lot in front, and there is no gate code. Street parking is available too. For the map, see directions and parking.
The evaluation, step by step
Your first physical therapy appointment is an evaluation with Dr. Ed Shut, DPT. It takes about 60 minutes, depending on what you need, and it is one-on-one from start to finish.
History
You tell Dr. Ed what hurts, how it started and what you want to get back to.
Watching you move
He watches how you move, so he sees the problem for himself.
Strength and range of motion
He measures your strength and how far each joint moves.
Finding the cause
He puts it together, finds what is actually causing your pain and confirms it is mechanical, the kind of pain physical therapy treats. If it is not, he tells you and refers you to the right doctor.
A plain explanation
He explains what he found in plain terms, before treatment starts.
First treatment
Treatment starts at this visit, not the next one. Depending on what he found, it may include manual therapy, corrective exercise, therapeutic ultrasound, red light therapy, cryo massage or electrical stimulation.
Home program
You leave with a short home program to follow between visits.
You can also read the blog post What to expect at your first visit.
After the first visit
Every follow-up is one-on-one with Dr. Ed himself, never handed off. Each visit is hands-on treatment in the clinic plus your home program, adjusted as you progress.
How many physical therapy sessions you need depends on your condition and how your body responds. Dr. Ed sets the plan after your evaluation. He never quotes a number of visits up front.
Evening and Saturday slots are available, so visits can fit around work.
Who comes with you
A family member or caregiver is welcome to come with you. If the patient is a child or teen, a parent stays for the whole visit.
The clinic
The entrance and the parking are wheelchair accessible, and there is a restroom. Dr. Ed speaks English and Russian, so you can be treated in either.
"After one visit, I was already feeling better than I did when I first walked thru the door. Dr. Edward also gave me tips on what I can do at home to make my back pain manageable in between visits."
Common questions about your first visit
How long is the first visit?
The first visit runs about 60 minutes, depending on what you need, and it is one-on-one with Dr. Ed. That time covers your evaluation, your first treatment and your home program.
How much does the first visit cost?
If you pay directly, the first evaluation is $175 and each follow-up visit is $125. Medicare, PPO superbills and personal injury liens are explained on Insurance and cost.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move in. Shorts work for a knee, hip or ankle problem. For a shoulder, neck or back problem, wear a tank top or a loose shirt.
What should I bring?
Bring a referral if you have Medicare, any imaging reports, your surgeon's protocol if you had surgery, and a list of your medications. If you are not sure what applies to you, ask when you book.
Will I be treated on the first visit?
Yes. The evaluation ends with treatment and a short home program. You start on the first visit, not the second.
Can someone come with me?
Yes. A family member or caregiver is welcome to come with you. With a child or teen, a parent stays for the whole visit.
Book your first visit
Tell Dr. Ed what hurts and when you would like to come. He will confirm your time by phone or email, usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call (818) 749-3205Dr. Ed answers his own phone.
19851 Nordhoff Place, Unit 105 (Suite C), Chatsworth, CA 91311
Mon to Sat 10am to 8pm, Sun closed. Free parking in the lot in front, no gate code, street parking available.
Book by phone
Call (818) 749-3205Mon to Sat 10am to 8pm, Sun closed
The online booking form opens here soon. Until then, call or email chatsworthpt@gmail.com and we confirm your time, usually the same day.
No payment is required to book.