(661) 282-8584 contactus@ariptcare.com Fax: (661) 727-0005 Español
Book an Appointment

Patient Questions  /  Your first visit

Starting Physical Therapy

What Happens at the First Physical Therapy Visit?

Your first visit is a thorough evaluation that takes about 45 to 60 minutes, one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist. We listen to your story, examine how you move, explain what is most likely causing your symptoms, and build a treatment plan around that, your lifestyle and your goals. We also set clear expectations together from the start.

Request an Evaluation

What we do

  • A thorough evaluation. First we talk: how the problem started, your symptoms, what makes them better or worse, your health history, and what you want to get back to. Then we examine movement, strength, flexibility, balance and, depending on the problem, nerves, walking or posture. We explain each step and stop anything that's too painful.
  • What's likely causing it. We walk you through what is most likely going on in your body and why it causes your symptoms, in plain language.
  • A plan for the most likely cause. Your treatment plan targets the most reasonable diagnosis we arrive at during the evaluation. Often your first treatment and a few home exercises start the same day.
  • Built around your life. The plan fits your work, your routine and your goals, and works you toward them step by step.
  • Clear expectations. We talk honestly about how often you'll come, roughly how long it may take and what progress should look like. We see your care as a partnership with you and your other care providers, including your doctor.

Follow-up visits usually take 30 to 45 minutes.

What to bring and wear

  • Photo ID and your insurance card.
  • A referral or prescription if you have one (not required to start in California), and any imaging reports.
  • A list of your medications.
  • Comfortable clothes that let us see and move the area, for example shorts for a knee problem.

Our clinic is at 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. If you need to reschedule, please let us know at least 24 hours ahead.

How physical therapy at ARI can help

Every visit at ARI is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, from the first evaluation to your last visit.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026