What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Walking into a wellness clinic for the first time can bring a mix of emotions — curiosity, relief, and sometimes a little nervousness. Whether you are starting physiotherapy, Pilates, or massage therapy, your first visit at Catch Wellness is designed to make you feel seen, supported, and understood.
We believe that your experience should never feel rushed or transactional. Healing begins with connection, and that starts the moment you walk through our doors.
Arriving at Catch
When you arrive at our East Vancouver clinic, you will be welcomed by our front desk team. They will help confirm your intake forms, review any insurance details, and answer initial questions. You will notice that the space feels calm and grounding — intentionally designed to help you unwind before your session.
If you have not already completed your intake forms, you can fill them out at the clinic. They include basic medical history, past injuries, current concerns, and any preferences you would like your practitioner to know. The goal is to give your practitioner a clear starting point before the assessment begins.
We recommend arriving about ten minutes early to settle in and take a breath. Wellness starts with slowing down.
Step One: The Conversation
Your first session always begins with a conversation. Your practitioner will ask about your goals, pain points, daily routines, and how you currently feel in your body. You are encouraged to share openly — this is your time.
If you are visiting for physiotherapy, your practitioner might ask how long you have been experiencing your symptoms, what movements make them better or worse, and how your day-to-day activities have been affected. If you are attending a Pilates assessment, your instructor will ask about movement experience, comfort levels, and what you hope to achieve. For massage therapy or acupuncture, you will discuss areas of tension, discomfort, or stress.
This step helps us understand your whole picture — not just the pain but the person behind it.
Step Two: Assessment and Observation
Once you have talked through your goals and history, your practitioner will guide you through a few gentle assessments. These are simple movements or posture observations that reveal how your body functions.
- In Physiotherapy: Your physio may test range of motion, muscle strength, or specific movement patterns to pinpoint what is contributing to discomfort or restriction.
- In Pilates: Your instructor will observe your breathing, core engagement, and alignment on and off the reformer. This helps them create a program that suits your body and ability.
- In Massage Therapy: Your RMT might do light palpation or postural analysis to determine which areas need focus and how to approach them safely.
The assessment is collaborative. You can ask questions at any point, and nothing is done without your comfort or consent.
Step Three: The Plan
After your assessment, your practitioner will walk you through what they have observed and how they plan to help. This plan may include manual therapy, guided exercises, Pilates sessions, or a combination of services across the Catch team.
At Catch, your care does not happen in isolation. Our practitioners often collaborate behind the scenes to make sure that every session supports your progress from multiple angles. If your physiotherapist feels that you would benefit from Pilates or massage therapy, they will coordinate with that practitioner to align your treatment.
You will leave your first appointment with clarity — knowing exactly what your next steps are and why.
Step Four: Beginning Treatment
If time allows, your practitioner will begin treatment or gentle movement work during your first visit. This might involve hands-on manual therapy, stretching, or a few simple exercises you can continue at home.
For Pilates clients, your instructor will introduce you to the reformer and key foundational movements, explaining how to engage safely and breathe with control. For RMT clients, you will start your session in a quiet treatment room focused on relaxation and targeted release.
Our priority is to help you leave feeling more aware, more informed, and more at ease than when you arrived.
Step Five: After Your Appointment
Your practitioner may give you short at-home exercises, stretches, or mindfulness practices to support progress between sessions. These are never overwhelming or complicated — they are small, intentional steps to help your body remember what it learned during treatment.
We always encourage you to check in with any questions after your first session. Healing is not linear, and we want you to feel comfortable asking about sensations, soreness, or anything that feels unclear.
What to Bring
- Comfortable, moveable clothing.
- Any medical imaging or notes you already have.
- Your insurance card if you plan to direct bill.
- A water bottle and an open mind.
You do not need to bring much else — just yourself and a willingness to learn about your body.
How You Will Feel After
Most people leave their first appointment feeling lighter, more informed, and reassured. Sometimes there can be mild soreness as your body adjusts to new movement or release, but it should feel like progress, not pain.
You will likely also feel a sense of relief. Finally, someone understands the full picture of what you have been feeling — and there is a plan to move forward.
Our Promise
From the first appointment onward, our goal is to make you feel cared for and confident. Every practitioner at Catch shares the same belief: that healing is a partnership built on education, trust, and consistency.
Whether your journey begins with physiotherapy, Pilates, massage therapy, or acupuncture, your care will always start with curiosity — not assumptions.
We listen, we observe, and we teach. Because when you understand your body, you begin to take ownership of your health in a way that lasts.
Book Your First Visit
If you are ready to begin, book your initial appointment today. We will guide you through every step with warmth, expertise, and genuine care.