March 25, 2025

Physical Therapy Evaluations: Catch Pain Early & Avoid Surgery | TruMove KC

You don’t know what you don’t know—especially when it comes to pain and movement problems. Many people assume pain in their shoulder means something’s wrong with their shoulder. But did you know that shoulder pain can actually originate from your hips, spine, or even your feet?

This is why a physical therapy evaluation is such a powerful first step. Instead of guessing or letting small problems become big ones, you get clarity—catching issues early and dealing with them before they progress.

What Is a Physical Therapy Evaluation?

At TruMove Physical Therapy, in Overland Park, an evaluation is a 40-minute session with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). The goal is to uncover the root causes of your pain or mobility challenges.

It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about finding what’s really behind the pain.

What Happens During an Evaluation?

• Conversation & Medical History: First, your physical therapist listens closely to your story, your pain points, your history, and your personal goals.
• Comprehensive Movement Assessment: You’ll go through simple movement tests. Your therapist observes how you move—identifying issues in strength, flexibility, and mobility.
• Initial Treatment: Your evaluation includes initial hands-on treatment or therapeutic exercises designed to provide immediate relief or improvements.
• Personalized Insights & Recommendations: You’ll leave with a clear diagnosis, a deeper understanding of your issue, and a tailored action plan.

Why Early Evaluation Saves Money and Prevents Surgery

Proactively addressing movement issues can prevent them from escalating into severe, chronic conditions. A few timely physical therapy sessions can often resolve issues that, if ignored, might later require expensive procedures or surgery.

Let’s compare costs:

• Average Cost of a Physical Therapy Evaluation: $120
• Average Cost of a Few PT Sessions (Typically 3-5 sessions): Approximately $400-$600
• Average Cost of Common Orthopedic Surgeries:
  – Knee Replacement: $30,000 – $50,000
  – Rotator Cuff Surgery: $10,000 – $25,000
  – Hip Replacement: $40,000 – $60,000

Clearly, investing in a physical therapy evaluation early can save you tens of thousands of dollars—not to mention time lost to recovery.

How Musculoskeletal Experts Identify Root Causes

Unlike standard medical assessments, a musculoskeletal specialist like a Doctor of Physical Therapy doesn’t just focus on the location of pain. Shoulder pain might start in your hips, and foot pain could be due to tightness in your lower back.

A detailed physical therapy evaluation identifies these connections and addresses the true cause—solving the real issue, not just masking symptoms.

The Benefits of Being Proactive with Physical Therapy

Being proactive means fewer doctor’s visits, fewer missed days at work, less pain, and less stress. It also means potentially avoiding invasive treatments or surgery down the road.

Make An Appointment

Physical therapy isn’t just about recovery—it’s about prevention.

Next Steps After Your Evaluation

After your evaluation, you’ll receive a clear, personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. If physical therapy is the right fit, you’ll have specific exercises and strategies to start immediately.

If not, your therapist will direct you toward the appropriate solution—without pressure or unnecessary procedures.

Take Control Now—Book Your Evaluation

Catch pain and mobility issues early. TruMove Physical Therapy is booking $120 movement evaluations this week. Save yourself time, money, and discomfort.

Don’t wait until your body forces your hand—get ahead of it.

Ready to Schedule? Contact TruMove Physical Therapy in Overland Park today and book your evaluation.

Make An Appointment