Your First Visit
Here's exactly what happens.
No surprises, no guessing what to wear, no wondering where to park. Everything you need to know before your first appointment at Silver Strides.
Getting here
Finding Us
Where:
2144 4th Street, Suite A, San Rafael, CA 94901
Parking:
There's plenty of parking on site. Pull around back.
Access:
Ramp access is at the rear entrance. If stairs are difficult or you're using a walker, cane, or wheelchair, come in from the back.
When to arrive:
10 minutes early for your first visit so we can finish paperwork without cutting into your treatment time.
What to Bring
- Photo ID and insurance card if Medicare is your primary insurance
- A list of your medications
- Any relevant imaging or reports you have (X-ray, MRI, surgical notes). Bring them if you have them, don't chase them down if you don't.
- Your surgeon's protocol if you're coming in after a procedure
- Comfortable clothes you can move in. Something that lets me see and access the area we're working on. Shorts if it's a knee or hip, a tank or loose top if it's a shoulder or back.
- Supportive shoes. Whatever you actually walk in day to day, not something you keep for special occasions.
The appointment
What the 60 Minutes Look Like
This is your time to be heard, understood, and assessed. We'll figure out what's getting in the way and start building a path toward moving and feeling better
What Happens Next
You'll leave with a clear plan and usually a small amount of home work. Not a printout of 15 exercises you'll never do. A short list of the things that will actually move the needle.
Follow up visits are 45 minutes and always one on one with me. How many you'll need depends on your condition, and I'll give you a real estimate rather than a vague one.
Quick Answers
Do I need a referral? No. California is a direct access state. Your evaluation will be sent to your doctor to sign off on the treatment plan for ongoing care to be covered.
How long is the first visit? 60 minutes. Follow ups are 45.
Will I be treated by an aide? No. Every minute is one on one with me.
Will it hurt? The evaluation may reproduce your symptoms briefly, since I need to see what provokes them. Tell me when something hurts and we'll work within it.
What if I'm nervous? Very common, especially if you've had a fall or a bad experience with treatment before. Say so when you get here.