As physios, asking the right questions is kind of our superpower.
From that very first session — when we’re digging into your history — to follow-ups where we check how things are progressing, it’s all about painting the clearest possible picture.
Today, I want to share three powerful questions that deserve a permanent spot in your toolkit.
They’re simple, but they uncover a lot.
Question #1:
What are you hoping to get out of this treatment—and what kind of results are you expecting?
The first part — What are you hoping to get out of this treatment? — reveals your patient’s goals and mindset. Are they feeling confident? Unsure? Do they believe they have control over their condition?
The second part — What kind of results are you expecting? — lets you gauge if their expectations are realistic. If they’re aiming a little too high, you can help them adjust without crushing their motivation.
Together, these two questions touch on two key factors that make or break treatment success:
- Sense of control → Do they feel capable of managing their condition?
- Expectation of the outcome → Do they believe the treatment will make a real difference?
When those two align, recovery gets a huge boost.
Question #2:
What’s one thing you’ve had to give up because of the pain or your condition — something you really wish you could do again?
It’s a simple question, but it says a lot: I care about your life, not just your symptoms.
When patients open up — whether it’s about missing gardening, playing with their kids, or just going for a walk — you gain insight into what truly drives them. And that insight builds trust.
Dale Carnegie said it best in How to Win Friends and Influence People: Be interested, not interesting.
When patients feel you genuinely care about the person behind the injury, they engage more fully in recovery. And when trust is there, your advice carries real weight.
Question #3:
On a scale from one to ten, how confident do you feel about being able to stick to a regular exercise routine, with one being not confident at all and ten being super confident?
This is a scaling question — a simple but powerful tool.
It measures progress, gauges change, and helps you understand the intensity of your patient’s feelings.
If a patient says, “I’m at a 5,” follow up with:
Why a 5 and not a 3?
That little twist encourages self-reflection. It helps them notice what’s already working and what’s holding them back. And it gives you a clearer read on their mindset.
Scaling questions don’t just give you data — they make patients active partners in their own recovery.
Now that you’ve seen how these questions work and why they matter, let’s put them into action. Here’s a simple way to experiment with them in your next session and see the impact for yourself.
🧪 Let’s Experiment
Three simple questions can transform
your treatment plan and your patient’s engagement.
The beauty of these questions is that they work together.
One aligns expectations, one taps into motivation, and one gauges confidence — giving you a full picture of where your patient stands and how to guide them forward.
🎯 Try This:
- Start with “What are you hoping to get out of this treatment — and what kind of results are you expecting?” Use their answer to personalize your approach, set realistic goals, and track progress.
- Follow with “What’s one thing you’ve had to give up because of the pain or your condition — something you really wish you could do again?” Build your plan around helping them reclaim what matters most.
- Finish with “On a scale from one to ten, how confident do you feel about being able to stick to a regular exercise routine?” If the number is low, break tasks into small steps and celebrate every win to build momentum.
🧠 Final Thought:
When you combine insight, motivation, and confidence, you’re not just treating symptoms — you’re helping patients believe in their own recovery. And that belief can be just as powerful as the treatment itself.
Keep it simple, stay curious, and keep learning—you’ve got this.
Take care,
Carina 🦊