From the outset, our onboarding process is deliberately structured around preparation, timing, and follow-through. The specific sequence depends on the pathway you enter, but the objective is the same: arrive prepared, understand what you are doing and why, and have a clear instructions for what comes next.
New Student
Onboarding
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Every prospective client starts with a screening call.
At Pain to Performance, onboarding begins before the first in-person session. Each new student completes a structured preparation process designed around the pathway they are entering.
There is not one assessment or coaching sequence that is appropriate for every student. Once we determine that Pain to Performance is an appropriate fit, your onboarding process follows the pathway that best reflects your current symptoms, functional status, physical demands, and goals.
Before Onboarding: Initial Screening
Every prospective new student begins with a New Student Initial Screening Phone Consultation. This approximately 20-minute conversation is used to determine whether Pain to Performance is an appropriate fit and, if so, which pathway best matches your current needs and goals.
Three Onboarding Pathways
Pathway 1
Low Back, Hip, and Leg Symptoms.
1 — Enroll & Reserve Your Dates: Schedule the Three-Hour In-Person McGill Method Assessment, Post-Assessment Debrief / Plan & Education Call, and In-Person Post-Assessment Follow-Up. Complete enrollment and payment requirements.
2 — Assessment Preparation: Complete the P2P intake form, gather relevant medical/surgical records, and provide the lumbar MRI DICOM study when available.
3 — Three-Hour In-Person McGill Method Assessment: We take a deep-dive interview, symptom- history review, perform a physical assessment that identifies the causal patterns associated with the familiar symptoms, positions of respite and appropriate stating point.
4 — Report Development & Plan Design: Your assessment findings, imaging when available, and relevant history are integrated into the written findings and individualized plan.
5 — Post-Assessment Debrief / Plan & Education Call: Review the findings, reasoning, initial strategy, report, and questions before returning in person.
6 — In-Person Post-Assessment Follow-Up (Reinforcement Session):
Complete additional assessments as needed, benefit from personalized spine education, instruction your movement movements tools, refine exercise technique, understand exercise dosage, and reinforcement of the initial plan's goals and objectives .
7 — Execute the Plan: Apply the plan independently or continue into the coaching and guidance structure selected during enrollment.
Explore Pathway #1: Low Back Pain / McGill Method Assessment
Pathway 2
Post Surgical / Post Physical Therapy
1 — Enroll & Schedule Your Assessment and Post Assessment Sessions: Schedule your Functional Movement Assessment, Post-Assessment Debrief / Plan & Education Call, and In-Person Post-Assessment Follow-Up. Complete enrollment and payment requirements.
2 — Intake + Medical Coordination: Relevant surgical/rehabilitation history, current functional status, medical clearance or communication when appropriate, current limitations, work/lifestyle demands, and goals.
3 — Individualized In-Person Evaluation: Establish present movement capacity, tolerances, trunk control/endurance, relevant mobility/stability characteristics, task performance, lifting/carrying ability, and other pathway-specific measures.
4 — Findings & Development Plan Review: Explain what was observed, what remains limited, and the priorities for developing greater day-to-day durability.
5 — Practical Follow-Up / Coaching Orientation: Learn the initial exercises, movement strategies, loading principles, and progression expectations required to begin the plan correctly.
6 — Guided Development as Needed: Move into short-term guided development when needed or begin applying the plan more independently.
7 — Sustainable Independent Function / Continued Support: Progress toward greater independence while using continued coaching or periodic reassessment when appropriate.
Pathway 3
Back Fitness & Performance
1 — Enroll & Schedule Your Development Track: Schedule your Functional Movement Assessment, Post-Assessment Debrief / Plan & Education Call, and In-Person Post-Assessment Follow-Up. Complete enrollment and payment requirements.
2 — Intake + Training / Activity History: Document your current training, exercise selection, weekly volume and intensity, recovery, previous flare patterns, work or sport demands, and short- and long-term goals.
3 — In-Person Movment & Performance Evaluation: Screen your movement competency, observe your sport/training techniques, measure your physical capacity, trunk endurance, assess for joint mobility, stability, and organize the training variables most relevant to your activities and the circumstances in which symptoms have historically returned.
4 — Findings + Initial Training Strategy: Review the factors most likely contributing to the mismatch between your current capacity and training demands, along with the initial exercise, loading, and programming strategy.
5 — TrainHeroic Onboarding + Coaching Orientation: Set up your training platform, communication process, logging expectations, and initial program.
6 — Private Coaching Sessions: Learn and refine exercise technique, loading execution, movement strategy, and the practical application of your individualized program.
7 — Begin Your 6- or 12-Month Development Pathway: Begin ongoing programming, training logs, coaching communication, periodic one-on-one reviews, and progression based on demonstrated tolerance and performance.