The primary purpose of this study was to identify athletes' emotional responses to injuries measured before physiotherapy appointments. In addition, other key variables thought to affect this response were assessed. The subjects were 52 patients (42 male, 10 female, mean age ± SD = 25.33 ± 9.63 years) who had sustained a sports injury, and attended one of five clinics participating in the study within 12 weeks of that injury. They completed a psychological questionnaire before each treatment, while the treating physiotherapist completed an experienced practitioner severity of injury form after treatment. A mean of the values assigned to each emotional response by all subjects over a maximum of five treatments was calculated using a one-way ANOVA. Both positive and negative emotional responses were recorded, with a temporary reversal of subjects' improving emotional state trend between the second and third treatments. The mean value of injury severity as perceived by patients (5.162 ± 0.2442) was higher than that perceived by physiotherapists (4.777 ± 0.2174) although not significantly (p = 0.233). It is proposed that physiotherapists be especially vigilant at what appears to be a crucial stage in the treatment of patients and a series of suggestions are made.