FAQ

Physiotherapy is the treatment, management and prevention of a wide variety of physical injuries using techniques such as patient-specific exercise programs, massage and physical methods, treatment using heat or cold, acupuncture, and electricity and light energy.

More info can be found under Services

• Work related injuries
• Motor Vehicle accidents
• Repetitive, overuse injuries
• Sports related injuries (running, swimming, biking, hockey, etc.)
• Total hip, knee, shoulder replacements
• Injuries to the spine or neck
• Other common injuries: Rotator cuff injuries, plantar fascitis, tennis elbow, patellofemoral syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis
• Fractured or sprained joints
• Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Incontinence
• Vestibular Rehabilitation
• Torticolis (infants & adults)

Detailed History (Subjective):

• History of the injury
• Health history (current, previous injuries)
• Medical record, medications, X-ray/ MRI reports, etc.
• Pain evaluation (rate you pain on a scale of 1-10)

Physical Assessment (Objective):

• Range of motion/ repeated movements
• Strength, endurance
• Reflexes, sensation
• Gait analysis (how you walk)
• Palpation (areas of pain)

No you do not need a doctor’s referral for physiotherapy assessment and treatment. Your insurance company provider may however need a referral to reimburse you for the cost of treatment. Most insurance companies pay between 80-100% of treatment up to a certain amount per year.

An assessment within one week of first contact should be expected.

Wear clothes that facilitate access to the body part being assessed:

• Tank top/short sleeve shirt for neck, shoulder
• Shorts for back, hip, knee, ankle
• Doctors notes, X-ray/MRI/CT scan report
• Assistive devices: cane, crutches, walker, etc.
• Orthotics, running shoes
• Splints, braces

The assessment lasts approximately one hour. Each session after that lasts between 30-60 minutes depending on whether there is a gym component to your treatment plan.

After a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist will be able to give you an approximate length of treatment to meet your goals. The healing process depends on many factors including the severity and location of the injury, medical history and overall health.

You (The patient) also have control over the time required! Doing your exercises, correcting body posture, avoiding certain positions and using proper body mechanics can minimize this! We are here to help you meet your goals and achieve your best!

Treatment can involve passive or active range of motion, manual therapy techniques, active assisted or repeated movements, stretches and massage. Physiotherapy can also include a number of modalities such as ultrasound, laser, TENS, IFC, moist heat, ice, and acupuncture. Treatment will include exercises that can be done at home, or at the gym. Exercises are reviewed and progressed or changed depending on how the patient is doing.

Exercises will depend on the individual and what is required for their injury. Some individuals only need to do a few exercises to regain their range of motion, strength and function, while others need a detailed supervised exercise program. Our facility has a gym with a full time kinesiologist that supervises the exercise program. The physiotherapist and kinesiologist communicate and modify or progress the exercises as needed.