What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physiotherapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians. Our physiotherapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it.

While every patient’s condition, injury and pain is unique, our physiotherapists will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and treatment modalities to relieve pain and swelling quickly and restore your function to optimum levels. The overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent the injury or pain from recurring.

What do Physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapists work with patients with orthopedic problems, such as low back pain or knee surgeries, to reduce pain and regain function. Physiotherapists also assist patients recovering from a stroke (e.g., assisting them with recovering use of their limbs and walking again).

Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function, and provide programs directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. They can also provide services to athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and incorporate preventive exercise programs.

Apart from offering "hands-on" care, physiotherapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Physiotherapists also use modalities such as ultrasound, laser, IFC/TENS, hot packs, and ice.

Is Physiotherapy painful?

For many patients, one of the primary objectives is pain relief. This is frequently accomplished with hands-on techniques, modalities such as ultrasound, laser, electrical stimulation, and/or heat, or cold therapy. Movement often provides pain relief as well. Your physiotherapist will provide you with the appropriate exercises not only for pain relief but to recover range of motion, strength, and endurance.

In some cases, physiotherapy techniques can be painful. For example, recovering knee range of motion after total knee replacement or shoulder range of motion after shoulder surgery may be painful. Your physiotherapist will utilize a variety of techniques to help achieve your treatment goals. It is important that you communicate the intensity, frequency, and duration of pain to your therapist. Without this information, it is difficult for the therapist to adjust your treatment plan.

Will Physiotherapy benefit me?

We encourage you to speak with your doctor to discuss your options to help determine if physiotherapy is the right choice for you. Call us today to discuss your current condition or request an appointment now.

Who will be treating me?

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physiotherapists who will also treat you during subsequent visits. We feel it is especially important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. This allows for the most effective treatment as the therapist will be familiar with your issues and will work consistently for faster recovery.

Are your physiotherapists trained to treat my condition?

Yes, our physiotherapists have graduated from accredited physiotherapy programs and are also licensed to work in Ontario. Our therapists have taken additional trainings that specialize in various aspects of pain and healing. You can be assured that our therapists are well trained to evaluate and treat your condition. You can also refer to our Team for their specific credentials or refer to the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Public Registry section.

How many sessions will I need?

This is greatly variable by patient and conditions being treated. You may need one visit, or you may need months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. However, you will be re-evaluated monthly and when you see your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our recommendations. Your recovery is important to us, and we will work with you to provide the most appropriate treatment.

How do I choose a Physiotherapy clinic?

When selecting a Physiotherapy clinic, there are many things to consider, below is a list of a few things to consider when deciding.

• The therapist should be licensed.
• The clinic should provide a variety of techniques which might include hands-on techniques, soft tissue work, therapeutic exercises and in some cases treatment modalities, as needed.
• Do they have a service that can address your problem?
• Do they work with your insurance provider or are they willing to work with you even if you do not have insurance coverage?
• They should be conveniently located. You should not need to drive a long distance for rehabilitation as extended sitting and driving may often aggravate some orthopedic problems.
• What are the hours of operation? Are they convenient for my busy schedule?
• The therapist should provide the treatment.
• Can you briefly interview the therapist before the first visit?
• Ask your family and friends who they would recommend.

How can I schedule an appointment?

Scheduling is easy, simply call us today or request an appointment. Our office hours are 9am to 7pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

What should I wear to my sessions?

You should wear loose fitting clothing so that the therapist can easily access the area that we will be evaluating and treating. If for example, if you have a knee problem, wearing shorts would be ideal. For a shoulder problem, a tank top would work best, and for low back problems, wear a loose-fitting shirt and pants. Base your decision on what to wear on the area that will be treated.

How long will each of my sessions last?

The first session typically lasts 1 hour. Subsequent sessions may be 45-60 minutes, this will depend on your specific needs.

How long do I need to see a physiotherapist before I feel better?

Everyone is unique and will vary. The frequency of visits will be determined during your first visit and explained to you by our physiotherapist.

Will my sessions be covered by insurance?

Yes. Most forms of physiotherapy treatment are covered by your insurance plan, but the coverage will vary by plan. PT Care Rehab will be happy to assist in contacting your insurance company and determining your coverage based on your individual policy. Further information can be found on our Insurance page or you can talk to our receptionist so we can help you clarify your insurance coverage.

What happens if I don’t have insurance?

You do not need to have insurance; we also accept private payments for clients who do not have insurance.

When and how do I pay?

Payments are made at the time of service. We accept cash, debit card, and credit card and personal cheque. We will review your insurance benefits during your first visit, at that point we will establish the method for future payments. We can also bill most insurance companies directly, and you will be required to pay the difference.

What do I need for my first appointment?

Please ensure you bring the following on your first visit:

• A referral letter (if required) for physiotherapy from your referring physician.
• Insurance Card (or information)
• In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, ensure you bring any case manager or insurance adjuster contact names, phone numbers, and claim number.
• If you have opted to complete the online forms at home, please print out the patient forms, and bring them with you.
• If you prefer to complete the forms in the clinic, please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the necessary paperwork.
• Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.

Please refer to “Notice to our patients regarding COVID-19” for additional considerations.

What do I need to do after my sessions are over and I feel better?

This varies by patient, some patients will need to continue with home exercises, some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program while others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. Your therapist will review your needs and provide you with the most appropriate home program specifically for you.

What should I do if my problem or pain returns?

Flare ups can happen. If you experience a flare up give us a call. We may suggest you come back to see us, return to your doctor, or simply modify your daily activities or exercise routine.

What can I expect during my first visit?

You first visit will include a thorough medical history review and physical examination before starting treatment. Your goals should be discussed in detail during the first visit. Therefore, we ask you to complete a form prior to your first visit, the therapist will review the answers with you and ask any pertinent questions at that time. All payment and insurance details will be sorted out and the insurance company will be contacted if required. We welcome your feedback and questions and encourage you to come ready with a list of questions or concerns you may have. We want to ensure your experience pleasant from your very first visit with us.

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that things come up, and should you need to cancel your appointment, please be courteous and give the clinic 24 hours notice. You will be charged the full amount for cancellations with less than 24 hours or no shows. This policy ensures that we are available to meet the needs of all our clients effectively. It is best if you call the clinic to advise us, our number is (905) 454-5999.