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What is Physiotherapy?

"As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.

With your independence in mind, a physiotherapist's goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being.

Physiotherapists prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises, and provide essential education about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm."

- Canadian Physiotherapy Association

What to expect at initial visit

Your physiotherapist will begin treatment with an assessment that may include health history, subjective history of injury, and evaluation of pain. Your physiotherapist will also complete an assessment of strength, joint range of motion, reflexes, sensation, and heart and lung function.

Based on those results of initial assessment your physiotherapist will develop a diagnosis and determine if physical therapy is an appropriate treatment option.

With your input your physiotherapist will then develop an appropriate treatment plan and prognosis for your presentation.

What should I expect with Physical Therapy Treatments?

At McInnes physiotherapy your physiotherapist will develop a treatment plan based on objective findings of initial assessment and chronicity of condition. Timelines will vary greatly based on nature of injury or condition; however the focus of treatments will be to ensure safe transition to independent management of condition. Treatment plans will usually consist of the following:

• Manual / hands on care to address biomechanical restrictions present including, but not limited to, mobilizations of joint complexes and muscle lengthening techniques
• Education in nature of condition and the expectations with specific conditions, including recovery timelines, hurt vs. harm, and necessary activity modifications
• Individualized exercise prescription addressing muscle imbalances.

Do I need a doctor's referral to visit your clinic?

Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals; as such you do not need a referral to access a physical therapist. However some insurance companies still require a doctor referral in order to reimburse for treatment costs.

Will you contact and discuss findings with my family doctor?

With your permission your family doctor or referring doctor will be contacted to discuss clinical findings, treatment plans, and prognosis. Communication between health care professionals is paramount in ensuring quality care and continuity of care.

My doctor referred me to another physiotherapy clinic; can I use that referral at any clinic I choose?

Yes you can take a referral to any clinic that you choose. You should ensure the physical therapist treating is in good standing with the regulating bodies and fully licenced in the province.

Are Physiotherapy treatments covered by my insurance?

Physical therapy treatments are covered by most third party insurance plans (Blue Cross, Great West Life, SunLife, MSI etc.) and the percentage of coverage will depend on type of plan you have. McInnes Physiotheapy is able to direct bill some third party insurance companies at time of visit. If the injury occurred at work or in a motor vehicle accident there is no cost to the patient for treatments as the appropriate insurance company will be billed directly.