Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a rehabilitation profession with a presence in all health care delivery streams in Ontario: hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care, community-based clinics, schools, private practice clinics and primary care networks. It is regulated in Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).
In Ontario, physiotherapists are licensed to practice by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. There are approximately 7,000 licensed physiotherapists in the province.
While physicians are referred to as MDs and nurses as RNs, physiotherapists or physical therapists are often referred to as PTs. The professional titles in Ontario for this ing rehabilitation health care professional are physiotherapist or physical therapist.
Physiotherapy is a drug-free health care practice. Physiotherapists work in partnership with individuals of all ages to break down the barriers to physical function whether that means working with patients pre and post surgery, helping people come back from illness and chronic disease, injury, industrial and motor vehicle accidents and age related conditions.
Physiotherapists also play an important role in health promotion and disease prevention. Physiotherapy is the treatment of preference for many who suffer from pain whether in the back or neck, or joint pain such as hips, knees, ankles, wrists, elbows or shoulders. Physiotherapy has proven to be effective in the treatment and management of arthritis, diabetes, stroke and traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and a range of respiratory conditions offering those afflicted with tools and techniques to acquire and maintain an optimum level of function and pain free living.
2. What are the benefits of physiotherapy?
- Physiotherapy can make a difference in an individual’s ability to live an active, healthy lifestyle. For many seniors, disabled or chronically ill people, physiotherapy is the key to restoring and maintaining a level of physical function that permits independent living.
- Physiotherapy is one way to successfully push physical limitations to secure the Freedom to Function.
- Physiotherapy benefits include decreasing pain, improving joint mobility, increasing strength and coordination and improved cardiorespiratory function. Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy whether you are living with a chronic illness, recovering from a work injury or suffering after that weekend hockey game.
- Physiotherapy increases your independence and gives you the Freedom to Function in your home, workplace or your favourite leisure activity. Physiotherapy offers a range of specialized services of benefit to patients with heart and lung disease, traumatic, workplace and athletic injuries, amputations, arthritic joints, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord and nerve injury, cancer and pre- and post-surgical needs.
3. What types of injuries do you treat?
We treat a variety of injuries that occur due to sport, work, motor vehicle accidents and lifestyle. These can include muscle and tendon strains, ligament sprains, joint pain, neck and back pain. We also see individuals post surgery to regain range of motion and muscle strength.
4. Who pays for physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is no longer covered by OHIP. Some patients pay privately, however many extended health benefit plans provide full or partial coverage for physiotherapy services.
5. Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Physiotherapy can be directly accessed by the patient. However, it is recommended that you check with your insurance company as some require a doctor’s referral for reimbursement.
6. Do You have Off-Street Parking ?
Yes. We provide Off-Street Parking Free