Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

From assessment to treatment, booking to billing, and intake to discharge, your experience with St. Clairwest Physiotherapy is our number one priority.

We have high levels of physiotherapy credentialing. Our treatment protocols are based on the latest research, and are consistently modified so we can continue providing the best outcomes to our clients.

St. Clairwest Physiotherapy is a client-centred environment, focused on customer care and speedy recovery. We will help you get better, quickly.

Physiotherapy is the primary health care profession that promotes wellness, mobility, and independent function. Physiotherapy is also the title of the service that Registered Physiotherapists deliver in helping clients achieve these goals. Physiotherapists have advanced understanding of how the body moves, what keeps it from moving well, and how to restore mobility. We specialize in assessing and treating disorders of joints, nerves, and muscles.

We often help clients that have been unable to find their solution elsewhere. We welcome the opportunity to properly evaluate your condition to determine the root cause of the problem.

If you have extended health benefits, then you will likely have all of your treatment paid for. If you are using extended health benefits, check the details of your coverage in your Extended Health Manual, or speak with your Human Resources department. Please note that our services are not covered by OHIP. In the event of and Motor Vehicle claim, we do not bill the Insurance provider directly. You may be eligible for reimbursement, please consult with your adjuster.

No referral is necessary to participate in physiotherapy treatment. However, clients are advised to check the details of their extended health benefits as some plans may require a physician’s referral in order to get treatment costs reimbursed.

Payment is due upon receipt of service. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Interac/Debit, Cash and Cheque. An official receipt will be issued for reimbursement from your Extended Health Insurance Plan or for use with income taxes.

At your initial visit, your Physiotherapist will conduct an interview and a thorough physical evaluation. The Physiotherapist will discuss the following:

• Your medical history.
• Your current problems/complaints.
• Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem.
• How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations.
• Your goals with physiotherapy.
• Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health.

This will be directly followed by short treatment so you can immediately benefit from your experience at St. Clairwest Physiotherapy.

Treatment itself can vary depending on the type of injury that you are presenting with. This may involve education on your injury and how to optimize recovery, manual therapy, modalities (e.g. acupuncture), and an individual exercise program.

Please bring any test reports or other medical documentation you feel may be helpful in your treatment planning to your appointments.

You should wear loose fitting clothing so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.

New physiotherapy clients should expect to be in the clinic for approximately 1-hour and follow up treatments are scheduled for 30 minutes. All appointment times are one-on-one with your Physiotherapist.

The number of sessions you’ll need depends on your condition. All of our clients are individually evaluated. Your initial visit gives your Physiotherapist the information they require to assess your problem, determine a prognosis, and create a plan of care. Your Physiotherapist will discuss this with you at your initial assessment and provide you with a plan of care.

You have probably heard of the profession of physiotherapy. Maybe you have had a conversation with a friend about how physiotherapy helped get rid of his or her back pain, or you might know someone who needed physiotherapy after an injury. You might even have been treated by a physiotherapist yourself. But have you ever wondered about physiotherapists--who they are and what they do? Many people are familiar with physiotherapists' work helping clients with orthopedic problems, such as low back pain or knee surgeries, to reduce pain and regain function. Others may be aware of the treatment that physiotherapists provide to assist clients recovering from a stroke (e.g., assisting them with recovering use of their limbs and walking again).

The ability to maintain an upright posture and to move your arms and legs to perform all sorts of tasks and activities is an important component of your health. Most of us can learn to live with the various medical conditions that we may develop, but only if we are able to continue at our jobs, take care of our families, and enjoy important occasions with family and friends. All of these activities require the ability to move without difficulty or pain.

Because physiotherapists are experts in movement and function, they do not confine their talents to treating people who are ill. A large part of a physiotherapist's program is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physiotherapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain. They also provide services to athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs. With the boom in the golf and fitness industries, a number of physiotherapists are engaged in consulting with recreational golfers and fitness clubs to develop workouts that are safe and effective, especially for people who already know that they have a problem with their joints or their backs.

The cornerstones of physiotherapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to "hands-on" care, physiotherapists also educate clients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular needs of a client, physiotherapists may also "mobilize" a joint (that is, perform certain types of movements at the end of your range of motion) or massage a muscle to promote proper movement and function. Physiotherapists also use methods such as ultrasound (which uses high frequency waves to produce heat), hot packs, and ice. Although other kinds of practitioners will offer some of these treatments as "physiotherapy," it's important for you to know that physiotherapy can only be provided by qualified physiotherapists or by physiotherapist assistants, who must complete a 2-year education program and who work only under the direction and supervision of physiotherapists.

Most forms of physiotherapy treatment are covered by your insurance, but the coverage will vary with each plan. Most states do not legally require clients to see their physicians before seeing a physiotherapist. Most of the time all you have to do is ask your doctor if physiotherapy is right for you.

Reference: APTA

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physiotherapists and he/she will also treat you during subsequent visits. Unlike some clinics, where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is very important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. Since only one physiotherapist knows your problems best, he/she is the one that will be working closely with you to speed your recovery.

Flare ups are not uncommon. If you have a flare up (exacerbation), 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.

Physiotherapists can make a muscoluskeletal diagnosis.

Physiotherapists are important members of your medical team. At this point in time, physicians are typically the health care providers that will provide you with a medical diagnosis.

Some clients will need to continue with home exercises. Some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist, so he/she can develop a custom program for you.