Physiotherapy is a treatment to restore, maintain, and make the most of a patient’s mobility, function, and well-being. Physiotherapy helps through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness. Physiotherapists get you involved in your own recovery.

Physiotherapists study the science of movement. They learn how to pinpoint an injury’s root causes.

Think about getting physiotherapy if you have an injury or chronic pain that affects how you function every day. A doctor may refer you to physiotherapy after surgery such as a hip replacement, or an event such as a heart attack or stroke.

If you are planning to use health insurance to help cover the cost of physiotherapy, remember to visit your insurance company’s website to ensure the physiotherapist is covered. If the physiotherapist is not covered by that insurance company you will not be able to use your benefits and will need to pay the full cost of treatment.

Physiotherapists focus on both prevention and rehabilitation. Treatment can be for problems caused by injury, disease or disability. Here are some examples:

• Neck and back pain caused by problems in the muscles and skeleton
• Problems in the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments, such as arthritis and the after-effects of amputation
• Lung problems such as asthma
• Disability as a result of heart problems
• Pelvic issues, such as bladder and bowel problems related to childbirth
• Loss of mobility because of trauma to the brain or spine, or due to diseases such as
• Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
• Fatigue, pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of muscle strength, for example during cancer treatment, or palliative care

Your session will be unique, because it is all about you and your particular needs. In general, here’s what happens:

• The physiotherapist learns about your medical history
• The physiotherapist assesses and diagnoses your condition
• You receive a treatment plan that sets goals for you
• You are prescribed a course of exercises and any assistive devices needed

When you book an appointment with or visit a physiotherapist for the first time you want to feel informed and have the information you need to make good decisions about your health.

Consider Asking Your Health Care Provider:

1. What should I expect on my first visit?
2. How long will my appointment be?
3. What should I wear?
4. Will it hurt?
5. How many appointments will I need to get better?
6. How much will it cost? And how will I need to pay?

No, physiotherapy is direct access, meaning you do not need a doctor’s referral. Some private health insurance companies do require a doctor’s referral in order to provide reimbursement. As every plan is different it is best to call your insurance provider and ask if a doctor’s referral is needed.

Most extended health care plans cover some or all of the costs associated with physiotherapy, usually up to a maximum amount. It’s best to call your provider and clarify your coverage.

Churchill Physiotherapy Clinic is a private clinic, which means we are not able to bill OHIP for physiotherapy services.

Wear loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the area being assessed. In addition, because your physiotherapist will want to conduct a thorough assessment they will likely screen the joint above and below your area of concern and may need further access to those areas.

Each injury/condition is different as are individuals’ goals for rehabilitation. During your assessment, your physiotherapist will discuss the goals you hope to achieve with physiotherapy and the time frame in which he or she expects to be working with you to achieve those goals. If at any point during your treatment you are unclear as to “how much longer” it will take, please bring it up with your physiotherapist and they will be happy to discuss your prognosis.</span>