Physiotherapy FAQs

1. What injuries or conditions can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapists are trained in musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. They work on muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, soft tissue, nerves, bones, and discs just to name a few! They can help with pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, numbness/tingling, and loss of balance. Physiotherapy can help with new injury/conditions or with ones that you have had for days to years.

2. What happens at an initial appointment?
An initial assessment will be completed by a physiotherapist. She will ask questions about what has happened and what the symptoms are at the moment. They will also do a physical examination to identify the problems. She will then tell you what the injury diagnosis is and what treatment is possible. You and the physiotherapist will decide on goals you hope to reach with treatment. She will also start some treatment at this session and will include education about the problem.

3. What happens at a follow-up visits?
This will depend on your unique situation, but will continue with the treatment that was discussed at your first session. She may include modalities, manual therapy, exercise, and education in the treatment. The physiotherapist will re-evaluate certain findings from the initial assessment.

4. What do I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring shorts (back or leg injuries) or a tank top (neck or arm injuries). This is to allow the physiotherapist to see the injured area properly. If you have a doctor’s referral or test results, please bring those as well.

5. Do I require a doctor’s referral?
You do not require a referral to see a physiotherapist. However, certain Extended Health Plans still require them so please check with your policy provider.

6. Does physiotherapy hurt?
Physiotherapy shouldn’t be painful although you may feel certain techniques more than others. There are many different techniques available to physiotherapist, if you find your treatment painful, please discuss it with your therapist. It is normal to feel a bit achy after the initial assessment and with ART.

7. Can I just do exercises for my injury?
Some injuries will benefit more from exercise than others and your physiotherapist will tell you if exercises will help you. Often it is the combination of exercise and manual therapy and/or modalities that is most successful. In either situation, you most likely will receive some home exercises from your physiotherapist.

8. How does one become a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapy is a strongly recognized health profession and physiotherapists play a key role on any health care team. To continually challenge the physiotherapist’s knowledge and to help advance the profession in an evidence-based practice setting, the current physiotherapy program is a Master’s level degree at university. While each university has different prerequisites, potential physiotherapists should have a strong background of sciences (ex. biology, chemistry, physics) and have strong communication skills, both in writing and orally. If you are interested in physiotherapy as a career, talk to physiotherapist today!

Massage Therapy FAQs

1. What can I expect at my first treatment?
The RMT will first speak with you and review your health history. After an assessment, the RMT will explain the treatment plan to you. After the treatment, the RMT will give you homecare and/or remedial exercises to aid in your recovery.

2. Why is HST applied to massage therapy?
To be exempt from the HST, massage therapy needs to regulated in at least 5 provinces. Currently the CMTO and RMTAO are working on this. You can help by contacting your local MPP and ask why you are being taxed for healthcare.

3. Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to receive massage therapy, however, your insurance company may require a referral for reimbursement.

4. Do I have to be undressed?
Although massage therapy is most effective with direct contact, the level to which you undress is completely at your discretion. For modesty, you will be covered with linen for the entire treatment with only the area being specifically treated uncovered.

5. What are the benefits of massage?
The benefits of massage therapy go beyond the obvious of muscle and joint health. Massage therapy has been shown to increase immune system function as well as increase serotonin and decrease cortisol.

6. Can I get massage therapy while pregnant?
Absolutely! Massage therapy is a natural non-invasive way to help deal with some of the issues that come along with being pregnant. Massage therapy benefits both mother and baby. As mom relaxes, baby responds in turn.

7. What is I can’t get in the table?
The RMT us able to assist you on/off the table. As well, there is a massage chair available if that would be preferable. Our massage therapist has experience treating clients facing various challenges from treating clients while remaining in a wheelchair to sharing the treatment room with a seeing-eye-dog.

8. What are some conditions massage therapy can help with?
Massage can help with: sprains/strains, postural issues, muscle imbalances, tendonitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, TMJ, depression, stress, lymphatic issues, digestive issues, and sports-related injuries.

9. Do Epsom salts in the bath actually work?
Yes, Epsom salts are magnesium which is important in muscle health. The salts in the bath water create an osmotic exchange increasing the removal of waste from cells while decreasing tension in muscles.

10. When can I expect results?
The results of massage therapy can be felt after the first and treatment. The frequency and duration of the treatment required to reach full benefits is dependent on the individual and the condition being treated. Most individuals are able to maintain healthy living with massage therapy treatments every 4-6 weeks although this varies with overall health and lifestyle.