FAQ

Your Questions Answered

Physiotherapy and Treatment

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What type of injuries do you treat?
Physiotherapists treat a broad range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems. Injuries can be related to everyday activities, sport, and work or motor vehicle accidents.
Can physiotherapy help me?
Your physiotherapist will do a detailed assessment to determine if physiotherapy is appropriate for you. Once assessed, the therapist will develop a treatment program that is suitable to your needs. The physiotherapist will communicate with your doctor if other actions such as imaging or referrals are recommended.
What may my treatment involve?
Treatment varies depending on the condition being treated, your goals and needs. The initial assessment will involve a thorough evaluation, your physiotherapist will then be able to work with you to determine an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment may consist of a variety of different techniques such as therapeutic exercise; manual therapy; training of motor control and movement patterns; modalities; education; and techniques to correct muscle imbalance, postural alignment, coordination and balance.
How will I know if my treatment is working?

You can ask your physiotherapist what you should expect from treatment and when to expect results. Some of the indicators you can use to evaluate your progress are: ability to return to work, sports or other activities; how much you can lift or carry; how long you can do an activity; how far you can run, walk, or bike; increase in motion or strength; intensity of pain; how long you are pain free; or improved overall quality of life.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Please feel free to wear comfortable loose fitting clothing. If you are presenting with an upper back or shoulder problem, it is a good idea for women to wear/bring a tank top. If you are coming for a lower extremity injury it is a good idea to wear/bring shorts.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Please bring any test reports or other medical documentation that is relevant to your condition to your appointment. You should bring your extended health benefit card as we may be able to bill your insurer directly for your visit.

If your condition is related to a work injury please ensure we have your claim number, we are able to provide treatment through WSIB once we have confirmation of an approved claim.

Treatment for motor vehicle collisions requires a treatment plan to be submitted to your insurance company. We require your claim number, plan number, insurance company information, claim adjuster’s contact information, and extended health benefits information.

If you feel that your condition is related to footwear, please bring the footwear with you. Photographs of equipment or workstations, or videos of your running or exercise technique can be helpful.

How long is a typical treatment session?
For your initial appointment, plan on being in the clinic for about 1 hour. Additional follow-up appointments are usually 30 minutes in length.
How long will it take me to recover?
The length of recovery time depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your condition, and how dedicated you are to doing your part outside of treatments. It is very important to follow through with your home exercise program and instructions to expedite your recovery. It is our goal to not only get rid of your pain, but to reduce the likelihood of your condition returning.
Should I use ice or heat on my injury?
Ice is most commonly used for acute injuries (within 48 hours). Ice can help minimize the swelling around the area of injury. Heat should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to stimulate blood flow to the area of injury. If you are unsure of which treatment to use, please ask.
Do you have registered physiotherapists?
Yes. All of our physiotherapists are registered and in good standing with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Physiotherapy can only be performed by registered physiotherapists. To verify the status of any physiotherapist visit: https://portal.collegept.org/public-register/

Booking, Payment and Insurance

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Is Physiotherapy covered by OHIP?
Our New Hamburg location is able to provide OHIP funded Physiotherapy services. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for this funded service and there is a limit to the number of cases per year. OHIP physiotherapy is available to patients who are under 18 or over 65 years of age and/or have had a related overnight stay in a hospital. Please inquire for more information. If you are not eligible for OHIP funded physiotherapy services, fees are paid at the time of treatment and you will be given a receipt to submit to your extended health care provider to receive reimbursement, or to use for tax purposes.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
You do not need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist. However some extended health benefit plans require a referral from your doctor before they will reimburse costs. Once we have received your consent, we communicate our findings and progress openly with your family doctor and healthcare team.
Does insurance cover physiotherapy?
Coverage for physiotherapy services varies between each insurance company. If you are unsure of the amount of coverage you have, it is a good idea to contact your insurance company prior to receiving treatment. For your convenience, we can bill most insurance companies directly. We also accept patients through Veterans Affairs Canada with approval. If you are receiving treatment for a motor vehicle injury you must submit the required paperwork in order to have physiotherapy services covered, you are required to use your extended healthcare benefits first.
Do you treat WSIB and MVA patients?
Yes. We provide physiotherapy services through workplace and automobile insurance. Please be ready to provide your claim number, insurance adjuster’s contact information, and all other relevant information when you book or at your first appointment. At times due to the volume of new clients we need to create a waiting list for these services.
I have been referred to another physiotherapy clinic by my doctor. Can I come to your clinic instead?
Yes. It is your decision where you go for your physiotherapy treatments, as long as the Physiotherapist is registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
Do I need to have imaging done before my appointment?
No. Your physiotherapist will perform a full examination and will only recommend imaging if they feel it is necessary. If you have already had related imaging or tests performed please bring the results to your first appointment. We are able to access imaging reports for tests performed at a hospital location.
What is the cancellation policy of the clinic?
We require 24 hours notice for the cancellation of your appointment. You will be charged for missed appointments or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
Are your clinics accessible?
Our clinics are wheelchair and scooter accessible. We work hard to ensure our clinics are accessible, no matter what your disability. Please let us know what we can do to assist in making our clinic and services work for you.
Do you provide virtual appointments using online video?
Our physiotherapists are able to provide virtual physiotherapy appointments through video conferencing. We use a private, secure, user-friendly video conferencing platform with a quick link to allow you to easily join your session. You will need a computer or device with a webcam and internet connection in order to use this service. You will also want a private area to use for your session.

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Locations

Stratford: 519-272-1023

New Hamburg: 519-662-4676

Milverton: 519-595-2072

Mitchell: 519-348-0096

Grand Bend: 519-238-6827

Goderich: 519-612-2345