Registered Physiotherapy

 Physiotherapy at Total Balance Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a primary care, client-centered health profession, which provides strategies to prevent and manage various types of pain and physical conditions. It can help you to improve your overall function, improve participation in daily activities as well as in sports.

Physiotherapy focuses on you and your specific needs, and helps promote fitness and general health. Here are just a few examples of physical conditions that physiotherapy can help with:

  • Spinal pain (i.e., neck and/or back pain)

  • Joint paint

  • Sports injuries

  • Arthritis

  • Muscle strains and sprains

  • Motor vehicle accidents

  • Postural problems

  • Repetitive stress injuries

  • Vestibular disorder (e.g., dizziness, vertigo)

 What you can expect from physiotherapy treatment

Your physiotherapist will perform a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the problem. They will take the time to talk to you and listen to you describe your condition. They may ask questions to help get a better understanding of the problem.

They will then proceed into a physical assessment, which can include checking the range of movement of a particular joint/body part, movement patterns, specific anatomical tests, strength, reflexes and sensation. They can also review any other tests you may have had, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs.

Based on all this information, the physiotherapist will develop a clinical impression and will work with you to set goals and discuss treatment options.

Physiotherapists promote independence and focus on helping you help yourself, as well as to provide you with treatment options to help you reach your goals. Physiotherapists also aim to advise you on ways to prevent a problem before it starts.

 Types of physiotherapy treatment offered

Physiotherapy is drug-free.

Treatment varies from individual to individual.

Treatment is gentle, and is not intended to cause increased pain, as some have been known to believe.

Examples of treatments include:

  • Therapeutic exercises (strength, mobility, flexibility, endurance, postural)

  • Techniques to help improve joint mobility and function (this is referred to as manual therapy and involves the therapist moving a joint in a specific manner to help restore its normal movement)

  • Balance training

  • Stability exercises

  • Acupuncture

  • Gait training

  • Taping techniques

  • Education

  • Pain control modalities which include ultrasound, electrical current & acupuncture

Exercises are usually easy to perform and do not take up too much time.

Physiotherapists use techniques that are backed up by research and have been proven to work.

 What is a Physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist is a university trained, regulated, primary care health professional. They are important and respected members of the health care community.

Physiotherapists must maintain high standards of practice, and they must be registered by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) in order to practice. To find out more about the CPO, you can refer to the College of Physiotherapists website.

Do I need a referral?

No. Physiotherapists are primary care health professionals, meaning you do not require a doctor’s referral to see one (though you may need to obtain a written referral from your doctor to satisfy your extended health plan requirements).

Physiotherapy is covered under most extended health plans.