FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) Do I need a referral to attend physiotherapy?

No, you do not need a doctor’s referral to book an appointment. However, if you have extended health care benefits through your workplace, your private insurance company may require a referral for reimbursement of treatment costs. Anyone who wishes to access OHIP funding requires a doctor's referral.

2) How long is a typical physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy assessment could take up to an hour. Every follow-up treatment session after that typically lasts between 30-45 minutes. Individual one-on-one time with the physiotherapist is 30 minutes. Often followed by modalities and exercise, your entire visit could be 45-60 minutes depending on your condition. Longer appointments are available upon request. Assessments and treatments funded by OHIP are 30 minutes in duration.

3) Are your physiotherapists and massage therapists registered?

All our physiotherapists and massage therapists are registered and licensed to practice in the province of Ontario.

4) I have physiotherapy coverage through my work benefits. Do you directly bill my insurance company?

We currently only offer direct billing for clients with Motor Vehicle Accident and Worker’s Compensation claims.

5) How long will it take for me to get better?

Upon completion of the initial assessment, we will be able to give you a specific timeline for your recovery. This depends on a number of factors, including what the injury is, how long ago it happened, age, other conditions/diseases, etc. Our primary objective is to meet your goals in a timely and efficient matter.

6) How often will I need treatment?

This typically depends on what type of injury you have and how long ago it occurred. Often we treat anywhere from 1-3 times a week, depending on what your goals are and what is appropriate.

7) Do I have to do daily exercises?

The exercises are chosen personally for you with the intent of maintaining the gains made in treatment, as well as continuing to make gains outside of treatment. Patients who complete their daily exercises often reach their goals sooner than those who don't, and require fewer long term follow up treatments.

8) Do I have to change what I do in my day-to-day activities at home or work?

This depends on the individual and their condition. Typically, aches and pains are caused by the repetitive activities or sustained postures we use every day. Thus, in order to heal, we have to adjust these factors that are causing or contributing to the problem. Your physiotherapist will always consider what your daily tasks are and make recommendations in order to maximize your healing.

9) Should I stay home and rest?

Your physiotherapist will make recommendations on activities to avoid, depending on what your condition is. However, we generally encourage you to participate in as many of your normal day to day activities as you can tolerate. It is important for the body, while its healing, to continue functioning as normally as possible, without compromising healing.

10) DOES IN-FORM PHYSIOTHERAPY ACCEPT OHIP?

In-Form Physiotherapy accepts OHIP as of January 13, 2014. Publicly funded physiotherapy is provided to patients who meet the following criteria:

A person must, for each episode of care: 

• be insured under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and referred by a physician or nurse practitioner based on an assessment that the person requires physiotherapy services and is within one of the following categories:

o aged 65 years and older;

o aged 19 years and younger;

o recently discharged as an inpatient of a hospital and a physician on the medical staff of the hospital determines that the insured person needs physiotherapy services that are directly connected to the condition, illness, or injury for which the insured person was admitted to the hospital;

or

• be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner based on an assessment that the person requires physiotherapy services and be eligible for funding of services under the Ontario Disability Support (ODSP) or Ontario Works (OW) programs.

Please contact us for further information.