Question 1

What is a Registered Physiotherapist?

Accepted Answer

A Registered Physiotherapist is a regulated healthcare professional dedicated to assessing, diagnosing, and treating both acute and chronic conditions. Physiotherapy aims to prevent injuries, provide effective treatment, and support the management of various conditions. Physiotherapists aim to empower you to maintain independence and continue enjoying the activities you love most. All physiotherapists at Team Physiotherapy are Registered Physiotherapists in good standing with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

Question 2

What can I expect in a pelvic health physiotherapy assessment?

Accepted Answer

A pelvic health physiotherapy assessment is a comprehensive and personalized evaluation designed to identify the root cause of pelvic floor concerns and develop a tailored treatment plan. Here's a breakdown of what you can generally expect:

1. Subjective Assessment: expect to talk about all things pelvic health including your symptoms, bathroom habits, sexual health, menstrual cycle, medical history, and physical activity

2. Musculoskeletal Physical Examination: Your pelvic physiotherapist will take a look at your posture, how you move, your range of motion, and strength. They will then do an abdominal assessment to assess mobility of your connective tissue, core strength, tenderness, and look for any abdominal separation.

3. Pelvic Exam: Your physiotherapist will discuss the option for an external and internal assessment of your pelvic floor if applicable. 
External observation: The physiotherapist will visually inspect the external genital area, looking for any skin irritation, scarring, or imbalances. They may also use a gloved finger or cotton swab to check for sensitivity.
Internal palpation (vaginal and/or rectal): Using a gloved, lubricated finger (or two for vaginal assessment), the physiotherapist will gently assess the pelvic floor muscles. They will evaluate:
Muscle tone: How tense or relaxed the muscles are at rest.
Strength and endurance: Your ability to contract (Kegel) and hold the contraction, as well as perform quick contractions.
Coordination: How well you can activate and relax the muscles.
Presence of trigger points or tender areas: Identifying any areas of pain or muscle spasm.
Organ position (for prolapse): Assessing the support of pelvic organs if prolapse is a concern.
An internal assessment is done with gloved hands and lubricant. No tools! This is a key component for most pelvic health assessments, but it is always done with your explicit consent and you can stop it at any time.

4. Education and Treatment Plan: After the assessment, your physiotherapist will explain their findings in an understandable way, educating you about your pelvic anatomy, how your muscles are functioning, and what factors might be contributing to your symptoms. They will then recommend a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include:
Education: Advice on lifestyle modifications, bladder and bowel habits, posture, and breathing.
Home exercise program: Specific exercises, which may include strengthening (Kegels, if appropriate) or relaxation techniques (e.g., reverse Kegels), stretching, and functional movements.
Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to release tight muscles, improve mobility, and address scar tissue.
Biofeedback: Using devices to help you visualize and better control your pelvic floor muscle activity.
Referral to other specialists: If needed, your physiotherapist may recommend consulting with other healthcare providers.

5. Goals and follow-up: You'll discuss your treatment goals, the expected frequency of sessions, and the estimated duration of therapy.

Overall, a pelvic health physiotherapy assessment is a collaborative and empowering process aimed at helping you understand and improve your pelvic health to enhance your quality of life.

Question 3

What can I expect in a paediatric physiotherapy assessment?

Accepted Answer

A paediatric physiotherapy assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to understand a child's physical development, movement abilities, and any challenges they might be experiencing. It's tailored to the child's age, developmental stage, and specific concerns. You can expect the following key components:

1. Introduction and History Taking:
Meeting the therapist: This is an opportunity for you and your child to meet the physiotherapist and get comfortable in the environment.
Detailed Medical History: The therapist will ask a lot of questions to gather information about your child's background, including:
Pregnancy and birth history.
Developmental milestones (when they started rolling, crawling, sitting, walking, talking, etc.).
Any past or present illnesses, injuries, surgeries, or diagnoses (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, torticollis).
Current medications.
Family medical history (any relevant conditions in the family).
Any assistive devices your child uses (e.g., walker, braces).
Understanding Your Concerns and Goals: The therapist will want to know why you're seeking physiotherapy and what specific concerns you have for your child's movement and development. They will also discuss your goals for therapy, collaborating with you to set realistic and meaningful objectives.

2. Physical Assessment and Observation: This is where the physiotherapist will actively assess your child's physical abilities. This often looks like play, but the therapist is observing and evaluating various aspects of movement.
Observation of Play and Activities: The therapist will observe your child performing different activities and exercises, such as:
Walking, running, jumping, hopping.
Crawling, rolling, sitting, standing.
Climbing stairs.
How they transition between positions (e.g., supine to stand).
Assessment of Specific Physical Components: The therapist will evaluate:
Gross Motor Skills: Large muscle movements like those used for crawling, walking, running, and jumping.
Muscle Strength and Tone: How strong their muscles are and their resting tension.
Range of Motion: How much movement they have in their joints.
Posture: Their body alignment in different positions.
Balance and Coordination: Their ability to maintain equilibrium and perform smooth, controlled movements.
Gait Analysis: Observation of their walking pattern if applicable.
Movement Patterns: Looking for any compensatory strategies or asymmetries.
Neurological Function: Assessing reflexes, sensory processing, and overall neurological integrity.
Head Shape and Neck Mobility: Particularly important for infants with concerns like torticollis or plagiocephaly (flat head).
Functional Mobility: How they perform daily tasks like getting up and down, using stairs.

3. Discussion and Planning:
Review of Findings: The physiotherapist will discuss their observations and findings with you, explaining what they've assessed and any areas of strength or areas needing improvement.
Collaborative Goal Setting: Together, you and the therapist will set measurable and achievable goals for your child's therapy.
Treatment Plan: The therapist will outline a proposed treatment plan, which may include:
Specific exercises and activities (often play-based for children).
Hands-on techniques (e.g., soft tissue massage, gentle stretching).
Recommendations for exercises to continue at home and activities to support progress.
Education for parents and caregivers on how to best support their child's development.
Potential referrals to other healthcare professionals or community resources (e.g., occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthotists).
Frequency and Duration of Therapy: The therapist will discuss the recommended frequency and estimated duration of therapy sessions.

Question 4

How do I pay for my physiotherapy appointment?

Accepted Answer

As a small business working hard to deliver the absolute best care for our clients, I kindly ask for payments to be made via cash, e-transfer, or cheque. We will email you an invoice following your session. This helps us maintain efficiency and keep operations running smoothly—your understanding and support mean the world to us!

Question 5

Will my insurance cover in-home physiotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Most insurance providers offer coverage for in-home physiotherapy in the same way they do for clinic-based treatments. After each appointment, you will receive a detailed receipt that includes my physiotherapy registration number and all the necessary information, ensuring you can confidently submit your claim through your private insurance.

Since every insurance company and plan has unique coverage details, please contact your provider in advance to confirm the specifics of your policy.

Question 6

Is physiotherapy covered by OHIP?

Accepted Answer

We are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care to each of our clients, however, our services are unfortunately not covered by OHIP. Some clinics and in-home services that do offer OHIP-covered physiotherapy to patients who meet specific criteria; however, these programs often come with long wait times. In contrast, I prioritize getting my patients scheduled as soon as possible (often within 1 week) to ensure timely and effective care.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy

Accepted Answer

Please note our 24-hour cancellation policy: We understand that life happens! If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, kindly give us at least 24 hours' notice. This allows us to offer the time slot to another patient in need and helps us keep our services running smoothly. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice may be subject to a cancellation fee of the cost of the appointment. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, which helps us provide timely care to everyone!

Question 8

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist?

Accepted Answer

No! You do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist at Team Physiotherapy. That being said, check with your insurance company if you are planning on using insurance to help cover the cost of physiotherapy services. Some insurance plans do require a doctors referral, so it's best to plan ahead!

Question 9

Do I need to have an internal exam if I book a Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Assessment?

Accepted Answer

No!

While an internal assessment is often considered the "gold standard" for a comprehensive evaluation of the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding structures in pelvic physiotherapy, it is not strictly mandatory, and it is always performed with your informed consent. You are the boss! If you are not comfortable with any part of the recommended assessment or treatment options you can opt out! You can also stop any part of the assessment if you change your mind, no questions asked.

Your physiotherapist will discuss the pros and cons with you, explain the process, and ensure you provide informed consent before any internal examination takes place. After your assessment, your physiotherapist will work with you, based on their findings, to create a comprehensive treatment plan that suits your needs!