WHAT IS ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Orthopaedic physiotherapy assesses and treats disorders, injuries or dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. The muskuloskeletal system is comprised of bones, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, connective tissue and joints. Examples of conditions that orthopaedic physiotherapists commonly treats include:
Acute Injuries: sprains, strains, fractures, tendinopathy, dislocations, bursitis, pain (neck, shoulder, elbow, back, hip, knee, ankle etc.)
Chronic conditions: arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative disc disease, TMJ, pain
Overuse Injuries: carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, hip bursitis
Sports Injuries: ACL injury, meniscus injury, ankle sprains, hernias
Post-surgical Rehabilitation: knee/hip replacements, ACL repairs, rotator cuff repair and more!
Assessment: what to expect in the first session
At your first visit, which lasts about an hour, we will spend some time going over your current issue as well as important past medical history. Next, your physiotherapist (me!) will take a thorough look at how you move and bend, what the range of motion is like in the affected joint/muscle, check your reflexes and your joint mobility.
Based on these findings, a treatment plan will be formulated that best addresses your concerns and aims to decrease your pain, improve strength, mobility and function. Treatment may include a combination of education, manual therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic taping, strengthening, stretching, soft tissue work, activity modification, pain management and a home exercise program to help you see more consistent gains between appointments.
DO I NEED A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL?
Many people ask if you need a physician referral for physiotherapy. While you don’t need one to be assessed and treated by a physiotherapist, it may be required in order to receive reimbursement from your insurance provider. Check your specific insurance plan for further details.
Check your benefits - you may be covered
Many private benefits cover physiotherapy. The exact dollar value varies and is dependent on your individual plan so check your coverage ahead of time to be sure of how much you will be reimbursed. However, if you don’t have private coverage, physiotherapy can also be claimed on your income tax under medical expenses.
Telehealth Physiotherapy services are now also covered by most major insurance companies. Please contact your provider to ensure details of your specific coverage.
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT??
If you need help with any of the conditions mentioned above, please book online at the link below. I am available to provide these services in two locations - St.Marys, ON and London, ON. I would love to help you regain confidence, function, strength and control so you can quit avoiding things and get back to doing whatever it is you love doing.