Patient Resources and Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Questions Asked by Patients

• What is physiotherapy and what does a physiotherapist do?

  Physiotherapy is treatment to restore, maintain, and make the most of a patient’s mobility, function, and well-being. Physiotherapy helps through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness. Physiotherapists get you involved in your own recovery. 
  
  What is a physiotherapist’s expertise? 
  Physiotherapists study the science of movement. They learn how to pinpoint an injury’s root causes.
  
  When should I go see a physiotherapist?
  Think about getting physiotherapy if you have an injury, or chronic pain that affects how you function everyday. A doctor may refer you to physiotherapy after surgery such as a hip replacement, or an event such as a heart attack or stroke.
  
  If you are planning to use health insurance to help cover the cost of physiotherapy, remember to visit your insurance company's website to ensure the physiotherapist is covered. If the physiotherapist is not covered by that insurance company you will not be able to use your benefits and will need to pay the full cost of treatment. 
  
  What problems do physiotherapists treat?
  Physiotherapists focus on both prevention and rehabilitation. Treatment can be for problems caused by injury, disease or disability. Here are some examples:

  • Neck and back pain caused by problems in the muscles and skeleton
  • Problems in the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments, such as arthritis and the after-effects of amputation
  • Lung problems such as asthma
  • Disability as a result of heart problems
  • Pelvic issues, such as bladder and bowel problems related to childbirth
  • Loss of mobility because of trauma to the brain or spine, or due to diseases such as
  • Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
  • Fatigue, pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of muscle strength, for example during cancer treatment, or palliative care 

  What can I expect at physiotherapy?
  Your session will be unique, because it is all about you and your particular needs. In general, here’s what happens:

  • The physiotherapist learns about your medical history
  • The physiotherapist assesses and diagnoses your condition
  • You receive a treatment plan that sets goals for you
  • You are prescribed a course of exercises and any assistive devices needed

• What are the education or training requirements to become a physiotherapist in Canada?

  After completing an undergraduate degree, students are required to complete a Masters level education program that involves classroom theory practical internships working under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist. After the degree program, graduates must pass a Professional Competency Examination before they can register as a PT.
  
  

  There are five universities in Ontario that offer Masters physiotherapy programs:

  • Queen’s University
  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Toronto
  • Western University
  • McMaster University

  More information about physiotherapy university programs

  Learn more about the Exam and visit the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators website at: www.alliancept.org.
  
  

• As a first-time patient, what should I expect at physiotherapy?

  You can expect a respectful and professional experience with a physiotherapist (PT). The physiotherapist will need to ask some questions about your problem and may need to understand other health issues you might have that could impact recovery.
  
  The PT will try to understand what your goals are, they will explain how they will assess you and ask for your consent before they start. After the assessment, the physiotherapist will explain what physiotherapy can help you with, how long it might take and the expected outcome from the treatment.
  
  Again, as a patient you will be asked to consent to a physiotherapist assessing you and developing a treatment plan. PTs will get you involved your own recovery and should never proceed with treatment if you are uncomfortable.
  
  

  Watch Our Video: What is Physiotherapy and Your First Visit

  
  

• What are some good questions to ask a physiotherapist?

  When you book an appointment with or visit a physiotherapist for the first time you want to feel informed and have the information you need to make good decisions about your health.

  And don’t forget that you can always contact the College’s Patient and Caregiver Help Team to ask questions about physiotherapy. The Patient and Caregiver Help Team provides a free service to anyone looking for information about physiotherapy. 

  Consider Asking Your Health Care Provider:

  1. What should I expect on my first visit?

  2. How long will my appointment be?

  3. What should I wear?

  4. Will it hurt?

  5. How many appointments will I need to get better?

  6. How much will it cost? And how will I need to pay?

  7. Is the physiotherapist registered? Be sure to look the person up on the Public Register before your first appointment.

  Find a Physiotherapist

  Get information about languages spoken, location, past discipline history and contact information.

  Find a Physiotherapist on the Public Register

   

   

• Should I see an acupuncturist, chiropractor, occupational therapist or physio? I’m confused. What’s the difference?

  It depends on the type of pain or movement difficulty you are having. Each will likely bring a different approach to helping you. All are registered members of regulatory bodies (colleges) in Ontario. They have met training requirements and are held to professional standards. You can expect each of them to explain what their type of treatment entails. Each must have your consent before giving any treatment. And each must keep records of your visit. If you ever have any concerns, you can complain to the college that regulates them.

• Do I need a doctor’s referral for physiotherapy?

  No, you can access physiotherapy without a doctor’s referral.      

• Can a physiotherapist fit me for orthotics?

  They may be able to prescribe orthotics, if they have completed an assessment of your problem and feel that orthotics will help your condition

• How can I find an Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinic?

  The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care  has a locator for all Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinics. To benefit from this program, at least one of the following must apply to you:
  
  To be eligible, you must have a doctor’s referral and:

  • had a recent illness, injury, accident or surgery that led in decline in function or movement OR a flare-up or worsening of symptoms from a previous fall, accident, surgery or chronic condition that led to a decline in function or movement
  • be receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program or Ontario Works (in this case an Ontario health card is not required and there are no age requirements) 

  You must also:

  • have a valid Ontario health card
  • be 19 years old or younger
  • be 65 years old or older
  • any age if admitted to a hospital for an overnight stay within the last 12 months

   

• I went to a clinic and they refused to cover me under the Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinic Program. Is that allowed?

  Learn more about the requirements here or contact the Patient and Caregiver Help Team with your questions at
  Email: advice@collegept.org
  In Toronto: 647-484-8800
  Toll-free: 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241

• The clinic asked for a photocopy of my health card. Is that really necessary?

  This is a common way for a health care professional to verify your identity. You may need to show your health card to verify your eligibility but you can refuse to allow it to be copied.

• How much can my physio charge me for a copy of my records?

  You are entitled to a copy of your records. The physiotherapist may charge a reasonable cost to reproduce the record. You can ask for a breakdown of the time it takes to reproduce the record, and the costs to copy each page. The College does not advise how much a physiotherapist can charge, only that the total is reasonable. However, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario made a recommendation about reasonable fees.
  
  The Privacy Commissioner has published some additional resources on this topic which can be found here. Specifically, Health Order HO-009 from October 2010 interpreted reasonable cost recovery and found that a custodian may charge a fee of $30 for photocopying or printing the first 20 pages of a record and 25 cents per page for every additional page."
  
  

• How can I find a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic health?

  Visit the online Public Register – also known as Find a Physiotherapist. It lists every physiotherapist registered to practice in Ontario. Use with the search tool to check off Pelvic Floor/Incontinence.
  
  This will display physiotherapists who have rostered for pelvic health. ‘Rostering’ means the PT has declared that they are competent and current in this type of care, and given proof of their training. If you cannot find what you are looking for, to ask our Patient and Caregiver Help Team at: 
  
  Email: advice@collegept.org 
  In Toronto: 647-484-8800
  Toll-free: 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241

• Can a physiotherapist do a spinal manipulation on me without asking my permission?

  A physiotherapist must have consent from a patient to perform spinal manipulation. The consent should have involved a discussion about the risks and benefits, and any alternative options for treatment. If this did not happen, that is a problem. Talk with your physiotherapist. Explain your concerns. If you are not satisfied, you can bring the matter to our attention by filing a complaint with the College.

• Can my PT help me to access the government assistive device program that partially funds things like walkers, wheelchairs, home oxygen therapy and prosthetic limbs for example?

  Yes, some approved healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists can help you to access this program and funds. The government assistive devices program exists to help people with physical disabilities by providing funding for certain equipment that allows for increased independence. 
  
  Devices must be authorized by a qualified health care professional registered with the program. Most of these professionals work in hospitals, home care agencies or private practice. Often 75 per cent of an assistive device’s price is covered by the program, with the person paying the remaining 25 per cent of the cost.
  
  Learn more
  
  For more information:
  416-327-8804 or Toll-free: 1-800-268-6021
  TTY: 416-327-4282 or Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559
  Fax: 416-327-8192
  
  
  To find a vendor and apply for funding you should follow these steps:

  1. Get examined by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist registered with the government assistive devices program. This confirms that you need a mobility aid and determines which type best suits your needs. Email the government program at adp@ontario.ca for a list of registered therapists in your area.
  2. Fill out the application form with the help of your physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

   

• How do I find a PT who specializes in the treatment of shoulder injury, Parkinson’s, Cerebrovascular accident?

  The College Public Register can help you find a physiotherapist or physiotherapy clinic in your area, as well as clarify which PTs are able to provide specialized care including spinal manipulation, acupuncture, or treatment of incontinence. For more focused searches consider asking the Ontario Physiotherapy Association for help.
  
  

  Visit the Public Register

  Contact www.opa.ca

• What can I do if my physiotherapist was rude to me?

  This should not happen as a physiotherapist must adhere to professional and ethical conduct, which includes showing respect to patients. If you feel confident expressing your concern to your physiotherapist, you should do so, and see if there's a change. At any time you can make a complaint with the College and we will investigate your concern. 

• Why do I only see physiotherapist assistants and not my actual physiotherapist?

  A physiotherapist is accountable for any treatment plan involving an assistant. Many physiotherapist assistants (sometimes called PTAs or rehab assistants) work closely with the physiotherapist. However, the physiotherapist needs your consent to include an assistant. The physiotherapist must also remain available to you at reasonable points in treatment plan to reassess your progress and answer your questions.

• I did not see my physio today, just her assistant. Is it okay to submit my invoice to my insurance company using the physio’s name and registration number?

  Yes, the physiotherapist is ultimately responsible for your care even when provided by an assistant. By doing the assessment, formulating a diagnosis, discussing the treatment plan and obtaining your consent for the involvement of the PTA, the PT demonstrates their accountability. The PT must also supervise the treatment provided by the PTA and follow up with you as needed. By doing all these things, the PT can bill for the intervention but the PTAs name must also appear on the invoice.

• Can physiotherapists date their patients? Is it okay if I go for coffee with my physiotherapist?

  Under no circumstances are physiotherapists allowed to date their patients. By law this is considered sexual abuse and the College would have no choice but to revoke the physiotherapist's license - meaning they would no longer be able to practice. 
  
  In terms of coffee, there's no specific rule in place, but it is a physiotherapist's responsibility to maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship. A personal relationship can jeopardize that. Your expectations of the PT might change if you are seeing them socially. It can also affect the physiotherapist’s objectivity and professional judgment. Other patients may view your relationship with the PT as privileged and unfair. So it's probably best to skip the coffee.