What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy combines in-depth knowledge of the human body and how it works with specialized, hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and treat the symptoms of illness, injury, or disability. Physiotherapists are primary healthcare professionals. We are often sought out prior to a physician for musculoskeletal injury, such as an ankle sprain, knee or shoulder injury, back and neck pain regardless of whether they were from a sports injury, a motor vehicle accident, or a work-related injury.

All of our physiotherapists are university-educated and registered with the College of Physical Therapists of BC.

As physiotherapists, we have varied and extensive training in multiple areas of practice including sports physio, pelvic health physiotherapy, concussion rehabilitation, intramuscular stimulation, clinical pilates, acupuncture and more. See the treatments section below for more details.

Physiotherapy Services

All of the treatments you see here fall under the umbrella of physiotherapy, which is our primary service. We have physiotherapists with additional post-graduate training in concussion and vestibular rehab, clinical Pilates, sport physiotherapy, and pelvic health physiotherapy. Click on each of the treatments below to see what we offer.

Manual Therapy
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Manual therapy has a long history in our profession. Providing a hands-on approach to care has been shown to have positive effects on the physiological, biomechanical, physical and psychological aspects of pain and injury. All of our physiotherapists incorporate manual therapy into their assessment and treatment of most conditions.

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
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Pelvic floor issues are incredibly common. Recent statistics suggest that 1 in 4 women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. And while pelvic health problems have received more attention from the medical community in general for women, men can also be very affected and pelvic health physio can help. Some conditions treated by a pelvic rehabilitation therapist include:

  • Musculoskeletal aches and pains (involving the back, hips, sacroiliac joint, groin, abdomen and sometimes limbs)
  • Bladder and bowel issues
  • Incontinence including Post-Prostatectomy incontinence
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Pelvic Pain including Chronic Prostatitis, Testicular and Penile pain syndromes
  • Prolapse
  • Painful sex or an inability to have penetrative sex
  • Pregnancy & postpartum recovery

Your assessment will start with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, daily activities, and your goals.

If it is determined to be important to your assessment, you will have the option to consent to an internal vaginal and/or rectal exam. It is important to understand that, although an internal exam gives us a more complete picture of what is going on, trained pelvic health physiotherapists can also get an understanding of pelvic floor function by palpating externally. We recognize and respect the fact that an internal assessment could be triggering for our clients and want to make it clear that an internal exam is not mandatory; your physiotherapist will be able to offer you some suggestions even if you do not wish to have an internal exam.

Once your physiotherapist completes the exam, they will discuss their findings with you and will work with you to set out reasonable goals and an appropriate treatment plan.

Follow-up sessions are typically 55 minutes, depending on what you and your physiotherapist decide is appropriate. Much like other types of physiotherapy, we use exercise, education, and manual (hands-on) therapy to help relieve your symptoms and improve function, and may also use modalities such as dry needling or biofeedback.

Initial Pelvic Health Assessment (1 hour) $180

Subsequent Pelvic Health Session (1 hour) $145

Concussion Physio + Rehab
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Our approach to Concussion Management includes education, concussion awareness, physical testing, therapeutic strategies and return to play and work preparation. We recognize that concussion symptoms can stem from a breakdown in a variety of bodily systems that need to work together in a coordinated manner in order to process and react to the surrounding environment. Our therapists will assess your cervical spine (neck) to determine if there are issues specific to spinal mobility and stability that may be contributing to your concussion symptoms. In addition, we can assess how well your visual system works with your balance and vestibular systems and its effect on your symptom presentation.

We will work with you and your doctor, coach, teachers, employers and other health care practitioners to assist you in your recovery. We will assess and manage each individual as a whole and are committed to developing rehabilitative interventions that are specific to you and your injury.

Initial Concussion Assessment: (1 hour) $180

Subsequent Concussion Session: (1 hour) $145

Vestibular Rehabilitation
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Are you dizzy? Is the room spinning around you? You may need a Vestibular Physiotherapist.

Vestibular Rehabilitation is a specialized treatment approach to manage damage to the “inner ear” or Vestibular system. This results in symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, balance issues, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and more. These symptoms can be the result of an infection, head trauma, concussion, or other pathologies of the inner ear such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis.

Initial Vestibular Assessment (1 hour): $180

Subsequent Vestibular Visit (45 minutes): $145

Ergonomic Assessments
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Our ergonomic evaluations begin with an onsite evaluation of the employee’s workstation and work habits. Job tasks are reviewed, occupational risk factors identified, modifications to existing workstations are performed onsite. Injury prevention solutions and preventative exercises are provided. A written report follows, containing a detailed description of the observed body postures, a job task analysis, recommended workstation changes and equipment if needed. Follow-up is always available at no additional charge.

Whether you are looking for a comprehensive program or a single evaluation of an individual’s workstation we can assist.

Fees vary. Please contact us for details.

Custom Orthotics
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Foot biomechanics play a vital role in how the body moves and functions. A custom foot orthotic is a biomechanical insole achieving alignment of the foot and ankle into an anatomically efficient position.

Your orthotic evaluation will involve a thorough history and complete biomechanical assessment including a clinical gait analysis. A 3-dimensional mould of your foot will be made and your custom-made prescription orthotic will be unique to your condition, activity level, and the footwear in which you will use them.

Our physiotherapists have been certified by THE ORTHOTIC GROUP to examine you for the suitability of orthotics and orthotic footwear.

Custom Orthotic Assessment and Fitting: $460

Clinical Pilates
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Clinical Pilates integrates the principles of Pilates with the additional expertise of it being taught by a Physiotherapist. This ensures that your pilates program is tailored to you, your needs, your injury and your stage of healing.

Following a detailed initial assessment, your physiotherapist will teach you specific pilates exercises using our reformer, tower, wunda chair and other pilates props and equipment.

Clinical Pilates is provided by Shaana Burgess and Meredith Murdoch. Clinical Pilates is billed under Physiotherapy and therefore can be claimed as Physiotherapy for extended health plans.

Initial Clinical Pilates Assessment
(1 hour): $145

Subsequent Clinical Pilates Visit (1 hour): $145

IMS / Dry Needling
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IMS or Dry Needling is part of a system of treatment to address chronic pain that develops from nerve roots. It uses a very thin acupuncture needle that is inserted into tight bands of tissue to create a release of tension. It can be extremely beneficial for long-standing issues that have not responded to manual therapy and exercise alone.

Our therapists who are trained in IMS use it in conjunction with a physiotherapy appointment, not as a stand-alone treatment. Therefore it falls under our Physiotherapy Fee guideline. It is at the discretion of the physiotherapist to decide if IMS is appropriate for a particular patient and condition.

Spinal Decompression via Mechanical Traction
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Spinal decompression uses the force from a mechanical pulley machine to create an elongation of the spinal column in the neck and/or lower back primarily. This creates a therapeutic stretching of the joints, muscles and discs of the spine.

Some conditions that can benefit from traction are:

  • Disc herniations or disc protrusions
  • Nerve root impingements
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Low back and/or neck pain

Spinal traction is used within a typical physiotherapy appointment, not a stand-alone treatment. It is at the discretion of the physiotherapist to determine if this is an effective treatment for you and your condition.

Pre and Post Surgical Rehab
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Sometimes an injury results in the need for orthopedic surgery which can include a long road to recovery. The importance of a solid relationship with your physiotherapist and a comprehensive pre-op and post-surgical plan following an ACL or rotator cuff tear is critical for a good outcome. We have built relationships with many orthopaedic surgeons in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland who entrust us to take care of their patients both before and after surgery.

Some surgical conditions we treat:

  • ACL tears – non-operative rehab and ACL reconstruction rehab
  • Meniscal tears
  • Foot and ankle surgeries
  • Shoulder rotator cuff tears
  • Clavicular (collarbone) fractures
Acupuncture
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Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice rooted in Chinese Medicine. Fine needles are strategically placed into the skin to encourage healing, reduce or relieve pain, and improve the function of affected areas of the body. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce its own pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins and improves the body’s energy and biochemical balance.

Some of our physiotherapists are trained and certified in performing therapeutic acupuncture. For many patients, acupuncture is very effective in treating a variety of painful disorders, both acute and chronic.

Acupuncture is used within a typical physiotherapy appointment, if appropriate, it is not a stand-alone treatment. Therefore it falls under our Physiotherapy Fee guideline.

GLA:D Osteoarthritis Group Exercise Program
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This evidence-based group exercise program is designed to help those with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).  Over 7 weeks, you will be educated about OA while you build the strength and stability in your body that will assist with pain relief and improved function.

$600 (paid up front, $50 per exercise session, Physiotherapy receipt issued at each session, education sessions free)

Sport Physiotherapy
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No matter what your sport or level of competition, we have the knowledge and experience to get you back on the field and ready to play.  We have experienced physios who have worked at the provincial, national and professional level of sport in soccer, tennis, skiing, rugby, field hockey and ice hockey.

Telehealth
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A virtual physiotherapy session is a convenient way to communicate with your physiotherapist without having to be physically present in the clinic.  It is a perfect tool for assessing a new injury. We can provide injury management advice and education, provide progressions to your home rehab exercises, evaluate your home work space, and more. It also saves you time!  No need to make the trip to the office or find a parking spot!

Electrophysical Modalities
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Electrical and physical modalities, such as ultrasound, laser, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and interferential current (IFC) are all designed to stimulate tissue healing, reduce pain and swelling, and to assist in the restoration of normal tissue function. Depending on your injury and stage of healing, we may use a variety of electrotherapy tools during your treatment sessions.

These modalities are used within a typical physiotherapy appointment, not a stand alone treatment. Therefore they fall under our Physiotherapy Fee guideline.

Physiotherapy FAQs

Haven’t found the answer you were looking for yet? Browse these common questions we get about physiotherapy services. Contact us directly if you still have questions.

Is physiotherapy covered by my extended health benefits?

Very likely. Most extended health plans cover physiotherapy. It is your responsibility to know how much coverage you have and when you have used up your coverage. Any fees incurred over and above your coverage will be charged directly to you.

We can direct bill to many extended health plans. Ask us if yours is one of them.

What should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

You need to be comfortable and able to move freely. We recommend shorts or athletic/stretchy pants if your injury is from the waist down. We require access to the skin for the knees and ankles. Anything from the waist up we prefer a t-shirt, tank top, or sports bra.

How long should I expect my appointment to take?

For your initial appointment, plan for 45-60 minutes. For a follow-up appointment, plan for 30-45 minutes. Depending on the nature of your injury and your needs we may keep you slightly longer or shorter based on need.

Do I need a doctor’s referral or imaging (xray, MRI, US etc) before coming to physiotherapy?

Typically, no. None of these are required prior to your first appointment. If your physiotherapist feels you need to see your GP or obtain any imaging, they will let you know following your first session.

Some extended health plans require a physician’s referral in order to be covered by your plan – please check your plan accordingly.

Do I need to bring anything with me or do anything prior to my first appointment?

Please take the time to fill out your online profile on our online booking site and the client information form prior to your first appointment. You can upload files including imaging reports (X-rays, MRI etc), doctor’s notes, your credit card information and more.

If you don’t have the ability to fill out these forms or upload these files, you can bring them with you and we will do it for you.

Otherwise, bring your shorts and a t-shirt!

How many treatments will I need to get better?

Every condition is individually evaluated, based on the person, the severity of their condition and patient activity expectations. Your physiotherapist will advise you of an appropriate treatment plan after your initial assessment. It will include a timeline, treatment goals and an eventual plan for graduating from treatment!

Do you accept ICBC or WSBC injury claims?

Yes, we do. Once you have filed your claim, you can book your first appointment. Please provide us with your claim number, date of injury, and your adjustor’s contact information if you have it.

If ICBC – You are automatically approved for 25 physiotherapy visits within 3 months of your MVA.

If WSBC – You are automatically approved for an initial assessment if your injury was within 60 days and a WSBC claim has been initiated.