Author: myles

What can I expect at my first appointment?

When you come to Complete Physiotherapy, you can find plenty of free parking in front of the clinic. We ask that you arrive 15-20 minutes before your appointment, to fill out some paperwork including your contact information, insurance details, outcome measures and some other basic health information.

Once your therapist is ready for you, they will take you to one of the private or semi-private treatment rooms, administer a comprehensive assessment asking about your specific injury, educate you about your diagnosis as well provide you with an appropriate treatment and home program.

Your initial appointment may last anywhere from 60-75 minutes, where as your follow-ups may run anywhere from 45-60 minutes.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

For your initial appointment, please bring your referral from your doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or other health care provider, if you have received one. If you sustained a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident, please bring your claim number and date of injury. Also, if you have or are using your private insurance, bring your card with the appropriate numbers so if we can, will direct bill for your appointments.

We also recommend that you bring a pair of shorts if we are assessing your lower extremity and a tank top for the upper extremity so we can appropriately assess and treat your injury. If you are coming for a vestibular assessment, we strongly encourage that you bring someone to drive you after your appointment.

Do you need a referral to see us at Complete Physiotherapy?

No, you do not require a Doctor’s or other health care provider’s referral to see a Physiotherapist. Any individual can access physiotherapy – all you need to do is call our clinic to set up an appointment! Individuals of all ages dealing with a variety of ailments could benefit from physiotherapy services as the physiotherapy scope of practice is so diverse. We at Complete Physiotherapy can treat injuries relating to:

    • Vestibular disorders
    • Concussions
    • Orthopedics
    • Sport specific injuries
    • Neurological disorders
    • Cardiorespiratory issues
    • Hand injuries
    • Ergonomics
    • Geriatrics
    • Work place injuries
    • Motor vehicle accidents

Some insurance plans that cover physiotherapy may require a referral from a doctor. We suggest that you inquire into this prior to coming for your appointment to ensure that you are covered.

Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy

Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy is a unique area of practice that involves rehabilitation of the upper limb, including the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is a merging of occupational and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specific skills in assessment, diagnosing, planning and treatment, physiotherapists provide evidenced based, therapeutic interventions to prevent long lasting dysfunction, restore function, maximize outcomes and restore quality of life.

Treatment for the upper extremity may include bracing and splinting, post-surgical rehabilitation, manual therapy, graded motor imagery, sensory re-education, scar and swelling management.

Temporomandibular (Jaw) Joint Treatment

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. There are many causes of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) including arthritis, jaw injury or clenching and teeth grinding. Physiotherapists can assess, diagnose, treat and refer those individuals presenting with TMD to other health care professionals including dentists and physicians.

Treating the TMJ is a unique area of practice that requires a more personal relationship with the therapist as it involves the physiotherapists gloved hand in the patient’s mouth to accurately assess, diagnose and treat the injury.

Post Concussion Management

Concussions are forms of brain injury resulting from a direct or indirect blow to the head, face or jaw causing an alteration in brain function. As concussions produce a wide array of symptoms, this can pose a challenge to coaches, trainers, parents and health professionals involved in the care of the injured athlete.

The time frame for recovery varies widely for every patient, making it that much more imperative to have specific and tailored rehab programs for every individual that presents with concussion-like symptoms to reduce the risk of premature sport activity and delay full return to pre-injury levels.

Key components of concussion treatment include education, prevention and management emphasizing individualized resting strategies, specific recommendations regarding return to work and play, manual therapy for associated neck complaints, screening and referral for vision therapy, balance, coordination and vestibular-based rehabilitation and tailored exercise plans for return-to-sport. All these services are offered and accessible through the physiotherapy clinic.

Vestibular Rehabilitation (Dizziness, Vertigo and Balance Rehabilitation)

Dizziness and vertigo are among the most common symptoms that send people to see doctors. Many of these vertigo and dizziness problems come from a dysfunction of the inner ear or the vestibular organ. The vestibular organ is critical for balance, coordination, and movement, and when it is in dysfunction patients can experience spinning (vertigo), dizziness, visual disturbances, nausea, imbalance, and light-headedness.

Vestibular rehabilitation is a form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. Evidence has shown that vestibular rehabilitation can be effective in improving symptoms related to many vestibular (inner ear/balance) disorders.

Conditions commonly treated or helped with vestibular rehabilitation include:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV/Vertigo)
  • Unilateral or Bilateral Hypovestibular Disorders caused by:
    • Vestibular Neuritis
    • Labyrinthitis
    • Meniere’s Disease
    • Acoustic Neuroma
  • Central Causes of Vestibular Dysfunction
    • Stroke
    • Acquired Brain Injuries/Concussions
    • Tumours (after surgery)
    • Vestibular Migraines

Once a diagnosis has been determined by your physiotherapist, an individualized rehab program will be created for you that may involve repositioning techniques of the crystals in the inner ear, gaze stabilization exercises, motion sensitivity exercises or habituation exercises, and balance and coordination exercise.