Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is the treatment and prevention of physical injuries and movement problems. Education and prevention measures help patients gain the highest possible level of independent function.
A physiotherapist is sometimes called a physical therapist. The terms mean the same thing.
Do I need a doctor to refer me to physiotherapy?
Patients do not need a referral to be treated by a physiotherapist. However some private insurance companies do require a doctor’s referral. Please check with your private insurance company before making an appointment.
What does physiotherapy cost?
Physiotherapy in any private clinic is not covered by Manitoba Health. Please call our clinic reception for our current fee for service rates. We accept debit, credit card and cheques (no cash transactions please).
Most Insurance providers cover physiotherapy. If you or your spouse have a private insurance plan check to see if you are covered. Physiotherapy receipts are a tax deduction for those who qualify.
If you were injured at work and have a Workers Compensation Board (WCB) claim number and your claim has been accepted, your treatment costs will be covered.
Manitoba Public Insurance pays for treatment required as a result of injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident. A bodily injury claim number is required.
What do I wear to physiotherapy?
Dress comfortably. You are welcome to bring your own shorts. We offer shorts and gowns. We ask that you remove your shoes at the entrance, to keep our clinic clean, so consider bringing indoor shoes or slippers.
Why should I see a physiotherapist?
Some of the common problems a physiotherapist helps with are the treatments of:
- Injuries such as strains and sprains which require immediate care for swelling, tenderness and pain.
- Rehabilitation of muscles after injuries, fractures or surgery
- Neurological problems such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or concussion.
- Jaw / temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
- Headaches or chronic pain symptoms
- Post motor vehicle injuries
- Post work (WCB) injuries
What do physiotherapy programs include?
Your physiotherapist will take a medical history, perform a physical examination and develop a treatment plan with you. Your treatment plan may include customized exercises, manual therapy or any of the treatments listed in our treatment section.
What training do physiotherapists have?
Physiotherapists must graduate from an accredited university program in medical rehabilitation. They must also demonstrate they can meet strict professional standards before they are permitted to practice. Physiotherapists are provincially regulated, and all practicing physiotherapists must be registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba.
For more general information on physiotherapy, visit the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba or the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
Is physiotherapy appropriate for me or my condition?
River East Physiotherapy offers a free 15-minute telephone consultation with a physiotherapist to help you determine whether physiotherapy is right for you.
What should I expect on my first visit?
Your first visit will usually take an hour. We ask that you complete your intake forms online before your appointment, and arrive in the clinic exactly on time for your appointment. If you're unable to complete your forms online, call us in advance - we may advise you to arrive a bit earlier to fill out paper forms instead.
On your first visit, your physiotherapist will review your injury or condition and plan a treatment program for you. This will include:
- Questions about your injury or condition, your health history, and your goals for physiotherapy.
- Physiotherapy examination to assess your injury or condition. This can sometimes temporarily increase your pain.
- A discussion about your assessment findings, how you can start to manage your condition and a treatment plan - including how many visits your treatment may require.
For every part of physiotherapy assessment and treatment, we require your informed consent. This means you're always in charge of your care - you can ask questions and take back your consent at any time.
What kinds of questions does a physiotherapist ask?
Your physiotherapist will ask you about your condition and how it came on. Your health history helps the physiotherapist understand what may have contributed to your current condition, and helps make sure we know about any other conditions that could impact our care. Your physiotherapist may also ask you for information about:
- The nature of the pain, such as location and intensity you are currently experiencing or have had in the past.
- Your personal and family history.
- Medications you are taking.
- Treatments you have had recently or in the past.
- The physical requirements of your job, lifestyle or leisure activities and how your injury or condition is affecting your life.
- Your goals and expectations for physiotherapy.
What does the physical exam include?
The physiotherapist does a physical evaluation. Changing or removing clothes may be required to see the problem area.
The physiotherapist may touch the problem area to see if there is any tenderness, swelling, or heat. Using their hands, they may test the problem area to see if weakness exists, if movement is limited, and how much pain there is.
What if I am not satisfied with the service provided?
- We work to exceed expectations. If you are happy with our physiotherapy service, we encourage you to tell others. If you are not satisfied, please tell us!
- Successful physiotherapy is based on good communication between you and your physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist may not be aware there is a problem unless you tell them. If you are still not satisfied after discussing your concerns with your physiotherapist, please contact our Physiotherapy Manager or Clinic Manager.