This is highly variable. You may need one visit or you may need months of care. It depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairments, your past medical history, etc. You will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis and when you see your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our recommendations.

All our therapists are licensed by their respective provincial or national association.

• Physiotherapy will help any individual with problems affecting the level of functionality of the musculoskeletal system. This therapy specializes in the fields of sports and physical fitness. • Our physiotherapists apply various techniques to treat you such as manual therapy, sports therapy and progression through exercise, etc. • Our patients can expect to improve their balance, their endurance, their strength and their coordination, which will help them stay active every day. Physiotherapy is offered in all of our clinics.

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physical therapists and he/she will also treat you during subsequent visits. Unlike some clinics, where you see someone different each visit, we feel it is very important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care. Since only one physical therapist knows your problems best, he/she is the one that will be working closely with you to speed your recovery.

With direct access to physiotherapy in Quebec, a doctor’s referral is not necessary to receive treatments at Action Sport Physio. However, the physiotherapist may suggest that you consult a doctor for their opinion or to get further tests done. Note that some extended health benefit plan insurance companies still require a doctor’s referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy treatments. It is the responsibility of the patient to check their coverage. Both work related accidents and Motor Vehicle accidents do require a doctor’s referral.

You should wear loose fitting clothing so you can expose the area that we will be evaluating and treating. For example, if you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice, and for low back problems, wear a loose fitting shirt and pants, again so we can perform a thorough examination.

Treatment sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes per visit.

When a disc problem is diagnosed through imagery, one of the roles of the initial physiotherapy assessment is to decide if these findings correlate with the clinical picture. In an average pain free population, some people present with disc pathology on MRI. This is why it is so important to treat the clinical signs and symptoms of the patient and not the radiology finding. Disc problems present in many different ways. Some patients will have back pain only, others will have leg pain from nerve irritation and others will have both. No recipe exists for treatment and everyone’s condition must be treated individually. Physiotherapy is often very helpful for patients presenting with disc problems. Only those with severe, unrelenting symptoms and with positive neurological findings that are not responding to conservative treatment may need to have surgery. There should always be a trial of conservative treatment prior to any surgical decision and physiotherapy is a very good and safe option.

Manual therapy is a specialization in orthopedic physiotherapy. It is mostly taught at the post-graduate level and consists of various level courses that are taken over a number of years. A manual therapist acquires advanced knowledge and skills in clinical biomechanics, pathology, assessment and feel of joint movement, soft tissue flexibility, nerve mobility and muscle recruitment. To become recognized in the field of manual therapy, the physiotherapist must successfully go through an examination process set up by the Orthopedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The successful completion of the examination process leads to a residency and then a fellowship diploma in the field.

We have experienced physiotherapists who have specific skills to help maximize your recovery. By offering a range of diversified treatment options and hands on individual care, we ensure that our clients get moving faster. Our team uses a blend of Manual Therapy in conjunction with a strengthening exercise regimen, and balance training that delivers better results than typical conventional physiotherapy programs. Our staff prides themselves in developing validated/proven treatment protocols that will provide the best value for each and every visit. We put the puzzle together for solving your chronic lower back pain. We can manage your lower back pain by addressing all the modifiable risk factors and restoring your function, so you can enjoy your active lifestyle pain-free. The therapist will discuss the following: • Your medical history. • Your current problems/complaints. • Pain intensity, what aggravates and eases the problem. • How this is impacting your daily activities or your functional limitations. • Your goals with physical therapy. • Medications, tests, and procedures related to your health. The therapist will then perform the objective evaluation which may include some of the following: Palpation - touching around the area of the pain/problem. This is done to check for the presence of tenderness, swelling, soft tissue integrity, tissue temperature, inflammation, etc. Range of Motion (ROM) - the therapist will move the joint(s) to check for the quality of movement and any restrictions. Muscle Testing - the therapist may check for strength and the quality of the muscle contraction. Pain and weakness may be noted. Often the muscle strength is graded. This is also part of a neurological screening. Neurological Screening - the therapist may check to see how the nerves are communicating with the muscles, sensing touch, pain, vibration, or temperature. Reflexes may be assessed as well. Special Tests - the therapist may perform special tests to confirm/rule out the presence of additional problems. Posture Assessment - the positions of joints relative to ideal and each other may be assessed. The therapist will then formulate a list of problems you are having, and how to treat those problems. A plan is subsequently developed with the patient’s input. This includes how many times you should see the therapist per week, how many weeks you will need therapy, home programs, patient education, short-term/long-term goals, and what is expected after discharge from therapy. This plan is created with input from you, your therapist, and your doctor