Physiotherapist treating patient's Knee

Physiotherapy

"Give my experience 5 stars!"

I have been going to PhysioPlus now for about six months. My physiotherapist is Sarah DeBoer. I thinks she is amazing. She has helped me be more mobile and with less pain.

- Betty C.

"I choose the best"

I have some problems with shoulder/ arm and I need physiotherapy. To choose best physiotherapist I went through many websites and checked lots of people’s reviews. After first therapy I had better sleep at night.

- Renata Z.

"I have received excellent physiotherapy services"

I have received excellent physiotherapy services from Sara, who has been my physiotherapist for the past 2 years or so. Recently, I tried ZOOM physiotherapy, which has also worked quite well for a shoulder injury.

- Karyn S.

"Super happy Chantelle is my therapist! "

I’ve been here a hand full of times but my experience was 10/10! Reception was always super helpful and kind. Chantelle Blanchette was myphysiotherapist. She was very understanding and I felt comfortable 100% of the time. Chantelle was able to help me pinpoint and provideme with the steps to resolve my issues! Super happy she is my physiotherapist!

- Annzanete

PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU COMFORTABLY GET BACK TO YOUR EVERYDAY ROUTINE

A healthy, strong, and active lifestyle is what most of us are after. We all want to feel our best so we can enjoy our lives. If you’re in pain and need some relief or simply looking for a healthier, stronger, and more active lifestyle, physiotherapy can help.

We ask a lot of our bodies, from performing our daily common tasks to our efforts to reach any physical goals we may have. It’s not uncommon for our bodies to develop weaknesses or muscle imbalances which can lead to pain or injury. Or sometimes trauma can do the damage.

No matter what the cause, physiotherapy can bring us back in balance, restore our strength and help us be the best versions of ourselves so we can get back to doing the things we love.

Physiotherapist Treating Patient at PhysioPlus

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy generally consists of three important phases: pain relief, strengthening, and functional integration. Some people are apprehensive about physiotherapy because they believe it will hurt them; however, the opposite is true. PT is not meant to cause pain, but rather to relieve it once and for all.

The goal of Physiotherapy is pain relief and strengthening, and our Bloor West Village and The Kingsway physiotherapists will make sure that your treatment plan won’t bring you any pain or discomfort. Rest assured that you’re in good hands here!

An active lifestyle is very dependent upon movement. If you can’t move comfortably, you can’t stay as active as you should. Our physiotherapists will cater your treatment plan around specific movements designed to increase your strength, flexibility, balance, and overall mobility. He or she will assist you with many of these exercises, but will also provide some simple ones that can be done at home.

The end result of physiotherapy is living the quality of life you want, free from painful limitations. That can only happen when you apply the concepts you learn from your treatments to the outside world.

Our physiotherapist is as dedicated as you are and will encourage you to achieve all the goals you set forth in the beginning.

What Does a Physiotherapist Do?

Physiotherapist treating a patient with a knee injury at PhysioPlus

A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional that’s trained in the prevention and treatment of injuries. They help to decrease your pain and improve issues relating to your mobility and function!

People who earn a degree in Physiotherapy know how to solve a WIDE variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including helping with low back pain, sports injuries, pelvic health issues, decreased mobility after surgery, vertigo and dizziness, pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, and much more!

Seems almost too good to be true, but it’s not! You don’t have to suffer by yourself in pain, hoping that self-treatment with ice packs or heat is your only possible pain reliever. You don’t have to rely on medications for pain management. Physiotherapists are well-equipped with MANY different treatment methods to maximize your function and solve your issue. See below for a list!

Manual therapy, or Hands-On Treatment

Physiotherapists use hands-on therapy to physically move the soft tissues in your body to help restore your movement and relieve your pain. Manual therapy is effective in treating many conditions, including back pain, shoulder pain, hip and knee pain, elbow pain, chronic pain, and much more!

The goal of manual therapy is to reduce pain and discomfort, increase your range of motion and joint function, and help you get back to the activities that you want to do.

Customized exercise plan

Your unique exercise plan will help you return to movement without pain. Depending on what your problem or issue is, your customized exercise plan will include movements to help restore your muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, or stability.

Your exercises will target your specific impairments so that you can improve your physical health, feel better, and prevent yourself from getting future injuries.

Shockwave, Treatment, PhysioPlus

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy is a method used by physiotherapists to speed up your recovery and get rid of things in your body that can cause short or long term pain. In shockwave therapy, sound waves interact with tissues in your body which results in accelerated tissue repair, cell growth, pain relieving effects, and mobility restoration.

Shockwave therapy has been a tried and true treatment method for various conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder or rotator cuff pain, jumper’s knee, plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, chronic tendinopathy, and calcifications in your body.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a well-researched method that’s used to reduce your pain, decrease inflammation, improve muscle tension, and restore your physical function. It’s a valuable method in physiotherapy because it can help stimulate healing and promote faster recovery!

Taping

Knee Bracing, PhysioPlus Health Group, Brace Knee, Physiotherapy

Therapeutic taping is a great way to help you find the relief you need after getting an injury or having a condition that affects your daily life. Taping can help decrease your swelling, manage your scar tissue, stabilize your joints so you’re ready for movement, and relieve your pain.

Custom knee bracing

A knee brace can be beneficial to you if you have pain with walking, running, jumping, sports, or other activities. Your physiotherapist can assess and fit you for a custom knee brace that’ll give you the support you need to get back to movement without pain!

Postural correction

Back discomfort is a common condition among our patients that can be related to poor posture. Postural correction can help improve your strength and flexibility, increase your blood flow and circulation, promote a healthy base of support for movement, decrease the risk of injuries, and reduce your back discomfort.

Education about your condition

A physiotherapist is an expert on assessing and treating conditions of the human body. One of the most important components to a physiotherapy treatment plan is education.

Education from your physiotherapist might look like information on ways to make changes to your lifestyle to minimize discomfort, information on when you’ll return back to your sport, and education on things you can do at home to optimize your recovery.

What are the Benefits of Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists treat the root of your problem so that you can experience better recovery, symptom relief, and longer-lasting results. With physiotherapy, you can expect to reduce your pain, improve your strength, prevent re-injury, get back to sports, move better, recover from surgery faster, and reduce your medication intake in some cases.

Physiotherapy can also help effectively manage chronic conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, fibromyalgia, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and more!

When to See a Physiotherapist?

physioplus-physiotherapy-center-toronto-ca

1) You’re in pain

You could benefit from seeing a physiotherapist if you can relate to any of the following statements:

Unlike most other methods of decreasing pain, physiotherapy strives to put a permanent end to what’s causing your pain instead of masking it temporarily. A physiotherapist has a huge body of knowledge and will thoroughly assess your condition and create a treatment plan that’s unique to your needs to effectively treat the root cause of your pain.

2) You want to move better

Physiotherapy can help you regain your mobility and optimize the way you move around on a daily basis. When your movement is optimized, you’re more likely to use the correct muscles and minimize the chances of getting injured. Improving the way you move through guidance from a physiotherapist can also help you regain your confidence and independence with movement.

3) You want to get back to doing your favourite activities or sports

Having a physical injury or condition can decrease or even eliminate your participation in your favourite hobbies and taking care of daily tasks. A physiotherapist can help you return to your favourite activities or sports as quickly as possible. They’ll go through a step-by-step treatment plan with you in order to reach your personal goals and get you back to stable movement without pain!

Patient being treated by a physiotherapist and sports doctor

4) You don’t know what injury or condition you have

It’s hard to treat your injury when you don’t know exactly what’s going on. Luckily, a physiotherapist can help. Physiotherapists are trained professionals in diagnosing conditions of the human body. They’ll conduct a thorough assessment so that they know what injury or condition you have, relay this diagnosis to you, and come up with an effective treatment plan so that you can find relief as soon as possible.

5) You want to feel stronger

Physiotherapists are experts body systems and at optimizing movements of the human body. Your physiotherapist will identify areas that aren’t optimized in your body, and guide you through a treatment plan to strengthen your problem areas. You’ll be guided through different strengthening activities in order to build muscle, improve the way that you move, and make you feel stronger!

6) You want to prevent re-injury

Getting an injury is a tough roadblock to deal with. In fact, most people do everything in their power reduce their risk of injury and avoid re-injuring themselves. A physiotherapist can not only help you make a full recovery, but also help you avoid future injuries. They do this by creating a detailed treatment plan that addresses any factors that make you prone to getting injured. This preventative treatment plan can include strengthening exercises, mobility work, hands-on manual therapy, customized bracing, and kinesiology taping.

7) You want to recover from surgery as fast as possible

A physiotherapist can help you maximize your recovery for any sort of surgery, including hip or knee replacements, ACL reconstruction surgeries, shoulder replacement, and more. Your physiotherapy treatment plan will include strategies to help with pain relief, a reduction in your swelling, an improvement in your range of motion, assistance with early walking and return to work or school, and offer you different types of exercises to work toward improved function.

What are the Different Types of Physiotherapists?

Post-Surgical Rehab Physiotherapist

A post-operative physiotherapist sees people for recovery, restrengthening, and reconditioning after surgery. People typically see post-operative physiotherapy after a hip or knee replacement, a knee ligament repair, or to help them get better after any general surgery. These physiotherapists use treatments like manual hands-on therapy, education, referral to other specialists, and home exercise programs to achieve optimum patient outcomes.

Concussion Physiotherapist

A concussion is a brain injury that really needs the right kind of care. A concussion physiotherapist guides people who’ve had a concussion to recovery. Concussion physiotherapy can include education on when you’re able to return to work or school, education on ways you can modify your daily activities while you’re recovering, hands on treatment to alleviate symptoms, balance and coordination exercises, and guidance on how to return to your sports or normal activities.

Vestibular Physiotherapist

A vestibular physiotherapist treats medical conditions like vertigo, chronic dizziness, impaired balance, post-concussion symptoms, and age-related decline. They’re able to treat these conditions using a combination of manual techniques and exercise programs to correct or train your body to accommodate for any related deficits.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist

A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help with ANY condition related to the pelvic floor! They’re able to effectively treat urinary or bowel incontinence, pain during intercourse, persistent pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti, and more. They’re also specialized to treat pregnant or postpartum individuals with any pains in their body.

Common Injuries Treated by Physiotherapists

Physiotherapist treating a patient with Sciatica Pain

Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition where you get irritation in one of your nerves that causes radiating leg pain in your bottom, thigh, calf, or foot. A physiotherapist can assess if you have sciatica and give you a treatment care plan that provides rapid pain relief. Treatment will include gentle exercise and stretches to reduce tension on your sciatic nerve and promote healing.

Relieving Your Hip, Knee, and Leg Pain

Knee Pain

Knee pain can start from a specific injury like an ACL tear or from a chronic condition like arthritis.  Whatever the cause may be, not being able to put your body weight on your knee puts a real limit on your daily activities. Physiotherapy can help reduce pain, improve your range of motion, strengthen your knee, and get you back to the activities that you love to do.

Physiotherapist treating low back pain at PhysioPlus

Lower back pain

Lower back pain is very common and will affect over 80% of us at some point in our lives. Your lower back pain may affect the way you move, sleep, and do your regular hobbies.

Physiotherapy can help you find CONSISTENT and LONG LASTING pain relief with scientifically proven back treatment methods. Treatment may include different back and core muscle strengthening exercises, strengthening, modalities to reduce pain and promote healing, and education on how to restore pain-free movement.

shoulder pain being treated by Physiotherapist. PhysioPlus

Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain can stem from a sudden injury or it can develop over time. No matter if you have a rotator cuff tear, shoulder dislocation, or shoulder arthritis, physiotherapy can help fix it all! Physiotherapy is  a natural & easy, solution to help you avoid the risks of surgery, find pain relief and achieve better movement after as little as three sessions.

Foot being treated by a pHysiotherapist at PhysioPlus

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is when you feel pain in the heel or arch of your foot and along the sole of your foot. This happens because you have inflammation and tightness in the structures at the bottom of your feet. Your physiotherapist can help assess your plantar fasciitis, fit you for custom orthotics, and prescribe you some exercises that can reduce tightness in your feet.

Shockwave therapy is something that physiotherapists and chiropractors often use for the treatment of plantar fasciitis as it’s an effective way to help reduce inflammation and stimulate healing

Physiotherapist Treating patient with dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness are balance disorders typically caused by issues in how your body processes where you are in space. When this system is compromised, you might experience dizziness, balance issues, and difficulties with coordination.

Vestibular physiotherapists can be specially trained to help restore this system by stabilizing your gaze, working on your body positioning and movements, and eventually integrating your symptom-free self into your regular daily activities!

Physiotherapist treating pelvic floor issues

Pelvic floor issues

Pelvic floor dysfunction issues like urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and body changes from pregnancy are very common but aren’t normal. These issues CAN be cured by a trained pelvic floor physiotherapist. They’ll use different strategies like hands on manual therapy, exercise programs, pelvic floor muscle retraining, pain relieving methods like relaxation techniques, and education about your problem to help your pelvic floor function the way it should!

Vestibular physiotherapist treating a patient after a concussion

Concussions

If you’ve recently gotten a concussion or you’re suffering from long-term symptoms of an old concussion, you could benefit from seeing a physiotherapist. Physiotherapists are certified healthcare providers that understand concussions and know the best way to rehabilitate concussion symptoms. They’re trained in doing treatments that can reduce head and neck pain, improve balance impairments, decrease any dizziness, and help you return to school, work, or your favorite sport.

Hip and knee osteoarthritis

If you have any hip and knee pain, you know that it can severely impact your daily tasks.  Physiotherapy can help you pinpoint the exact cause of your issue and create an effective treatment program that eliminates your pain without the need for drugs or opting for the risks of surgery. Your physiotherapist will have tools to help restore your range of motion, strengthen your knees and hips, and ultimately help you get to movement without pain.

Patient stretching assisted by a physiotherapist

Post-surgical rehab

Physiotherapy can decrease your recovery time after surgery. Yes, you heard that right! Physiotherapy has been proven to relieve pain with manual therapy techniques, joint mobilization, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, and home exercises. Your physiotherapist can also teach you different strategies to overcome any physical post-surgical limitations in the days and weeks following your surgery.

What is Online or Virtual Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapist treating a patient on-line or virtually

Virtual physiotherapy is designed for ANYONE who’s unable to make it to the clinic for an in-person appointment OR anyone who enjoys the convenience of being at home!

During an online physiotherapy appointment, you can expect the same quality care you would receive in person. Your physiotherapist will take a thorough medical history from you, perform a detailed assessment to pinpoint the root cause of your issue, and guide you through an effective treatment plan to help you get to quick recovery.

Virtual physiotherapy can treat all sorts of conditions, including pelvic health issues, dizziness and vertigo symptoms, concussion rehabilitation, post-surgical pains and problems, and any sudden injury, ache, or pain.

Can Physiotherapy help with Vertigo?

Vestibular-therapist-treating-a-patient-with-Vertigo

Vertigo can be so severe that it’s difficult for you to keep your balance and do your regular daily activities.

Vertigo is the sensation where you feel that the environment around you is moving or spinning.

This unpleasant symptom can be caused by a wide range of vestibular disturbances, including Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s Disease.

Physiotherapy can absolutely help with vertigo. In fact, there are specially trained physiotherapists, known as vestibular physiotherapists, who have years of experience in effectively assessing and treating vestibular conditions.

Treatment techniques that can be used by physiotherapists to alleviate your vertigo include repositioning maneuvers for BPPV, vestibular rehabilitation therapy exercises, and education about your condition.

You can expect your vestibular physiotherapist to take the time to clearly explain your diagnosis, let you know how it can be treated, and educate you on how to maximize your recovery.

Can Physiotherapy help relieve Sciatica pain?

A chiropractor treating a patient with back pain

If you’re suffering from sciatica, know that you’re NOT alone. Sciatica is a condition that affects between 10% to 40% of people in their lifetime.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body, which runs from your lower back to the bottom of your feet. Sciatica is what happens when your sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. 

Sciatica can result in pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in your legs. These symptoms can make it hard for you to do things like walk, bend, exercise, and sleep.

Physiotherapy is a highly effective, safe, and drug-free way to treat your sciatica. Your physiotherapist will assess you and provide you with a detailed sciatica treatment plan that’s tailored to your unique needs.

Some treatment methods that your physiotherapist might use to treat your sciatica include exercise therapy programs, stretching protocols, heat therapy, ultrasound therapy, electric therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

You can also expect your physiotherapists to educate you on sciatica and the Do’s and Don’ts of your condition. They’ll give you specific advice on how to properly heal your sciatica in the quickest amount of time possible so you can get back to moving without pain.

How Physiotherapy can help with your Shoulder Pain

Physiotherapist treating a patient with shoulder pain

Your shoulder pain could’ve started from a sudden, unexpected injury. Or, it could’ve slowly developed over time.

Shoulder pain can begin from a shoulder sprain, strain, tendinitis, torn cartilage, bursitis, frozen shoulder, or arthritis.

Your shoulder joint is one of the most mobile and flexible joints in your body. When structures in or around your shoulder joint are injured, you could be experiencing pain with your range of movement or at rest, loss of range of motion, clicking or other sounds, and muscle tension.

Physiotherapy can be the cure you’re looking for to eliminate your shoulder pain and prevent it from coming back. This can help restore your range of motion, ease your pain, and get you back to using your shoulders in daily life without any discomfort.

How To Fix Plantar Fasciitis with Physiotherapy

Shockwave machine being used by Physiotherapist

If you have pain with the first few steps in the morning, tenderness along your heel and the arch of your foot, or suddenly increased physical activity, you could have plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition where there’s a breakdown of the collagen that’s found at the bottom of your feet which can be very painful.

A physiotherapist is a trained healthcare professional in the human body, who can assess your plantar fasciitis, fit you for custom orthotics, and prescribe you exercises that can reduce tightness in your feet and eliminate discomfort.

Shockwave can also be used by a physiotherapist to cure plantar fasciitis

What should I expect on my first visit?

Physiotherapist talking to a patient at PhysioPlus

At your first appointment, you can expect your physiotherapist to go through an initial assessment and treatment plan with you.

For your assessment, your physiotherapist will ask you questions to better understand what symptoms you’re experiencing.

Then, they may ask you to do physical movements like walking, sitting down, standing up, lifting, stretching and do a preliminary physical exam so that they can have a better understanding of how your condition affects the way you move.

Once your physiotherapist has a clear picture of what your diagnosis is and how they can get you better, they’ll relay all this information to you in the form of a customized treatment plan.

They’ll take your physical goals and personal health information into account in order to create a treatment plan that’ll be the most effective to treat your condition.

We treat the root cause of your problem. Contact us today!

PhysioPlus Health Group 2489 Bloor Street West Toronto.jpeg
PhysioPlus Health Group 2489 Bloor Street West, Toronto (Bloor and Jane)

Our team of registered physiotherapists consists of clinical instructors, leaders and mentors who have been recognized for their excellence in the field of physiotherapy. They continue to advance their skills by pursuing extensive post-graduate training in manual therapy, orthopedics and sports medicine.

If you are looking to improve your health, strength, and physical activity, look no further – we are here to help. Request an appointment at PhysioPlus Health Group today and get started on your journey toward better health and wellness!

GET THE CARE YOU NEED AT HOME WHEN YOU CAN’T COME TO US

PhysioPlus now offers the convenience of In-Home Physiotherapy for patients who can’t make it into our clinic. You can now receive the personal care you need in the comfort of your own home from our Registered Physiotherapists and Physio-Pilates Instructors.

Enjoy the convenience of flexible scheduling, less travel, and increased privacy while still receiving top-notch treatment.

Whether you’re recovering from an injury, trying to manage a chronic condition, or simply trying to optimize your health and wellness, our PhysioPlus therapists can give you exceptional results with incredible convenience.

Click here to learn more about our In-Home Physiotherapy program.

MEET OUR TEAM OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

Michelle DeMarchi

Registered Physiotherapist, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

Sarah DeBoer

Registered Physiotherapist (FCAMPT)

Jennifer McConvey

Registered Physiotherapist, Certified Vestibular Physiotherapist

Lauren Kanko

Registered Physiotherapist

Lauren Rimmer

Registered Physiotherapist

Demetria Correia

Registered Physiotherapist

Martin Petkov

Registered Physiotherapist

QUESTIONS?

Choosing the right physiotherapist can be a big decision. We’re dedicated to answering any questions you have to help you make the best choice. Contact us today and ask us anything!

(416) 760-8280

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FAQs

Is physiotherapy treatment covered by my insurance?

You’ll be happy to know that physiotherapy is covered by MANY extended health insurance providers! The amount of coverage varies from one plan to another, so please contact your insurance company directly for details.

We know that insurance coverage can sometimes be confusing. That’s why at PhysioPlus Health Group, we’re able to submit claims for our physiotherapy services to your company on your behalf!

In addition, if you’re being trained for injuries due to a motor vehicle accident, we’re able to bill the cost of your physiotherapy treatment directly to your insurance company.

Our office manager will be happy to help you with any questions you may have about insurance coverage for our service, just call us at (416) 760-8280 today

Is Physiotherapy hard?

In short: yes, and no.

The pain-free active lifestyle you want is not always easy to obtain, especially if you’re someone living with chronic pain or an illness that restricts your mobility.

If the very idea of going out and exercising with your aches and pains leaves you feeling uncomfortable, know that you’re not alone. However, there is, fortunately, a simpler solution to gaining the active lifestyle you desire.

Physical activity is the hardest aspect to get in the habit of doing, especially if you are being held back by chronic pain. Some people try to mask their symptoms with anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications, while others, unfortunately, give up on the idea of being active altogether.

With the help of a Physiotherapist from our Bloor West Village and The Kingsway clinic it is possible to reclaim your pain-free, healthy lifestyle, and get back to doing the activities you love. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes work, but once you get into the groove of it, it becomes much easier.

How long does a physiotherapy session take?

Your first physiotherapy appointment typically takes around 60 minutes and follow-up appointments are usually around 30 minutes. The first physiotherapy appointment tends to be longer because your physiotherapist conducts a thorough initial assessment in order to diagnose your condition and create a unique treatment plan that’s optimized for your personal recovery

What kind of problems do physiotherapists treat?

Physiotherapists are experts in preventing and treating different injuries and conditions. Some examples of problems that physiotherapists treat include neck and back pain, vertigo and dizziness, concussion symptoms, pelvic health issues, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, post-surgical pain and loss of function, arthritis, lung problems, sprains and strains, and more!

What should I bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

Each clinic is different, but there’s a couple of things that would be a good idea to bring. Bring any health forms or documents that your clinic requires, insurance information if needed, and make sure that you’re wearing comfortable clothes that you can move around in. Loose-fitting clothing and athletic footwear are great choices to ensure that your physiotherapist can properly assess the way that you move.