FAQs

What do physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapists are movement experts who can improve your quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement-based exercises.

Physiotherapists are dedicated to helping you improve and restore your movement and function, manage pain and reduce the symptoms of many chronic conditions and diseases. Their expertise lies in examining the whole person and designing therapeutic interventions to help you recover from and prevent injury.

Our physiotherapists assess and treat many sorts of pain and injuries. Our team consists of movement professionals with the knowledge and experience to identify and treat any musculoskeletal ailment.

We play a crucial role in preventing, reversing, and controlling old and new injuries. We determine the severity of your injuries using objective measurements and tailor your treatment accordingly. Every program is tailored to your specific requirements.

Can I choose any physiotherapy center for treatment?

Although a lot of physicians recommend a physiotherapy center they may prefer, you are under no obligation to go to that clinic. No medical practitioner, insurance company, or other entity can insist you attend a physiotherapy center. The choice is yours to make!

To put it another way, you can choose which clinic you want!

What is a registered massage therapist?

Massage therapists hold license to practice massage in Canada and are typically known as registered massage therapists or RMTs.

Massage therapists work with people of all ages and all types of conditions. Some emphasize preventative massage to avoid injury and pain, while others focus on the relaxation benefits of massage.

The manual techniques used vary from therapist to therapist. There are gentle and deep tissue techniques and alternative medicine techniques that emphasize the energy fields in the body.

How long do massage sessions last?

We offer massage therapy sessions ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

How will I feel after my massage therapy session?

Most people leave their sessions feeling very at ease and relaxed. Many individuals report that their aches and pains have lessened in severity or gone away entirely after their massage.

If you had a deep tissue massage, you might be a little sore the following day. This is nothing to worry about. A hot shower or a soak in the tub can help relieve any muscle soreness you may experience.

Is it necessary for me to be completely undressed?

You should always and only undress to your comfort level. Your massage therapist will speak to you prior to your session about your comfort level and will only make you undress to the level you are comfortable with. 

What can I expect from my first massage therapy session?

Your massage therapist may ask you to fill out a health history questionnaire. Following that, your therapist will ask you a series of broad questions to determine what areas need to be addressed and whether any conditions need to be treated. This will aid them in deciding if/what type of massage is right for you.

Your massage experience will depend on what condition you are being treated for and on the expert advice of your massage therapist. You may experience a traditional massage to relax the muscles on the surface or a deep tissue massage to target the muscles, fascia, and other tissues located deeper in the body.

What does a registered massage therapist do?

Registered massage therapists have advanced training and experience, allowing them to provide care to alleviate pain, improve tissue mobility, increase circulation, or improve function.

The goal is to help reduce pain and stress, especially for patients with cancer, diseases, or who are in hospice.

What office policies should I be aware of?

If you cannot make it to your appointment due to illness or another emergency, our clinic requests that you call us at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time to let us know.

Any missed appointments that have not been rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance will result in a non-refundable charge of $50 dollars.

We also ask that if you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please reschedule your appointment with our front desk so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and employees.

When will I start to feel better?

Because each patient's diagnosis is unique, our therapist will work with you and any other medical or healthcare practitioner to ensure you get the best possible results.

Our goal is to identify all the factors contributing to your condition. We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and thorough history to gather this information and then design a treatment plan that is right for you.

For some people, relief is felt on day one; for others, there is a journey to relief filled with ups and downs. It isn't easy to know which person you will be until we meet with you and examine your specific situation.

Our team is highly trained and skilled at treating all types of musculoskeletal pain and injuries. We will provide guidelines to help you understand your condition and what to expect from therapy. Part of these guidelines will include the likely duration of your situation and expected progress broken down into realistic timetables.

Our team is here to support you and answer your questions throughout the process!

Do you treat my condition at your clinic?

Physiotherapists are trained to treat all types of musculoskeletal conditions. Most physiotherapy centers are geared towards specific subcategories of physiotherapy.

You can be confident that our well-trained therapists will assess and treat your condition. For example, pediatric physiotherapists often work exclusively with younger patients. In comparison, orthopedic outpatient physiotherapists will work with all age categories and conditions.

If we feel another therapist or healthcare provider would better serve you, we will provide suggestions for people we know and trust.

Why does physiotherapy take longer than I thought?

Although there are typical stages of healing, the reality is that everyone is different, and so is their ability to heal.

At Sports Medicine Experts, you will have a personalized treatment plan created based on your individual needs and goals. Throughout your recovery process, our team will provide constant feedback and allow refinement of your program to ensure it provides optimal results.

The most common reasons for delayed recovery are trying to do too much too soon or not doing enough. Finding the balance is where physiotherapists thrive. We use concrete physiological benchmarks and your individual treatment response to refine your program and maximize your results in the shortest time possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about the length of your treatment plan, do not hesitate to ask your physiotherapist. We are here to help you by providing clarity throughout this process. We will keep you updated on your progress throughout each session.

How does physiotherapy differ for older adults?

At Sports Medicine Experts, we understand that our bodies become more susceptible to certain health risks as we age. Degeneration of our bodies is a normal, natural experience we will all face. There is no way to avoid all the changes associated with age, but staying active and taking care of your health are the most effective ways to minimize or delay the risk of health conditions related to aging.

For example, age-related changes in strength, joint mobility, tissue flexibility, coordination, and ability to react will impact our balance and increase the risk of falls. At our Dundas & Ancaster, ON clinic, we will work with you to investigate your medical history, determine what factors may be contributing to your fall risk, and work with you to restore your function and reduce your risks.

Aging also affects your healing times and your body's ability to tolerate changes to your activity levels. Staying active is the key to maintaining your health and function.

If you are looking for physiotherapists who understand how to navigate the effects of aging, our team at Sports Medicine Experts can help!

Call our office today for more information.

What should I do to prepare for my first appointment?

There are a few things we ask all patients to bring with them on their first visit to our office.

  • Please go online and fill out our forms, print out the patient forms, complete them, and bring them with you for your initial evaluation. If you cannot do this or do not have access to a printer/computer, please allow extra time to fill these out upon arrival.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork so that you can maximize your time in your evaluation.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas and for you to move around.
  • If you intend to use insurance, please bring your insurance information so we can make a copy of your card for our records. Please note we do not accept OHIP or MVA claims at our clinic.
  • Please bring any referrals, prescriptions, and test results from your referring physician, Nurse Practitioner, or physician assistant.

Please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call our office. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of coverage.

How is my physiotherapy treatment progress tracked?

As you go through your rehabilitation activities, you should see a considerable improvement in your discomfort and overall function.

An effective way to measure your improvement and progress is to keep track of your pain and mobility levels as you proceed through your physiotherapy program.

Tracking your impairments and functional abilities gives physiotherapists objective information to compare with initial measurements. In addition, your reports and personal experiences help to validate your improvements and clue your therapist to regressions and/or lack of progress.

The bottom line is that you should notice improvements in how you feel and function throughout therapy. If you are not following an anticipated path of progress, your therapist will reassess the situation or make recommendations for further testing or treatments.

What should I know about physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists are highly trained professionals who specialize in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Physiotherapists are part of a healthcare team that routinely collaborates with physicians, surgeons, and other medical practitioners.

We also work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals like chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists to ensure your treatment plan is as effective and efficient as possible.

Physiotherapists are movement experts with advanced training and education in musculoskeletal disorders and diseases. Physiotherapists provide a hands-on approach to pain relief and function restoration.

Physiotherapy aims to restore pain-free mobility and function while preventing the injury or pain from recurring. Physiotherapists offer a full spectrum of care from prevention to intervention. Our physiotherapists assess your movement patterns, determine the source of your pain, and work with you to manage or eliminate it.

While each patient's condition and pain are unique, our physiotherapist at Sports Medicine Experts will use a variety of targeted manual therapy techniques, exercises, modalities, and equipment to relieve pain and restore function quickly.

Do PT treatments hurt?

Physiotherapy is meant to alleviate pain rather than exacerbate it. However, your pain levels may fluctuate. Our therapists will clearly define what “normal” pain is and what is not normal. Some situations require exercises or actions that can elicit a pain response to facilitate improvements in your overall condition.

As a result of using weakened or recuperating muscles, you may suffer some momentary discomfort. Or for some, restoring range of motion after surgery can be painful due to the nature of the condition. Unfortunately, it may be critical to your recovery to experience a temporary increase in your pain. Although it may sound inappropriate, there are times when the increased pain early on can prevent more severe pain in the future.

Rest assured that we will do whatever we can to minimize your pain and avoid increasing it during your time in physiotherapy. Communication with our therapist will help to reduce any discomfort you may feel during your physiotherapy treatments.

We want you to be pain-free and back to your normal activities as soon as possible and will do what we can to prepare you for any discomfort you may experience.

Can I benefit from PT treatments?

You certainly can!

Physiotherapists are highly skilled at assessing the whole person. This means we look to identify all the factors related to your condition. We understand the interconnectedness of the body and how a problem in one area may be the symptom pointing to the source of the problem in an entirely different location.

We are also skilled at identifying whether or not you are dealing with “a” problem or there are multiple issues impacting you and your function.

Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean physiotherapy alone is all you need. We believe in collaborating with other healthcare professionals and working with you while working with another practitioner to help you get the results you deserve.

We can discuss your options and help you decide if physiotherapy is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about how PT can help you and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members.

How is physiotherapy different at Sports Medicine Experts?

We believe in individualized treatment regimens for each and every patient at Sports Medicine Experts. When you come to our clinic, we will put you through a series of tests to determine the source of your injury or functional difficulties.

Your physiotherapist may inquire about your medical history and request that you do particular movements or tests so they can observe the quality of your movement patterns and identify any problems firsthand.

Your therapist will then create a treatment plan that is unique to you. Such methods include joint mobilization exercises, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise to improve your strength.

How long should each appointment take?

Physiotherapy Initial assessment will be 1 hour long, with each followup around 30-45 minutes. Your specific needs will determine the number of visits and duration of your plan of care. 

What kind of clothing should I wear for appointments?

Loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable to move in and provide easy access to the area of your symptoms. We also advise you to wear comfortable shoes or sneakers.

How can I schedule an appointment?

Scheduling an appointment at Sports Medicine Experts in Dundas & Ancaster, ON has never been easier or more convenient.

We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule.

Our scheduling is easy, and we offer a convenient location and appointment times. Call us today at (289) 682-7282 or click here to request an appointment.

How can I pay for each session?

We recommend you contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage, copayments/coinsurance, and overall plan to be sure you understand your requirements. Please note that we do not accept OHIP or MVA claims at our clinic.

Our staff will assess your insurance benefits and notify you of your payments at each visit.

We accept the following methods of payment:

  • Cach
  • Cheque
  • Debit card
  • Credit card

We also offer payment options depending on the individual’s circumstance and can provide more information upon request.

Our policy is to collect money at the time of service.

I do not have insurance. Can I still receive physiotherapy?

Our clinic will never turn a patient away!

We offer cash-based options for patients who do not have insurance, which must be paid at the time of service. Please get in touch with our Dundas & Ancaster, ON clinic and inquire about rates and payment options with our front desk.

Our clinic will never turn a patient away!

Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?

We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, Sports Medicine Experts would gladly assist you and answer your questions. It is important to contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage depending on your specific policy.

For more information, please see our insurance page, and do not hesitate to contact our Dundas & Ancaster, ON physiotherapy center with your questions. We provide a range of payment options for your convenience.

Do I need my doctor to refer me to receive physiotherapy treatment?

In most cases, individuals do not need a referral from a physician to see a physiotherapist, however some insurance providers require a prescription from a physician to be covered.