Physiotherapists: Hands-on care for personal injury clients

From exercise to manual therapy, physiotherapists add enormous value to the healthcare team of someone who’s experienced a personal injury.

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario has a handy search tool that you can use to find a physiotherapist. You can also check out the “Find a Physiotherapist” page on the Ontario Physiotherapy Association’s website. Or, talk to us. Whether you live in Hamilton, Brantford, St. Catharines, Niagara, Burlington or somewhere else nearby, we’ve developed strong relationships with practitioners in your community and can help you find a physio with expertise in your type of injury.

WHO: Physiotherapist

WHAT: Physiotherapists (PTs) use hands-on techniques, education, exercise prescription and modalities to help restore your quality of life. A PT will assess you, develop a treatment program and complete routine re-evaluations to assess your progress and make adjustments to your program. Here’s the scoop on three common modalities PTs use. Interferential currents help reduce swelling and pain in an injured area using electricity—treatments don’t hurt but you may feel some tingling. Laser therapy helps restore normal cell functioning in an injured area using light amplification, which reduces pain and swelling and increases range of motion. Therapeutic ultrasounds—which are different from diagnostic ultrasounds—can break up scar tissue, ease muscle spasms and reduce swelling and pain.

WHO PAYS? Physiotherapy isn’t covered by OHIP except under certain circumstances (see collegept.org/ohiplocations for details) but it may be covered under your workplace insurance or through your auto insurance after a car accident.

YOUR ROLE: Follow through on your treatments, do any prescribed exercises, take notes for your records (and as a reminder of your “homework”) and make sure your physio stays in touch with your family doctor.