FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I wear to my appointment?
Please bring or wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows us to fully see the body part(s) we are looking at. A pair of shorts with an elastic waistband and a tank top with thin straps are ideal. (No “racer-back” sports bras please as they hide your spine.)
We may ask you to change into one of our gowns if the clothing you’re wearing makes it difficult to properly assess and treat.
How is a home based practice different than a clinic?
Private: we don’t have to worry about anyone else hearing our conversations through thin walls
On time: it is much easier for me to stay on time
Personal/Relaxed: many of my clients spend enough time in hospital settings so my practice space provides a more comfortable and relaxed setting
What will my rehabilitation include?
Every person’s situation is truly unique; no two treatment plans will be the same. We choose the treatment methods that are best for you.
Most people can expect a combination of the following during their course of treatment:
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- Hands-on (manual) therapy
- Myofascial Release
- Education
- Dry needling or acupuncture
- Cupping
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (for lymphedema only)
- Compression Bandaging (for lymphedema only)
- Exercises
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Do I need a doctor’s referral to see you?
No doctor’s referral is required to access physiotherapy. However, many private insurance companies do require a doctor’s referral before they will reimburse you. Please check with your insurance provider for further details.
What should I expect for my first appointment?
Your appointment time is set aside just for you so please plan to arrive on time. As my home-based practice does not have a waiting room, please wait until your appointment time to ring the doorbell.
Your initial visit will be an hour in length and will include the following: (After going over some necessary paperwork)
1. We will first have a conversation where we will go over your health history and where you will have ample time to share your story and tell me what you are wanting/hoping to achieve through our treatments together.
2. We will then go through a thorough, whole-body physical assessment to determine what is causing your problem. This may include active range-of-motion, strength testing, specific functional tasks, and hands-on evaluation of various structures.
3. We will discuss what is causing your specific concerns and go over the best approach to resolving these problems. If there are multiple treatment options, we will discuss them together so we choose the best approach for you. We will also discuss how frequently we should see each other and what you can expect in terms of progress.
4. Finally you will leave your first appointment with some specific things to begin working on as well as some educational information (if applicable.)
I am coming for a pelvic health appointment. What should I expect?
Your appointment time is set aside just for you so please plan to arrive on time. As my home-based practice does not have a waiting room, please wait until your appointment time to ring the doorbell.
Your initial visit will be an hour in length and will include the following: (After going over some necessary paperwork)
1. We will first have a conversation where we will go over your health history and where you will have ample time to share your story and tell us what you are wanting/hoping to achieve through our treatments together. At this time, we will also discuss the related anatomy of the pelvic floor, the components of a pelvic floor exam (external and internal) and answer any questions you may have.
2. We will then go through a thorough, whole-body physical scan to identify any external factors which may be contributing to your problem. This may include active range-of-motion, strength testing, specific functional tasks, and hands-on evaluation of various structures.
3. After the external assessment, we will proceed to the internal (vaginal and/or ano-rectal) portion of the exam. I will explain everything as we go along, so you feel as comfortable as possible. You may ask to stop the internal exam at any point in time and you may also have someone in the room with you for the exam, if you wish.
4. At the end of the assessment, we will discuss what is causing your specific concerns and go over the best approach to resolving these problems. If there are multiple treatment options, we will discuss them together so we choose the best approach for you. We will also discuss how frequently we should see each other and what you can expect in terms of progress.
5. Finally you will leave your first appointment with some specific things to begin working on as well as some educational information (if applicable.)
Is my treatment covered by OHIP?
Unfortunately private physiotherapy is not covered by OHIP. Many private insurance companies cover physiotherapy. Please contact your individual insurance company to understand your coverage.
Will You Direct bill my insurance company?
We do not bill directly to insurance. You will be required to pay for your appointment after each visit. You will then be given a detailed receipt which you can use to submit to your insurer for reimbursement.
- If you do not have private insurance, you may keep your receipts for your yearly tax return. Please contact CRA for more details.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that things come up and that you may need to change or cancel your appointment. We ask for 1 business day’s notice (24 hours) for any appointment change or cancellation. If adequate notice is not given, the full treatment fee will be charged.
