PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy Services
Physiotherapists know how the human body moves and what stops it from moving as it should. Physiotherapy can help you restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and well-being. They have specialized skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury and disability.
We will do the following:
- Help you understand what’s causing the condition.
- Develop a custom treatment plan to help you take back control.
- Work to restore, maintain and maximize movement, flexibility and physical independence.
- Teach you how to reduce pain and manage any chronic symptoms.
- Teach you how to stay well, avoid future injury and achieve the best quality of life.
- Keep you involved in the recovery process. A patient’s success often depends on their level of commitment.
Can Physiotherapy Help Me?
We can help you take back control of your body and life by helping you restore and maintain your greatest level of physical function. Our training enables us to recognize signs of serious health conditions. If we can’t help you, we will refer you to a doctor or specialist who can.
You do not need a referral to see a physiotherapist.
Visit a physiotherapist for any of the following:
- injury
- accident
- pain or discomfort
- a medical condition that limits movement
First Physiotherapy Appointment
For your first visit to a physiotherapist, you will need to do the following:
Arrive 15 minutes early
Arrive 15 minutes early to fill out forms. This will help us understand your condition. Please fill out the following form and bring it with you.
Bring information
Please bring your Alberta Healthcare card and insurance coverage information.
Bring shorts or tank top
Bring a pair of shorts for lower body or back injuries, or a sleeveless t-shirt for an upper body injury.
Be prepared
You will be asked to answer questions about your condition and medical history for your physiotherapist. You will undergo a physical examination by your physiotherapist.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your physiotherapist will review your condition and medical history. A physical examination will be done by your physiotherapist to help them determine what is causing the problem. Your imaging may also be reviewed with you.
After the assessment, your physiotherapist will explain what is causing the problem and discuss treatment options to determine what will best suit your health and lifestyle. Be prepared for your first appointment to last 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Payment and Benefit Options
For work-related injuries, the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta (WCB) pays for an initial physiotherapy exam and the first treatment.
If your therapist suspects your injury may be a result of your work, they are obligated to report the injury to WCB. Further physiotherapy treatment is only approved once your claim is accepted. If approved, WCB may authorize physiotherapy treatments for up to six weeks, but the treatment time is dependent upon your type of injury.
You are entitled to accident benefit coverage whether you were at fault or not. Benefit coverage depends upon the type of injury you sustained during the accident.
If you have a sprain, strain or whiplash injury, and have filled out a Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim Form (AB-1) within 10 days of the accident, your physiotherapist may be able to bill the insurer directly - there is no need for a doctor’s referral.
For other types of injury, you many need to submit expenses to your extended health benefits plan first. If you don’t have a plan, or your coverage is exhausted, or it does not cover all your expenses, you may be able to submit expenses to your automobile insurer.
For more information, see What to do After an Auto Collision on the Government of Alberta’s website.
For all other problems, you have three payment options depending on your specific circumstances.
Alberta Health Services (AHS)
The physiotherapist must determine your eligibility for funding using criteria set out by AHS. It is not up to a doctor to determine your eligibility. There is some funding available for therapy after fractures or surgeries. For more information, visit AHS Coverage for Physiotherapy.
Health benefit plans
Physiotherapy treatment is normally included in employer-paid or individually purchased health benefit plans. The amount of coverage and rules to access physiotherapy vary between plans. Check your plan for coverage details — some require that you have a doctor’s referral to have fees reimbursed.
Direct payment
If you are not eligible for coverage, confirm the cost of treatment when you book your appointment
Assessment: $125
Treatment: $90
We help put research into practice. We collaborate with the Faculty of Kinesiology's Sport Injury Prevention and Research Centre
Additional Services
We also offer some additional treatment options including:
Shockwave Therapy to relieve pain and speed up healing and recovery
Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) to assess the core muscles needed to stabilize the body
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) a needle technique to relieve muscle tightness and pain
Contact Us
Sport Medicine Physicians: 403-220-8518
Physiotherapy: 403-220-8232
Orthopedic Surgeons: 403-220-5077