Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for adults

Physiotherapy helps to promote optimal mobility, physical activity, and overall health and wellness. Physiotherapists address health needs using a holistic approach, focusing in particular on the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory, and multi-systems.  (Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 2012).

A physiotherapy assessment can help to identify why a client is experiencing particular challenges with movement and/or function.  Following assessment, the physiotherapist will engage clients in interventions designed to address each individual’s unique situation and needs.

Clientele

Adults with all levels of abilities can benefit from physiotherapy assessment and treatment. In particular, our clinicians treat clients with neurological conditions, such as:

• Stroke (CVA)
• Head injury (ABI)
• Concussion
• Parkinson Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Other neurological conditions

Assessments and standardized evaluations of:  

• Gait pattern & endurance
• Balance
• Coordination and movement patterns
• Postural alignment
• Strength
• Range of motion, flexibility and orthopedic restrictions
• Muscle tone & spasticity
• Respiration
• Vestibular function

Standardized evaluations include:  

• Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment
• Stroke Impact Scale
• BERG Balance Scale
• Community Balance and Mobility Scale
• Mini Balance Evaluations Systems Test
• Ottawa Sitting Balance Scale
• 6-Minute Walk Test

Functional interventions include:

• Optimizing posture, alignment, and movement patterns
• Gait training
• Balance training
• Core strengthening
• Task-specific skills (i.e. transfers, stairs, return-to-sport)
• Vestibular rehabilitation

What to Expect

Our physiotherapists work using a hands-on approach, with a focus on optimizing alignment and quality of movement, in order to attain client-chosen goals.  The physiotherapist will evaluate the identified problems and challenges and will work with the client to establish goals and a treatment plan. Interventions include treatment in-clinic, home exercise programs, regular re-evaluations to ensure progress, and education for clients and families/caregivers.  In certain cases, the plan may involve a referral to another therapist (e.g. audiology, speech-language pathologist, or occupational therapist). When clients are being seen by more than one profession, we use a collaborative interprofessional approach.

Our sessions are typically 1 hr in length, and all sessions are one-on-one with the physiotherapist. Our physiotherapists are experienced, evidence-based, committed to ongoing education, and absolutely love what they do!