FAQ – Physiotherapy

Yes, during your visit, you will be provided with many benefit plans, including insurance. So you can contact our friendly patient support team if you get an active claim in the future, and we will provide you treatment at no extra charges.

Every insurance plan is different for each patient. Please double check your insurance plan for your satisfaction that it covers all the physiotherapy treatments.

No, we provide one-on-one physiotherapy treatment sessions.

Each patient has a different plan. You can get an exact timeline from your physiotherapist at the time of assessment.

All our therapists are registered physiotherapists and have graduated in reputable Universities.

Our skilled physiotherapists would get your initial assessment if the accident took place within the past 12 weeks. You can book your initial assessment online.

The process of physiotherapy usually consists of different exercises, so if you are visiting any physiotherapist, please wear loose clothes that can reveal an injured area of the body easily.

The recovery time is determined by the factors that are unique to you. How long you have had the injury, the time your body takes to recover, your nutritional habits, your endocrine system, your genetic predisposition, and many other factors are taken into consideration while thinking of recovery time

Manual therapy is treated to reduce the pain the bodily restrictions. The patient feels soreness for a day or two but he/she immediately will see the positive results.

Concussion symptoms may not show up immediately and may last for days, weeks, or even longer. These are the usual symptoms of a concussion based on severity

Physical Signs and Symptoms

• Headache
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Blurry vision

Behavioural Signs and Symptoms

• Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
• Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
• Dizziness or “seeing stars”
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response to questions
• Dazed appearance
• Forgetfulness, such as repeatedly asking the same question

Other Symptoms that May or May Not Occur Immediately After Injury

• Concentration and memory complaints
• Irritability and other personality changes
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep disturbances
• Psychological adjustment problems and depression
• Disorders of taste and smell

Concussions can be caused by a violent blow to your head and neck or upper body because your brain is forcefully impacted back and forth within the inner walls of your skull. Sudden impacts caused by acceleration or acceleration of the head after a car or any other accident could also result in brain injury.

The most important thing to do after getting a concussion is getting the necessary rest you need and seeking treatment from a specialist like a physiotherapist. You’ll have to slow down from your daily activities and allow your brain to gradually restore to its normal state through a combination of exercises, rest, and therapy found in your treatment plan.

Based on the severity of your condition, your physiotherapist will prescribe you with a combination of exercises and therapies that would suit you best. During this time, it is necessary that you follow your physiotherapist’s instructions regarding intensity and duration to safely guide your way to recovery and always remember to maintain proper communication as well.​​

Some treatment options include:

• Retraining the inner ear balance system called the vestibular system
• Exercises that train your visual system
• Manual Therapy on the neck to help with headaches
• Exercises that target deep muscles in the neck
• Cardiovascular exercises
• Education about the return to activity

Like any other medical appointment, there are three basic processes you should expect in your first appointment.

• 1. Medical History

This is the part where your physiotherapist will assess your medical history which may include your personal health profile, your body’s history with illnesses, medications, etc., and the symptoms you are currently experiencing regarding your condition. This would serve as your medical background that the physiotherapist will use in creating a treatment plan that would fit you well.

• 2. Physical Assessment

This is the part where your existing physical health is assessed. This will include your balance, gait when walking, range of motion, heart rate, inner ear condition, and vision. This will help in assessing the type of condition you are experiencing.

• 3. Treatment Plan

After assessing all those necessary information on your health, your physiotherapist will begin discussing with you the current state of your condition and begin the formulation of your treatment plan. The physiotherapist will design a treatment that works best for you and will answer any of your questions.

Yes, there are several symptoms of vertigo that can get confused with other symptoms. For instance, dizziness is the symptom of vertigo as well as lightheadedness. On the other hand, stroke can be the neurological symptom but it is also referred to as the vestibular problem.

Highly-skilled and trained physiotherapists treat vestibular disorders to bring the person back to normal life. It is proven that physiotherapy improves balances by increasing general activity levels. Physiotherapy is also beneficial for decreasing the dizziness feeling.

In the first days, the patient may feel dizziness more and find it growing to the worse but it will be because of the exercises that are not suitable for the current condition.

The time depends upon the severity of the condition and symptoms. Vestibular rehabilitation constitutes a set of exercises that treats vestibular disorders. Most possibly, there are 52 sets i.e. twice per day for three weeks or vice versa. Mostly, 30% of the patients recover after 30 sets.

For young children, it is impossible to get vestibular problems. At the age of 20 and onwards, the person can establish the symptoms of vertigo.

Several types of vertigo require surgical procedures to get corrected. For instance, Meniere’s disease doesn’t respond to medical procedures so the patient has to undergo surgical treatment.

An ideal sleeping position to lessen the vertigo is sleep at your back. This position balances the calcium deposit in the inner ear canals. Sleeping at the back also prevents the Meniere’s disease that is caused by perilymph fluid leak.

We have experienced and educated physiotherapists that also offer post-operative care at home. They measure all the protocols prescribed by the surgeons to provide you with the best exercise program.

Various inadequate forms of therapies have been used for most people with chronic pain conditions. Up to 80% of the same patients globally say that they have been helped to remove their problem through Shockwave therapy.

The feeling of discomfort may vary depending on the level of pain the patient already encounters in the region during the treatment. However, because the procedure lasts just about five minutes, this pain can be endured by most patients. Additionally, during the session, the duration of the procedure can be changed.

Depending on the indication and tissue reaction, the number of treatments varies. The effect of the treatment is cumulative, so more than one (3-5) treatment is usually needed. However, most often, right after the first injection, you will feel relief.

Most indications need 3-5 treatments that, depending on the tolerance of the patient and their tissue response, are performed 3-10 days apart.

Following treatment, most patients will receive significant pain relief. However, they can feel some soreness in the treated area within 2–4 hours after the procedure. This soreness is stated to be tolerable and not restricting.

There are a variety of times when shockwave treatment should not be used:

• When pregnant or attempting to conceive
• Not suitable for less than 18 years, for application over open growth plates
• Over pins or plates of metal
• Malignant Tumors
• Disorders of the nerve or blood
• Infections
• If the patient takes blood-thinning medications

It is recommended that patients abstain from physical activity for about 48 hours after each therapy session, especially one that would involve the treated area.

Your presenting condition will serve as the basis for assessment and treatment. The physiotherapist will begin the appointment by taking your confidential and detailed history. This will involve identifying the emergence of your symptoms and how they affect your everyday life. The evaluation of your abdominal muscles, pelvis, and lumbar spine then starts with your physical assessment.

You will also be receiving an internal examination. This is to determine the tone, strength, and control of the muscles in your pelvic floor. The test will involve finger palpation that will determine damage or scarring, pelvic organ prolapse signs, muscle tone, tenderness, muscles of the pelvic floor and feeling of connective tissue and neural sensitivity. The measure for the strength and endurance of the muscles of the pelvic floor will be next. This is to evaluate whether or not the muscles of the left and right, superficial and deep pelvic floor are working together.

The findings of the assessments carried out will be discussed with you and will serve as the basis of your treatment plan.

Bruxism or constant teeth grinding will place pressure on the tissues, muscles, and supporting structures of the jaw that may cause pain, misalignment, and joint dysfunction.

The number of treatments would depend on how severe your condition is. 6 weeks is recommended to treat the pain for acute, non-traumatic TMJ disorders. Chronic TMJ cases may require 10-12 visits and occasional check-ups every 3-6 months.

The physiotherapist’s role is to create a treatment plan that best suits you which would include learning and practicing techniques to restore your normal jaw movement. Their treatment may also include improvement of your neck and body posture

Disorders like these may also be addressed through learning how to relax the muscle combined with stretching and physiotherapy techniques such as acupuncture and muscle work. Your physiotherapist may work closely with your dentist or doctor to correctly create a treatment plan that will effectively solve the root of your TMJ disorder.

TMJ Disorders can be prevented through being mindful of how you use this joint. This can be done through:

• Keep your face calm and relaxed, with your lips close and your teeth apart
• Reducing the consumption of food that needs a great deal of chewing (chewing gum, steak, etc.)
• During challenging tasks, wear a mouth guard to prevent grinding and clenching your teeth by wearing a mouth guard and
• Regularly massage your temples, lips, and jaws.

While TMJ is thankfully not a life-threatening condition, the pain may gradually increase if it is left untreated for a long time. The reason for contacting a physician as soon as possible should be to feel pain and discomfort in your jaw and face, along with hindering the quality of life due to limited movement. Pain and discomfort left untreated may lead to anxiety and depression. The good news is that TMJ is not a life-threatening condition.

Dry needling is recommended by physiotherapists when you need help from the following:

• • Release stress from muscles or myofascial trigger points
  • Get relief from pain
  • Restore movements of joints

During the treatment, you may feel the twitching of muscles and the sensation of the insert and withdrawal of needles. You may feel a little pain, which will be over within 2-3 seconds.

Dry needling also helps to reduce pain by muscle relaxation. We combine dry needling with other physiotherapy techniques, including massage, manual, and heat therapy.

Every treatment method has some flaws and risks. You can discuss with your physiotherapist, and he will suggest that you need dry needling treatment or not according to your injury conditions.

All the apparatus used during the dry needling process are for single time use and disposed of after usage. But every person reacts differently to each treatment according to his health conditions. There is no doubt that dry needling has many benefits, but It also has many drawbacks such as it may cause fainting, nausea, bruising, and residual discomfort. However, these symptoms should last no longer than 48 hours.

We recommend you to avoid doing heavy exercise and let your muscles recover so you can get maximum benefits of the treatment.

It will depend on your current condition and assessment by a registered Physiotherapists.

You are eligible for the ICBC physiotherapy program if you have been in a car accident within three months. You are approved for 25 physiotherapy sessions. You are also eligible for other type of treatments: Chiropractic (25 sessions), Registered Massage Therapy (12 sessions), Acupuncture (12 sessions), Active Rehabilitation (kinesiology – 12 sessions) and Clinical Counselling 12 sessions)

To get started with our program, you need to provide us your ICBC claim number, date of the accident, and your name to our reception staff.

ICBC will cover all of your treatment costs for the first 12 weeks of recovery treatment. For more details, please call our clinic.

This will depend on ICBC approval. ICBC will require you to submit a doctor’s referral recommending for extension or additional treatment sessions. And, here at Evergreen Rehab and Wellness, we’ll help you out with this process. We will communicate with ICBC regarding your recovery

Take in mind that ICBC will not be responsible for any treatment costs that are approved or extended.

Yes, if you have suffered a motor vehicle accident before April 1st 2019 you will be entitled to the updated coverage and will not be associated with the previous coverage.

No, ICBC will not cover late appointments or last minute cancellations as it is the patient’s responsibility to be aware of when and where their treatments are scheduled.

The time varies from person to person, depending on the severity of your injury or past medical history. It may be a one day visit, or maybe you need months to get a complete cure.

Yes, you can request to see a particular physiotherapist when booking online and can make a schedule with them.

All major insurance companies recognize us, but you must contact your insurer to find the precise details.

It is possible for the treatment to hurt, but it eventually becomes a time of pain you’ll find satisfying. Once IMS provides your body with relief and improvements, it makes you want to look past the uncomfortable aspects of the treatment. However, the treatment may hurt during and after treatment, depending on how sensitive the area being treated is. After the treatment, the pain usually lasts for about 24 hours, and is similar to getting a vaccination. Light physical activity can help alleviate the pain faster.

Immediately after the treatment, patients often notice improved movement. To determine the appropriate treatment sites for you, you will need to complete a detailed medical evaluation. Not until the needle enters the shortened muscle, the process of inserting the needles is not usually painful. A deep aching sensation will be experienced upon this insertion, indicating that the muscle is hypersensitive.

IMS treatments may vary depending on several factors. These include general health, age, extent and severity of condition, number of scar tissues, and how your body responds to treatment. The physical therapist will be able to design the perfect amount of treatment sessions for you based on your condition regarding the factors aforementioned.

Usually, it will take between 4-10 IMS sessions to complete the treatment course, with typically about 1-2 weeks in between sessions. Temporary soreness may surface after the treatment, but will subside in a day or so.

The effects of IMS are progressive. It begins with a small amount of healing each session, but gradually restores the affected area after all the sessions are completed.

Soreness is expected after the treatment which usually lasts around 24 to 48 hours. To ease the soreness, one may opt to do the following:

• Increasing your water intake
• Soaking within a hot bath
• Avoid doing workout and stretches, depending on your comfortability level
• Use a heating pad, instead of ice, to relieve areas of soreness.

Most physiotherapists have advanced training to provide this type of treatment. It is best to be able to receive IMS treatment from someone licensed to perform such to ensure safety for your body and health.

Side effects and risks are discussed prior to your treatment by your physiotherapist. Some of its side effects include: fatigue, muscle soreness, muscle tension, and stress. However, these side effects can also be relieved, depending on the activity recommended by your physiotherapist.

Online Physiotherapy is effective in treating individuals having musculoskeletal and sports injuries. Among these conditions are:

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Hip Pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Knee pain such as runner’s knee, patella tendon pain, meniscus tears and osteoarthritis
• Pre-op and post-surgical rehab
• Sport injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Muscle strain and weakness
• Needs Posture correction
• Strength and conditioning programs
• Injuries associated with motor-vehicle accidents
• Jaw pain and clicking
• Ankle sprains

If you have other conditions not stated, you can still contact us for clarification.

As of March 26th, 2020, we are confirmed to directly bill to

• • ICBC
  • Canada Life (Great-West Life)
  • Sunlife
  • Manulife
  • Medavie Blue Cross ​

  ​As more insurance providers have not confirmed their coverage for telehealth, we advise you to check with your provider directly.

From assessment, consultation and treatment are done using the PhysiApp. There will be a dedicated chat room - we will email you the log-in details. As we start the online session, we will have the video chat using this app and also the place where we can communicate.

Our physiotherapists will provide you with self-management strategies and education to help you alleviate your symptoms. They will also create, demonstrate, and monitor home exercises and most importantly will keep track of your progress. They will provide active rehab programs that will help you go back on working the things you love.

Prior to attending your virtual physiotherapy session, you must have:

• Either of the following devices: a desktop with a webcam, a tablet or a smartphone
• Download the PhysiApp from the App Store or Play Store which is free or you may download it via https://www.physiapp.com/
• Access to the internet
• A room which is quiet and where you can perform the exercise safely
• Active clothing and a yoga mat

Yes, you may. Physiotherapy is still an essential service and we welcome in-person physiotherapy service. You may book online here: https://evergreenclinic.janeapp.com. We are currently following the COVID-19 protocols and you can check the rules and guidelines here.

You may call us at 604-449-5859, send an email at [email protected] or via https://evergreenclinic.janeapp.com. You can conveniently book this service by using our online booking page.