Although you may know what you are looking for from your physical therapy treatment, the process of finding the right physiotherapist for you can be daunting. Here, our knowledgeable staff at Motion Works Physiotherapy Orleans in Orleans provide you with a number of different resources to help you find a registered physiotherapist in Ontario.
When you know that you require physiotherapeutic treatment, if it is because you have been injured, you have been prescribed it by your doctor, or because you experiencing pain and discomfort for another reason, it can be difficult to be sure about what your options are.
You may know what you need; whether that be restoring your mobility, managing pain or increasing your range of motion and strength. However, where you find the right physiotherapist to give you this treatment may still be uncertain. Here are a few of your best options when it comes to finding a physiotherapist in Ontario:
Friends and Family
Your family or friend who have received similar treatment before are an excellent place to start in your search for the right physical therapist. Not only will they be able to recommend (or warn against) a clinic, they will be able to speak to the treatment process, staff and general patient experience at that specific clinic.
Doctor Referrals
If you have been prescribed physiotherapy by your primary care physician, they may be able to recommend a trusted physiotherapist to you. If they can't do that, they may have a list of physiotherapists nearby to help narrow your search. Keep in mind, hoiwever, that you aren't required to visit the physiotherapist recommended to you by your doctor.
When considering a physical therapist, there are many factors worth considering, including their specialized skills, availability, personality and more. If you think about your doctor's recommendation as a launching point for your research, you will be well on your way to finding the physiotherapist that is right for you.
You can also always use Google to look up physiotherapists in your area. If you find a physiotherapist through this method, make sure you do some research and read lots of client reviews before making your choice.
In some sense, getting online reviews of a prospective physiotherapist is a lot like asking a family member or friend for a recommendation. However, you are getting the opinions, thoughts and feedback from a much larger pool of people. This can be quite helpful when it comes to narrowing down your physiotherapeutic options!
Canadian Physiotherapy Association
If you are looking to find a physiotherapist using online tools and aren't sure of where to start, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's (CPA) website is an excellent place to begin your search. They are a professional organization which support physical therapy clinics across Canada with both advocacy and education.
The CPA is composed of a number of branches and divisions which can be found on their website. They have a branch for each province and territory. Each branch allows you to view a list of the physiotherapy centers which are members. No matter where you are looking for a physical therapy center in Canada, this is a great place to start your search.
The CPA's divisions are excellent resources for cases where you already know what kind of physical therapy you need. Each division is composed of physiotherapists who are dedicated to a particular specialization from acupuncture to women's health. These are excellent resources if you are looking to find a physiotherapist who specializes in a particular health issue or treatment method.
Ontario Physiotherapy Association
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (the OPA) is the branch of the CPA dedicated to physiotherapists practicing in Ontario. They provide resources and information about physical therapy in Ontario, as well as a directory of their member physiotherapy centers.
This is a great way to find a physiotherapist near you so that you can start to compare local offerings and make a decision about which ones might be worth looking into further.
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is another excellent resource for finding a physiotherapist in Ontario.
It is always good to check their public registry for a physiotherapist you find using any other method. In order for a physiotherapist to be able to legally operate in Ontario, they must be a registered member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
If you aren't able to find a physiotherapist in their registry, or if you see their name on the list of unregulated practitioners on their website, that should be a red flag for any physical therapist you are considering.
Are you looking for a registered physiotherapist in the Orleans area?
Our team of knowledgeable physiotherapists are here to provide you with their expertise to address the source of your discomfort.
Check in with the Motion Works Physiotherapy Orleans blog regularly for helpful tips, news, information and advice about physiotherapy treatment and your health.