+ What types of injuries or conditions do you treat?

Grindstone Physio primarily focuses on the treatment of orthopaedic conditions. This includes any condition or injury involving bones, joints, muscles or nerves from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. The list of conditions or injuries that we can treat is extensive. Some of the most common conditions include:

• Headaches
• Concussion
• Neck injuries (both acute and chronic)
• Shoulder pain (both chronic and sport/activity-related injuries)
• Elbow injuries
• Midback pain
• Low back pain and injuries
• Pelvic floor pain and incontinence
• Hip pain and hip arthritis
• Knee injuries
• Ankle sprains
• Foot and heel pain
• Pre- and Post-operative joint replacement (shoulder, hip, knee)
• Rehabilitation following a fracture or sport-related injury

Every person, every condition or injury and every presentation is different. At Grindstone Physio, we begin with an in-depth, client-centred assessment to develop a treatment plan specific to your goals.

If you are unsure if Grindstone Physio can help, please give us a call at (905) 690-9655 and we'll be happy chat!

+ Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No, you do not require a physiotherapy referral from your family doctor.

Physiotherapists are Primary Health Care Providers who can assess your concerns, provide you with a diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan without a physician's referral. Through a detailed subjective interview and a thorough objective exam, we are often able to determine the root cause of your pain and work with you to develop a plan to decrease your discomfort and improve your function. With your consent, we will often communicate with your doctor in the form of letters or phone calls regarding your assessment findings, treatment progress, and discharge to make sure all members of your health team are fully informed.

+ How do I prepare and what should I bring to my appointment?

There are a few things you can do to ensure you assessment and treatment sessions at Grindstone Physio are effective:

• Arrive on time to ensure you get the most out of your session. At Grindstone Physio, your whole session will be one-on-one with your physiotherapist. If you are late, you will be taking time away from your own assessment/treatment.
• Bring clean, indoor footwear that will allow you to be active (e.g. clean, indoor shoes). We will ask you to remove your outdoor footwear at the front door
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement. Your physiotherapist will be assessing your movement and tight and restrictive clothing makes that more difficult
• For low back, hip, knee or ankle conditions, please bring or wear a pair of shorts
• For upper back, shoulder, and elbow conditions, please bring or wear a loose fitting t-shirt or tank top if you are comfortable
• Bring your referral from your doctor/specialist if you have one. Note: This is not required but will help to ensure continuity of care among all members of your health team
• Write down and bring a list of any questions you may have regarding your condition, treatment plan, and long term goals. We will be more than happy to answer any questions

+ How long is my physiotherapy appointment?

At Grindstone Physiotherapy, we provide one-to-one care which means you will be working with your physiotherapist directly for your entire appointment.

• Initial assessment appointments are one hour (60 minutes)
• Follow up treatment appointments are 30 minutes
• If it has been over 4 months since your last visit and you are returning for the same area of concern/injury, we require additional time in order to reassess the area and develop a treatment plan. As a result, reassessment appointments are one hour (60 minutes)

+ How many treatments will it take to get better?

At Grindstone Physio, we believe that treatment should only continue if: there is objective improvement, you are receiving benefit and/or you feel that it is helping. The number of session differs for each client and each condition. Some injuries may resolve quickly in a matter of weeks and others may take longer and require months (or more) of treatment. Both acute and chronic injuries are complex and there are a lot of factors that will influence how long recovery may take. An example of some of these factors may include:

• How did the problem develop (acute vs. chronic)?
• How long has the problem been there?
• How complicated is the problem and how many body systems are involved (muscle, joint, nerve, etc.)?
• How commited and motivated are you to fix the problem?
• What else is influencing the problem (e.g. currently training for upcoming competition, a work set up that can't be easily modified, etc.)?

At your initial assessment and follow-up treatment sessions, your physiotherapist will be regularly reassessing your condition and discussing your progress to enusre there is ongoing improvement and what may be the next steps.

+ Does insurance cover the cost of my physiotherapy assessment and treatments?

Many extended health benefit programs cover physiotherapy services in part or in full. If you have extended health benefits or your injury is the result of a motor vehicle accident, there is the possibility that your insurance will provide some coverage for your physiotherapy assessment and treatment. Because many benefit plans are different depending on the provider and the policy, we recommend you call your insurance provider to find out the details of your coverage.

+ Does insurance cover the cost of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy assessment and treatments?

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy assessment and treatments are provided by a Registered Physiotherapist. As a result, most insurance plans that cover physiotherapy services will cover Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. Because benefit plans vary, we recommend you consult your insurance provider to confirm your coverage details.

+ Does Grindstone Physio direct bill my insurance company?

No, Grindstone Physio does not direct bill to your private insurance company. Payment for your assessment or treatment will be required at the conclusion of each appointment. We will provide you with a receipt (either PDF emailed to you or a printed receipt) that will detail the services provided, the physiotherapist's name and College registration number, and the date which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

+ Why is there HST charged on my Registered Massage Therapy appointment but not my Physiotherapy appointment?

Registered Massage Therapists are one of the only regulated health professionals required to charge HST/GST. Other health professionals such as Registered Physiotherapists are tax exempt.

+ Does Grindstone Physio treat clients who have been in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Yes, Grindstone Physio does provide assessment and treatment services to individuals who have been involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident.

If you are booking your first appointment online, please be sure to book a Motor Vehicle Accident Assessment or call us and we will be happy to schedule your assessment at a time that works best for you.

When attending your assessment, please ensure you have your Claim Number, Insurance Provider Information (including the Policy Number), and the date of the accident with you. This information is needed in order to complete the required forms that your physiotherapist will submit. Other information regarding specifics of the accident will be discussed with your physiotherapist.

+ My injury happened at work. Does Grindstone Physio treat WSIB injuries?

At this time, Grindstone Physio is not providing assessment or treatment to clients whose injury is the result of a workplace accident and involved in an active WSIB claim. Should you need resources or assistance finding a clinic who can help with your injury, please contact us and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.