Video and Telephone consultations
Contact Us
What are the benefits of video and phone consultations?
Both video and phone consultations in physiotherapy can offer several benefits.
1. Convenience
You can attend the session from the comfort of your home or office, eliminating the need to travel to a physical clinic. This can help with people who have a busy work life or even have young children who may require childcare.
2. Accessibility
Video consultations make physiotherapy services more accessible to individuals who may have difficulty traveling due to mobility issues, transportation limitations, or other reasons.
3. Safety
Especially during times of health concerns like the COVID-19 pandemic, video consultations reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases since there is no need for in-person contact.
4. Continuity of Care
If you’re already receiving physiotherapy treatment, video consultations allow you to maintain continuity of care without interruptions, even if you can’t visit the clinic in person.
5. Efficiency
Video consultations can be scheduled more flexibly, often requiring less time commitment compared to in-person appointments, which can be beneficial for busy individuals.
6. Cost-Effective
In some cases, video consultations may be more cost-effective, as they eliminate travel expenses.
Can physiotherapy be effective through video and phone consultations?
Yes, both video and phone appointments can be highly beneficial for individuals. Research and experience show that virtual care can achieve outcomes similar to in-person care in many cases. This is due to the above benefits mentioned, where the convenience and efficiency aspects may contribute to better adherence and ultimately outcomes. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of virtual care can vary depending on the specific condition to be treated, the technology used, the patient’s comfort level with interactions and other factors. The physiotherapy must assess each individual’s needs and preferences to determine the most suitable mode of care delivery.
How is your privacy maintained and monitored during these appointments?
Privacy is a crucial aspect of telehealth services, including telehealth physiotherapy consultations. Here are some key ways in which privacy is upheld in telehealth:
1. Secure communication platform
Telehealth platforms use secure communication channels to ensure that patient information remains confidential during video or phone consultations. These platforms often employ encryption and other security measures to protect data.
2. Consent
Patients must provide informed consent before participating in telehealth consultations. This includes understanding the potential risks and benefits of telehealth services and how their personal health information will be handled.
3. Compliance with Regulations
Telehealth providers must comply with relevant healthcare privacy regulations, such as the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) which governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information by healthcare providers, including those offering telehealth services.
4. Encryption and Security
Telehealth platforms used by healthcare providers must adhere to encryption standards and security protocols to ensure that patient information remains confidential during transmission and storage.
5. Access Controls
Healthcare providers are responsible for implementing access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to patient’s health information during telehealth sessions.
6. Data Storage
Patient data collected during telehealth consultations must be stored securely and in compliance with privacy regulations. Cloud-based storage solutions used by healthcare providers must meet stringent security standards.
7. Training and Compliance
Healthcare providers offering telehealth services are trained on privacy and security protocols to ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations.
8. Auditing and Monitoring
Healthcare organizations may conduct regular audits and monitoring of telehealth systems to detect and prevent unauthorized access or breaches of patient privacy.
What does an assessment and treatment session look like via video or telephone consultation?
Depending on if you are a new or existing client, your virtual consult will be different. If you are a new client, your assessment may include:
- Discussing your past medical history
- Asking you questions about your current condition
- Assessing movement restrictions
- Self-palpation techniques to determine tissue tension
- Provide education
- About your physiotherapy diagnosis
- Strategies to reduce your pain (i.e. activity modification, advantageous positions, self-myofascial techniques etc.)
- Individualized home exercise program
If you are an existing client, your treatment session may include:
- Discussing your rehabilitation progress
- Re-assess your condition
- Progress or change your home exercise program
- Provide education
Whether you are a new client of South Simcoe Physiotherapy clinics in Alliston or Tottenham or an existing one, virtual physiotherapy appointments can offer a convenient, safe, and effective way to receive care and support your rehabilitation and treatment goals.
MANUAL AND MANIPULATIVE THERAPY
Our therapists use a variety of hands on techniques to both accurately assess and efficiently treat patients. Specialized training through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (orthodiv.org) allows for accurate diagnosis and faster recovery. Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT) have taken extensive post-graduate training and have received international recognition in hands on techniques.
manippt.org
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
At South Simcoe Physiotherapy we have training in the Shift Concussion Management Program (shiftconcussion.ca). Using this program as a basis, we thoroughly assess the individual systems often effected in a concussion using a variety of tests, as well as cognitive tools such as imPact. Once an accurate assessment has been performed, we develop a multi-faceted rehabilitation strategy to return the individual to optimal function.
PELVIC HEALTH
massage therapy
Massage therapy is a form of hands in treatment that affects the body’s soft tissues such as the muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons and joints. Massage therapy can have therapeutic effects on the muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems. For more information on Registered massage therapy please visit: www.rmtao.com
acupuncture
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses tiny needles which are inserted into various points in the body. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms and is effective in treating a variety of conditions including headaches, back pain, neck pain, various overuse and sports injuries. Our therapists have training in acupuncture through Acupuncture Canada ( https://www.acupuncturecanada.org)
RUNNING ASSESSMENT / GAIT ANALYSIS
Gait analysis and Running Assessments can be useful in determining biomechanical irregularities during either walking or running that are either causing or are caused by a certain condition or injury. Gait analysis can also help to identify inefficiencies that may be reducing performance in runners and perhaps predisposing or contributing to injury.
We use multiple tools to analyze a person’s gait. First, we use our physiotherapy backgrounds and knowledge of biomechanics. By observing someone walking/running/using the treadmill (and perhaps recording them) we can often identify these major faults. A biomechanical exam can also aid in this process through identifying structural limitations, muscle weakness and tone, and a variety of other potential faults. Finally, using training from courses such as those taught at The Running Clinic https://therunningclinic.com/en, can help to consolidate all of this information while allowing us to make recommendations on items such as footwear, training schedules, and other information relevant to your specific situation.
IMS/IDN
Intramuscular Stimulation and Integrated Dry-Needling. Both IMS and IDN are forms of dry needling where an acupuncture needle is inserted into a taut band in a shortened muscle or near the nerve root in order to cause a reflex relaxation of the muscle, a micro trauma to stimulate natural healing and create an action potential to restore normal nerve conduction. This technique can be extremely useful to treat chronic pain, myofascial pain syndromes, many sports injuries, and overuse injuries. For more information visit: www.istop.org
exercise prescription
Exercise is an essential part of all rehabilitation programs. In order to restore normal muscle length and strength, correct biomechanical faults and return to function, exercises need to be specifically tailored to suit individual needs.
custom bracing
shockwave therapy
Shockwave is a non-invasive way to treat many muscular, tendinous, ligamentous, and bone problems that lead to pain and loss of function. Briefly stated it uses strong energy pulses to stimulate increased blood flow and metabolism allowing regeneration of damaged tissue. A phenomenon called “micro-cavitation” occurs where “bubbles’ expand and burst creating a force that penetrates damaged tissue and stimulates cell reparation. Shockwave is especially effective in treating issues that have been unresponsive to other conservative methods.
VIDEO AND TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS
At a time when social distancing is necessary, we are pleased to be able to offer our exceptional care in an alternative method. Video consultations (think FaceTime or Skype) can be an effective method to assess and treat musculoskeletal and other physiotherapy appropriate impairments. A thorough analysis can be conducted by performing a detailed subjective, observing individual movements, performing simple tasks and special tests, and evaluating the environmental factors which are aggravating the condition. From there, our therapist can devise an appropriate treatment plan including self management strategies, modifications, and exercises appropriate to address your condition. The therapist is easily able to demonstrate the exercises and observe you performing them, and can even send you video demonstrations of the exercises. For those that are unable to access reliable internet, or do not regularly use a computer, telephone consults are also an option.
No doctor's referral is necessary and these sessions are covered by most insurers
NATUROPATHY
Frequently Asked Questions
What is physiotherapy?
Simply stated, physiotherapy is the treatment of deficits and disease without the use of medications. Physiotherapy is useful for the majority of injuries and ailments one might suffer. The goal of our physiotherapists is to reduce your symptoms and allow you to return to function in a timely manner. If you are unsure if your condition is appropriate for physiotherapy, please feel free to contact us.
How do I pay for your services?
Does OHIP cover physiotherapy?
Do I need a doctor’s referral to come and see you?
What do I need to wear for my assessment?
Will my private insurance cover the cost of this treatment?
What if my injuries are as a result of a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury?
- Date of accident
- Claim number
- Adjuster’s name and contact information
- Private health insurance information (if applicable)
- Area of injury
We are able to direct bill your motor vehicle insurance, but please note that all of your private health insurance must be used prior to accessing your motor vehicle insurance. These rules are mandated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and not our clinic.
Workplace injury (WSIB): we often treat people as a result of a workplace injury, however, we do not bill WSIB directly. If your injury is part of a WSIB claim, you are expected to pay just as other clients and then submit your invoices to WSIB.