Do I need a doctor’s referral to receive treatment?
The ability to visit a physiotherapist without a prescription or referral is called Direct Access. No prescription for physiotherapy? No problem!
Direct Access allows you to go directly to a physiotherapist without a physician’s prescription or referral.
However, ICBC and WCB claims may require a physicians referral.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment at West End Physiotherapy in Vancouver has never been easier or more convenient.
We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule.
Our scheduling is easy, and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. Call us today at 604-684-0047 or click here to request an appointment.
What kind of clothing should I wear for appointments?
Dress comfortably in clothes that allow the therapist easy access to your problem areas.
Loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable for gentle exercises, as well as supportive sneakers, are often good choices for treatments.
How long should each appointment take?
Due to the fact that each patient is unique, the initial session normally lasts 1 hour.. Following that, each session could go anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
The duration of time will be determined by your specific needs, which will be discussed with you by our therapist. You’ll generally see your therapist once or twice a week at first, with greater space between meetings as you progress through treatment.
Can I benefit from PT treatments?
You certainly can! Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy. We can discuss your options and help you decide if physiotherapy is the right choice for you by working with you and your doctor. Contact us today to learn more about how PT can help you and make an appointment with one of our dedicated staff members.
Do PT treatments hurt?
Physiotherapy is not meant to hurt, but to relieve pain. However, as you restore your mobility, pain levels, at times can fluctuate. You might experience some temporary soreness from using muscles that are weakened or recovering.
This is a normal response to therapy treatment. Good communication with your therapist will help minimize any discomfort. We want you on your way to quick pain relief and back to normal activities.
Do you treat my condition at your clinic?
You can be confident that our therapists are well-trained to assess and treat your condition.
Our physiotherapists are registered through the CPTBC (College of of Physical Therapists of British Coloumbia) and have graduated from accredited university physiotherapy programs.
Physiotherapists have received years of university-level education in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (the study of joint movement), neurology, and many other medical sciences. You’re in capable hands!
When will I start noticing relief?
Because each patient’s diagnosis is unique, your therapist will work with you and your referring physician to develop a plan of care that is right for you.
During your first visit, your physiotherapist will determine your plan of care and the number of visits required. If you have any questions about the duration of your plan of care, don’t hesitate to reach out to your physiotherapist. Our team is here to support you and answer your questions.
Can I continue seeing a therapist even when I feel better?
Yes, after you have finished your therapy sessions, our therapist will go over your at-home continuing therapy program with you.
How can I pay for each session?
Before your second visit, your insurance benefits will be determined, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is required on that date.
Cash, check, debit card, and a credit card are all accepted.
Do I need my doctor to refer me to receive physiotherapy treatment?
Don’t have a prescription for physiotherapy? No problem!
Thanks to laws in British Columbia individuals can go straight to a physiotherapy clinic of their choice and receive the resources and treatment they require.
A referral may only be neccessary if it is for an ICBC or WCB claim.
Can I choose any physiotherapy clinic for treatment?
Yes, you can choose what clinic you want to receive treatment from without having to wait for your primary care doctor to refer you to them. A referral MAY only be neccessary if it is for an ICBC or WCB claim.
How can I make an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment at West End Physiotherapy in Vancouver is easier than ever! Our scheduling is easy, and we offer a convenient location and appointment times for you. We have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. You can use our online booking system, call use directly at 604-684-0047 or click here to request an appointment.
Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
We understand that dealing with insurance can be complicated; therefore, West End Physiotherapy would gladly assist you in contacting your insurance carrier and assessing your coverage depending on your specific policy.
Insurance will, in most situations, pay a significant amount, if not all, of your treatment costs.
For additional information, and please do not hesitate to contact our office.
How long is each appointment going to be?
Although every patient is different, the initial session usually lasts 1 hour . After that, each session could last 20-60 minutes.
The length of time will be determined by your unique needs, which our therapist will discuss with you. You’ll probably see your therapist once or twice a week, with your appointments becoming more spaced out as you proceed through treatment.
What if I don’t have insurance?
The Staff at West End Physiotherapy will do everything they can to make sure you get the best possible outcome from your treatment, regardless of your income or whether or not you have benefits. It’s important that you inform your Therapist during the assessment that there may be some limitations in being able to adhere to the best plan of care possible, and the Therapist will then work with you to try and obtain the best results over the course of your treatment.
What office policies should I be aware of?
If you cannot make it to your appointment due to illness or another emergency, our clinic requests that you call us at least 24 hours before your appointment time to let us know. Any missed appointments that have not been rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance will result in a non-refundable charge of 100 dollars.
We also ask that if you have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, please reschedule your appointment with our front desk so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and employees.
What should I do to prepare for my first appointment?
There are a few things we ask all patients to bring with them on their first visit to our office.
- Please print out the patient forms, fill them out, and bring them with you if you are able. If you cannot do this or do not have access to a printer/computer, please allow for extra time to fill these out upon your arrival.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork so that you can maximize your time in your evaluation.
- Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your problem areas.
- Insurance information
- A prescription (if needed) for physiotherapy from your referring physician if this is an ICBC or WCB claim
- In case of an automobile accident or worker’s compensation claim, bring any case manager or insurance adjuster’s contact names, phone numbers, and claim number.
Please have your prescription and insurance card available when you call. This will allow us to verify your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of coverage.
What do physiotherapists do?
Physiotherapy is a medical, hands-on approach to relieving pain and restoring function. Physiotherapists are medical experts in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and work closely with physicians.
Our physiotherapists evaluate your movement patterns, identify the cause of your pain, and work to eliminate it.
While every patient’s condition and pain is unique, our physiotherapist will use a variety of gentle hands-on techniques, exercises, and equipment to relieve pain quickly and restore your function to optimum levels.
The overall goal is to restore pain-free mobility and function and to prevent the injury or pain from recurring.
Can my physiotherapist diagnose me?
When you arrive for your first appointment at West End Physiotherapy, your physiotherapist will conduct a physical evaluation to determine the severity of your injury or illness. Through a thorough assessment, your therapist will be able to pinpoint precisely what is causing your pain.
Your physiotherapist may work with your physician to diagnose you. This will ensure your diagnosis is accurate and takes your medical history into account.
What office policies should I be aware of?
If you are unable to make it to your appointment due to illness or another emergency, our clinic requests that you CALL us by 3pm the DAY PRIOR to your appointment to avoid our cancellation fee. Patients who do not provide adequate notice, or miss their appointment, will be charged a cancellation fee equal to half the cost of the treatment scheduled. This fee will be charged directly to the client as this cannot be applied to any insurance policy.
We also ask that if you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, please reschedule your appointment with our front desk so that we can maintain a safe, healthy environment for our patients and employees.
