Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a primary care, autonomous, client-focused health profession dedicated to:
- Improving and maintaining physical mobility and independence,
- Preventing, managing and reducing pain, physical limitations or disabilities that may limit an individual's activities,
- Improving overall fitness, health and well-being.
Physiotherapy’s unique contribution to health care stems from its advanced understanding of how the body moves, what keeps it from moving well, and how to restore mobility.
Physiotherapists assess the client's level of mobility, strength, endurance and other physical abilities to determine the impact of their illness or injury on their physical function, whether at work, rest or play. They diagnose the condition and develop a treatment plan to restore movement and reduce pain or limitations to mobility. They treat the condition and help the client understand its effect on their function. They measure the client's progress regularly and adjust the treatment accordingly. They also advise the client on how to manage their condition independently and help the client prevent avoidable recurrences or complications. If you are unsure if a physiotherapist can help you, ask your current health care worker.
The service is provided as one to one appointments an also in group settings. An intial assessment is done followed by a few treatments, depending on the improvement of the condition. For chronic conditions, the physiotherapist may provide the client with a self-management program to empower the client to take a direct role in their health care. Clients can either self refer or be referred by their medical provider.
The aim is for clients to be motivated and gain confidence in managing their own health conditions. Phsyiotherapy does not eliminate the need for one-to-one medical consultation or disease-specific education; rather, it is used as an adjunct to these services.
In order to address community needs, the physiotherapist at PCHC contributes to programs and services for seniors, the Diabetes Management Program, the Fibromyalgia group, the South Asian community, and the Tibetan community to ensure continuum of care and facilitatation of health education.
Physiotherapy service is offered Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM with extended hours of operation on Thursday from 12:00PM to 8:00PM. To be eligible for physiotherapy service you must live into the catchment area and bring a referral form with relevant diagnostic information if you are not an active client at PCHC.
