By Hilary Mallinger, Co-Owner & Sport Physiotherapist

In light of May being Physiotherapy month, as a proudly (female) Physiotherapist owned and operated business, I wanted to share a few facts about Physiotherapy that you may not already know! Read on to find out more…

We don’t require a doctor’s referral: Physiotherapists are primary healthcare providers, which means that patients can seek physiotherapy treatment without a referral from a physician (unless you insurance requires the doctor’s referral). This allows for quicker access to physiotherapy care and promotes early intervention for musculoskeletal issues.

We are qualified to diagnose conditions: Physiotherapists undergo extensive training in musculoskeletal assessment and clinical reasoning, equipping us with the skills to diagnose and identify a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and movement dysfunctions. While physiotherapists do not diagnose medical conditions in the same way as physicians, we are trained to conduct thorough assessments, interpret clinical findings, and formulate differential diagnoses within our scope of practice. Physiotherapists collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate diagnostic investigations and referrals when necessary.

Physiotherapy is a regulated profession: Physiotherapists in Canada are regulated healthcare professionals, overseen by provincial regulatory bodies (ours is the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario). Our college ensures that Physiotherapists meet specific standards of education, competency, and ethical practice to provide you with the best possible care.

We have a broad scope of practice: Physiotherapists have a broad scope of practice beyond just treating injuries or musculoskeletal conditions. We are trained to assess and treat a variety of conditions affecting movement, function, and overall health, including musculoskeletal conditions, neurological disorders, cardiopulmonary conditions, and pediatric issues. Physiotherapists may specialize in one area post-grad, but we are all entry-level trained in these various areas in order to hold a Physiotherapy license!

We never stop learning: On top of our Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees required to become a Physiotherapist in Canada, in order to maintain our registration and licensure, physiotherapists in Canada and Ontario must fulfill ongoing annual continuing education requirements. This ensures that we stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and research in our field, evidence-based practices, and professional standards.