Physiotherapists Do More Than Just Help You When You’re Injured
We’re Like the Swiss Army Knife of Your Health and Wellness Plan
Just like a Swiss Army Knife, a physiotherapist is incredibly versatile, equipped with a multitude of techniques, skills and tools to address a range of health issues.
They can help you when you’re recovering from an injury. But many people don’t know all the other ways a physiotherapist can help you. Whether helping you recover from an injury, improving mobility, managing chronic conditions, or optimizing athletic performance, your physiotherapist does it all.
Just as you’d count on a Swiss Army knife to help you on any quest, you can count on your physiotherapist as a critical part of your health and wellness journey.
First Things First. What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy emphasizes the importance of body movement and plays a crucial role in healthcare. It helps individuals recover from setbacks, prevents injuries, and enhances physical capabilities.
A physiotherapist is your personal ally, aiding kids and teens in their growth and ensuring seniors remain active and independent. Our goal isn’t just to repair; we’re here to help you embrace life confidently, regardless of your challenges or aspirations.
Physiotherapists Aren’t Just For People Who’ve Had Accidents or Sports Injuries.
They’re for everyone.
Physiotherapy provides a holistic approach to health, addressing not just your symptoms but the root cause of your discomfort. We look at you as a whole person with unique needs and challenges and do our best to help you face your life, in your body, with maximum health and wellness.
Here are just a few examples of how physiotherapists can help:
- Athletes seeking peak performance.
- A worker with a physically demanding job, looking to avoid workplace injury.
- A child or teen managing pain in their growing body.
- Someone who has a surgery coming up and wants to be prepared for recovery.
- A senior wanting to maintain mobility and independence.
Physiotherapists HELP people.
They diagnose and treat individuals with various health conditions and injuries, often easing pain and restoring function. They help people avoid future injuries by educating them on safe movements and correct posture and by prescribing exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
For chronic conditions, physiotherapists play a crucial role in developing customized plans to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. They work with athletes to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Physiotherapists also provide essential pre and post surgical care, helping individuals prepare for surgery and recover more efficiently afterward.
Where do Physiotherapists work?
All over. You’ll find physiotherapists in hospitals, private clinics, sports facilities, schools, and even in clients’ homes–wherever their clients need support managing their physical health.
Hospitals
Physiotherapists in hospitals aid patients post-surgery or with severe illnesses, accelerating recovery by improving mobility, shortening hospital stays, and easing the transition home.
Private Clinics
In private clinics, physiotherapists provide individualized care, addressing everything from sports injuries to chronic disorders with customized treatment plans.
Sports Facilities
Schools
In schools, physiotherapists promote children and teens’ physical development, boosting mobility, encouraging healthy habits, and addressing potential physical challenges that might affect academic success.
Home Care
Workplace
Community Centres
Research & Academia
Telehealth
Using telehealth, physiotherapists deliver remote services, allowing patients at home or in remote areas to access care easily.
Find A Physiotherapist
Complete your wellness team with the right physiotherapist.
Find A Physiotherapist
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Physiotherapy isn’t just beneficial for humans… It’s also a growing field in animal healthcare.
Animal Rehabilitation
Animal physiotherapists apply their knowledge to the treatment and rehabilitation of animals. They work in veterinary clinics, animal rehabilitation centers, or private practice, often collaborating with veterinarians to enhance the mobility and quality of life of pets, working animals, and sports animals.
Their work can range from aiding post-operative recovery to managing chronic conditions or preventing injuries in athletic animals.
A Diploma or a Certificate in animal rehabilitation is required to practice animal rehab in Canada.
What’s in a name?
The term physiotherapy can only be used when referring to humans. That’s why we call it Animal Rehabilitation rather than Physiotherapy. Animal rehabilitation therapists are licensed human physiotherapists first.
Registered and licensed physiotherapists only use the following titles: Physical Therapist • Physiotherapist • Physical Therapist Intern • Physiotherapist Intern • P.T.
Physiotherapy isn’t just beneficial for humans… It’s also a growing field in animal healthcare.
Animal Rehabilitation
Animal physiotherapists apply their knowledge to the treatment and rehabilitation of animals. They work in veterinary clinics, animal rehabilitation centers, or private practice, often collaborating with veterinarians to enhance the mobility and quality of life of pets, working animals, and sports animals.
Their work can range from aiding post-operative recovery to managing chronic conditions or preventing injuries in athletic animals.
A Diploma or a Certificate in animal rehabilitation is required to practice animal rehab in Canada.
What’s in a name?
The term physiotherapy can only be used when referring to humans. That’s why we call it Animal Rehabilitation rather than Physiotherapy. Animal rehabilitation therapists are licensed human physiotherapists first.
Registered and licensed physiotherapists only use the following titles: Physical Therapist • Physiotherapist • Physical Therapist Intern • Physiotherapist Intern • P.T.
Why Trust Your Health to a Physiotherapist
When you choose a physiotherapist, you’re choosing a highly trained professional, committed to their field, regulated by a rigorous professional body, and constantly striving to provide the best possible care for their patients
Rigorous Professional Education & Certification
To practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta, individuals must complete a rigorous professional education and certification journey.
The process typically begins with obtaining an undergraduate degree, usually in the sciences, followed by a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy, a two-year intensive program focusing on human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and other essential areas of study.
Internationally educated physiotherapists may hold a Bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy and must undergo a thorough credentialing and licensing process to practice in Alberta.
After completing their education, all aspiring physiotherapists, regardless of their country of education, must pass the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE), administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.
Career-long Learning
Once licensed, physiotherapists must continue professional development throughout their career, ensuring they stay updated on the latest research, techniques, and best practices.
Many physiotherapists also pursue additional certifications in specialized areas such as sports physiotherapy, geriatrics, pediatrics, neurology, or animal rehabilitation, among others.
Accountability
The College of Physiotherapists of Alberta regulates Alberta’s physiotherapists. This body ensures that all physiotherapists adhere to professional standards and ethics. They also maintain a public registry of registered and permitted physiotherapists.
The College is responsible for handling any complaints about physiotherapists and can take disciplinary action if needed.
Alberta’s Physiotherapists Have Been Busy
Years of university study (undergraduate and masters degree)
Hours of clinical placement completed before graduation
Physiotherapists currently providing care to all of Alberta
Percentage of adults in Alberta who would benefit from physiotherapy
Stack The Health Odds In Your Favour
Your wellness team isn’t complete without the right physiotherapist – the final piece in your tailor-made health squad.
Yes, you can see a physiotherapist without a doctor’s referral. And other answers.
Physiotherapy is a health profession that helps people recover from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility, and improve overall well-being. Physiotherapists use a holistic approach to treatment, consider the life of a client, their unique challenges and goals.
Physiotherapists can treat a wide range of conditions, such as sports injuries and chronic conditions like arthritis and neurological disorders, and can also provide preventive and performance-enhancing services. They can help people of all ages, from children to seniors.
When you choose a physiotherapist, you’re choosing a highly trained professional, committed to their field, regulated by a rigorous professional body, and constantly striving to provide the best possible care for their patients
To practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta, individuals must complete a rigorous professional education and certification journey. For more info on physiotherapist qualifications, please visit About Physiotherapy.
While these professionals treat pain and physical ailments, their approaches and focus areas differ. Physiotherapists use a wider variety of techniques, including exercise, education, lifestyle advice, and manual techniques, to treat a broad range of conditions.
Physiotherapy is a safe treatment modality overseen by regulatory bodies. Physiotherapists use evidence-based techniques and adjust treatment plans to suit individual patient needs and conditions.
The timeline for improvement can vary widely, depending on the specific condition, severity, and individual factors. Your physiotherapist can give you an idea of the expected timeline based on your initial assessment and ongoing progress.
Physiotherapy can have mental health benefits, particularly when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. Techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and yoga, which many physiotherapists incorporate into their treatment plans, can help manage mental health.
You can use our ‘Find a Physiotherapist’ tool on our website (launching soon!). It will connect you with qualified physiotherapists in your area based on your specific needs.
You deserve the best care. We’re here to help you find it.
