Patient Information and FAQ

Getting Started

How can I make an appointment?

Booking an appointment at CORPEO is simple. Our team is here to help you find a time that works with your schedule, with appointment options available to support busy days and different availability needs.

To get started, call us at (613) 701-2000, email info@corpeo.ca, or click below to request an appointment online.

Do I need a doctor’s referral for physiotherapy?

No. In most cases, you do not need a doctor’s referral to book a physiotherapy appointment.

Physiotherapists are direct-access healthcare professionals, which means you can contact a physiotherapy clinic and schedule an assessment without a prescription or referral from a physician.

That said, some extended health insurance plans may require a doctor’s referral before they reimburse your physiotherapy visits. If you plan to use insurance, it is a good idea to check your coverage before your appointment so you know what your plan requires.

Can I choose which physiotherapy clinic I go to?

Yes. You can choose the physiotherapy clinic where you receive your care.

A doctor, specialist, insurance provider, or other healthcare professional may recommend a clinic, but you are not required to attend that specific location. Your physiotherapy care should be provided at a clinic where you feel comfortable, supported, and confident in the plan.

In most cases, you can also book physiotherapy directly without a doctor’s referral. However, some insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement, so it is always a good idea to check your coverage if you plan to use benefits.

If you have questions about booking physiotherapy at CORPEO, our team would be happy to help.

Can I benefit from physiotherapy?

Many people can benefit from physiotherapy, especially if pain, stiffness, weakness, injury, surgery, balance concerns, or reduced mobility are affecting daily life.

Physiotherapists look at the whole person, not just one painful area. During your assessment, your physiotherapist will consider your symptoms, movement, strength, mobility, posture, activity level, and goals. This helps identify what may be contributing to your concern and how different areas of the body may be connected.

Sometimes one specific issue is causing your symptoms. Other times, several factors may be involved, such as weakness, stiffness, movement habits, past injuries, or changes in activity. Physiotherapy can help clarify these factors and create a plan that fits your needs.

Physiotherapy may include education, hands-on care, mobility exercises, strengthening, balance training, activity guidance, and strategies to help you manage symptoms and improve function.

In some cases, physiotherapy may be one part of a broader care plan. Your physiotherapist can also communicate with other healthcare providers when appropriate to help support your recovery.

If you are unsure whether physiotherapy is right for you, CORPEO can help you understand your options and decide on the next step.

Do you treat my condition at CORPEO?

Physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns, including pain, injuries, mobility issues, post-surgical recovery, balance concerns, and movement-related limitations.

At CORPEO, your physiotherapist will take time to understand your symptoms, health history, goals, and how your condition is affecting your daily life. Your assessment helps determine what may be contributing to your concern and whether physiotherapy is appropriate for your needs.

Physiotherapy can help with many conditions involving the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves, spine, and movement system. This may include concerns related to the back, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet, elbows, wrists, hands, balance, gait, sports injuries, work injuries, and recovery after surgery.

If your physiotherapist feels that another healthcare provider or a different type of care would be more appropriate, they will let you know and help guide you toward the next step.

At CORPEO, our goal is to provide care that is thoughtful, personalized, and appropriate for your condition.

Your First Visit

How should I prepare for my first appointment?

To help your first appointment go smoothly, please bring any information that may be useful for your assessment and treatment plan.

If you have a referral, prescription, surgical protocol, imaging report, or test results from a physician, nurse practitioner, specialist, or other healthcare provider, please bring them with you. These details can help your physiotherapist better understand your condition and any recommendations you have already received.

Please wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily and gives access to the area being assessed. For example, shorts may be helpful for a hip, knee, ankle, or foot concern, while a tank top or loose-fitting shirt may be helpful for a shoulder, neck, or upper-back concern.

If you plan to use insurance, please bring your insurance information. If your appointment is related to a car accident or workplace injury, please bring any claim information you have available, including claim numbers and contact details for your adjuster or case manager.

You may be asked to complete intake forms before your first visit. If you are unable to complete them ahead of time, please arrive a little early so you have time to finish any remaining paperwork before your assessment begins.

What should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move easily. Your physiotherapist may ask you to bend, reach, walk, squat, or perform movements related to your symptoms.

It is also helpful to wear clothing that gives access to the area being assessed. For example, shorts may be useful for a knee, hip, ankle, or foot concern, while a tank top or loose shirt may be helpful for a shoulder, neck, or upper-back concern.

Comfortable shoes or sneakers are also recommended, especially if your assessment involves walking, balance, or lower-body movement.

How long do physiotherapy appointments take?

Your first physiotherapy visit usually takes about 60 to 75 minutes. This gives your physiotherapist time to complete a full assessment, discuss your symptoms and goals, explain their findings, and begin building your treatment plan.

Follow-up appointments are typically around 45 to 60 minutes. The exact length may depend on your condition, your stage of recovery, and what needs to be addressed during that visit.

Your physiotherapist will also discuss how often you should attend. In the early stages of care, appointments may be scheduled more frequently so your progress can be monitored and your plan can be adjusted as needed. As you improve, visits are often spaced out and focused on progressing your exercises, function, and independence.

Can my physiotherapist diagnose my condition?

Your physiotherapist can assess your symptoms, movement, strength, mobility, and function to help determine what may be contributing to your concern.

In many cases, a physiotherapist can identify the likely source of your pain or limitation and explain what they are seeing during your assessment. This helps guide your treatment plan and gives you a clearer understanding of what may be happening.

A medical diagnosis is usually provided by a physician, nurse practitioner, or specialist. However, physiotherapists are trained to complete detailed physical assessments and often work alongside other healthcare providers to support accurate care.

During your first visit at CORPEO, your physiotherapist will ask about your health history, symptoms, activity level, injury history, and goals. They will also complete a physical assessment to look at movement, strength, range of motion, posture, balance, or other areas related to your concern.

If your physiotherapist feels that your symptoms require medical follow-up, imaging, or another type of assessment, they will let you know and recommend the appropriate next step.

Do physiotherapy treatments hurt?

Physiotherapy is meant to help reduce pain, improve movement, and support recovery. It should not feel overwhelming or unsafe.

That said, some treatments or exercises may cause temporary discomfort, especially when working on stiffness, weakness, post-surgical mobility, or an irritated area. Your physiotherapist will explain what type of discomfort can be expected and what signs should not be ignored.

For example, you may feel some muscle soreness when strengthening an area that has been weak or inactive. You may also feel temporary discomfort when working to restore movement after surgery or injury. Your physiotherapist will guide you carefully and adjust your treatment based on your comfort level, stage of healing, and response to care.

Communication is important. If something feels too painful, too intense, or not right for your body, let your physiotherapist know. Your treatment can be modified so you feel supported throughout the process.

At CORPEO, the goal is to help you move better, feel more confident, and return to your daily activities as safely and comfortably as possible.

Insurance, Payment, and Policies

Will my insurance cover physiotherapy treatment?

Many extended health insurance plans include physiotherapy coverage, but every plan is different.

Your coverage may depend on your specific policy, the type of plan you have, whether a referral is required, and how much physiotherapy coverage is available each year. For the most accurate information, it is best to contact your insurance provider directly.

If you have questions about clinic fees, receipts, or what information you may need for reimbursement, please contact CORPEO. Our front desk team will be happy to help.

How does payment work for physiotherapy?

We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your appointment so you understand your coverage, any co-payments or co-insurance, and the requirements of your specific plan.

Our team can help review your insurance information and let you know about any payment required at the time of your visit. Payment is collected at the time of service.

CORPEO accepts the following payment methods:

  • Cash
  • Cheque
  • Debit card
  • Credit card

If you have questions about payment, receipts, or insurance information, please contact our front desk team before your appointment.

What if I do not have insurance?

You can still book physiotherapy even if you do not have insurance coverage.

If you do not have extended health benefits, you can pay for your appointment directly at the time of your visit. Our team can provide information about appointment fees before you book so you know what to expect.

If you have questions about payment or clinic fees, please contact CORPEO and our front desk team will be happy to help.

What office policies should I be aware of?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact the clinic as soon as possible. We ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.

Missed appointments or appointments cancelled without enough notice may be subject to a non-refundable fee. This fee is $75 for an initial physiotherapy assessment and $75 for a follow-up physiotherapy appointment.

If you are unable to attend due to illness or an emergency, please notify the clinic as early as you can so our team can help you reschedule.

Your Recovery

When will I start to feel better?

Every person’s recovery is different. Some people notice improvement after the first visit, while others need more time before they feel a clear change.

Your timeline depends on several factors, including your condition, how long you have had symptoms, your health history, your activity level, and how your body responds to treatment. During your first appointment, your physiotherapist will complete a detailed assessment to better understand what is contributing to your symptoms.

From there, your physiotherapist will create a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. They will also explain what you can expect, including how progress may look and what signs of improvement to watch for.

Recovery can sometimes include ups and downs. If your symptoms change or your progress is slower than expected, your physiotherapist will reassess your plan and make adjustments when needed.

At CORPEO, our goal is to help you understand your condition, feel supported throughout the process, and work toward meaningful improvements in comfort, movement, and function.

How is my physiotherapy progress tracked?

Your progress is tracked by looking at how your symptoms and function change over time.

Your physiotherapist may measure things like pain levels, range of motion, strength, mobility, balance, walking tolerance, and your ability to complete daily activities. These measurements give your physiotherapist a clear starting point and help compare your progress from one visit to the next.

Your own feedback is also an important part of tracking progress. How you feel, what activities are becoming easier, and what challenges remain all help guide your treatment plan.

As you move through physiotherapy, you should notice improvements in comfort, movement, confidence, or daily function. If your progress is slower than expected, your physiotherapist will reassess your symptoms and adjust your plan. When appropriate, they may also recommend further follow-up or testing.

Why is physiotherapy taking longer than I expected?

Recovery does not always happen in a straight line. While there are general stages of healing, every person recovers differently based on their injury, health history, activity level, goals, and how their body responds to treatment.

At CORPEO, your physiotherapy plan is personalized to your needs and adjusted as you progress. Your physiotherapist will monitor your symptoms, movement, strength, mobility, and function to help determine when your program should be progressed or modified.

Sometimes recovery takes longer because the body needs more time to build strength, restore mobility, or tolerate activity again. In other cases, progress can slow down if you do too much too soon, or if you are not doing enough between appointments. Physiotherapy helps find the right balance between activity, rest, exercise, and recovery.

Your physiotherapist will continue to reassess your progress and explain what changes are being made to your plan. If you have concerns about how long your recovery is taking, please bring them up during your appointment. Understanding your progress can help you feel more confident and informed throughout the process.

Can I continue physiotherapy after my main treatment plan is finished?

Yes. Even after your main treatment plan is complete, you may choose to continue seeing your physiotherapist for ongoing support.

Some patients book follow-up visits to review their home exercise program, progress their exercises, or make sure they are continuing to move well. Others schedule a check-in after several weeks or months to reassess strength, mobility, function, and confidence.

Ongoing physiotherapy can also be helpful if you have new symptoms, are returning to a higher level of activity, or want guidance on preventing future flare-ups.

Your physiotherapist can help you decide what type of follow-up makes sense for your goals. This may include occasional reassessments, updates to your exercise program, or support as you return to work, sport, exercise, or daily activities.

About Physiotherapy

What do physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapists help people improve movement, manage pain, recover from injuries, and return to daily activities with more confidence.

A physiotherapist will assess how your body is moving, how your symptoms are affecting your function, and what may be contributing to your pain or limitations. This may include looking at strength, mobility, balance, posture, walking patterns, joint movement, muscle tension, and how you perform specific daily or sport-related tasks.

Physiotherapy treatment may include hands-on care, personalized exercises, mobility work, strengthening, education, activity guidance, and strategies to help reduce symptoms and prevent future problems.

Physiotherapists can help with many types of concerns, including muscle and joint pain, sports injuries, work injuries, post-surgical recovery, balance issues, mobility changes, chronic pain, and many other musculoskeletal conditions.

At CORPEO, your physiotherapy plan is tailored to your needs, goals, and stage of recovery. The goal is to help you move better, feel more confident, and build the tools you need to support your long-term health and function.

What should I know about physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is focused on helping people move better, manage pain, recover from injuries, and improve function in daily life.

Physiotherapists are trained healthcare professionals with expertise in movement, mobility, strength, balance, injury recovery, and musculoskeletal conditions. They assess how your body moves, how your symptoms affect your activities, and what may be contributing to your pain or limitations.

Your physiotherapist may look at your strength, range of motion, posture, walking pattern, joint mobility, muscle tension, balance, and functional movements. This helps them create a treatment plan that fits your condition, goals, and stage of recovery.

Physiotherapy treatment may include manual therapy, personalized exercises, mobility work, strengthening, education, activity guidance, and strategies to help reduce the chance of future flare-ups or injuries.

Physiotherapists also often work with physicians, surgeons, nurse practitioners, specialists, and other healthcare providers when needed. This can be especially important after surgery, with complex injuries, or when your symptoms require additional medical input.

At CORPEO, your physiotherapy care is tailored to you. The goal is to help you understand your symptoms, improve movement, build confidence, and return to the activities that matter most to you.

How is physiotherapy different at CORPEO?

At CORPEO, physiotherapy care is personalized to your symptoms, goals, and daily life. We take the time to understand what brought you in, how your concern is affecting your movement, and what you want to get back to doing.

Your first visit includes a detailed conversation about your health history, symptoms, activity level, and goals. Your physiotherapist may also guide you through specific movements or physical tests to assess strength, mobility, balance, posture, walking, or movement patterns related to your concern.

This assessment helps your physiotherapist better understand what may be contributing to your pain, injury, or functional limitations. From there, they will create a treatment plan designed for your needs.

Your plan may include manual therapy, personalized exercises, mobility work, strengthening, education, and strategies to help you manage symptoms and improve function over time.

How do I choose the right physiotherapist for me?

Finding the right physiotherapist can make a big difference in your recovery experience. You should feel comfortable asking questions, sharing your concerns, and working with your physiotherapist toward your goals.

A good place to start is by thinking about what you need help with. Some people are looking for support after surgery, while others need help with pain, sports injuries, balance, mobility, or a work-related injury. Choosing a physiotherapy clinic that has experience with your type of concern can help you feel more confident in your care.

You may also want to consider practical details, such as location, appointment availability, accessibility, and whether the clinic environment feels welcoming and supportive. Online reviews, recommendations from healthcare providers, or suggestions from friends and family can also help guide your decision.

It is also important to trust how you feel during your first visit. Your physiotherapist should take time to listen, complete a thorough assessment, explain their findings clearly, and create a treatment plan that fits your needs.

At CORPEO, located in Gloucester Centre in Ottawa’s east end, our physiotherapy team aims to provide care that is personalized, supportive, and focused on helping you move better, feel more confident, and work toward your recovery goals.

Still Have Questions?