This page contains answers to commonly-asked questions about our treatments, billing services and assessments. If you want to know more about us, please call any one of our 7 clinics nearest you
General Questions
How much will the treatment cost?
What are my payment options?
Will my insurance cover the treatment?
Will my medical information and treatment records be handled confidentially?
Do I need a Doctor's note?
How long will i require treatment?
Will i get better without receiving treatment?
Will my pain go away with only medication?
How many sessions will be necessary and how often?
Do I have to keep coming back forever?
Physiotherapy Questions
What are the benefits of physiotherapy?
What can I expect when I see a physiotherapist?
What areas of health do physiotherapists work?
Is physiotherapy safe?
What pain can be resolved by physiotherapy?
Massage Therapy Questions
Who will benefit from massage therapy?
What types of massage you provide?
What do I wear during the massage?
Where will my massage session take place?
Chiropractic Questions
What is chiropractic care?
How does chiropractic work?
What does Chiropractic involve?
How safe is Chiropractic?
Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor?
Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?
Acupuncture Questions
What is Acupuncture?
What does Acupuncture feel like?
Does Acupuncture really work?
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Will my insurance cover my Acupuncture treatment?
Photo/Laser Therapy Questions
What are benefits to have Photo/Laser Therapy?
What kind of Photo/Laser machine you have?
How are Photo/Laser Therapy treatments carried on?
What kind of Photo/Laser machine you have?
Orthotics Questions
What are Orthotics?
What kinds of Orthotics product you have?
Why are your Orthotics better than others?
What do Orthotics really do?
How long do they last?
Assessments / Insurer's Examination Questions
What exactly is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?
What does it do to help me in my job? What services should an IME facility offer?
Should an examining doctor have the opportunity to review the claimant's relevant medical history before the IME takes place?
How independent is an IME if the examining doctor is paid by the insurer?
What exactly is a Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE) or Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)? How do they complement existing reports?
When is an FAE recommended?
When will my assessment request be booked and when can I expect a report?
Is it possible to use an IME doctor that I am familiar with if he/she is not on your company roster?
How much will the treatment cost?
Most health care plans cover our services. For those without coverage, ask us about our community care programs.
What are my payment options?
We accept Debit/Interac, Visa, Master Card, cash and cheque.
Will my insurance cover the treatment?
Yes, most of the health benefit plans will cover your therapy treatment. At MedRehab Group, you don't have to pay up front fees and we will bill your Extend Health Care (EHC), Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA), Workplace Safety and Insurance Board ( WSIB ) and Private claims directly.
Will my medical information and treatment records be handled confidentially?
Yes. The protection of personal information is not a new concept for MedRehab Group. Since inception, we have been collecting health information and following the health professional’s adherence to keeping of all medical and personal information. From the day of hire, staff members are made aware of and adhere to this confidentiality, or protection, of information policy.
Do I need a Doctor's note?
Basically speaking the doctor’s note is not compulsory. However if you are claiming through your Extended Health Coverage a doctor’s note may be required when submitting your claim, and it will help therapists to diagnose and serve you better according to the medical information on your doctor's note.
How long will I require treatment?
Acute pain can typically be resolved within 1-2 weeks (3-4 visits) by our highly qualified professionals. Depending on the injury, most treatment programs last 4-6 weeks.
Will I get better without receiving treatment?
Your symptoms may eventually resolve, but the underlying causes may create other physical complaints.
Will my pain go away with only medication?
Studies show that approximately 70% of all physical problems do not resolve with just medication.
How many sessions will be necessary and how often?
The number of sessions depends on the nature, severity and history of the problem, as well as the patient’s energy level. In acute cases, several sessions held in close succession are necessary. In chronic cases, treatments are less frequent and continue until the patient’s health status is stabilized. Improvements are usually noticed by the third to fifth visit.
Do I have to keep coming back forever?
No! In our office we have three types of care: relief care, corrective care and maintenance care. Pain usually subsides in the first 4-6 weeks. However, correcting the cause of a problem takes longer. You have the option of discontinuing care when the pain subsides. Once the pain has subsided you have the option to continue treatment to solve the root cause of your symptoms and participate in what we call maintenance care. It is completely up to you.
What are the benefits of physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy benefits include decreasing pain, improving joint mobility, increasing strength and coordination and improved cardio respiratory function.
What can I expect when I see a physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist will perform a detailed assessment of your injury and determine an appropriate treatment plan. When coming in for treatment you can expect to be treated with modalities, exercise, manual therapy, and be provided with education topics. The end goal of which is a return to normal daily function.
What areas of health do physiotherapists work?
Physiotherapists are educated and trained to work in a variety of areas. These include musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and neurological cases and they can also treat a range of ages from pediatrics to geriatrics. Therefore no matter the injury, a physiotherapist can provide help for getting back to work, recreation, or everyday tasks.
Is physiotherapy safe?
YES! Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy whether you are living with a chronic illness, recovering from a work injury or suffering after that weekend hockey game.
What pain can be resolved by physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can be useful in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of pain, such as sports injuries, back and neck pain, postural problems, occupational pain and spinal cord injuries.
What types of massage do you provide?
Our registered massage therapists will provide the most common known types of massage such as Swedish, Deep Tissue and Seated Acupressure.
What do I wear during the massage?
It's depending on the massage technique your therapist uses, you may or may not need to undress. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress, and you will be covered with a sheet and blanket at all times except the area being worked on.
Where will my massage session take place?
Your massage session will be carried out in a single comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a massage table especially designed for your comfort.
How long will I be in the clinic for each massage session?
We have both half-hour and one hour sessions for you to choose from. However in order to have the best result, we recommend full-body massage treatment in a full hour session.
What is chiropractic care?
It's a natural method of health care that focuses on treating the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise. With a normally functioning spine and healthy nervous system, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because your spine is the lifeline of your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, and all function through your body.
How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences (subluxations, misaligned vertebrae) to your nervous system. With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your keys to optimal health!
What does Chiropractic involve?
During the treatment itself, you'll probably lie or sit on an exam table while your chiropractor adjusts your joints -- especially your spine -- depending on your individual needs. He or she may also use a reflex tool to do adjustments. Spinal adjustments are normally pain-free, although some slight soreness may be present afterwards that should improve quickly on its own. Your chiropractor may also counsel you on appropriate exercises that you can do on your own.
How safe is Chiropractic?
In the context of health care procedures, chiropractic treatments have a good safety record. About 30 million people see a chiropractor each year, and only a handful report serious injuries. The most common side effect of chiropractic adjustments is slight soreness, which you can usually relieve by icing the sore area. It's a good idea, though, to tell both your chiropractor and your
regular doctor about each other, so they can coordinate your care.
Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor?
Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is know as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized, back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.
Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?
Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nervous system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patients size, weight, age, and condition of health.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient oriental medical practice used to treat illness and give pain relief. It involves the insertion of fine needles at precise sites (acupuncture points) on the body.
What does Acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed.
Does Acupuncture really work?
Yes, There are some situations--such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma--in which acupuncture could be useful as a safer and less expensive adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative to medication or surgery.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is safe if qualified acupuncturists perform it. Acupuncture needles are thin (like human hair) and solid (not hollow like injection needles). Therefore, a skilled practitioner can painlessly insert them through the skin, and they will not damage the tissue. We assure our clients 100% safety by using only sterilized, disposable needles.
Will my insurance cover my Acupuncture treatment?
Most health insurance coverages now provide either unlimited or limited benefits for alternative medicine treatment which includes Acupuncture, we are pleased to assist you to investigate your benefits plan and claims.
What are the benefits to having Photo/Laser Therapy?
Hundreds of scientific studies have proven it a safe and highly effective way to treat a variety of conditions, such as head, neck, back pain, arthritis, post-surgical recovery, pulls, strains/spines, carpal tunnel and tendonitis.
What kind of Photo/Laser machine do you have?
Our clinics are equipped with the latest model of Photo/Laser devices provided by MedX Health, and they are licensed by both Food and Drug Administration U.S (FDA) and Health Canada.
Is Photo/Laser Therapy safe?
Yes, the Photo/Laser is entirely safe. It is not a surgical laser, but a bio-stimulation laser. We use the latest technology without needles, so it is totally painless. The session is performed by a certified laser technologist specifically trained Photo/Laser Therapy.
How are Photo/Laser Therapy treatments carried out?
The Laser/Photo therapy devices are positioned directly on the skin with gentle pressure applied. Various areas may be treated including: directly over the lesion or site of injury, muscle insertion, relevant trigger points or tender points, nerve roots or superficial nerve trunks and acupuncture points.
What are Orthotics?
Orthotics, also known as footbeds, are custom shoe inserts. Their purpose is to create a solid, anatomically correct foundation for the body.
What kind of Orthotic products do you have?
All of our clinics are equipped with digital foot scanner and high quality shoe inserts (also known as "Stabilizers") provided by "Foot Levelers" and "The Orthotic Group".
Why are your Orthotics better than others?
The foot scanner creates a digital image of your feet that shows your accurate weight distribution on each foot and indicates imbalances or weaknesses in your feet. Depending on the measurements of your foot scan, we order pair of shoe inserts as unique as you are.
What do Orthotics really do?
Orthotics correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient, by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface. They not only solve obvious foot problems but also for ankle and knee pain, pelvis, hip, spinal pain and even headaches. This is achieved by preventing misalignment of the foot which can significantly alter the way in which the bones move within their joint.
How long do they last?
Like wearing eyeglasses, once a need for orthotic support is recognized, most people continue to benefit from wearing stabilizers. Also, your specific prescription for glasses may change to reflect the way your body changes over time. For this same reason, we recommend an annual re exam to confirm that your Foot Levelers are still providing the best support for you.
What exactly is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?
An Independent Medical Examination (IME), or Insurers Examination, is an impartial medical assessment of an individual, performed at the request of that individual's lawyer or Insurer. The examination should be completed by a specialist of the appropriate discipline. For example, "mechanical" injuries should be reviewed by an orthopaedic surgeon specifically trained in the diagnosis and treatment of bony or muscular injuries qualified to comment upon likely causation, extent and duration of the injury sustained.
What does it do to help me in my job? What services should an IME facility offer?
A professional IME report should assist an adjuster to gain an understanding, in clear and concise terms, of the practicalities of the client’s injury and the likely duration and extent of that injury. An IME should provide an objective assessment to assist the adjuster in working with rehabilitation or active treatment plans which are designed to help the client’s recovery or minimize disability and maximize comfort and treatment levels. Other services that an IME facility can provide include the review of existing medical reports to help understand and act upon existing or prior medical information.
Should an examining doctor have the opportunity to review the claimant's relevant medical history before the IME takes place?
In order for the IME specialist to be able to examine the client in the full context of accident and injury, he or she should be in possession of all relevant data, including case notes and medical history or reports, before examining the Insured. To overlook the medical history/notes review is to risk excluding information vital to the IME process
How independent is an IME if the examining doctor is paid by the insurer?
The degree of independence is directly proportionate to the degree of professionalism of the examining specialist. This service is generally contracted by a company that exclusively provides such assessments. To ensure credibility the company contracts medical specialists to perform this function and relies upon the examining professional’s code of ethics to ensure impartial and objective reports.
What exactly is a Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE) or Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)? How do they complement existing reports?
An FAE is a quantitative method of assessing an individual's measurable work capacity or, alternatively, the level at which the individual is able to function. An FAE can also assist the process of "work hardening" which is the process of working with the individual to build up and strengthen his or her functional capabilities to a point as close to the pre-injury capacity as possible. The FAE process works specifically on the following assessment factors:
- Static & dynamic strength
- Whole body range of motion
- Work endurance
- Standing/walking work tolerance
- Seated work (i.e. keyboarding) & upper extremity strength testing
- State-of-the-art work simulators used for FAE's are computerized to ensure accuracy, speed and complete objectivity of information. The simulators can be adapted to any given individual and offer their findings in a totally objective manner and in compliance with approved and internally accepted standards. In addition, the FAE report is available in both graphic and easy to read narrative form, immediately.
An FAE complements the assessment and/or IME process by adding viable and objective data. Additionally, it assists in the rehabilitative or active treatment phase by working with the individual to identify areas of weakness or concern that can then be targeted for specific care and treatment.
When is an FAE recommended?
An FAE is recommended when you want to obtain accurate and quantified information regarding an individual's actual work capacity for comparison to a specific duty and physical expectation. The FAE as a tool is able to provide the simulated job stressors and tasks and tell you exactly what type of tolerance an individual might have for their actual essential duties of daily living and/or their occupation.
When will my assessment request be booked and when can I expect a report?
We will book assessment requests at the time of receipt. If it is a request for an out-of-town assessment, then the time period is 48–72 hours at the latest following a request. Executive Summaries can be available within 24-48 hours and a Final Report within 10-14 business days.
Is it possible to use an IME doctor that I am familiar with if he/she is not on your company roster?
It may be possible to use a doctor that you suggest. MedRehab will contact the suggested doctor to see whether or not they are interested in becoming a member of MedRehab’s roster. If they are interested, then MedRehab will ensure that they have the required credentials, are in good standing with their professional regulatory body and assess a sample report for compliance with MedRehab’s standards. If all these criteria are satisfied, MedRehab will readily add the suggested doctor to its roster.
