Physiotherapists and Biokineticists are first line practitioners. This means that you do not need a referral in order to be assessed and receive treatment from them.
However, this also means that a comprehensive assessment is absolutely vital in order to determine the cause of your pain and dysfunction, as well as any contributing factors, or possible health precautions that may need to be taken in order to ensure that our treatment is both effective and safe for you and your condition.
It is through the comprehensive assessment that the therapist is able to identify possible structures or factors that may be at fault in causing your pain or dysfunction. However, it is also during this process that the need for referral for further investigation may arise, and it is for this very reason that this is absolutely essential in your treatment.
During your initial appointment with us, your assessment will consist of both an interview as well as a series of tests that will be based on your interview, in order to accurately determine the structure or cause of your pain and dysfunction.
In the interview, your therapist may ask you a range of questions including:
- The history and presentation of your current condition.
- Your pain or dysfunction level and how it effects your daily life.
- Any previous or co-existing conditions or injuries.
- Your general health.
- Special questions in order to determine the severity of your condition.
- Medications you may be taking.
- Training or exercise regimes.
- Hobbies.
- Goals you may have regarding your condition.
Based on this, your therapist will decide what tests to perform during your objective assessment. These tests may include:
- General movements of the affected area and surrounds.
- Posture assessment.
- Joint range of movement.
- Quality of movement.
- Gait or running analysis.
- Neural tests.
- Neurological tests for sensation, muscle activation and reflexes.
- Hobbies.
- Muscle strength & length.
- Balance & Proprioception.
- Muscle strength & length.
- Special tests for specific structures that may be affected.
- Palpation .
Once your assessment is completed, the therapist will treat the priority for that particular session and plan following sessions accordingly.
