Practice areas – Definitions

§ Working closely with physicians, physiotherapists treat people in hospitals and clinics, neighbourhood schools, homes and long-term care programs, and sports medicine facilities.   When an accident or illness affects your body, your physiotherapist, a university-trained health-care professional, can restore mobility.

PRACTICE AREAS		DESCRIPTION
ACUPUNCTURE	§	Acupuncture using needles at specific points of the body to relieve pain and treat various physical disorders and systemic conditions.
AMPUTEES	§	Muscle strengthening, balance and mobility for Amputees
ARTHRITIS	§	Physiotherapy treatment of over 100 types of Arthritis (joint inflammation) for all ages from tendonitis to osteoarthritis.
BREAST HEALTH	§	Physiotherapy treatment related to breast cancer recovery
CARDIO-RESPIRATORY	§	Physiotherapy treatment of heart, lung and circulatory conditions such as asthma & emphysema, as well as recovery from bypass surgery or heart attack by optimizing heart and lung function.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES	§	Complementing traditional physiotherapy with techniques such as Biofeedback, Craniosacral Therapy, Feldenkrais Method, Healing Touch, Hellerwork, Myofascial Release, and Visceral Mobilization.
CONSTIPATION	§	Treatment of bowel muscle control related constipation.
ERGONOMICS	§	Evaluation and resolution of postural problems and work-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, low back and neck pain.
GERONTOLOGY	§	Physiotherapy treatment of age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, immobility, and prevention of falls.
HANDS	§	Physical Therapy treatment of injury or disease of the areas from the hands to the shoulders using exercise, manual therapy and splinting.
HOME VISITS	§	Physiotherapy provided in private homes or long term care facilities.
HYDROTHERAPY	§	Physical Therapy Treatment in water based environment.
INCONTINENCE	§	Physiotherapy treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence and bladder conditions.
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH	§	Assessment and treatment of work-related physical problems, and recommendation of injury prevention and workplace safety.
IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)	§	A scientifically based physiotherapy technique using acupuncture needles and knowledge of neurophysiology to release tight bands of muscle.
MCKENZIE MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS & THERAPY	§	The McKenzie method of physiotherapy is a validated assessment and treatment system that separates patients suitable for mechanical therapy from non-responders.  Patients are empowered to become independent  through the use of self directed, patient specific, exercise programmes.
NEUROLOGY	§	Physical Therapy treatment of nervous system conditions and injuries that affect the balance among the brain, spinal cord and nerves, including head and spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy,  and Parkinson’s.
ORTHOPAEDICS	§	Physiotherapy treatment of muscle, joints and tissue problems such as fractures, and burns, including use of manual therapy & electrotherapy.
ORTHOTICS	§	Physical therapy gait and postural assessment and prescription of orthotics.
OSTEOPOROSIS	§	Physiotherapy exercise prescription to strengthen bones and prevent falls and fractures.

PAEDIATRICS	§	Physiotherapy treatment of children under 16 who have orthopaedic, neurological and respiratory conditions, developmental delays, burns, and conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis.
PERI-NATAL CARE	§	Physical Therapy treatment for pre and post pregnancy conditions
RESEARCH	§	Physiotherapists engaged in clinical research related to physiotherapy.
RHEUMATOLOGY	§	Physiotherapy treatment of acute and chronic conditions characterized by inflammation, soreness and stiffness of muscles, and joint pain due to  degenerative joint disease; neurogenic arthropathy; hydroarthrosis; myositis; bursitis; fibromyositis; and many other conditions.
SPINAL MANIPULATION/*FCAMT	§	Advanced Physiotherapy training and exams in Spinal Manipulative Therapy.  Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists (FCAMT).
SPORTS INJURY	§	Physiotherapy treatment of sprains, strains, ligament tears and other athletic injuries using techniques such as sport specific exercise, taping, bracing, laser, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and training program development.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)	§	Physiotherapy treatment of discomfort, pain or degenerative joint disease in the jaw, or muscle jaw function and neck and shoulder muscles such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint.
VAGINAL AND RECTAL PAIN	§	Physiotherapy treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder prolapse and uterine prolapse, and recovery from prostate surgery.
VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION	§	Physiotherapy evaluation and treatment of balance disorders

§ Physiotherapists treat the whole body.  With ongoing clinical research, physiotherapists continue to  develop techniques to prevent and treat physical injury and disorder.