**Covid-19 faq**
granville physio's COVID-19 RESPOnse plan
In accordance with provincial health and safety guidelines, we have made many changes to enhance our pre-existing health and safety measures in order to minimize potential transmission risk. At Granville Physio, your health and well-being is always our biggest priority and that has remained true in the implementation of our COVID-19 Response Plan. We have made fundamental changes to allow us to adequately provide healthcare services, while still being vigilant in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Changes we've made includes:
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We appreciate your adherence with these guidelines and your patience as we navigate through these unprecedented times.
Changes we've made includes:
- Making surgical-grade masks mandatory in the clinic, for both patients, practitioners, and admin staff.
- Incorporating disinfectants to the existing treatment room cleaning protocol.
- Note that "disinfectants" can kill a wider variety of microorganisms including both bacteria and viruses, while "sanitizers" kill only bacteria and "cleaners" are specialized for removing visible soil.
- Disinfecting treatment rooms and therapeutic tools in between patients.
- Frequently disinfecting common waiting areas.
- Each patient is asked to complete a COVID-19 Screening Form prior to their appointment.
- Staggering appointments between practitioners to decrease the amount of patients in the waiting area and better allow for adequate physical distancing.
- We now have a tap payment machine to allow for contactless payment.
- We are going paperless and will be emailing receipts to patients in order to minimize interactions between persons.
- Certain therapeutic modalities are no longer available, including the use of the inversion table for low back traction, IFC (buzzing machine), ultrasound, ice, and moist hot packs.
- Offering Telehealth appointments where possible, for those that are uncomfortable coming in to the clinic.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We appreciate your adherence with these guidelines and your patience as we navigate through these unprecedented times.
FAQ - For Patients
Before your appointment:
- Please complete the COVID-19 Screening Form. This form is sent to you 24 hours before your appointment, and must be completed prior to each subsequent appointment.
- Complete a brief self-assessment and determine if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms. If you do have symptoms, please call to cancel your appointment and follow BC's health and safety guidelines for sickness (see tab below).
- If you are uncomfortable with coming in to the clinic in person, please call or email us to determine if a Telehealth appointment is a suitable option for you.
- Patients are required to wear a mask for the duration of their appointment.
- Please sanitize your hands upon arrival to the clinic, and after touching/adjusting your mask at any point throughout your appointment.
- Pay attention to any signs and floor markers, and maintain adequate physical distancing when possible.
- Communicate any concerns or questions you have to your practitioner or admin staff.
- If you develop symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of your appointment, please call to inform us and cancel any upcoming appointments.
resources
If you are sick:
For the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations and guidelines, click here.
For Canada's response, click here.
For mental health resources and support relating to COVID-19, click here.
- Use Canada's self-assessment tool to determine if a COVID-19 test is a suitable option for you
- Monitor your symptoms
- Contact your health care provider, stay home and self-isolate unless to get medical care (see the CDC's webpage for further advice).
- Rest, stay hydrated, and take care of yourself.
For the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations and guidelines, click here.
For Canada's response, click here.
For mental health resources and support relating to COVID-19, click here.
General FAQ
What should I bring to my appointment?
- Smart phone or other device capable of taking pictures and video for exercise or injury explanations (ensure sufficient space)
- CareCard/Personal Health Number
- Tank top preferably with non sports bra as this can block the access to and view of the mid back
- Shorts - if you are being treated for a back, hip, knee, ankle or foot problem
- Shoes/orthotics- If you have a lower extremity injury related to a sport it may be helpful for you to bring whatever shoes (including orthotics) you use to participate in that sport.
- Diagnostic test results relevant to your complaint (X-ray reports, CT scans, or MRI results)
- WSBC Patients- Claim number, CareCard/Personal Health Number, case manager’s name and number
- ICBC Patients- Claim number, CareCard/Personal Health Number, adjustor’s name and number
- Insurance Card for Direct Billing
- A support person should accompany you if you require assistance entering the clinic, filling out forms, changing attire, getting up from lying, etc.
When should I arrive for my appointments
For your first appointment please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure all paper work is filled out and your appointment time can be used for assessing and treating your condition.
For future appointments arriving 10 minutes early should provide ample time for you to change into appropriate clothing and go to the bathroom if required.
For future appointments arriving 10 minutes early should provide ample time for you to change into appropriate clothing and go to the bathroom if required.
Do you have parking?
There are 24 free parking stalls directly outside of the clinic and additional parking in the Safeway parkade. Excellent access is provided with one access point off of West 70th Ave and two access points off of Granville.
How long will my appointments be?
While your treatment may only last for the booked duration, your therapist may ask you to do exercises or stay to ice or use modalities (ultrasound or ifc).
WHAT ARE YOUR APPOINTMENT LENGTHS AND RATES?
Treatment and assessment will be billed on a per time basis as follows:
For physiotherapy:
A further $12 for the use of needles will be charged when IMS is used as a treatment modality.
A further $20 will be charged when shockwave treatment is provided.
Only with therapist permission are 15 or 20 minute sessions booked for non-WSBC patients. They are intended to allow patients with acute (new) injuries a cheaper alternative to multiple visits in the initial stages of their recovery. Additionally, they can be prescribed for individuals who have attended the clinic previously and physiotherapist feels only a short time is required for treating simple one-joint injuries.
- Physiotherapy:
- 30 minutes (Cheryl So & Brendon Ip) $95.00
- 30 minutes (Martin Vaillancourt & Damien Wild) $99.00
- 30 minutes (Jim Bowie) $105.00
- Massage Therapy (Geordie Yang):
- 30 minutes - $75.00
- 45 minutes - $100.00
- 60 minutes - $125.00
- Kinesiology (Cean Bod-Oy):
- 60 minutes - $80.00
For physiotherapy:
A further $12 for the use of needles will be charged when IMS is used as a treatment modality.
A further $20 will be charged when shockwave treatment is provided.
Only with therapist permission are 15 or 20 minute sessions booked for non-WSBC patients. They are intended to allow patients with acute (new) injuries a cheaper alternative to multiple visits in the initial stages of their recovery. Additionally, they can be prescribed for individuals who have attended the clinic previously and physiotherapist feels only a short time is required for treating simple one-joint injuries.
HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS WILL I NEED?
This varies from patient to patient depending on the scope of your injury. At your first session your physiotherapist will assess the problem and will discuss a treatment plan with you. Your progress will depend on a variety of factors and your physiotherapist will communicate with you along the way to make sure you are comfortable with the plan.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to come to physiotherapy?
A referral from your doctor is not required to receive physiotherapy. Some private insurance companies require a doctors referral before providing extended coverage however each one is different so it is best to check your personal plan.
For WSBC and ICBC claims, a doctors referral is not required initially.
It helps to be informed about your healthcare, before and during treatment. Below are some questions to find out before you come in for your first visit. All of this information will be available through your insurance provider.
When acupuncture is provided because it will be performed by a physiotherapist you will not be able to use "acupuncture coverage" under your plan.
For WSBC and ICBC claims, a doctors referral is not required initially.
It helps to be informed about your healthcare, before and during treatment. Below are some questions to find out before you come in for your first visit. All of this information will be available through your insurance provider.
- Does your insurance policy cover this type of care?
- Do you need a referral from a primary care physician?
- If yes, is your referral for a specific number of visits or specific time limit?
- Is there a dollar limit per year or per visit?
- Is there a limit to the number of visits allowed per year?
When acupuncture is provided because it will be performed by a physiotherapist you will not be able to use "acupuncture coverage" under your plan.
I am insured, how does that work?
We do direct billing for extended health benefits for most providers. Please bring in your insurance card to your appointment and we can set this up for you.
does msp cover physiotherapy?
MSP beneficiaries with premium assistance status (low income, native status, disability status) are eligible for a combined annual limit of 10 visits for acupuncturist services, physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry.
You must enroll for MSP before receiving coverage. For more information on this click here.
If you are eligible for MSP you will have $23 deducted from your total cost of treatment.
You must enroll for MSP before receiving coverage. For more information on this click here.
If you are eligible for MSP you will have $23 deducted from your total cost of treatment.
What if I do not have a WSBC claim number but was injured at work?
If you do not have a WSBC claim number prior to your first visit, you will have to pay for the visit yourself. Once you receive your claim number, please inform our receptionist so that your visits can be re-billed to WSBC. Once WSBC approves your claim you will receive reimbursement from Granville Physio.
What if I cannot make a scheduled appointment? Do you have a cancellation policy?
Appointments are made to ensure your therapist has a sufficient amount of time to provide you with treatment. If you cannot make an appointment, we kindly ask that you give us at least 24 hours notice. This advanced notice will allow us to offer this appointment time to another client in need of our services. A cancellation fee equal to a private visit will be charged if the client does not show up for an appointment or cancels/reschedules without sufficient notice.
IMS FAQ
What is the difference between IMS and acupuncture?
At first glance, you may be inclined to think that intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is similar to acupuncture. While acupuncture and IMS may use similar needles, the techniques employed are completely different. IMS requires the physiotherapist to have a greater knowledge of human anatomy and biomechanics, as the assessment of movement and alignment is key in finding which areas to treat.
how long will the benefits of ims last?
IMS treatment has a cumulative effect. This means that over time, the severity of the injury will decrease, until the condition is healed and pain does not return! Much like pruning a plant leads to healthier growth in the long run, each IMS treatment creates micro-traumas to the injury, drawing blood and natural healing factors to the area. Over time, this results in complete recovery of the injury and improved function.
how often will i need ims treatment?
IMS is usually done once a week, until the injury is fully resolved. This is to allow the injury/tissue to heal from the needling between treatments.
what does it feel like?
The needles used for IMS treatment are extremely thin, and therefore there is no pain associated with the insertion of the needle through the skin itself. Patients often describe the feeling of IMS as an ache or muscle cramp, and a distinct sensation of the muscle "gripping" the needle. While this cramp can be quite painful and intense, it will only last briefly before easing. After this cramp, the muscle will relax, and the feeling is often described as a "release" as the muscle lengthens back to a healthy resting state. An IMS needle inserted into a "healthy" muscle will not provide any cramping or painful sensations.
what should i expect after treatment?
It is not unusual to have some soreness, aching, or fatigue after treatment, and may persist for a couple hours or into the next day. This is normal, due to the body's natural healing processes working at the site of the injury, and will resolve without intervention. Some people also report feeling dazed, extremely tired, or emotional after treatment. These symptoms will also dissipate shortly after treatment. However, depending on the intensity of your treatment, it is recommended that you do not participate in any rigorous physical activity or exercise for the rest of the day. Once the initial soreness of treatment dissipates, you can expect a decrease in pain, and an increase in range of motion and function!
what should i do following my treatment?
As mentioned earlier, it is advised that heavy physical exertion is avoided for the rest of the day following your treatment. Drinking plenty of water, taking a hot bath or shower, or applying hot/cold packs to the area can also help with any soreness or fatigue experienced.
what does ims do?
The main purpose of IMS is to release tight muscles, which in turn can alleviate problems with alignment, nerve compression, and range of motion. When the thin IMS needle is inserted into an irritated/tense muscle, a twitch is stimulated and the muscle then relaxes. Over time, this has a cumulative effect and can resolve large movement issues or injuries. For a more comprehensive explanation of what IMS is and how it works, please click here.
what are the risks associated with ims?
As with any technique or treatment, there are risks associated with IMS. However, these risks are very small, and a number of steps are taking to minimize their likelihood during your treatment. As with any needling, there is a chance for infection. The needles used are individually wrapped, sterilized, and disposed into a safe-handling box directly after each use. Furthermore, the skin is cleaned with alcohol prior to any insertion. Bruising may result if an inserted needle hits a small vein or artery. This small bruise should dissipate within a few days. IMS is never performed in areas that could cause lasting damage if punctured, such as over major organs.
location - 8501 saskatchewan lane
