FAQ
How can Physical Therapy help me with my injuries?
Physical Therapy is the assessment, treatment, and prevention of pain and injuries to the muscular, skeletal, or nervous system. It is a combination of manual therapy exercises and modality therapies, as well as education and motivation. Physical Therapy can be used to rehabilitate sports injuries, work related injuries, motor vehicle accidents; neck, back, and other joint injuries, arthritis and assist in recovery from fractures and/or surgeries. It can also be used to treat vertigo, as well as neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and effects from stroke.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to book an appointment?
No, a doctor’s referral is not required to book in for an initial assessment and subsequent treatments. However, some extended health care companies will request a doctor’s referral before they reimburse for any treatments.
Will Alberta Health Services cover the costs of my treatment?
Your initial assessment (which includes treatment) can be covered by Alberta Health Services, provided you have a valid Alberta Health Care number and book for a funded assessment. If you are coming in as a result of a recent surgery or fracture, you may have 6 subsequent treatments covered as well.
Do you offer direct billing to extended health care companies?
At this time, our clinics are able to offer direct billing to Great West Life, Alberta Blue Cross, Alberta School Employees Benefit Plan and Greenshield.
I’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, what do I do now?
Within 10 days of the collision, seek treatment from a physician, physical therapist, or chiropractor. If your injury is diagnosed as a sprain, strain, or minor whiplash injury, your primary health care provider does not need authorization from your insurer for the first 90 days of treatment and will bill the insurance company directly. For other injuries (including fractures and/or neurological symptoms), you’ll have to go through your extended health care (if there is a company available) otherwise you will go through the Section B benefits with your automobile insurer.
I was hurt at work, what do I do now?
St. Albert Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic, Dynamic Sports Physiotherapy and Kensington Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic are all Workers Compensation Board authorized providers, so the physical therapists at each clinic are able to provide treatment for your WCB claims. If you are hurt at work, first contact your employer the details of your injury which they will report to WCB Alberta. After your employer is aware of your injury and all necessary information has been documented, you should book in for an assessment with a physical therapist. They will complete the necessary electronic documentation reporting at the assessment and submit it to WCB on your behalf. An adjudicator will then review your claim and inform both you and your physical therapist on the decision that WCB has made.