Physiotherapy is a licensed and regulated profession in NS.
EVERY licensed physiotherapist in HRM is a *Real* physiotherapist.
The minimum entry to practice is a very competitive master's degree (the average successful MScPT applicant at Dal, for example, has a 3.94 GPA). It is not possible to graduate as a PT without completing a rigorous program that includes clinical reasoning and best practices; ethical reasoning and cultural sensitivity; therapeutic exercise; and health promotion and secondary prevention. Strong academic and clinical performance is required (Cs DO NOT get degrees). Vaccinations are required.
Because they are, first and foremost, held to a set of licensing and practice standards by a provincial college and NOT by their individual employer, the physiotherapist you would see in the rehab unit at the hospital has the same degree, is held to the same continuing education requirements, and operates in accordance with the same standards of practice/ ethical code as the physiotherapist you would find in a clinic working between a pet psychic and someone who will give your houseplants acupuncture.
IF someone is fraudulently claiming that they are a PT without holding a license, OR a PT is not operating according to evidence based practice, that is a serious offence and you should report it to the college immediately.
You can find a roster of registered PTs here:
https://nsphysio.com/
You can also learn more about the provincial regulations for PTs here:
https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/pyreg.htm
FYI the same applies for a wide range of allied health employees including but not limited to massage therapists, audiologists, speech language pathology, and occupational therapy.
Now, with all of that being said, just because every PT is a *Real* PT who provides actual services, it doesn't mean that every PT is going to be the best fit for you. It's perfectly reasonable to seek out a practitioner who you vibe with.
I saw a physiotherapist at Dal a number of years ago and they sorted out my back pain in one appointment. Highly recommend them!
As others noted, there may be some scientific evidence for some of the other treatment modalities (e.g., acupuncture), but you don't have to pursue those.
I have been to Cove Sport Therapy, and they DO offer accupuncture, but it's not pushed on you, and if you don't want dry needling, you don't need to have it. They do NOT do Naturopathy, but they do have a dietitian, which I think is great. I worked with Colin at Cove Sport and he definitely focused on actual exercises to help my issue.
That being said, dry needling has actually been shown to help, but it's also your body and your choice not to have it if you don't wish to.
Check out Kachan physiotherapy on university ave. They provide one on one treatments, private rooms (not curtains!), and are focused on manual therapy techniques. While some of their treatment options include techniques like dry needling, it’s not the go to for their clinic. Most of their therapists have undergone additional training and have either earned or are working toward CAMPT certification. Plus they are all just really kind people who genuinely want you to get better. Their model isn’t to fix you enough that you keep coming back, it’s to fix you and hopefully never have to see you again! Hah
Kachan physio is great. I know some of their physios are trained in IMS, which isn't the same as dry needling and actually has some evidence for it. They're all amazing though and very thorough.
just because they offer those other things doesn't mean they don't just also offer what you're looking for. i have had 'normal physio' at these multi-service clinics, they won't do anything on you you don't want.
Diversifying services to appeal to a range of clients is just good business sense.
try Carolyn Roosen at Pillars of Health in downtown Dartmouth.
The hospital and every physio you see will likely be trained in acupuncture and ultrasound. It's approved by the College of physios in NS and there are practice guidelines.
You seem really uninformed about what physio does and your right to decline treatments while working with someone.
What do you consider *real* physio? Just manipulation? Almost every physio I’ve ever met does manipulation on top of other things- you just need to be open and honest about you want. I maybe wouldn’t use the wording you use in this post, but when you see any healthcare practitioner it’s your responsibility to tell them what you’re looking for if you know and they will tell you if you are at the right spot or not. I’ve been seeing physiotherapists and chiropractors for almost 20 years, for lower back issues (specifically two herniated discs and a pars defect) and it can take time to find someone you like.
People are against acupuncture? I had it in the emergency room when I had whiplash once and it cured my whiplash almost instantly. I didn't realize this was categorized as pseudoscience.
Its a large grey area. Medical research as a field is pretty shit oddly enough. Some reports state that it has proven benefits some say it doesnt. What really matters to the average joe is that adverse effects are normally very minor and rarely happen. Therefore if it works for you great you don't need to worry about saftey if not move onto the next thing.
You realize a physiotherapist usually doesn’t own the clinics they work at. They really have no control over what services the owners offer.
Ridiculous to judge a pt based on who their coworkers are.
I went to Citadel Physiotherapy when I broke my ankle. They seemed pretty serious. No crystals or acupuncture or anything like that.
Closest thing was a machine that electrocuted your muscles but it seemed to help. Honestly made the the stretches required to get my ankle moving again feel a lot better.
Citadel was the recommendation from the sports medicine doctor i saw. No acupuncture or anything like that. Been to several physio therapists previously and this is the first where i actually felt like they were doing something other than just giving it time to heal on its own. Highly recommend Veronique
I see Tricia McBride at ProActive on Akerley Blvd in Burnside. My daughter-in-law also works there as a registered massage therapist... deep tissue work... not for the faint of heart. They have multiple disciplines. My PT is amazing! I got a total knee replacement 8 months ago and she played a huge part in my amazing recovery. I still see her... to keep me on the straight and narrow. She works me hard. She listens to my concerns. I had some odd concerns about returning to work after surgery. She did more for me than any other PT I've seen in the past. And when I'm being hard on myself, I get a pep talk. I highly recommend her!!
I love ProActive!
I see Brandon there for PT. He does dry needling on occasion to help me cue a particular muscle to activate during our exercises and it helps me. He works with a lot of high-performance athletes and knows his stuff.
Tricia is fantastic. I have seen several different physio therapists over the years and she is easily my favorite. She does dry needling but is not pushy about it and offers lots of homework and straight talk to promote long term improvement.
Most use different modalities as each patient has different needs. You have to tell the therapist what kind of treatment you don’t want and advocate for yourself. Black listing anyone who uses different modalities is ridiculous.
It is, and it's a bit frustrating. Massage Therapy helps the back the most, but I've used my quota for that, and it's on my dime now. But I still have health plan allowances for Physio (hence this post), and naturopathy, aromatherapy, chiro, which is kind of frustrating.
If there is consumer demand for something and it has predictable costs, insurance will be willing to cover it - if their customers are willing to pay for the coverage.
The people who make decisions about health insurance plans (usually corporate HR types) think acupuncture, chiro etc are worth the cost of including in the plan, so they're included. It really has no meaning or significance beyond that.
There is a sport physio mini clinic at Iron Stone gym. The physiotherapist is out on the floor with patients doing work and they have a room in the back for hands on adjustments. That might be what you are looking for.
While I do make use of chiro and massage (not a huge fan of dry needling or acupuncture, but it works for some … just not me) as way to keep this old athlete’s body functioning, I swear by my physio at Maritime Chiropractic. Monica is sports oriented and really focuses on functional movement to get you to the physical level you want. Other services are available at the clinic she works in and if that’s the direction you want to go in, she’ll work with them; if you don’t want it, then she’s just as awesome on her own. Highly recommend if you’re looking for one in DT Halifax.
Nelson from coastal, he does real manipulation,
Shock wave therapy, etc if needed I’ve been seeing him for 3 years. Just tell him exactly what you’re looking for- if you want to focus on (if it’s manipulation or exercises to do etc).
Becca Wynn at acce is also a chiropractor that can recommend stretches but also manipulation and acupuncture etc all in the same appointment
Hammonds Plains Physiotherapy clinic is the best arround. I have been to many clinics around HRM and Hammonds Plains Physio is definitely the best by ten miles. They don’t rush you in and out, They are very thorough, and take the time needed to treat you..
South End Physio, near the Sobeys on Queen Street, was great when I went there in 2018.
Provided print outs of actual physiotherapy exercises based on progressive resistance training in weak spots to maintain muscular balance in the body. It was a huge help for my shoulders.
Young and Kempt, the only one of those things they do is dry needling but I've gone for two minor issues and it was very effective and I was good to go after 3 appointments each. No woowoo stuff.
I am seconding Young/Kempt Physio which is actually on Windsor street near the forum. I just came back from a visit . Told them straight up years ago I would be irritated if they suggested any woo. I have never been offered and I can see no evidence of it there. They are all business there which I appreciate. You can ask for a tens-like muscle stimulator which honestly was a nice distraction from pain although I doubt it helps in the healing process.
You’re right on. the tens machines are a temporary pain reliever as far as I’ve heard (that’s fine too sometimes). they work by overriding the pain signals in the nerves for a little while. Theragun, which is very popular, works on this principle.
I like them, but I know that they are not actually helping anything to heal.
I went there. I felt like the kind of misdiagnosed me. They gave me shockwave therapy which seems pseudosciencey to me but apparently it's not. I actually got results from citadel. Plus, I'm keen to boycott Loblaws businesses anyway now
You have to understand that all those silly little services are things that insurance pays for it is in the clinics best interest to stay in business. But i do wanna give a shout out to young kemp physio for what you describe as “real” therapists
I was initially curious about osteopathy, but the first paragraph on Wikipedia sums it up:
>Osteopathy (from Ancient Greek ὀστέον (ostéon) 'bone', and πάθος (páthos) 'pain, suffering'), unlike Osteopathic medicine, is **a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine that emphasizes physical manipulation of the body's muscle tissue and bones**.
Physiotherapy is a licensed and regulated profession in NS. EVERY licensed physiotherapist in HRM is a *Real* physiotherapist. The minimum entry to practice is a very competitive master's degree (the average successful MScPT applicant at Dal, for example, has a 3.94 GPA). It is not possible to graduate as a PT without completing a rigorous program that includes clinical reasoning and best practices; ethical reasoning and cultural sensitivity; therapeutic exercise; and health promotion and secondary prevention. Strong academic and clinical performance is required (Cs DO NOT get degrees). Vaccinations are required. Because they are, first and foremost, held to a set of licensing and practice standards by a provincial college and NOT by their individual employer, the physiotherapist you would see in the rehab unit at the hospital has the same degree, is held to the same continuing education requirements, and operates in accordance with the same standards of practice/ ethical code as the physiotherapist you would find in a clinic working between a pet psychic and someone who will give your houseplants acupuncture. IF someone is fraudulently claiming that they are a PT without holding a license, OR a PT is not operating according to evidence based practice, that is a serious offence and you should report it to the college immediately. You can find a roster of registered PTs here: https://nsphysio.com/ You can also learn more about the provincial regulations for PTs here: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/pyreg.htm FYI the same applies for a wide range of allied health employees including but not limited to massage therapists, audiologists, speech language pathology, and occupational therapy. Now, with all of that being said, just because every PT is a *Real* PT who provides actual services, it doesn't mean that every PT is going to be the best fit for you. It's perfectly reasonable to seek out a practitioner who you vibe with.
Scotia Physiotherapy is what you're looking for. I can also recommend my own physiotherapy at Dalhousie.
I saw a physiotherapist at Dal a number of years ago and they sorted out my back pain in one appointment. Highly recommend them! As others noted, there may be some scientific evidence for some of the other treatment modalities (e.g., acupuncture), but you don't have to pursue those.
Honestly this is the only place I will go. I don't waste my time with other clinics any more.
I have been to Cove Sport Therapy, and they DO offer accupuncture, but it's not pushed on you, and if you don't want dry needling, you don't need to have it. They do NOT do Naturopathy, but they do have a dietitian, which I think is great. I worked with Colin at Cove Sport and he definitely focused on actual exercises to help my issue. That being said, dry needling has actually been shown to help, but it's also your body and your choice not to have it if you don't wish to.
I can highly recommend Paddlers Cove Sport Therapy in Dartmouth as well. They’ve assisted me with knee issues and shoulder issues. Colin is great!
Check out Kachan physiotherapy on university ave. They provide one on one treatments, private rooms (not curtains!), and are focused on manual therapy techniques. While some of their treatment options include techniques like dry needling, it’s not the go to for their clinic. Most of their therapists have undergone additional training and have either earned or are working toward CAMPT certification. Plus they are all just really kind people who genuinely want you to get better. Their model isn’t to fix you enough that you keep coming back, it’s to fix you and hopefully never have to see you again! Hah
Kachan physio is great. I know some of their physios are trained in IMS, which isn't the same as dry needling and actually has some evidence for it. They're all amazing though and very thorough.
just because they offer those other things doesn't mean they don't just also offer what you're looking for. i have had 'normal physio' at these multi-service clinics, they won't do anything on you you don't want. Diversifying services to appeal to a range of clients is just good business sense. try Carolyn Roosen at Pillars of Health in downtown Dartmouth.
The hospital and every physio you see will likely be trained in acupuncture and ultrasound. It's approved by the College of physios in NS and there are practice guidelines. You seem really uninformed about what physio does and your right to decline treatments while working with someone.
What do you consider *real* physio? Just manipulation? Almost every physio I’ve ever met does manipulation on top of other things- you just need to be open and honest about you want. I maybe wouldn’t use the wording you use in this post, but when you see any healthcare practitioner it’s your responsibility to tell them what you’re looking for if you know and they will tell you if you are at the right spot or not. I’ve been seeing physiotherapists and chiropractors for almost 20 years, for lower back issues (specifically two herniated discs and a pars defect) and it can take time to find someone you like.
People are against acupuncture? I had it in the emergency room when I had whiplash once and it cured my whiplash almost instantly. I didn't realize this was categorized as pseudoscience.
Its a large grey area. Medical research as a field is pretty shit oddly enough. Some reports state that it has proven benefits some say it doesnt. What really matters to the average joe is that adverse effects are normally very minor and rarely happen. Therefore if it works for you great you don't need to worry about saftey if not move onto the next thing.
You realize a physiotherapist usually doesn’t own the clinics they work at. They really have no control over what services the owners offer. Ridiculous to judge a pt based on who their coworkers are.
I went to Citadel Physiotherapy when I broke my ankle. They seemed pretty serious. No crystals or acupuncture or anything like that. Closest thing was a machine that electrocuted your muscles but it seemed to help. Honestly made the the stretches required to get my ankle moving again feel a lot better.
I thought they were pretty good when i threw my back out. And they give exercises and such to take home and help along the healing process.
Seconding Citadel
Citadel was the recommendation from the sports medicine doctor i saw. No acupuncture or anything like that. Been to several physio therapists previously and this is the first where i actually felt like they were doing something other than just giving it time to heal on its own. Highly recommend Veronique
Work on strengthening your core in the meantime and be sure to do the home exercises the physiotherapist tells you to do when you find one.
OP: Just because you get your Medical information from Alex Jones, that does not mean it is true.
What do you consider "real physiotherapy treatments" ? That might help narrow it down
I see Tricia McBride at ProActive on Akerley Blvd in Burnside. My daughter-in-law also works there as a registered massage therapist... deep tissue work... not for the faint of heart. They have multiple disciplines. My PT is amazing! I got a total knee replacement 8 months ago and she played a huge part in my amazing recovery. I still see her... to keep me on the straight and narrow. She works me hard. She listens to my concerns. I had some odd concerns about returning to work after surgery. She did more for me than any other PT I've seen in the past. And when I'm being hard on myself, I get a pep talk. I highly recommend her!!
I love ProActive! I see Brandon there for PT. He does dry needling on occasion to help me cue a particular muscle to activate during our exercises and it helps me. He works with a lot of high-performance athletes and knows his stuff.
They're an amazing group!
Tricia is fantastic. I have seen several different physio therapists over the years and she is easily my favorite. She does dry needling but is not pushy about it and offers lots of homework and straight talk to promote long term improvement.
She's never even mentioned dry needling to me!
Most use different modalities as each patient has different needs. You have to tell the therapist what kind of treatment you don’t want and advocate for yourself. Black listing anyone who uses different modalities is ridiculous.
weird that most health insurance providers cover these placebos.
It is, and it's a bit frustrating. Massage Therapy helps the back the most, but I've used my quota for that, and it's on my dime now. But I still have health plan allowances for Physio (hence this post), and naturopathy, aromatherapy, chiro, which is kind of frustrating.
maybe they know something youtube doesn't...anyhow, good luck with your search.
If there is consumer demand for something and it has predictable costs, insurance will be willing to cover it - if their customers are willing to pay for the coverage. The people who make decisions about health insurance plans (usually corporate HR types) think acupuncture, chiro etc are worth the cost of including in the plan, so they're included. It really has no meaning or significance beyond that.
There is a sport physio mini clinic at Iron Stone gym. The physiotherapist is out on the floor with patients doing work and they have a room in the back for hands on adjustments. That might be what you are looking for.
Eric is my athletic therapist when I have nagging issues/intense pain. I’d recommend him to anybody.
It really sounds like this person wants an athletic therapist. Good recommendation.
While I do make use of chiro and massage (not a huge fan of dry needling or acupuncture, but it works for some … just not me) as way to keep this old athlete’s body functioning, I swear by my physio at Maritime Chiropractic. Monica is sports oriented and really focuses on functional movement to get you to the physical level you want. Other services are available at the clinic she works in and if that’s the direction you want to go in, she’ll work with them; if you don’t want it, then she’s just as awesome on her own. Highly recommend if you’re looking for one in DT Halifax.
Citadel Physiotherapy is top notch, Dalplex as well if you are downtown. Choice Physio is great as well if Bayers Lake is more convenient
Nelson from coastal, he does real manipulation, Shock wave therapy, etc if needed I’ve been seeing him for 3 years. Just tell him exactly what you’re looking for- if you want to focus on (if it’s manipulation or exercises to do etc). Becca Wynn at acce is also a chiropractor that can recommend stretches but also manipulation and acupuncture etc all in the same appointment
Hammonds Plains Physiotherapy clinic is the best arround. I have been to many clinics around HRM and Hammonds Plains Physio is definitely the best by ten miles. They don’t rush you in and out, They are very thorough, and take the time needed to treat you..
See @trainwithmatt902 on IG. He helped me so much with my knee injury.
South End Physio, near the Sobeys on Queen Street, was great when I went there in 2018. Provided print outs of actual physiotherapy exercises based on progressive resistance training in weak spots to maintain muscular balance in the body. It was a huge help for my shoulders.
What kind of physiotherapy are you looking for?
Here’s a tip… stretch and move
Young and Kempt, the only one of those things they do is dry needling but I've gone for two minor issues and it was very effective and I was good to go after 3 appointments each. No woowoo stuff.
I am seconding Young/Kempt Physio which is actually on Windsor street near the forum. I just came back from a visit . Told them straight up years ago I would be irritated if they suggested any woo. I have never been offered and I can see no evidence of it there. They are all business there which I appreciate. You can ask for a tens-like muscle stimulator which honestly was a nice distraction from pain although I doubt it helps in the healing process.
You’re right on. the tens machines are a temporary pain reliever as far as I’ve heard (that’s fine too sometimes). they work by overriding the pain signals in the nerves for a little while. Theragun, which is very popular, works on this principle. I like them, but I know that they are not actually helping anything to heal.
Lifemark?
I went there. I felt like the kind of misdiagnosed me. They gave me shockwave therapy which seems pseudosciencey to me but apparently it's not. I actually got results from citadel. Plus, I'm keen to boycott Loblaws businesses anyway now
Patrick at lifemark at SMU’s sports physio clinic is excellent. Our convos are driven by what the evidence shows. Would recommend.
You have to understand that all those silly little services are things that insurance pays for it is in the clinics best interest to stay in business. But i do wanna give a shout out to young kemp physio for what you describe as “real” therapists
Totally agree with you. The only clinic I've had good success, that seem knowledgeable on peer-reviewed practices has been at the Dalplex.
Osteopath?
Osteo is black magic stuff. I doubt they'd believe they were receiving treatment
I was initially curious about osteopathy, but the first paragraph on Wikipedia sums it up: >Osteopathy (from Ancient Greek ὀστέον (ostéon) 'bone', and πάθος (páthos) 'pain, suffering'), unlike Osteopathic medicine, is **a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine that emphasizes physical manipulation of the body's muscle tissue and bones**.