How to Find a Registered Physiotherapist in Ontario

While you may know what you are looking for in a physiotherapist, the process of finding out how to find one can be a bit confusing. Here, our Nepean Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy Centre staff provides a number of helpful resources for finding a registered physiotherapist in Ontario.

When you know that you need physiotherapy, whether because you have injured yourself, have been prescribed it by your doctor, or because you are experiencing discomfort and pain, it can be a daunting prospect to sort out what your options are.

You might know what you need, whether that is pain management, restoring mobility after an injury, or increasing your strength and range of motion. But where do you find a physiotherapist to receive this treatment? Here are some of your best bets when it comes to finding your options for physical therapy:

College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is an excellent resource for finding a physiotherapist in Ontario.

It is always good to check their public registry for a physiotherapist you find using any other method. In order for a physiotherapist to be able to legally operate in Ontario, they must be a registered member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

If you aren't able to find a physiotherapist in their registry, or if you see their name on the list of unregulated practitioners on their website, that should be a red flag for any physical therapist you are considering.

Canadian Physiotherapy Association

If you are interested in finding a physiotherapist but aren't sure where to start, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association's (CPA) website is an excellent place to start. They are a professional organization that supports physiotherapy clinics across the country with education and advocacy.

The CPA also has a number of branches and divisions within it, which can be found on their website. They have a branch for each province and territory, and each branch lets you view a list of their constituent physiotherapy centers. No matter where you are looking for a physiotherapist in Canada, this is a good place to start.

The CPA's divisions are excellent resources for cases where you already know what kind of physical therapy you need. Each division is composed of physiotherapists who are dedicated to a particular specialization from acupuncture to women's health. These are excellent resources if you are looking to find a physiotherapist who specializes in a particular health issue or treatment method.

Ontario Physiotherapy Association

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) is a branch of the CPA dedicated specifically to physiotherapists practicing in Ontario. They provide information about physiotherapy in Ontario, as well as a directory of their member physiotherapy centers. 

This is an excellent way to find physiotherapists near you so you can start to compare what they offer and make a decision about which one might be a good fit for your needs. 

Friends and Family

A great place to start when you are considering where to look for physiotherapists is family or friends who have received physiotherapy treatments before. Not only will they be able to recommend a clinic (or warn you against one), they have firsthand experience and will be able to answer specific questions you might have about availability and general patient experience. 

Doctor Referrals

If you have been prescribed physiotherapy by your doctor, they may recommend a physiotherapist to you, or will be able to provide you with a list of physiotherapists nearby to help you get started. Keep in mind that you are not obligated to see the physiotherapist your doctor recommends, however.

There are many factors to take into consideration when you're choosing a physiotherapist, including skills, appointment times compared against your own schedule, the physiotherapist's personality, and more. Consider your doctor's recommendation as a starting point in your research, and go from there.

Google

Finally, you can always use Google to look up physiotherapists in your area. 

If you find a physiotherapist through this method, make sure you do some research and read lots of client reviews before making your choice. In a way, reading online reviews is a lot like getting recommendations from friends or family members, only you're getting feedback, thoughts, and opinions from a much larger pool of people. This can really help when it comes to narrowing down your options!