|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
return
to homepage
|
1. What is physiotherapy? When is it recommended, and when is it premature or not recommended? 3. Where do I begin? How do I make an appointment? 4. What does my initial evaluation consist of? 7. How many appointments will it take before I am rehabilitated? 8. What's the difference between the L'ESPRIT REHABILITATION CENTRES and other physiotherapy clinics? 9.
Cancer rehabilitation:
Answers to FAQs
1. What is physiotherapy? When is it recommended, and when is it premature or not recommended? Physiotherapy is the science of physical rehabilitation. Its primary goal is to help individuals overcome muscular, skeletal and neurological problems, and in doing so to help them recover their independence. For example, a physiotherapist is trained to address the following physical impairments:
2. How much do treatments cost? How do I pay for them? What forms of medical insurance apply to my treatment? Is physiotherapy covered by Medicare? L'Esprit is a private clinic in which a vast majority of the services are paid for by private insurance, group insurance, workman's compensation (CSST), the Quebec Automobile Insurance plan (SAAQ), War Veterans insurance, or simply via cash/credit. Only consultations with our medical doctors are covered by Medicare. For a complete overview of our prices and possible payment methods, consult our Services At A Glance grid. 3. Where do I begin? How do I make an appointment? To make an appointment, you must first decide which L'Esprit Rehabilitation Centre is most convenient for you. For residents of Montreal centre / West / South, call our clinic at 5252 Boul. de Maisonneuve West at (514) 483-1213. For residents of Montreal centre / North / East, call our clinic at 1140 Beaumont Ave. at (514) 738-2227. For directions on how to find our clinics, click here, or ask one of our receptionists. 4. What does my initial evaluation consist of? The initial evaluation is mainly an information-gathering and diagnostic session. Using the physician's report as a point of reference (when possible), the therapist will ask you several questions and will perform a physical examination. With this information the therapist will design a plan through which to accelerate your recovery without risking further injury. 5. What should I do if I injure myself? Do I need to be referred by a MD, or can I skip that step and make an appointment to see a physiotherapist immediately? If the nature or extent of your orthopaedic injury is unclear, you must make an appointment for a consultation with your personal specialist or with one of L'ESPRIT's medical specialists. The specialist may in turn recommend x-rays, medication or any other course of action which is deemed appropriate, including perhaps physiotherapy. If, however, you are very familiar with your injury, and you know that it can be addressed by a physiotherapist, you may choose to skip the medical consultation and make an appointment directly with our physiotherapy services. But remember, when in doubt about the nature of your injury, consult a physician. These consultations are fully covered by Medicare, so there's no need to gamble. 6. What sorts of methods will my physiotherapist employ to rehabilitate me? How do machines like Ultrasound, Laser, TENS help me recover? Physiotherapists traditionally use a wide variety of tools to help you rediscover your ability to function normally. These tools will vary considerably over the length of your treatments and depending on the nature of your impairment. Here is a short list of some of the most frequently used "tools of the trade": (click for detailed description)
7. How many appointments will it take before I am rehabilitated? The time needed to execute your rehabilitation program varies considerably from case to case. Some patients need only a couple of weeks of treatment before they are ready to follow a self-administered program. Other require longer term care to maintain their maximal functionality. As a general rule, the following issues will determine the speed of your recovery:
8. What's the difference between the L'ESPRIT REHABILITATION CENTRES and other physiotherapy clinics? In the past
10 years many physiotherapy clinics have opened on the island
of Montreal. The difference between these clinics and L'ESPRIT
is straightforward.
9. a) "I always assumed that exercising would aggravate the fatigue, nausea and muscle weakness associated with my illness…" Is this true? Actually,
most of these symptoms are not the direct result of the tumour
but rather the side effects of the anti-cancer treatments that
you receive to fight the tumour. Recent research shows that when
appropriately administered, exercise can improve a patient's ability
to cope with these symptoms, resulting in a reported INCREASE
in energy, strength, and overall vitality, and a REDUCTION in
fatigue and nausea. 9. b) Which cancer-related problems can L'Esprit's physiotherapists address, and how will they address them? L'Esprit's staff consists of an energetic team of physiotherapists dedicated to the rehabilitation of patients diagnosed with cancer. We have studied the side effects and the disabilities / limitations associated with cancer and its aggressive anti-cancer treatments, and have been sensitized to the fact that:
For many patients the above physical changes are associated with pain, fatigue and an inability to carry out daily routines. This is where a rehabilitation program designed in close consultation with your primary medical caregiver would come into play. Depending on a multitude of factors, this program may include one or many of the following:
9. c) How can your exercise program help me physically in my daily activities? The prescribed exercises will help diminish your physical problems and improve your well-being in the following ways: By strengthening your muscles, you will:
By stretching your muscles and joints, you:
In
cases of nerve or brain damage, practicing a series of movement
patterns will:
Through a structured aerobic exercise program (walking/biking), you will:
|
|||||||||