FAQs

On the first day we will assess your condition, educate you, and usually get started on treatment. Your assessment may include health history, evaluation of pain and movement patterns, strength, joint range of motion, reflexes, sensation, etc. Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will establish a diagnosis and discuss your prognosis. They will work in partnership with you to develop an individualized treatment program. Expect your physiotherapist to guide you in performing therapeutic exercises in between appointments. Your progress will be monitored at follow-up visits and your physiotherapist may adjust your treatment according to changes in your body.

For more details, please see our For New Patients page.

Here’s what you need to know about cancelling or rescheduling:

• provide 12 or more hours notice – no fee
• provide less than 12 hours notice – $20 fee
• no-show, or provide less than 2 hours notice – $40 fee

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, you can:

• contact us through this website
• call our clinic at 250.591.3730
• log in to our online booking portal and make changes there

Remember, you can always set up automatic emails, phone calls, and even text messages to remind you of your appointments. Just ask reception!

Outside of exceptional situations, we require 12+ hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. We will charge you a $40 fee if you simply don’t show up for a scheduled session, so call 250.591.3730 in advance if you can’t make it.

Our clinic is located in downtown Nanaimo, at 161 Selby Street. You can find a map (and clinic hours) on our contact page.

Yes, please! While we can look up certain imagery, it is best for you to bring in any paperwork that has been provided to you that might relate to your injury or surgery.

Wear something that provides us with easy access to the part of your body that you want help with. Your safest bet is to bring a loose pair of shorts (and ladies should bring a tank-top that shows off the shoulder blade area), no matter what you are being seen for. We have spare shorts and T-shirts for people who forget, but we can’t guarantee that you will like the colour!

Our convenient downtown Nanaimo location (161 Selby Street) allows us to service clients from all across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the surrounding Gulf Islands. Many of our clients reside in Nanaimo (or surrounding regions such as Cedar, Lantzville, and Nanoose Bay), though we often see clients travel from Duncan, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River, and even Gabriola Island and Protection Island for our services.

With our Telehealth Virtual Physiotherapy service, we can also remotely work with clients across British Columbia.

Yes. Physiotherapy in British Columbia is primarily a privately paid service, and the most common source of payment is through any extended benefits you might have through your work. If you do not have extended benefits you pay for the services directly out of pocket.

There is funding for specific groups like RCMP members, Veterans, and those injured in car or workplace accidents. Some individuals qualify for a reduced rate, partially funded by the government, but you will need to provide your birthdate and BC Services Card (CareCard) number for us to check on this.

Our rates vary depending on which treatment you require. Please see our Rates page for full details.

Even though this is a common question, there isn’t a single answer. All insurance plans are different:

• some extended health plans offer 100% coverage and unlimited sessions
• other health plans give a set dollar amount to “spend” on physiotherapy each year
• in general, it’s common for plans to cover $300 – $500 annually
• we offer direct billing to 3rd-party insurers, so feel free to call the clinic at 250.591.3730 if you have further questions

Remember, each plan varies. Some may require a Doctor’s referral or have other specific requirements, so it’s important that you get the details from your provider.

The time of payment depends on the source of your funding.

• if there is a cost borne by you it is usually due the same day as the appointment
• we offer direct billing to 3rd-party insurers, so feel free to call the clinic at 250.591.3730 if you have further questions'
• if, for example, you have a lawyer covering the cost of treatment, you may not be required to pay at all

Pinpoint will bill services directly to Medavie Blue Cross. No charges apply.

Pinpoint Physiotherapy accepts the following types of payment:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Debit
• Cash
• Cheque (returned cheques subject to NSF charge)
• Direct billing of many Law Offices
• Direct billing of most extended medical plans (including Manulife, Greenshield, Sun Life, Medavie Blue Cross, etc.)

No, physiotherapy services in BC are not subject to GST or PST.

Unfortunately, no. We keep looking, but so far have not found any Federal or Provincial programs we can access that provide private physiotherapy services to First Nations people. It is possible that your individual band might provide you with coverage. For us to check we would need policy information from you. This would be your insurance company (such as Blue Cross) and your policy number and identification number. Please check with your band office for this information if you don’t have it.

Often Indigenous peoples do qualify for a small discount partially funded by MSP. To check on this benefit, the reception staff requires your birthdate and your Personal Health Number (PHN) which is found on your BC Services Card (aka CareCard).

Clients seeking physiotherapy services after a motor vehicle accident do not pay any assessment fees if the treatment is ICBC-approved. However, the patient will pay $10 for subsequent sessions.

• you will require a claim number and approval from ICBC
• clients without a claim number will be charged our normal rate
• remember to bring your Care Card to your appointment

Clients qualifying for MSP Supplementary Benefits will receive $50.00 off the total cost of any assessment or treatment.

Remember to bring your Care Card to your appointment!

No. A doctor’s referral is not required to see a physical therapist in British Columbia. You may need a doctor’s referral to claim physiotherapy expenses on your extended benefits. Please check with your provider.

Absolutely not! Our goal is to understand your goals, figure out everything that might be contributing to your injury, educate you and treat you appropriately, and then discharge you from care. You are certainly always allowed to come back to us, but our ultimate goal is to give you the tools to self-manage if at all possible.

Think of Physiotherapists as project managers for recovering from injuries. A good physio doesn’t just treat you or prescribe exercises but will understand and manage all aspects of your recovery. Physiotherapists combine in-depth knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.

A physiotherapist’s goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being. We understand that everyone has different objectives. The demands on your body differ greatly depending on whether you work a heavy job, or have a baby, or run marathons, or all three! We will help you set and achieve appropriate end-points based on your injury and interests.

Physiotherapists prescribe personalized therapeutic exercises, and provide essential education about the body, what keeps it from moving well, how to restore mobility and independence, and how to avoid or prevent bodily harm

(source: Canadian Physiotherapy Association)

Prior to entering practice, physiotherapists must graduate with an entry-level Master’s degree from a physical therapy education program at one of 14 accredited Canadian universities. Physiotherapists in BC are required to be registered with the College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC)

Your treatment plan will usually involve education, exercise, and manual therapy components. Depending on your condition, this may include joint mobilization, manual therapy, massage, work hardening, pain reduction techniques, acupuncture or dry needling, modalities, shockwave, and general fitness guidance.

Currently, Canada Life (Great West Life), Sunlife, Manulife, Medavie Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross, Green Shield Canada, and WorkSafe BC cover part, or all, of the cost of telehealth appointments. The specific amount of coverage you are entitled to will be outlined in your benefits package. We advise clients to check with your insurance provider directly, as the list is continually expanding.

Yes. We direct bill to Canada Life (Great West Life), Sunlife, Manulife, Medavie Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross, Green Shield Canada, and WorkSafe BC for telehealth treatments.

Physiotherapists are available for telehealth appointments during our normal clinic hours, Monday to Friday from 7am - 7pm. Book in whenever is convenient for you!

Telehealth (aka virtual physiotherapy) requires that you have the following:

• A relatively fast internet connection
  
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone equipped with a camera, speakers, and a microphone

To ensure your device is compatible with our telehealth system, please visit the system requirements page from our service provider Physitrack.

No, it does not hurt. Patients often report that the acupuncture treatment itself is relaxing.

The needles used in acupuncture are much thinner than most people have experienced, with a diameter of a strand of hair!

Yes. Research has shown acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating sports injuries, pain management, migraines, arthritis and other conditions.

Yes, the acupuncture needles used for your treatment are single use , sterile needles. Our therapists are trained and certified by Acupuncture Canada or an equivalent organization.

Yes! We are pleased to now offer naturopathic medicine and advanced injection therapies in addition to our wide range of physiotherapy treatments.

Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary health care that blends current scientific research and recommendations alongside traditional and natural forms of medicine. One of the main goals of naturopathic care is to encourage and stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Yes! Prescribing pharmaceutical medications is within the scope of Naturopathic Doctors in BC.

An initial appointment with your Naturopathic Doctor (ND) will consist of a review of your chief concern, as well as an overview of your current and previous medical history. Physical exams and tests will be ordered as deemed necessary.

It depends on your plan. Naturopathic care is covered, to a degree, by many extended health care plans. MSP does not cover naturopathic services.

No. In British Columbia, the term Naturopathic Doctor is a regulated title. In order for someone to state that they are a Naturopathic Doctor or Naturopathic Physician in BC they must:

• Have a minimum of 3 years of pre-medical schooling with appropriate prerequisites
• Complete a 4-year doctorate degree, including a 1-year clinical residency, and attain a Doctor of Naturopathy
• Successfully complete two national board examinations (NPLEX), as well as provincial board examinations
• Stay up to date with medical standards through Continued Education requirements