What are your areas of expertise?

Mike has been practicing as a physiotherapist for over 25+ years.  Mike achieved his advanced certification in manual and manipulative therapy in 1999.  This is the highest post-graduate level available to physiotherapists through the Orthopaedic division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.  Passing this level allows Mike to be a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists. Mike has assessed, diagnosed and successfully treated almost every type of injury.  Mike’s main focus for treatment is manual therapy.  Manual therapy is a combination soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization and manipulations to restore normal movement to a restricted joint or muscle.  Mike combines manual therapy with home exercises to further facilitate independence and reduction of symptoms.  Mike is also a certified Gunn IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) Practitioner.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, Mike is currently accepting new patients.

What are your office hours?

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to  5:30 pm,  Saturday and Sunday – Closed.

Do I need to be seen regularly by a physiotherapist?
Every situation is unique.  Some conditions require only a few sessions while others may require ongoing treatment as required. Mike will communicate with your family physician to effectively manage your care.

What to expect on your first appointment?

Mike will take a comprehensive history and perform a thorough physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem.  Education regarding the injury and it’s cause will be explained in easy to understand terms followed by an outline of a treatment plan specific for your problem.

What is your cancellation policy regarding missed appointments?

There is a $90.00 cancellation fee for a late cancellation (i.e. same day cancellations).

What Payment options do you accept for my treatments?

Mike accepts Visa, Mastercard,  Amex, Debit, Cash or Cheque.

Do you accept WSBC patients?

Mike is currently NOT accepting WSBC clients.

Do I have to pay at the time of my appointment?

Yes, all payment must be received at the end of the appointment.

Do I need a Doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist?

No, is the short answer. Mike likes to work closely with your physician to provide the best comprehensive medical care for you, but a referral from your family doctor is not necessary. Some third parties; such as extended health insurance companies may require a referral before they will fund or provide reimbursement for your treatments.  WCB and ICBC clients always require a doctor’s referral.

How long will my appointment take?

Mike books approximately 35 minutes for first time visits and every subsequent visit.  Mike does not book any other clients into your time so you will have his undivided attention for your appointment.  Mike tries to run on time as he understands that your time is very valuable so you can count on him to rarely run late.

Do you treat sports injuries?

Yes, Mike treats sports injuries.  He has treated many sports related injuries.  Some examples of sports include: golf, soccer, volleyball, football, rugby, rowing, cycling, running, swimming, baseball, etc.  Mike has worked with Rugby, volleyball, baseball and golf teams in the past.

“I was in a car accident, can I come directly to a physiotherapist or do I need to see my family Doctor?”

You need to see your family physician first to get a referral for physiotherapy in order for your car insurance to cover your physiotherapy treatment costs.

Should I use ice or heat for my injury?

Heat and cold both have very similar physiological effects; both will increase circulation to the area they are applied to as the body attempts to maintain normal temperature. The difference is that cold will slow the chemical reaction that produces inflammation, while heat will speed it up. Therefore, if you are in an active inflammatory phase ie; within 72 hours after your injury, you should put ice on the injury. The take home message: put ice on fresh injuries and heat on injuries no longer producing inflammation. If you call our clinic and speak to Mike, he should be able to advise you regarding the application of heat or cold.

Do you know any good exercises for back or neck pain?

Every situation is unique and requires a thorough assessment before exercises are prescribed.  Some injuries benefit from specific exercises but can also be made worse with the same exercises.  so, I would recommend that you first see a professional to have your neck/injury evaluated before starting specific exercises.

Do you treat shoulder pain?

Yes, next to neck and back pain shoulder pain is the next most common injury that I treat.  I have taken several advanced courses on the assessment and treatment of shoulder pain and have a special interest in treating the shoulder.

“My doctor says I have tennis elbow, what should I do to treat it?”

Tennis elbow can be a very disabling condition and requires a thorough screening assessment to determine it’s underlying cause.  Only then can treatment be recommended to fix the problem.  If this condition is not treated effectively it can become a chronic/long term problem.

I often get injured when I start an exercise program; what should I do?

If this is a common theme for you, you may need a pre-screening assessment that identifies areas that you need to be careful with or to focus on before, during and after your exercise program.  Mike is more than capable to guide you through this process.

Does physiotherapy help with headaches?

Headaches can come from many sources in the neck, upper back and head area.  After a thorough assessment, Mike will be able to determine if physiotherapy will be helpful with your headaches.

How soon should I start physiotherapy treatment after an injury?

Most acute injuries should be seen within the first week after the injury to determine the severity of the injury and to implement appropriate education about soft tissue healing and your responsibilities during the recovery period.