FAQs
Choosing a new health provider can feel overwhelming. Here are some of the questions our new patients have asked us. If we don’t address your question here, feel free to contact us directly.
How do I book an appointment?
With most of our services, you can simply call one of our clinics or book here. If necessary, please have your GP fax a referral to see a sports medicine specialist.
What can I expect from my first appointment?
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time in order to register and complete some initial paperwork. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you are seeing the doctor regarding your lower back, hip, or knee, it may be helpful to bring a pair of shorts for the examination. Women who are seeing the doctor regarding a neck or shoulder issue may want to bring a tank top or sports bra. Gowns can be provided if necessary. Please bring the following:
- Any test results including x-ray, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound
- Previous exercises or information given to you from previous health practitioners
- A list of your current medications
- A list of your goals including functional goals (eg. pain-free stair climbing, return to rugby, etc.) and overall expectations for therapy are often helpful. We can also work together with you to formulate these goals.
The initial assessment is typically one hour long. During this hour, you will be asked detailed questions about your history and symptoms, and complete a detailed physical and bio-mechanical assessment. Time permitting, they may begin your treatment plan during the first visit.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
A doctor’s referral is not required to see a Synergy rehab clinician or to join our movement therapy classes. Some insurance plans do require a physician’s referral in order for you to be reimbursed for these services. If you have extended health benefits and your insurance provider requires a referral, please request one at your next doctor’s appointment
Which of your rehab staff should I see?
All of our staff are highly qualified. If you aren’t sure which of our services or clinicians are right you, our front desk staff can help you make the right decision.
How do I get to the clinic? (TTC and Parking)
235 Wallace Ave – We are one traffic light north of Bloor St, and a block west of Lansdowne Ave on the south side. TTC – Take the subway to Lansdowne Station, then walk (about 8 minutes) or take the bus two stops north to Wallace Ave, and walk a block west. Parking – There is free time limited parking available on Wallace Ave, Ward St, Rankin Cres, Campbell Ave, Symmington Ave and Lansdowne Ave; there is a paid parking lot on Ward St., and a paid parking lot beside Lansdowne Subway Station. 2017 Danforth Ave – We are one block west of Woodbine Ave on the south side of Danforth Ave. TTC – We are a short two minute walk west of Woodbine Ave subway station on the south side of Danforth Ave. Parking – There is paid parking along Danforth Ave and free one hour parking on all side streets directly beside the clinic on Moberly Avenue and adjacent streets.
How should I prepare for a Movement Therapy/Group class?
Our Movement Therapy Programs are designed for all levels of fitness and our instructors are highly trained in working with and around injuries. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early and wear comfortable clothing appropriate for exercise. Running shoes are not necessary. All props, mats, and pillows will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own mat, should you desire. If you are booked into a private movement therapy session, please bring a copy of your test results (eg. x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and/or ultrasound).
Can I go straight to the classes or do I need a private appointment?
You don’t need a private appointment to attend the classes but it would provide the opportunity to learn the breathing and body awareness techniques so that you can practice the exercises correctly. Private appointments are also an excellent option if you would prefer the individualized attention not found in a group setting.
My friend is interested. Do they need to see a doctor before they attend a class?
Everybody is welcome to take any of our classes without a doctor’s referral. If your friend feels they are physically unstable, has issues they wish to address, or if their issue is from a recent injury, they are also welcome to schedule a private appointment with one of our movement therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, or our general practitioner to assess whether the class will be suitable for their circumstances.
My gym has Pilates. How is Synergy Movement Therapy different?
Where to begin! First, our classes are small on purpose. All of Synergy’s Movement Therapy classes allow a maximum of eight students. This enables our teachers to provide more attention to your specific physical needs. Our classes are co-created by a sports medicine doctor and a movement practitioner / manual osteopath with 25 years of movement experience to make sure that you build strength and mobility without running the risk of recurring injuries. Lastly, our classes are always taught by teachers who understand anatomy and alignment. This means they will work with you to ensure that you are getting a great
workout while still staying safe.
Why do the Rehabilitative Programs expire after only four months?
Our programs are designed in a way that allows you to learn the exercises and repeat them enough at-home that you really internalize them. We expect good outcomes within two to three months; the four month expiry date encourages you to complete the program while retaining the information from the first class and get back to your prior-to-injury lifestyle as soon as possible.
Do you do direct billing?
We do provide direct-to-insurance billing for select insurance companies. Otherwise we ask all of our patients to pay upfront for services at Synergy and request reimbursement through their insurer.
I have another question.
We want you to feel comfortable and excited about your healing journey. Feel free to Contact Us at any time with your questions or explore our Services and Group Programs to find the right fit for you.
Do I need to be fit to attend a Movement Therapy program?
Not at all! Movement Therapy has students from all walks of life. Men, women, children, seniors, and everyone in between can benefit from proper breathing, posture, and alignment. And the program is for anyone with pelvic disorders.
How many movement therapy classes do I need to take before I’m better?
Honestly, this depends on your body and the circumstances surrounding your injury or condition. If you are following a home exercise program in conjunction with our classes, we generally see positive outcomes within only two to three months. If you are attending the Synergy Movement Therapy Group Rehab Classes we suggest you attend a minimum of 8 class / do the 4-week series a minimum of two times. These classes lay the groundwork for a regular home exercise program. We suggest you transition from the Synergy Movement Therapy Group Rehab Classes to whole body movement classes to the Synergy Movement Fundamentals and then Synergy Advanced Movement Classes to integrate what you have learned into whole body movement.
How long are your follow up visits?
Your treatment plan will be discussed with your therapist on your first visit and will consider location, severity and age of your injury as well as any particular goals you have. Follow-up appointments tend to range from 30 to 90 minutes.
Do you do only sports-related injuries?
Not at all. We work with patients who have a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, including pelvic health dysfunction, headache management, vertigo and many others.
How long are treatment plans and do I have to come forever?
You do not have to come forever! Our goal is to get you back to your active lifestyle as soon as possible. The duration of your treatment plan will vary depending on a number of factors including what issue we’re treating, how well your body responds to care, and whether or not you complete your home exercises.
Your clinic is far away from where I live. Is it worth coming all that way for treatment?
Our patients come from all over the GTA and beyond for treatment at Synergy Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. Many of our patients have seen multiple doctors and clinicians elsewhere before arriving at our clinic where they found our clinicians provide exceptional specialized care with positive results.
Do you use physiotherapy assistants in your treatment?
We do not use assistants in our treatments, although we do use modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation as a component of our treatment, most of the treatment time is hands on techniques and education from our highly-trained clinician specialists. These one-on-one private appointments create a consistency of care that you can rely on.
I don’t have any physiotherapy coverage. Can I bill under massage?
We will only bill for the service provided.
Are my visits covered under OHIP?
Our Rehab Services are not covered by OHIP. Many of our rehab services are supported through extended health benefits, including physiotherapy, massage therapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic medicine. As each insurance plan is different, please check with your insurer before your appointment to determine what is covered.
Is treatment covered by my extended health benefits?
That depends on your insurance coverage policy. Contact your insurance provider to find out what services they cover and whether you will need a referral from a doctor. If you do need a referral, please request one from your GP.
Do you treat MVA (car accident) and WSIB (workplace injury) cases?
At Synergy Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation our focus is on acute musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunctions, and exercise. Our Wallace location is not equipped to treat these types of cases; however, our Danforth location is able to fill out FAF (Functional Ability Forms) for workplace injuries, but is not a registered WSIB service provider.
How much will my treatment plan cost?
Our fees vary, depending on which service you require. Please ask your clinician or our front desk staff for more detailed information. Many of our services are covered by extended health care plans and we also have cost effective options available in order to help patients of all income levels.