Physiotherapy can help with a wide range of conditions, including back and neck pain, sports injuries, joint pain, muscle strains, post-surgical recovery, concussion symptoms, balance issues, pelvic health concerns, and chronic pain conditions. Treatment is tailored to your specific goals and needs.

If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, weakness, reduced mobility, dizziness, or difficulty returning to sport or daily activities, physiotherapy can help. Early treatment often leads to faster recovery and prevents minor issues from becoming chronic.

No, you do not need a referral to book an appointment. Physiotherapists in Ontario are primary health care providers, which means you can book directly with the clinic of your choice. Some extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement, so it's always a good idea to check your coverage details in advance.If you have received a referral from your family doctor or orthopaedic surgeon, you are still free to attend any physiotherapy clinic you prefer. The referral supports your care - it doesn't limit your options.

Recovery timelines vary depending on your injury, health history, goals, and how your body responds to treatment. Some concerns may improve within just a few sessions, while more complex injuries or post-surgical rehabilitation may require several weeks or months.

Your progress also depends on what happens between appointments—following your prescribed exercises and home strategies can play an important role in recovery. After your initial assessment, your physiotherapist will provide an individualized treatment plan, including how often they recommend seeing you and what you can realistically expect along the way.

Your physiotherapist will review your health history, assess movement and strength, identify contributing factors, and create a personalized treatment plan. Treatment always begins during your first visit at Great North Physiotherapy.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being assessed (e.g., shorts for knee issues, t-shirts for shoulder concerns).

Some techniques may create temporary discomfort or muscle soreness, but your therapist will always work within your comfort level and explain each step.

Depending on your assessment, goals, and individual needs, your physiotherapist may incorporate:

  • Manual therapy (hands-on techniques to improve joint and soft tissue mobility)
  • Exercise rehabilitation (individualized strength, mobility, balance, and movement exercises)
  • Dry needling or acupuncture
  • Taping or bracing
  • Shockwave therapy
  • Interferential current (IFC) therapy
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
  • Therapeutic ultrasound
  • Heat or cold therapy
  • Infrared video goggles (for vestibular and balance assessments)
  • Normatec compression therapy
  • BlazePod reaction and movement training
  • Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) using HawkGrips
  • Sport-specific rehabilitation and return-to-sport training

Not every treatment or tool is appropriate for every condition. Your physiotherapist will recommend the approaches that best support your recovery rather than using a one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

In many cases, yes. Strengthening, movement retraining, and targeted treatment can reduce pain and improve function enough to avoid surgical intervention.

Absolutely. Sports physiotherapy is a major part of what we do, and our team brings firsthand experience from a wide range of sports and competitive environments.

Trevor Kwolek is a Registered International Sports Physiotherapist with extensive experience working with professional, elite, collegiate, competitive, and recreational athletes. His background includes professional baseball and basketball, junior hockey, national-level ski cross, major multi-sport events, and working with athletes from the NHL, CEBL, CBL, CFL, UFC, OHL, GOJHL and other high-performance environments.

Alida Bonomo brings a unique perspective to gymnastics, cheerleading and dance rehabilitation as a former Level 10 Provincial gymnast. Her firsthand understanding of the strength, flexibility, impact, and technical demands helps her support athletes through injury rehabilitation and a safe return to training and competition.

Julia Glaves is involved in the running community and works with runners of varying distances and experience levels. She offers running assessments to evaluate movement, mechanics, strength, and other factors that may be contributing to pain, injury, or performance concerns.

And you certainly don't need to be an elite athlete to work with us. We treat youth, recreational, competitive, and professional athletes with individualized care focused on injury recovery, sport-specific rehabilitation, return-to-sport planning, and reducing re-injury risk.

Pelvic health physiotherapy focuses on muscles, joints, and nerves of the pelvic region. It can help with bladder or bowel concerns, pelvic pain, pregnancy-related symptoms, postpartum recovery, and core stability.

Internal assessment or treatment is sometimes recommended for accuracy, but is never required. Your therapist will explain everything and obtain consent before proceeding.

Not all physiotherapists can offer pelvic health services. While every physiotherapist is trained in general injury and musculoskeletal care, pelvic health is a specialized area that requires additional postgraduate training, as it involves specific anatomy, assessment skills, and treatment techniques (such as internal assessment, bladder/bowel strategies, and pregnancy/postpartum care).Here at Great North Physiotherapy, Sophie Szczesniak and Priyanka Joshi are rostered in pelvic health, so you can feel confident you’re receiving knowledgeable, experienced care tailored to your needs.

Physiotherapy can play an important role in recovering from a concussion by addressing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, balance challenges, neck pain, and visual sensitivity. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific symptoms and goals, progressing at a pace that feels right for you.When appropriate, we may also use Insight Infrared Video Goggles to better assess your vestibular system and guide a more precise, targeted rehabilitation plan.

Recovery timelines after a concussion can vary significantly depending on your symptoms, injury history, and overall health. Your physiotherapist will guide you safely through each stage of recovery and adjust your plan as you progress.As part of your assessment and return-to-activity planning, this may include objective testing such as the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test to help determine safe exercise thresholds and support a gradual, evidence-based return to sport, school, or work.

Many extended health benefit plans cover physiotherapy and massage therapy, but coverage amounts and requirements can vary. We recommend taking a quick look at your plan details (or calling your provider) so you know exactly what’s covered before your visit.

Yes, we offer direct billing to most insurance providers (because we know paperwork is not your favourite workout). If you’re unsure about your coverage limits or details, we recommend checking with your insurance provider before booking to avoid any surprises.We also accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover). Easy, flexible, and hassle-free - just the way rehab should be.

We support clients recovering from motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and workplace injuries (WSIB), and our team will guide you through both your rehabilitation plan and the required paperwork every step of the way.If you’re seeking care under an MVA or WSIB claim, please contact the clinic directly at 289-606-0966 or email info@greatnorthphysio.ca so we can review your details and outline the next steps. MVA and WSIB appointments cannot be booked online, as we want to ensure all documentation and approvals are properly in place to support you from start to finish.

We’re committed to offering timely access to care, and same-week appointments are usually available (but not always). As our clinic has grown, so has our team, allowing us to expand our availability to include Saturday appointments and care at two clinical locations.You can contact us directly at 289-606-0966 or book online at www.greatnorthphysio.ca to view current openings and find a time that works best for you.

Absolutely! You’re welcome to request a specific therapist, or our team can help match you with the practitioner best suited to your condition.We can assure you that no matter who you see, you’ll be in excellent hands - our clinicians are knowledgeable, motivated, and fully committed to helping you move better and recover with confidence. They're also a hoot to spend your sessions with.

That's completely normal, especially if it's your first time in physiotherapy. We'll take the time to walk you through each step, answer your questions, and make sure you feel comfortable, informed, and confident throughout your care (it's a team effort).

Here at Great North Physiotherapy, we understand that not everyone can attend appointments during a traditional 9–5 schedule. That’s why we offer extended physiotherapy clinic hours, including early mornings and evenings.

We proudly serve clients across Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Thorold, Welland, Pelham, Fonthill, and Fort Erie with flexible scheduling options.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Clinic Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Saturday: By Appointment Only
  • Sunday: Closed

Our Niagara-on-the-Lake physiotherapy clinic offers convenient evening and occasional Saturday appointments to accommodate busy families, working professionals, and athletes.

St. Catharines Clinic Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Our St. Catharines location offers flexible weekday scheduling for physiotherapy, sports rehabilitation and vestibular and concussion management.

Can’t Find a Time That Works?

If you don’t see your preferred appointment time available online, please contact our team directly. We will always do our best to accommodate your schedule whenever possible. Call us at 289-606-0966 or book online at www.greatnorthphysio.ca to secure your preferred time at either location.

Let’s be real - every clinic will say they’re “different” because they offer evidence-based, individualized care (and they should). Personalized treatment isn’t optional in physiotherapy. Every person who walks through our doors has a unique story, condition, age, goals, and life demands.

What sets us apart is how we bring that care to life.

Yes, our approach is rooted in evidence and clinical expertise. Yes, our team holds advanced training and specialized certifications. But beyond credentials, we focus on how we coach, guide, and truly partner with you. We don’t just assign exercises - we educate, adapt, motivate, and help you build confidence every step of the way.

We have also built a space that doesn’t feel sterile or intimidating. It’s supportive, welcoming, and community-driven. It's a place where you’re encouraged, challenged, and genuinely cared for. Where cookies are welcome, jokes are shared, and honest conversations shape your care. If you walk in after a tough day and horrible neck pain, we’ll make sure you leave feeling better, supported, smiling (and maybe with a maple-flavoured candy in your pocket).

That’s the difference at Great North Physiotherapy.

Yes, we do! We care for children, adults, older adults, and athletes at every stage of life.

Unfortunately, we do not offer OHIP coverage at this time. If you require an OHIP-approved clinic for your recovery needs, you can view the list of all approved clinics in the Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, and Brant areas here.

Great North Physiotherapy proudly serves the Niagara Region from our two centrally located clinics in Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines.

We have had the privilege of working with clients from across the region. Clients have visited us from nearby communities such as Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Thorold, Welland, Pelham, Fonthill, and Fort Erie, as well as from as far away as Dunnville, Stoney Creek, Hamilton and Burlington. 

Our original clinic is located at 1882 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake (inside the same medical building as the Virgil Niagara North Family Health Team and Simpson's Pharmacy). The clinic entrance is on the left-hand side of the building when you enter the parking lot. Services offered at this location include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Sports physiotherapy
  • Pelvic health physiotherapy
  • Registered massage therapy
  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Concussions management
  • Custom bracing
  • General rehabilitation services

This location provides comprehensive care in a professional medical clinic setting. Parking at Great North Physiotherapy in Niagara-on-the-Lake is free of charge and fully accessible. Our large treatment rooms provide ample access for wheelchairs and walkers, and an accessible bathroom is located in the medical building.

We offer free Wi-Fi, complimentary beverages, and excellent reading materials. We genuinely try to make your visit as welcoming and comfortable as possible!

Our St. Catharines clinic is at 250 Martindale Road, inside House of Greatness, just minutes from Highway 406 and Fourth Avenue.

To reach this location, you'll turn when you see the House of Greatness signage and go all the way down to the end of the road (we're a secret gem hidden at the back).

Services offered at this location include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Sports physiotherapy
  • Return-to-play programs
  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Concussion management
  • Orthopaedic and manual therapy
  • Strength and conditioning integration
  • Custom bracing
  • Intramuscular stimulation (IMS)
  • Athletic taping
  • Paediatric and youth athlete physiotherapy

Inside this performance-driven environment, Great North Physiotherapy provides specialized rehabilitation services that bridge the gap between injury recovery and return to sport. Our physiotherapists collaborate with certified strength coaches to deliver evidence-based, individualized care in an athletic setting.

We offer complimentary beverages and a spacious treatment area adjacent to the gym.