Glossary

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Services include assessment and treatment of speech, language and hearing problems. They are available through hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, government agencies and private practice.

Chiropody
Chiropody includes assessment of the foot and the treatment and prevention of diseases or disorders of the foot by therapeutic, orthotic and palliative means. Individual services may include:

    • Biomechanical assessment
    • Orthotic devices
    • Nail avulsion
    • Soft tissue biopsy
    • Soft tissue bursa drainage
    • Soft tissue removal foreign body
    • Tendon and joint care
    • Surgical shoes

Chiropractors
Chiropractors assess disorders related to the spine, nervous system, and joints of the extremities, and provide diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these disorders. Individual services may include:

    • Spinal Adjustment/Manipulation
    • Non-Spinal Adjustment/Manipulation
    • Myofascial Therapy
    • Trigger Point Therapy
    • Soft Tissue Massage
    • Ultrasound Therapy
    • Manual Traction
    • Needle Acupuncture
    • Electroacupuncture
    • Mobilization
    • Muscle Relaxation Procedures
    • Biofeedback Training
    • In-Shoe Orthotic(s)
    • Physical Therapy
    • Hot Packs
    • Cold Packs
    • Mechanical Traction
    • TENS
    • Self Directed Therapeutic Exercise Training
    • Neuromuscular Retraining
    • Work Activities/Daily Living Conditioning
    • Gait Training Therapy
    • Kinetic Therapy
    • Work-hardening/Work Simulation
    • Back School, Training and Exercise Programs
    • Job-Site Analysis
    • Job-Site Detailed Report
    • Functional Capacity/Abilities Evaluation
    • Vocational Rehabilitation/Case Management Services
    • Disability/Risk Management Services

Dieticians
Clinical Dietitians identify nutrition problems, assess the nutritional status of patients, develop care plans and monitor the effectiveness of dietary changes.

Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygienists help to maintain and improve your oral health. Individual services may include:

    • Assessment
    • Cleaning to remove plaque buildup
    • Polishing to remove stains
    • Customizing your oral hygiene program

Dentists
Dentists provide a full range of dental care procedures to help repair, maintain and prevent problems related to your dental health. Individual services may include:

Denturists
Denturists fabricate, repair and adjust complete dentures, partial dentures and removable implant retained dentures. You can go directly to a Denturist without a referral from another health care professional.

Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is a hands-on manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. It helps alleviate soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain syndromes. It can also greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning, if employed early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury.

Medical Radiation Technologists
Radiation Technologists utilize medical radiant energies to help diagnose illness and provide treatments.

Midwives
Midwives provide primary care to low-risk women throughout their pregnancy, labour and birth and provide care to both mother and baby during the first six weeks following birth.

Naturopathic Doctors
Naturopathic Doctors focus on prevention and use natural methods to promote healing. They examine, diagnose and treat patients with programs tailored to each patient. They use a combination of clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical treatments, acupuncture and Asian medicine, and lifestyle counseling to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities.

Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists help people to identify barriers to meaningful occupations whether they are related to self-care, work or leisure. An Occupational Therapist might fulfill the roles of therapist, educator, counselor, case manager, resource developer, policy analyst and advocate while helping people to change their barriers. Individual services may include:

    • Returning to work after prolonged illness or injury
    • Learning difficulties in the classroom
    • Mobility/seating problems that impair function in the home/workplace/community
    • Difficulties socializing or enjoying leisure time because of functional changes
    • Home or workplace modifications when accessibility is an issue
    • Managing pain due to injury, burns, arthritis, etc

Opticians
Opticians will help you select and obtain the correct eyeglasses or contact lens.

Optometrists
Optometrists provide regular eye care to optimize vision and to prevent vision loss through early detection and prevention of eye disease. Individual services may include:

    • Diagnostic services
    • Contact lens therapy
    • Low vision aids
    • Eye coordination exercises
    • Drug therapies
    • Counselling service

Pharmacists
Pharmacists oversee the dispensing of medications, assist with information provision, support wellness goals, monitor and discuss therapies to prevent and resolve drug-related needs.

Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists provide preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic services aimed at restoring function and preventing disability arising from disease, trauma or injury. Individual services may include:

    • Assistive Devices Assessment
    • Job Demands Assessment
    • Ergonomics Assessment
    • Functional Abilities Assessment
    • Musculoskeletal Assessment
    • Neuromotor Assessment
    • Physical Conditioning Assessment/Fitness Assessment
    • Pre-work Screening
    • Respiratory Function Assessment
    • Work Site Analysis
    • Client Instruction/Education
    • Electrotherapeutic Modalities
    • Functional Training – Self-Care and Home Management
    • Manual Therapy techniques including mobilization and manipulation
    • Physical Agents and Mechanical Modalities
    • Physical Conditioning
    • Prescription, fabrication, application of assistive, adaptive, supportive and protective devices and equipment
    • Therapeutic Exercise
    • Work Conditioning
    • Work Hardening

Podiatrists
Podiatrists specialize in examination, diagnosis and prevention of foot disorders by mechanical, surgical and other means of treatment. A referral from your physician is not required. Some foot disorders that Podiatrists treat include:

    • Corns
    • Callouses
    • Infections
    • Athletes foot
    • Dermatitis
    • Warts
    • Ingrown toenails
    • Arch pain
    • Tendonitis
    • Bursitis
    • Flat feet

Psychologists
Psychologists apply the study of behaviour, feelings, motives and cognitions to help people solve personal problems or enable a group – family, school, or corporation – to function better. Individual services may include:

    • Assessments
    • Psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families
    • Group psychotherapy
    • Psychoeducational consulting
    • Workplace stress management
    • Corporate coaching
    • Workplace health counseling
    • Brief solution-focused therapy
    • Cognitive behavioural therapy
    • Gestalt therapy
    • Adlerian psychology

Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Therapists work under a Physician’s direction and supervision, plan and implementation of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for people suffering from a range of heart and lung disorders.