The origins of physiotherapy (physical therapy) as a profession date back to the 19th century when Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics” founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise.

Modern physiotherapy (physical therapy) was established in Britain towards the end of the 19th century. In Canada, the Canadian Association of Massage and Remedial Gymnastics (CAMRG) was incorporated in 1935 by the Dominion Charter and renamed the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA), which works to advance the profession of physiotherapy in order to improve the health of Canadians.

Treatment through the 1940s primarily consisted of exercise, massage and traction. Manipulative procedures to the spine and extremity joints were also practiced in the British Commonwealth countries during the early 1950s. Later that decade, physiotherapists started to move beyond hospital-based practice to outpatient orthopedic clinics, public schools, colleges/universities, geriatric settings, rehabilitation and medical centres.

Today, physiotherapy (physical therapy) consists of Manual Therapy, Modern Electrotherapy and Modalities. Activa Physiotherapy Ottawa’s approach to physical therapy combines healing and long-term injury prevention.

Activa’s approach consists of 7 main components that we encourage our patients to consider:

1. We are first contact practitioners

We can see our patients without referral from a third party or medical practitioner. Activa has no waiting list to see our physiotherapist or massage therapist and we aim to see you on the same day as you call us to schedule your first appointment.

2. We diagnose Musculoskeletal conditions

As our physiotherapist can see you without a medical referral, we are able to differentially diagnose the cause of your physical pain or discomfort. Once our physiotherapist assesses your condition, we develop a treatment and exercise program to help reduce pain while helping you rebuild your strength, flexibility and power.

3. We offer Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy and Personal Training in one place

Activa’s team works together to ensure that your physiotherapy and massage therapy treatment is complemented by a customized exercise program to help you relieve your pain and prevent further injury. Our experienced team of professionals in physiotherapy, massage therapy and personal training works together to support you with your rehabilitation needs and exercise routine.

4. We have more that 70 years of combined experienced

Activa’s team has worked with people enduring various physical and medical conditions including sport injury and Musculoskeletal conditions, stroke, living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, chronic back pain and injuries sustained as a result of motor vehicle accidents.

5. We are adaptable

No matter how difficult things seem right now, people will always want someone to use their hands in skillful, caring ways to heal them of their suffering; they will always want people who can see them move and work out what is going wrong; and they will always call for professionals they can trust, who care for them, not just their illness.

6. We work with our patients as human beings

We get to know our patients and how their feelings, thoughts and emotions may be affecting their physiotherapy treatment and healing journey. We consider Activa’s approach to physical therapy as practitioners rather than technicians.

7. We help our patients transform their lives

We aim to help our patients feel better and give them confidence and guidance to be safe in taking the steps needed to relieve their pain. We help our patients take control of their lives and breathe more easily, to stand on your own again and move freely.