Each province in Canada has a licensing body most commonly called the College of Physiotherapists. This is the body that develops and enforces the regulations that govern the profession. This is one way to ensure that physiotherapy services are being provided by a registered physiotherapist. Caution must be exercised however, as some physiotherapy facilities have been known to use the registration number of a physiotherapist who is not actually involved in the treatment of patients. Many people have the misconception that physiotherapy is synonymous with electrical modalities, or massage, or perhaps exercise.
Physiotherapists use many tools both in the assessment and treatment of injured individuals.
The actual path that a physiotherapist chooses to move an individual towards independence will vary depending on a number of different factors. However, there should always be a clear path with an identifiable end point in sight.