--- title: Pain, Sprain or Strain? 5 Everyday Injuries a Physiotherapist Can Treat description: Aches and pains happen in life, but when is it time to visit a professional? In this blog, we discuss five everyday injuries a physiotherapist can treat. image: https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(27).png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.healthone.ca/pain-sprain-or-strain-5-everyday-injuries-a-physiotherapist-can-treat#main-content) [![HealthOne-CMYK](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/HealthOne-CMYK.png?width=250&height=51&name=HealthOne-CMYK.png)](https://blog.healthone.ca/) - [healthone.ca](https://healthone.ca/) - [Our Story](https://healthone.ca/about-us/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [healthone.ca](https://healthone.ca/) - [Our Story](https://healthone.ca/about-us/) Rehab # Pain, Sprain or Strain? 5 Everyday Injuries a Physiotherapist Can Treat Aches and pains happen in life, but when is it time to visit a professional? In this blog, we discuss five everyday injuries a physiotherapist can treat.   ![Alex Chow, Physiotherapist](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/Alex-1.png) Reviewed by: Alex Chow, Physiotherapist ![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/clock.svg)Last Updated: September 11, 2026 . ![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(27).png) Last Updated: September 11, 2026 . ### Table of Content Remember the old proverb, “no pain, no gain”? While it might inspire your workout or look cool on a graphic t-shirt, this motto isn't a fact – it's fiction. We tend to believe that pain is an indication of success when in reality, it’s a giant red flag that we should always pay attention to.  “Usually when people have pain, they avoid getting it looked at by a professional,” says Alex Chow, a Physiotherapist at HealthOne[.](https://healthone.ca/our-team/#rehab) “But pain is often a warning signal that you shouldn’t ignore because it can lead to a more serious or chronic issue.”   That's right — even a minor injury can escalate. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete or ultra-marathon runner to visit a physiotherapist. For everyday injuries like sprains, strains, and pain, you deserve a seat in our Rehab clinic as much as anyone else.  We interviewed Alex to understand more about how he treats common injuries. But first, let’s take a closer look at [what physio is all about.](https://healthone.ca/toronto/rehab-to/physiotherapy/)  ## What Is Physiotherapy Treatment? Put simply,  [physiotherapy is used to assess and diagnose injuries.](https://blog.healthone.ca/physiotherapy-vs.-massage-therapy-which-one-do-you-need) There are other things a physiotherapist can help you with – like creating an exercise program or teaching you more about your body – but ultimately, injuries are the “bread and butter” of what they do.  An injury can happen practically anywhere on your body. If it’s affecting your muscles, bones, [joints,](https://blog.healthone.ca/healthy-joints-healthy-you-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-movement) tendons, or ligaments, it’s something a physiotherapist can treat. There are two main types of injuries people can experience, according to Alex. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the differences between them.  ![Website Blog Images PART 4 - 900x600px (25)](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(25).png?width=900&name=Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(25).png) ## Acute vs. Chronic Injuries An acute injury happens suddenly, without warning. “For example, a sports injury where you twist your ankle or injure a ligament in your knee,” Alex explains. “You’d experience some sort of pain, and your function would often be limited.”  In comparison, a chronic injury develops slowly over time. You’ll still experience pain, but it will develop more the longer you go untreated. “There might not be an actual injury, but you’ll notice aches and pains starting to creep up,” he adds.  Having an acute or chronic injury is a telltale sign that you should visit a physiotherapist. They’ll assess the issue at hand and come up with an individualized treatment plan to get you back to a pain-free life. With that, let’s uncover the five everyday injuries a physiotherapist can treat.  1. Neck injuries. Alex shares that these tend to be more chronic. The progression of pain will be slower and more gradual. In many cases, neck injuries prevail in people who work at a desk all day and don’t exercise much. 2. Low back injuries. These also tend to fall under the chronic injury category. Pain, stiffness, and tightness are especially common in people who [work from home](https://blog.healthone.ca/healthones-healthy-home-office-set-up-guide). Low back injuries can also develop in people who do sports or physical activities. 3. Shoulder injuries. On the other hand, these are usually acute and onset. “The most common examples for shoulder injuries are from working out at the gym - so things like push-ups and shoulder presses,” Alex says. “Even rowing and overhead sports like volleyball, tennis, and baseball can put more torque on the shoulder.” 4. Knee injuries. These also tend to be acute-onset injuries. They’re frequently seen in people who play lower-body sports (think: running, basketball, or soccer). 5. Ankle injuries. As with knee injuries, ankle injuries are also common in athletes. If you play a sport that requires cutting or pivoting, you have a higher chance of developing this type of acute onset injury. ![Website Blog Images PART 4 - 900x600px (26)](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(26).png?width=900&name=Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(26).png) When a patient comes in with any of these everyday injuries, the first thing a physiotherapist will do is evaluate their mobility and functionality. “This helps me formulate a diagnosis, identify the cause, and come up with a program to help them recover,” Alex shares.  ## How Is Physiotherapy Done? Staying active is of utmost importance, whether you’re rehabbing an injury or just living a healthy life. At HealthOne, we encourage our patients to be active participants in their recovery because it speeds up the healing process.  You might think that sitting on the couch for weeks is the best-case scenario for your acute ankle sprain. But in reality, this could leave you stiffer and prolong your recovery even more.  Most treatment plans that Alex creates for patients involve some sort of exercise program. That could include gentler exercises, like stretches, or more strength-based moves to build muscle. It’s largely dependent on the type of injury you have and the goals you have for the future.  “There is also a hands-on therapy component,” he adds. “Depending on the practitioner, that could involve acupuncture, [electroacupuncture](https://www.healthline.com/health/electroacupuncture), deep tissue massage, or even adjustments – similar to what chiropractors do.”  Your practitioner will explain to you their recommended course of action and book follow-up appointments, if necessary. Our clinic offers both in-person and virtual physiotherapy, so you have the option of completing your check-ins from home!  ![Website Blog Images PART 4 - 900x600px (27)](https://blog.healthone.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(27).png?width=900&name=Website%20Blog%20Images%20PART%204%20-%20900x600px%20(27).png) ## Who Needs Physiotherapy? Alex shares that everyone can benefit from physiotherapy at some point in their life. “From a young age, it’s so ingrained in us that we have to see a dentist every year and brush and floss between appointments to maintain our oral health. Physio is no different than that, except it’s for the entire body.”  So, if you’re wondering who needs physiotherapy... the answer is technically *everyone!* First and foremost are the people who have acute or chronic injuries. On top of that, you can benefit from visiting a physio if you want to learn more about your body and exercise better.  What many people are surprised to learn is that physios can also treat a variety of diseases and conditions. Patients with Bell's palsy disease, cerebral palsy disease, strokes, cardiovascular issues, lung issues, and metabolic issues can also benefit from physiotherapy.  One of the best ways to discuss your suitability is by booking a [FREE 15-minute consultation!](https://healthonerehabtoronto.janeapp.com/)  ## How Much Does Physiotherapy Cost? During a consultation, you can meet one of our physiotherapists and ask any questions you have about their treatment approach. They’ll discuss how you could work together and whether your injury could be resolved at our clinic.  Following this, your initial 60-minute assessment will cost $130. Follow-up appointments are usually 30-minutes in length and cost $85 per session. Most major insurance plans cover in-person physiotherapy as well as virtual appointments. You can contact our clinic at 416 477 0033 for a free insurance check.  ## Physiotherapy Toronto At the end of the day, we all want to be in harmony with our bodies. The everyday tasks of life are so much more enjoyable when we don’t experience pain. Whether you sit in front of a computer all day or live an active lifestyle, injuries are bound to come up at some point. We can’t determine when they’ll happen, but we *can* decide how to react.   Visiting an experienced physiotherapist is the first thing you should do when you develop a chronic or acute injury. The longer you wait, the longer your recovery will be – and no one likes to be couch-ridden on a beautiful sunny day.  Alex works at our Rehab & Orthotics clinic along with many other professionals. We have an [Osteopath](https://blog.healthone.ca/the-path-to-pain-free-living-how-an-osteopath-can-help), Kinesiologist, [Registered Massage Therapist](https://healthone.ca/toronto/rehab-to/massage-therapy/), and [Chiropractor](https://healthone.ca/toronto/rehab-to/chiropractor/)– and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Our multidisciplinary team would love to help you recover from your injury and get back to living an inspired life.   **One Life. Live Inspired.** [Book a complimentary consultation with our Physiotherapist.](https://healthone.ca/toronto/rehab-to/physiotherapy/) ![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/see-icon.svg) ### Frequently Asked Questions 1\. How can I determine what my insurance coverage is? You can determine your insurance coverage by reaching out to our Patient Care Coordinator. We offer free coverage checks for the majority of health and dental insurance plans so you can learn how much of your treatment may be covered. Please contact us at 416-613-5633 or email rehab@healthone.ca 2\. Do you provide direct billing? Yes, we’re pleased to provide direct billing for many insurance plans. We invite you to contact our Patient Care Coordinator who can help you learn more about your options. You can reach us at 416-613-5633 or rehab@healthone.ca 3\. How often do I need to come for treatment? The length of Rehab treatment will be unique depending on your situation and needs. Our treatment process focuses on managing and reducing symptoms including pain, swelling, and inflammation and helping you get back to living a life free of hindrances. It can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to overcome acute symptoms and a minimum of 8-12 weeks for chronic symptoms; however, this can vary from person to person. The minimum requirement you can expect is one session per week for the first 4-6 weeks, followed by an evaluation of your progress and modification of your treatment plan, if necessary. Written by: [![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/health-one.svg)](https://healthone.ca/) ![Alex Chow, Physiotherapist](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/Alex-1.png) Reviewed by: **[Alex Chow](http://healthone.ca/our-team/#rehab)** HealthOne is a Toronto-based health and wellness centre bringing medical, dental, skin, rehab, mental health and more together under one roof. With three GTA locations and over 200,000 patients served, HealthOne is redefining how Canadians access modern, connected care. [Meet our Clinicians](https://healthone.ca/our-team/) Share on: [![Share on Facebook](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/f-icon.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.healthone.ca/pain-sprain-or-strain-5-everyday-injuries-a-physiotherapist-can-treat) [![Tweet](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/insta-icon.svg)](https://www.instagram.com) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/in-icon-1.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.healthone.ca/pain-sprain-or-strain-5-everyday-injuries-a-physiotherapist-can-treat) [![](https://blog.healthone.ca/hubfs/back-arrow.svg) Back to Main Blog](https://blog.healthone.ca/) ###### Related Posts [Is Pelvic Floor Therapy Only for Postpartum Women?](https://blog.healthone.ca/is-pelvic-floor-therapy-only-for-postpartum-women) [Read More](https://blog.healthone.ca/is-pelvic-floor-therapy-only-for-postpartum-women) [Reasons You Might Need Custom Orthotics](https://blog.healthone.ca/reasons-you-might-need-custom-orthotics) [Read More](https://blog.healthone.ca/reasons-you-might-need-custom-orthotics) [Neck Pain 101 ft. 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