Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: Where is the clinic located?
A: We are located at 418 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A2 - near the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Avenue Road in Midtown Toronto. The clinic has an accessible entrance and Green P parking is available nearby. The nearest LRT Line 5 station is Avenue Station.
​
Q: Do you offer home visits?
A: Yes. Home visits are available for patients who have difficulty travelling to the clinic - this includes many of our neurological patients, and patients recovering from surgery or with significant lymphedema. Please mention when booking that you are interested in a home visit.
Q: Does OHIP cover your services?
A: OHIP does not cover private physiotherapy clinic services. However, most extended health benefit plans (employer-sponsored or private insurance) cover physiotherapy. Many plans also cover home visits. We recommend checking your plan details. For lymphedema patients, the Ontario ADP program subsidizes compression garments - Yael is an ADP Authorizer.
​
Q: How do I book an appointment?
A: Call us at (647) 915-0845, email YaelWeiserPT@gmail.com, or use the contact form on this website. We typically respond within 24 hours.
​
Q: Do I need a doctor's referral to book?
A: No referral is required to book a physiotherapy appointment in Ontario. You can self-refer directly. If you are coming through your insurance, check whether your plan requires a physician referral for reimbursement — some do.
Lymphedema Questions
Q: What is lymphedema?
A: Lymphedema is chronic swelling caused by damage or blockage in the lymphatic system - the network of vessels that drains excess fluid from the body's tissues. It most commonly affects the arms or legs and often develops following cancer treatment involving lymph node removal or radiation.
​
Q: What is Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)?
A: MLD is a specialized, gentle massage technique that stimulates the flow of lymphatic fluid and redirects it away from congested areas. It uses very light pressure and precise hand movements that follow the specific pathways of the lymphatic system. It is performed only by certified therapists and is very different from regular massage.
Q: What does ADP Authorizer mean?
A: ADP stands for Assistive Devices Program - an Ontario government program that subsidizes the cost of compression garments for eligible patients with lymphedema. As a certified ADP Authorizer, Yael can prescribe these garments directly without requiring a separate referral from your physician.
Facial Nerve Palsy Questions
Q: I was just diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. Should I see a physiotherapist?
A: Yes - and as soon as possible. Early physiotherapy for facial nerve palsy is not about exercises; it is about education, eye protection, and preventing synkinesis (involuntary muscle co-contraction) from developing during recovery. Early, expert-guided care significantly improves outcomes.
​
Q: What is synkinesis?
A: Synkinesis is a complication of facial nerve palsy where muscles fire involuntarily - for example, your eye closing when you smile, or your mouth twitching when you blink. It develops when regenerating nerve fibres grow along incorrect pathways. FNMR therapy is highly effective at treating synkinesis.
​
Q: What is FNMR?
A: Facial Neuromuscular Retraining (FNMR) is a specialized rehabilitation approach that uses precise low-intensity exercises, mirror feedback, and inhibition techniques to retrain the facial muscles and nervous system. It is the most evidence-supported treatment for facial nerve palsy and synkinesis.
Neurological Rehabilitation Questions
Q: What conditions do you treat in neurological physiotherapy?
A: We treat stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury, post-brain surgery recovery, and other neurological conditions affecting movement and function.
​
Q: Is it too late to start neurological physiotherapy years after my stroke?
A: No - it is never too late. While early rehabilitation produces the best outcomes, meaningful functional gains are possible at any stage post-stroke. Neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to form new connections - continues throughout life.
​
Q: Can physiotherapy help with MS fatigue?
A: Yes. Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of MS, and appropriately designed exercise programs have strong evidence for reducing fatigue and improving energy management. This is a core part of our MS rehabilitation approach.