Why Surgery Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Option
Do you suffer from a painful orthopedic condition such as spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis? Many think surgical intervention is the only way they’ll ever find relief. However, you have another option: physiotherapy at Expert Physio Plus!
There’s no denying that surgery is a significant decision–and one that brings with it several risks, including blood clots, infections, and more. That’s why most doctors will encourage you to consider your options before booking a surgeon. For orthopedic concerns, that means looking to physiotherapy.
In fact, physiotherapy is actually a frontline treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, from arthritis to ligament injuries, meaning you absolutely should try it first! Regular physiotherapy treatments can help delay your surgery–and, in some cases, avoid it altogether.
If you feel you may be on the path to needing surgery, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’ll provide specific information about how our physiotherapists can help you avoid or delay surgery.


Our Patients Get Great Results
“When I needed to find a physio clinic close to where I live and is running the GLAD program, the excellent reviews of Expert Physio Plus made me call them. I wasn’t disappointed. I can’t say enough about the care and help I received from the excellent staff at this clinic. Everyone from the receptionist Nermeen to the practitioners and assistants I dealt with were amazing. My first contact (by phone) was with Nermeen who answered all my questions, was very patient and knowledgeable. I was then assessed by Mina (excellent physiotherapist) and started my journey towards walking again without pain. I felt the difference just after one session. The treatment didn’t concentrate only on my injured knee but on any part of my body that can affect the knee. The clinic operates in a self sufficient way. There is the physiotherapy area, the gym area, a chiropractor and rooms for massage, osteopathy, etc. Their philosophy is that the patient can find all their needs in one place. Having the gym there and doing the exercises under supervision made a big difference in my recovery. Thanks so much to all!” – Shadia E.
Government-Funded Joint Health Programs at Expert Physio Plus
At Expert Physio Plus, we’re dedicated to helping you reduce pain and improve your mobility and functionality—whether you’re looking to avoid surgery or recover after one. Hip and knee osteoarthritis are among the most common conditions we see, which is why we offer two specialized, government-funded programs to support you every step of the way:
- GLA:D Canada Program: This six weeks program is specifically designed for patients with hip and/ or knee osteoarthritis to help delay or even avoid joint replacement surgery. It also prepares your body for a faster recovery if surgery becomes necessary.
- How to join the program: You’ll need a referral from a medical doctor to get you assessed in a total joint clinic at the hospital. We can also arrange for your assessment to be done at our clinic. For more information, please call Nermine at 613-927-9752, Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm.
- Don’t have a family doctor? Dr. Achraf Zakaria, MD, is available on Saturdays at our Blackburn Hamlet clinic to assist you with arthritis care and referrals.
- Learn more about the program and what it includes.
- Bundle Care Rehabilitation Program: If you’ve had a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement, our Bundled Care Program is here to help.
- We welcome the patients who have their surgery done at the following hospitals:
- Montfort Hospital
- The Ottawa Hospital
- The Ottawa Hospital Riverside Campus
- Kemptville District Hospital
- Our expert physiotherapists provide specialized post-surgery rehabilitation tailored to your needs, helping you regain strength, mobility, and confidence. With our support, we’ll help you recover faster and get back to doing what you love. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn more or book an appointment. Let’s get you moving again!
- We welcome the patients who have their surgery done at the following hospitals:

We also treat the following conditions
Osteoarthritis: People with severe osteoarthritis often resort to total joint replacements to address their symptoms. But if you can begin physiotherapy early on, you can slow the condition’s progression.
Partial Ligament Tears: While a full ligament tear typically requires surgical intervention, less severe ligament injuries respond well to physiotherapy.
Spinal Stenosis: This condition causes a painful narrowing in the spinal column, but you can manage your pain and mobility restrictions with gentle, targeted exercise.
Degenerative Disc Disease: A common side effect of aging, physiotherapy is more beneficial for treating DDD than surgery in most cases.
Herniated Discs: This is another condition that physiotherapy can generally resolve more easily than surgery.
Physiotherapy vs. Surgery:
Here’s What We Can Offer

The exact details of your physiotherapy treatment will vary based on several factors, including the condition or injury, your current health status, and your overall goals. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs.
Generally speaking, we’ll begin with an extensive evaluation to help us get to the root of your discomfort. From there, we’ll pull from several different techniques to help you manage pain, eliminate restrictions in your range of motion, and improve your overall function.
Ultimately, our goal is the same as any orthopedic surgery: to help you live a rich, active lifestyle, free from pain and immobility. However, we can do it with a few extra benefits:
- Less Time: Surgery is a highly invasive procedure that requires lengthy rehabilitation. Healing alone typically takes several weeks, and it can take up to a year before you’ve fully rehabilitated–during which time you’ll be doing extensive physiotherapy anyway. Why not skip the extra step?
- Decreased Risks: Surgery brings a host of medical risks, from blood clots to dependency on painkillers. Because physiotherapy is non-invasive, the risk is minimal (especially compared to surgery). It also offers drug-free pain relief options.
That said, seeking physiotherapy treatment sooner rather than later is essential–this is especially true for degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. It’s also essential you keep active outside of our clinic. Many of these conditions benefit from regular movement, so you’ll want to find an exercise program that suits your needs (something our therapists can help you with).
And if you do wind up needing surgery down the road, you’ll already be prepared for your rehabilitation after the procedure!
Skip The Knife; Try Physiotherapy Instead
If you have a painful musculoskeletal condition, don’t resort to surgery – visit Expert Physio Plus first to find out if physiotherapy might be a better solution for you. Call us today to get started.
You Had Surgery–But You’re Still Struggling with Pain!

Many people mistakenly believe that surgery is a cure-all: that once they work through their rehabilitation, they’ll be back to their old selves. While this is true sometimes, other times, people find that they’re still struggling with pain or limited mobility after a surgical procedure.
If this has been your experience, then know that physiotherapy may be the tool you need to find lasting relief. Just as the team at Expert Physio Plus can help people avoid or delay surgery, we can also ensure your surgery provides you with a successful outcome. What can we do?
Manual therapy helps with pain and range of motion restrictions. These hands-on techniques can gradually help restore your mobility over time.
Mobility exercises take things a step further in terms of restoring your range of motion.
Strengthening exercises will help build muscular strength and endurance to provide support and stability to the affected joint.
Functional training will help you relearn movements you thought you’d lost. We can also help improve gait or balance and help you perform day-to-day activities like going up or down stairs more easily.
If you’re still struggling with pain and mobility after an orthopedic surgery, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find a plan that suits your needs and goals!

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Bites
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
- Mix strawberries, yogurt and honey in bowl. Add to heart-shaped molds or ice cube tray.
- Freeze at least 2 hours, or until set.

Reignite Your New Year’s Resolutions
Did you set big goals last month? And have they already started to fizzle out?
The good news: You’re not alone. The better news: Expert Physio Plus can help you reignite your New Year’s resolutions so you can achieve your health and wellness goals all year long.
- Is pain holding you back? Our physical therapists will dig down to the root cause and find a lasting solution.
- Did you burn out? Many people go a little too hard at the start of the new year. We’ll help you find a sustainable health or fitness program to stay with you for life.
- Are you overwhelmed by choice? One of our comprehensive assessments can give you a sense of any biomechanical issues or muscular imbalances in your body–helping to hone your focus.
No matter what goals you set on January 1st, our team wants to see you accomplish them. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started!



