Orthopaedic Manual Physiotherapy in the Toronto Annex

Reviewed by Shannon Littlejohn Burnes, Registered Physiotherapist (FCAMPT) · Updated October 2026

If you are living with persistent joint stiffness, recovering from an injury, or dealing with chronic pain that limits your daily life, you want a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your discomfort, not just a temporary fix.

At Resilience Physiotherapy in the Toronto Annex, we provide orthopaedic manual physiotherapy, a hands-on approach that combines assessment, manual techniques, clinical reasoning, and individualized exercise. Rather than relying on passive treatments or generic exercise sheets, we tailor care to the movement restrictions and symptoms identified during your assessment, then build a plan that supports more comfortable movement and a return to the activities that matter to you.

Quick facts

How much does physiotherapy cost?

An initial assessment is 60 minutes and costs $170. Follow-up visits are $105 for 30 minutes, $150 for 45 minutes and $185 for 60 minutes.

Is it covered by insurance?

Physiotherapy is covered by most extended health plans. We don't bill insurers directly: you pay at your visit, and we give you a receipt to submit to your plan.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No. In Ontario you can book directly with a physiotherapist. Some insurance plans ask for a referral before they reimburse you, so check your plan.

What is Orthopaedic Manual Physiotherapy?

Orthopaedic manual physiotherapy is an evidence-based physiotherapy approach that uses hands-on assessment and treatment to evaluate and address movement-related concerns. Manual techniques are often combined with individualized exercise when active rehabilitation is needed to support mobility, strength, and function. Unlike care centred mainly on passive modalities such as ultrasound or heating pads, this approach uses a therapist’s assessment and hands-on skills to guide treatment.

Our focus is on movement-related concerns within the neuromusculoskeletal system, including the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.

What truly sets an orthopaedic manual physiotherapist apart is their advanced training. Many of the team members at Resilience Physiotherapy have undergone or are currently completing extensive post-graduate education and mentorship, working towards becoming Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT). This rigorous training goes far beyond the foundational skills taught in standard university Master’s programs. It equips our therapists with the expert clinical reasoning needed to identify complex, interconnected dysfunctions in both the spine and the extremities.

  
                    The Benefits of Hands-On Manual Therapy
                
When you choose manual therapy at our Toronto Annex clinic, you are investing in a treatment philosophy centred on long-term structural health. The physiological and biomechanical benefits of this targeted approach include:
                
Pain Management

Hands-on techniques can help reduce pain and make movement more comfortable during rehabilitation.
                        
Joint Mobility

Manual mobilization uses controlled movements to address stiffness and support a more comfortable range of motion.
                        
Muscle Tension

Soft tissue techniques can address areas of tension and support more comfortable movement in the surrounding tissues.
                        
Recovery Support

 Manual therapy can form part of a broader rehabilitation plan that helps you stay active within your current abilities as you recover from injury.
                        
Movement Control

As mobility and strength improve, treatment can help you move with greater control and confidence in daily activities, work, or sport.

  
    Advanced Techniques We Use to Restore Your Movement

No two people present with the same movement restrictions or goals, so treatment is tailored to your assessment findings and progress at each visit. Depending on your assessment, your therapist may utilize a combination of the following advanced manual techniques:
            
                        Joint Mobilization and Manipulation
                    
Joint mobilizations involve gentle, rhythmic, passive movements applied to a stiff joint to support a more comfortable range of motion. When appropriate following assessment, our FCAMPT-trained therapists may use high-velocity, low-amplitude joint manipulations as one component of physiotherapy care. These techniques are used alongside assessment, education, and active rehabilitation rather than as a standalone solution.
                    
                        Soft Tissue and Fascial Release
                    
Muscles and the connective tissue surrounding them, known as fascia, can become tight or sensitive after an injury or long periods of sitting. We use hands-on soft tissue techniques to address areas of tension and support more comfortable movement, then pair them with active care where appropriate.
                    
                        Neural Tissue Mobilization
                    
Chronic pain or tingling can sometimes be related to irritation or sensitivity along a nerve pathway. When assessment indicates that neural mobility work is appropriate, gentle nerve-gliding techniques can be used as part of a plan to improve movement tolerance and address radiating symptoms.
                    
                        Integrated Functional Exercise
                    
Manual therapy can create a more comfortable starting point for movement. We use that change to introduce targeted exercises that help you practise your available range of motion, build stability, and develop the strength and control needed for daily activities, work, or sport.

  
                What to Expect During Your Initial Consultation
            
Your recovery begins with an in-depth, one-on-one assessment. We look at your body as an interconnected system rather than a collection of isolated symptoms. For example, when assessing lower back pain, we may also consider how hip or thoracic spine mobility affects your movement.
                
During your first visit at our Spadina Ave clinic, we will map out your complete injury history, analyze your movement patterns, and physically palpate your joints and tissues. From there, we build a customized Recovery Framework. We reassess your progress at each appointment and adjust your hands-on treatment as your mobility and symptoms change.
                
Proudly Serving the Toronto Annex, Yorkville, and Little Italy Communities
            
Conveniently located at 738 Spadina Ave (Suite 200), Resilience Physiotherapy is a quick 3-minute walk south of the Spadina TTC Subway Station, right next to the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (JCC).
                
Whether you are a University of Toronto student dealing with postural strain, an office professional commuting from Yorkville, or a Little Italy resident recovering from a sports injury, our clinic offers a convenient setting for one-on-one orthopaedic assessment and rehabilitation.

Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Movement

Stiff joints and daily aches can make work, exercise, and routine activities harder than they need to be. An orthopaedic assessment at Resilience Physiotherapy identifies the movement concerns affecting you and provides a clear starting point for a treatment plan built around your needs and goals.

Book An Appointment Online

or call/text us at 647-691-5447 to schedule your initial orthopaedic assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manual Physiotherapy

While both disciplines use hands-on techniques such as joint mobilizations and manipulations, the overall approach differs. Our orthopaedic physiotherapists combine these techniques with soft tissue work, neural mobility, and exercise rehabilitation to improve movement capacity and help you build the strength and control needed for daily activities or sport.
Joint manipulation is often well tolerated when performed by a trained professional. You may feel a quick stretch or hear a small “pop” or “click” during the technique. Your therapist will explain what to expect, monitor your response, and adjust treatment to your comfort level.
Your response to treatment depends on your specific condition, tissue-healing timelines, and how long the restriction has been present. During your initial assessment, your therapist will discuss what treatment may involve and how progress will be reviewed over time.