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Where Does It Hurt?
Tap the spot. Find out what it often is, what the research says about physio for it, and when to see a doctor first. Clear answers before you book.
This page gives general information. Your physiotherapist or doctor can give you a diagnosis.
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Pick the spot that hurts
You'll see what it often is, whether physio can help, what your first visit checks, and the signs that mean you should see a doctor first.
In Ontario you can see a physiotherapist directly. No referral is needed.
Physio, Family Doctor, Walk-in, or 911?
Most aches and injuries can start with physio. A few signs mean a doctor should see you first. Here's the short version.
Call 911 or go to the ER now
- Chest pain or pressure, or trouble breathing
- Face drooping, arm weakness or trouble speaking
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any before
- A head injury with vomiting, confusion or getting sleepier
- New loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin area
- A limb that looks deformed, or you can't move it, after an injury
- A hot, swollen, very painful joint with fever
See a doctor today, or a walk-in
- You can't put weight on a leg, or take four steps, after an injury
- Pain with a fever
- Unexplained weight loss with new pain
- Pain that wakes you every night and doesn't ease in any position
- A swollen, warm, tender calf
- Numbness or weakness that's spreading or getting worse
- Pain after a fall if you're over 65 or have osteoporosis
Physio is a good place to start
- Pain or stiffness with movement, at work or in sport
- Pain that came on slowly, or after a strain
- A sprain, a pulled muscle or a sore tendon
- Spinning dizziness when you roll over or look up
- Getting moving again after surgery or a hospital stay
- Balance or walking changes after a stroke, or with Parkinson's
- Headaches that start in the neck
No referral needed in Ontario. If it turns out you need a doctor, we'll tell you at your first visit.
Built From the Research, in Plain Words
Every "can physio help" answer above comes from current clinical guidelines and large trials. Here's the list, so you can check for yourself.
Show the sources
- NICE. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59). 2016, updated 2020.
- Foster NE, et al. Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 2018.
- NICE. Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226). 2022.
- Blanpied PR, et al. Neck pain: revision 2017. Clinical practice guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), 2017.
- Côté P, et al. Management of neck pain and associated disorders: the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. European Spine Journal, 2016.
- Hopewell S, et al. Progressive exercise compared with best practice advice for rotator cuff disorders (GRASP): a randomised trial. The Lancet, 2021.
- Willy RW, et al. Patellofemoral pain: clinical practice guideline. JOSPT, 2019.
- Martin RL, et al. Ankle stability and movement coordination impairments: lateral ankle ligament sprains, revision 2021. JOSPT, 2021.
- Koc TA, et al. Heel pain, plantar fasciitis: revision 2023. JOSPT, 2023.
- Martin RL, et al. Achilles pain, stiffness, and muscle power deficits: midportion Achilles tendinopathy, revision 2018. JOSPT, 2018.
- Mellor R, et al. Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection versus wait and see for gluteal tendinopathy (LEAP trial). BMJ, 2018.
- Jull G, et al. A randomized controlled trial of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache. Spine, 2002.
- Armijo-Olivo S, et al. Effectiveness of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for temporomandibular disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Physical Therapy, 2016.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Management of carpal tunnel syndrome: evidence based clinical practice guideline. 2016.
- Bhattacharyya N, et al. Clinical practice guideline: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (update). American Academy of Otolaryngology, 2017.
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023.
- Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. Guideline for concussion and mild traumatic brain injury and persistent symptoms, 3rd edition. 2018.
- Teasell R, et al. Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: rehabilitation, recovery, and community participation following stroke. International Journal of Stroke, 2020.
Not Sure Where to Start? Start With a Free Visit.
A full assessment and your first treatment, one on one with a registered physiotherapist in Ancaster. You leave with answers, whatever the spot.
New patients only · Never billed to your insurer · No obligation to continue
The information on this page is general and is current as of September 2026. It is not medical advice. If you have any of the warning signs above, see a doctor first.
Reviewed by Dhiman Patel, MScPT, registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Last reviewed 14 September 2026.