Policies

Effective date: July 12, 2026
Last updated: July 12, 2026

Treatment and Informed Consent

This section explains what you may discuss with your physiotherapist before an assessment or treatment. It is general information and is not, by itself, a consent form. Your physiotherapist will ask for and document your informed consent as part of your care.

Before an assessment or treatment begins, your physiotherapist will explain what is proposed, why it is being recommended, the expected benefits, material risks and side effects, reasonable alternatives, and what may happen if you choose not to proceed. You are encouraged to ask questions. Consent is an ongoing conversation and may be given, refused or withdrawn at any time.

Pelvic health assessment and treatment

Pelvic physiotherapy may involve discussing your health history and assessing areas relevant to your concerns. Your physiotherapist will explain each proposed assessment or treatment, including why it is being recommended, before asking for your consent.

Internal pelvic floor examination or treatment

Your physiotherapist may recommend an internal pelvic floor examination or treatment. What is proposed, why it is recommended, and its benefits, risks and alternatives will be explained before your specific consent is requested. You may decline, pause or stop at any time. An internal examination is never mandatory, and declining it does not prevent other appropriate assessment or treatment.

Risks, benefits and alternatives

Possible benefits depend on your condition and may include improved symptoms, comfort, strength, mobility, function, confidence and self-management. Physiotherapy can also temporarily increase pain, soreness, fatigue, skin sensitivity or other symptoms. Contact your physiotherapist if a reaction is severe, unexpected or does not settle as discussed. No particular result, improvement or cure can be promised.

You may decline a proposed assessment or treatment and discuss other physiotherapy approaches. Medical, surgical or medication alternatives should be discussed with an appropriate physician or other authorized prescriber.

Participation and ongoing care

Your treatment plan will be based on your goals, preferences and clinical needs. Please share relevant health information, let your physiotherapist know if anything changes, and raise any difficulty with your treatment or home program. If you are unable to provide consent, consent will be sought from an authorized substitute decision-maker as required by Ontario law.

Personal Health Information and PHIPA

Pelvic Physio By Laura respects your privacy and handles personal health information in accordance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) and applicable professional requirements. Laura Holland is the privacy contact for Pelvic Physio By Laura. Depending on where and how a service was provided, Laura Holland, Encompass Health and Wellness or another provider may have custody or control of a particular record. Contact Laura or Encompass Health and Wellness if you need help identifying the appropriate Health Information Custodian.

Privacy contact:
Laura Holland, Registered Physiotherapist
Pelvic Physio By Laura
130 Weber St W, Suite 202, Kitchener, ON N2H 4A2
laura@pelvicphysiobylaura.com

What is collected and why

Information reasonably necessary to provide and administer care may include your identity and contact details, health history, assessment findings, treatment plans, clinical notes, consent discussions, correspondence, referrals, appointment information, billing and insurance information. It may be collected, used or disclosed to:

• assess, plan, provide and coordinate your care;
• communicate with you and other providers involved in your care;
• schedule appointments, process payments and support insurance claims;
• maintain clinical and financial records;
• support quality assurance and professional review; and
• meet legal, regulatory, safety and reporting obligations.

Personal health information is collected, used and disclosed with consent or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Information is limited to what is reasonably necessary for the purpose. It is not sold or disclosed to advertisers or solicitors.

Sharing and service providers

Information may be shared with healthcare providers, clinic staff, insurers or other parties when you consent or when law permits or requires it. A specific authorization may be requested before records are sent to a third party. Service providers that support booking, records, communications, billing or storage are given access only as needed for their services and are expected to protect the information they handle.

Safeguards and privacy breaches

Reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards are used to protect information against theft, loss and unauthorized collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification or disposal.

If personal health information is lost, stolen or handled without authorization, reasonable steps will be taken to contain and investigate the incident. Affected individuals and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario will be notified when required by PHIPA. Questions or concerns about a possible privacy breach should be sent promptly to the privacy contact above.

Access, correction and complaints

You may request access to or correction of your personal health information by contacting the privacy contact in writing. Requests will be handled as soon as reasonably possible and generally within 30 days, subject to lawful extensions and exceptions. If a fee may apply, you will receive an estimate before being charged.

You may also ask questions or make a privacy complaint using the contact information above. If your concern is not resolved, you may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

Record retention and disposal

Clinical and financial records are retained for at least 10 years from the later of the last patient encounter or the date the patient reached, or would have reached, 18 years of age. The Health Information Custodian responsible for a particular record may retain it longer when required or reasonably necessary.

Website and Newsletter Privacy

This section applies to information collected through pelvicphysiobylaura.com. The website does not ask you to submit medical details and should not be used to send urgent or highly sensitive health information.

Information you provide

If you email Laura, the information in your message is used to respond to you and manage the inquiry. If you enter your email address to receive a newsletter, free guide or product update, it is sent directly to Kit, the email service provider used to manage subscriptions and deliver email. Kit processes that information under its own privacy and security terms.

Appointment booking links take you to Jane, the clinic's booking provider. Information entered there is submitted to Jane and the clinic, not to this website. Links to Instagram, Google Maps, Google reviews and other external services take you to websites with their own privacy practices.

Email consent

By submitting a subscription form, you agree to receive the material requested and related emails from Pelvic Physio By Laura. Emails identify the sender and include an unsubscribe option. You may withdraw your consent at any time by using that option or emailing laura@pelvicphysiobylaura.com. Subscription records may be retained as needed to document consent and honour unsubscribe requests.

Cookies and analytics

The website host may process basic technical information to deliver the site, maintain security and diagnose errors. External providers may use cookies or similar technologies after you follow a link or submit information to them. Any non-essential analytics or tracking used on this website will be identified here and handled with any consent controls required by law.

Storage, transfers and retention

Website and subscription providers may process information outside Ontario or Canada, where it may be subject to the laws of that jurisdiction. Website inquiry and subscription information is kept only as long as reasonably needed for the purpose collected, legal obligations, security, dispute resolution and suppression of messages after an unsubscribe request.

Website Terms and Health Disclaimer

The website, screening questionnaire, blog posts, emails and downloadable resources provide general educational information. They are not a diagnosis, emergency service or substitute for assessment and advice from a qualified healthcare professional who understands your circumstances. Using this website or contacting Laura does not by itself create a physiotherapist-patient relationship.

Do not delay or disregard professional care because of information on this website. If you believe you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or seek urgent medical assistance. Information is provided in good faith and may change as evidence and professional guidance evolve. No particular health outcome is guaranteed.

Accessibility

Pelvic Physio By Laura is committed to providing services and information in a way that respects the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity of people with disabilities. Reasonable efforts are made to identify and remove accessibility barriers and to follow applicable requirements under Ontario's accessibility laws.

If you need website content, a document or service information in an alternate format, or need a communication accommodation, email laura@pelvicphysiobylaura.com. Laura will work with you to find a suitable option as promptly as reasonably possible. Accessibility feedback is welcome and will be considered in good faith.

Cancellation Policy

Please provide at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Appointments changed within 48 hours may be charged the full appointment fee. The cancellation terms shown during booking or in your appointment confirmation apply.

Changes to These Policies

These policies may be updated to reflect changes in services, technology, professional standards or law. The effective and last-updated dates above will be revised when changes are made. Material changes affecting how personal information is handled will be communicated when required.