Care for Those Who Served
Kingston has one of the largest military and veteran communities in Canada — home to CFB Kingston, the Royal Military College, and thousands of Canadian Armed Forces veterans who have built their lives here after service. We are proud to serve that community with the same rigour, professionalism, and respect that defines military culture.
C.S. Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre is a VAC-approved provider. We bill Veterans Affairs Canada directly for approved services, so eligible veterans can access the rehabilitation they need without out-of-pocket payment or paperwork burdens. Scott McAllister, our owner and kinesiologist, has worked extensively with VAC-funded patients and understands both the clinical and administrative requirements of the program.
What We Treat
Military service places exceptional demands on the body — often across decades of high-intensity physical activity, occupational hazards, and deployment stressors. The conditions we most frequently treat for veteran patients include:
- Chronic back, neck, and spinal pain — among the most common service-related injuries
- Shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears and impingement from heavy load-bearing and overhead tasks
- Knee and hip conditions from years of marching, physical training, and load-carrying
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion rehabilitation
- Hearing-related conditions and vestibular dysfunction
- Peripheral nerve injuries and neuropathy
- Post-surgical rehabilitation following orthopaedic procedures
- Physical deconditioning and functional restoration
- Chronic pain management — central sensitization, fibromyalgia, and widespread pain
- Physical symptoms associated with operational stress injuries (OSI) and PTSD
- Occupational rehabilitation and return-to-work preparation
VAC Benefit Programs We Work With
Veterans Affairs Canada provides physiotherapy and kinesiology coverage through several distinct benefit programs. Understanding which applies to your situation is the first step — and your VAC case manager can clarify eligibility.
If you're unsure which program applies to you, contact your VAC case manager through My VAC Account or by calling VAC at 1-866-522-2122. We're also happy to help you understand the process — call us and we'll walk through it together.
How to Get Started
The process for accessing VAC-funded physiotherapy is straightforward once you know the steps. Here's how it typically works:
Confirm Your Eligibility
Contact Veterans Affairs Canada through My VAC Account or by calling 1-866-522-2122. Ask your case manager whether physiotherapy or kinesiology is covered under your current benefits, and for which conditions.
Obtain Prior Authorization
Most VAC physiotherapy services require prior authorization before treatment begins. Your case manager will initiate this process and issue an approval for a specified number of sessions or a treatment period.
Contact Us to Book
Call or email us with your VAC authorization details. We'll confirm the billing arrangements, book your initial assessment, and handle the paperwork from our end. You show up — we take care of the rest.
Begin Treatment
Your physiotherapist or kinesiologist will conduct a thorough initial assessment, establish your treatment goals, and build a plan tailored to your condition and your life. We provide regular progress reports to your VAC case manager as required.
Extension or Transition Planning
If your authorized sessions are coming to an end, we'll communicate with your case manager well in advance to request an extension if clinically indicated, or to develop a plan for maintaining your progress independently.
Why Veterans Choose C.S. Physiotherapy
We aren't a high-volume, in-and-out clinic. Every veteran we see gets a thorough assessment, an honest treatment plan, and consistent one-on-one care from the same clinician. Scott McAllister, our kinesiologist and co-owner, has a background working extensively with VAC-funded clients and brings a no-nonsense, practical approach to rehabilitation that resonates with the veterans we work with.
We understand that many veterans have had frustrating experiences with healthcare — long waits, rotating clinicians, generic advice, and the feeling of not being truly heard. We operate differently. If something isn't working, we say so. If your goals change, we adapt. And we keep your VAC case manager in the loop so your funding is never a barrier to getting the care you need.
Direct billing. We bill Veterans Affairs Canada directly for all approved services. Eligible veterans pay nothing out of pocket for VAC-authorized physiotherapy and kinesiology. Bring your VAC authorization details to your first appointment and we'll handle the rest.
Kinesiology for Veterans
Kinesiology is a particularly powerful tool for veteran rehabilitation — and one that's often underutilized in the VAC system. Where physiotherapy addresses injury and dysfunction, kinesiology builds on that foundation with progressive exercise programming, functional movement training, and the kind of structured physical activity that has deep evidence for improving both physical and mental health outcomes in veterans.
For veterans dealing with chronic pain, deconditioning, or the physical effects of operational stress injuries, kinesiology provides a structured, progressive path back to physical capacity and confidence. Scott McAllister leads our kinesiology program and has worked with VAC-funded clients across a wide range of conditions and functional goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does VAC cover physiotherapy in Kingston?
Yes. C.S. Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre is a VAC-approved provider in Kingston, Ontario. We bill Veterans Affairs Canada directly for authorized services. Eligible veterans pay nothing out of pocket for approved physiotherapy and kinesiology sessions.
Do I need a referral or prior authorization from VAC?
In most cases, yes — VAC requires prior authorization before treatment begins. Start by contacting your VAC case manager through My VAC Account or by calling 1-866-522-2122. Once authorization is confirmed, call us and we'll book your assessment and handle the billing setup.
Can VAC cover kinesiology as well as physiotherapy?
Yes. Kinesiology is covered under certain VAC benefit programs, particularly the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program (RSVAP). Eligibility depends on your specific benefits and the clinical rationale for kinesiology as part of your rehabilitation plan. We can provide the clinical documentation to support authorization if needed.
What if my authorized sessions run out before I'm done treatment?
We monitor session counts and communicate with your case manager well before authorization expires. If an extension is clinically justified, we'll submit the required documentation and progress notes to support the request. You won't be left without a plan.
Can physiotherapy help with the physical effects of PTSD or OSI?
Yes. While PTSD is primarily a psychological condition treated by mental health professionals, the physical symptoms it causes — chronic muscle tension, pain, headaches, sleep disturbance, and somatic symptoms — respond well to physiotherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation. Exercise in particular has strong evidence for supporting mental health recovery as part of a broader treatment team approach.
I'm a currently serving CAF member — can I access services here?
Currently serving Canadian Armed Forces members primarily access care through base medical facilities and the CAF health system. However, if you have extended health benefits or are accessing care on a private basis, you are welcome to book with us. Contact us to discuss your situation and we'll help you understand your options.
Located in the Heart of Kingston's Military Community
We're located at 1479 John Counter Boulevard, Unit 201 — easily accessible from CFB Kingston, RMC, and communities across Kingston and the surrounding region. Free parking on-site. Elevator access. Call 613-384-2664 or email info@csphysiowellness.ca to get started.