Abbey Melissa Hood Tidman – Physiotherapist | New Hamburg, ON

Abbey Melissa Hood Tidman is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Resident Physiotherapist). Practicing at Physiotherapy Alliance - New Hamburg in New Hamburg, ON, Abbey Hood Tidman is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Abbey Hood Tidman's approach focuses on addressing a wide range of muscle, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament conditions. This includes everything from acute injuries like sprains and strains, to chronic pain management, arthritis care, and comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation. Abbey Hood Tidman serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Abbey Melissa Hood Tidman completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Bond University (Graduating Class of 2024). With clinical experience, Abbey Hood Tidman is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Abbey Hood Tidman has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Abbey Hood Tidman empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Abbey Hood Tidman adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Abbey Hood Tidman promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the New Hamburg community through proactive physiotherapy. Abbey Hood Tidman offers consultations in English.

Abbey Melissa Hood Tidman provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A chronic condition causing joint discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning or after inactivity), and impacting your ability to perform daily activities, walk, or engage in hobbies.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Persistent tendon pain that can interfere with your sports, work, or daily activities, often requiring specific loading programs and advice from a physiotherapist for effective management.

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Neck, shoulder, and upper back discomfort, often accompanied by headaches or 'brain fog', after a sudden jerking motion of the head, such as in a rear-end collision.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. Diagnosis for physiotherapist is based on individual assessment, so if your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Abbey Hood Tidman can assess your needs.

• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Specific stretches designed by your therapist to target tight muscle groups relevant to your condition, helping to improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Teaching you essential strategies and exercises to manage your symptoms independently, accelerate recovery, and prevent future problems.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Identifying inefficient or compensatory movement patterns that could be contributing to your pain or hindering your physical performance.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: A carefully selected set of exercises specific to your condition and abilities, aimed at restoring function, reducing pain, improving movement, and preventing future issues.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: Detailed physical assessment of your joints, muscles, nerves, and movement patterns to identify the root cause of your symptoms and guide your treatment.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Customized strength training to address specific weaknesses identified in your assessment, helping to correct imbalances, improve movement efficiency, and achieve your physical objectives.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Abbey Hood Tidman, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Physiotherapists in ON and the standards set by The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

At Physiotherapy Alliance - New Hamburg, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Abbey Hood Tidman frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• If pain or weakness that's stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies is preventing you from fully enjoying simply being able to get through a workday without constant pain interruptions, Abbey Hood Tidman offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• It's truly rewarding for Abbey Hood Tidman to witness patients conquer that grinding or crunching feeling in my knee or shoulder and experience learning specific exercises that provide ongoing relief and maintain their progress. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in working on detailed woodworking projects in their shop without hand pain again.
• Living with shoulder pain that makes simple things like lifting my arm or reaching overhead difficult doesn't have to be your norm. Abbey Hood Tidman applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards enhanced recovery from post-surgical procedures with fewer complications, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of dressing myself independently and without difficulty, including shoes and socks.
• Patients struggling with difficulty coordinating my movements, feeling clumsy can find dedicated and compassionate support from Abbey Hood Tidman. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving better joint stability during movement and weight-bearing activities, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as using garden tools effectively and without pain.

Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Abbey Hood Tidman, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Abbey Hood Tidman practices at Physiotherapy Alliance - New Hamburg, a physiotherapy clinic in the central New Hamburg neighborhood of New Hamburg. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

Some temporary post-treatment soreness can be normal, much like after a good workout. However, if your pain significantly worsens, if you develop new concerning symptoms, or if the discomfort doesn't settle down within a day or two, please call us. Your Physiotherapist would want to know so they can offer guidance and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan. Open communication is key to your successful recovery.

Does Physiotherapy Alliance - New Hamburg offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, Physiotherapy Alliance - New Hamburg offers direct billing for most major private insurance companies such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Blue Cross. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment. Always confirm your specific coverage details, including any annual maximums, per-visit limits, or deductible requirements, directly with your insurance provider, as plans vary significantly. You are responsible for any portion not covered by your insurance.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics for most of the population. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization for certain conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams), but eligibility criteria are strict and there may be waitlists. It is strongly recommended to check your private insurance for coverage of services at private clinics.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiotherapist can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While you might feel some discomfort or a stretching sensation as you work to regain movement or strength, especially in the initial stages of treatment for an acute injury or chronic stiffness, it's rarely 'painful' in a distressing or harmful way. Your Physiotherapist will guide you through each step, modify treatments to suit your comfort and tolerance, and ensure that the overall experience is positive. The ultimate aim is to make you feel better, not worse.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Your first physiotherapy appointment, which includes a detailed assessment and the development of your initial treatment plan, usually takes about 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled for 30 to 45 minutes. The exact duration of each session will depend on the nature of your treatment and what your Physiotherapist has planned for that specific visit to best help you progress.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in ON?

Patients in ON can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Physiotherapy Alliance - New Hamburg
10 Waterloo St., Suite 4
New Hamburg, ON, N3A 1V5

Phone: (519) 662-4676

Abbey Melissa Hood Tidman is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Physiotherapy Act, 1991 in ON and is a registered member of The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

Registration Number: XXX23

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=56c524da-eeaf-ef11-8a69-002248aeff4a

Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.