Abigail Christine Jin Wei Hatanaka

Abigail Christine Jin Wei Hatanaka provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Peripheral Nerve

• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Addressing the physical consequences of nerve damage in the limbs through targeted exercises (e.g., for balance, strength, desensitization), sensory re-education, and advice on appropriate footwear or assistive devices.
• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Alleviating symptoms and improving function for individuals with entrapped nerves through conservative physiotherapy management, helping to avoid more invasive interventions.

Vestibular Balance

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A common cause of vertigo that is highly treatable with specific physiotherapy maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver or Semont maneuver, designed to reposition the displaced inner ear crystals.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Difficulty maintaining stability during standing, walking, or changing positions, which may be due to various factors including age-related changes, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal weakness, sensory impairments, or medication side effects, often leading to an increased risk of falls.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Individualized exercise programs including gaze stabilization exercises (e.g., VORx1, VORx2), habituation exercises (for motion sensitivity), and balance retraining to improve function when the vestibular system is impaired.

Post Surgical

• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): Specialized physiotherapy after knee joint replacement surgery to help you regain independence, optimize your surgical outcome, and return to desired daily activities and hobbies.
• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): A progressive exercise program, often combined with manual therapy, designed to gradually restore your shoulder's range of motion, strength, and coordination following your operation.
• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): Physiotherapy rehabilitation after total or partial hip replacement surgery, aimed at restoring mobility, strength, balance, and improving your gait pattern, allowing you to perform daily activities safely and effectively.
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): A carefully managed and individualized physiotherapy program to help you regain confidence in your spine, improve functional capacity, and prevent future issues after spinal surgery.

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. Abigail Hatanaka can assess your needs.

• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Convenient access to expert physiotherapy services from the comfort of your home, office, or any location with an internet connection, ideal for those with busy schedules, living in remote areas, or preferring virtual care.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): In-home rehabilitation programs tailored to your living space and functional needs, helping you regain independence with daily activities, manage pain, and improve mobility where you live.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Evidence-based exercise programs designed by your physiotherapist, including instruction and progression, to optimize your recovery and enhance your physical well-being.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Graded exercise programs designed to improve your overall physical fitness, endurance, strength, and functional capacity, especially beneficial after illness, surgery, or periods of prolonged inactivity.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Abigail Hatanaka, 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 Balance Physiotherapy, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Abigail Hatanaka frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Rediscover your ability to getting on and off the floor with ease without the constant burden of that burning pain between my shoulder blades from too much computer work. Abigail Hatanaka focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to feeling more energetic and less weighed down by physical discomfort, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Patients often come to Abigail Hatanaka feeling defeated by feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving noticeable strength gains in their limbs, supporting more demanding tasks and resuming travelling more comfortably on planes, trains, or in cars for longer durations becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Don't let hip pain when I walk, climb stairs, or try to sleep on my side dictate what you can and cannot do. Abigail Hatanaka offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at a reduction in nerve-related symptoms like tingling or numbness, helping you reclaim working at their desk all day without developing back or neck stiffness and enjoy a more functional life.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Abigail Hatanaka's clinic, common concerns like tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of improved hand and wrist function for tasks requiring dexterity. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back.

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

Abigail Hatanaka practices at Balance Physiotherapy, situated in the Don Mills North neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near the US Consulate and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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. Always check your private/extended health insurance plans, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

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. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiotherapist will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their movement, function, and overall well-being. A registered Physiotherapist uses evidence-based techniques like targeted exercise, hands-on manual therapy, and personalized education to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of injuries, pain conditions, and physical impairments affecting your muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and even your cardiorespiratory system. It can help you reduce pain, increase mobility and strength, recover from surgery, prevent future injuries, and enhance your quality of life.

Is there parking available at or near Balance Physiotherapy?

Ample free patient parking is available directly in front of and beside the building. Look for the designated patient spots.

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

It's not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after certain physiotherapy treatments, especially in the initial stages or if you're starting new exercises. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience a significant or sharp increase in pain, new or worsening neurological symptoms (like numbness, tingling, or weakness), or if your soreness lasts longer than expected, it's important to contact Balance Physiotherapy or your physician directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

Balance Physiotherapy
8-12 Upjohn Road
Toronto, ON, M3B 2V9

Phone: (416) 386-0384

Abigail Christine Jin Wei Hatanaka 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: XXX04

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=15185cb0-4645-ef11-a316-6045bd5e92cc

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