Alberto Karam – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Alberto Karam is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Expert Physio Plus in Ottawa, ON, Alberto, PT is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Alberto, PT's focus is 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. Alberto, PT serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Alberto Karam completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Antonine University (Graduating Class of 2016). With clinical experience, Alberto, PT is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Alberto, PT has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Alberto, PT promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Ottawa community through proactive physiotherapy; a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting; a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Alberto, PT offers consultations in Arabic, English, French.

Alberto Karam provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Physiotherapy to help you regain optimal use of your hand and wrist after an injury, surgery, or due to a chronic condition, enabling you to return to work, hobbies, and daily tasks.

Back Neck Pain

• 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).
• 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.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Pain, pins and needles, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg resulting from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve, often managed effectively with physiotherapy techniques like McKenzie method or neural mobilization.

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.

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. Alberto, PT can assess your needs.

• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Targeted exercises using resistance (such as bodyweight, resistance bands, free weights, or gym equipment) to build muscle strength, power, and endurance, tailored to your specific rehabilitation needs or performance goals.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: The application of gentle, controlled mechanical or manual force to distract (stretch) spinal segments, aiming to alleviate pressure on intervertebral discs, nerves, and facet joints.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• 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.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Customized exercise plans designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, improve physical performance, and achieve your functional goals safely and effectively.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.

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

• Patients often come to Alberto, PT feeling defeated by feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving successfully integrating safe movement strategies into their daily routines and resuming playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• For those whose that persistent ache in my lower back that just won't quit has made performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back seem like a distant memory, Alberto, PT's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke? Alberto, PT works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of better managing flare-ups with personalized strategies and feeling more in control of their symptoms. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as walking up and down several flights of stairs without issue or breathlessness.
• Physiotherapy with Alberto, PT can be a transformative turning point for those affected by my baby/child having trouble with their motor skills, like delayed rolling, sitting or walking. The shared goal is achieving greater ease in performing overhead activities or reaching, paving the way for you to enjoy standing for longer periods, for example, while cooking or at an event and a more active, vibrant life.

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

Alberto, PT practices at Expert Physio Plus, situated in the Blackburn Hamlet, Beacon Hill neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Library and Archives Canada and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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 kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows the Physiotherapist to easily access and assess the area being treated, and permits you to move freely for any exercises or movements. For example, shorts are ideal for knee, hip, or ankle issues, while a tank top or loose t-shirt works well for shoulder, neck, or upper back problems. Athletic wear or gym attire is generally a good choice. You may also be provided with a gown if needed.

What are Expert Physio Plus's operating hours?

Expert Physio Plus is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and some practitioners offer Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call the clinic or check their website for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by your Physiotherapist as part of your overall physiotherapy plan. These techniques are designed to assess and treat your joints, muscles, and nerves to decrease pain and improve your mobility and function. Examples include specific joint mobilizations to improve movement, soft tissue release techniques to address muscle tightness or scar tissue, and sometimes manipulations (adjustments) if indicated and appropriate for your condition and your therapist's qualifications.

Expert Physio Plus
2666a Innes Road
Ottawa, ON, K1B 4Z5

Phone: (613) 800-9800

Alberto Karam 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: XXX49

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=58501d40-b1b9-ec11-983f-000d3af4ddcd

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