Alexandra Montgomery – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Alexandra Montgomery is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, ON, Alex is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Alex 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. Alex serves adults.

Alexandra Montgomery completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Queen's University (Graduating Class of 1980). With extensive clinical experience, Alexandra Montgomery is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Alexandra Montgomery has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Alex employs a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Alex maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care possible. Alex promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Ottawa community through proactive physiotherapy. Alexandra Montgomery offers consultations in English, French, German.

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

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis focuses on maintaining spinal mobility and flexibility (especially extension), improving posture, strengthening core and back muscles, managing pain, and providing education on self-management and regular exercise.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Exercises and advice to manage the impact of gout on your joints, improve mobility, and reduce the likelihood of long-term joint damage.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): An inflammatory arthritis that can affect some people with psoriasis (a skin condition), causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes affecting tendons (enthesitis) and ligaments. Can affect small or large joints, often asymmetrically, and sometimes the spine.

Post Surgical

• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Gentle and progressive physiotherapy rehabilitation following spinal surgery (e.g., for disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or spinal fusion), initiated once cleared by your surgeon, to improve mobility, core strength, posture, reduce pain, and safely return to daily activities.
• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): A progressive rehabilitation program after surgery to fix a broken bone, helping you regain full use of your arm or leg and return to your normal activities.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee ligament injuries post-operatively, focusing on restoring full knee function, power, and agility to meet your specific athletic or lifestyle demands.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): The crucial rehabilitation phase following total or partial knee replacement surgery, with physiotherapy focusing on restoring range of motion, building strength, improving balance, managing pain and swelling, and enabling functional mobility (e.g., walking, stairs, getting in/out of a car).

Back Neck Pain

• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Discomfort, aching, stiffness, or muscle fatigue in the back or neck arising from sustained or awkward postures during daily activities, prolonged work (e.g., desk work, computer use), or sleep.
• 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.

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. Alex can assess your needs.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A non-invasive, evidence-based treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and promote tissue regeneration in stubborn soft tissue conditions that haven't responded to other therapies.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Application of various forms of electrical stimulation, such as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) for muscle strengthening and re-education, or Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to assist with movement, as prescribed by your Physiotherapist.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic injury.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.

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

• Many individuals seek help from Alex, their physiotherapist, when pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints) starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve feeling empowered to take control of their physical health journey, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like keeping up with their team during our weekly soccer match.
• With Alex's help, managing difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke to achieve being able to travel more comfortably and with less planning around physical limitations becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like comfortably cooking and meal prepping for their family.
• Many find that an awkward gait or limping when I walk significantly impacts their ability to returning to a specific physical hobby they had to give up due to pain. Alex helps patients target a smoother and stronger postpartum recovery with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Patients struggling with dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness after a car accident, like whiplash can find dedicated and compassionate support from Alex. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving a more comfortable and physically manageable pregnancy experience, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids.

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

Alex practices at Queensway Carleton Hospital, situated in the Bells Corners, Lynwood Village neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near CF Rideau Centre and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How can I book an appointment at Queensway Carleton Hospital?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (613) 721-2000 during our business hours. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

The primary goal of physiotherapy is generally to reduce pain and improve function, not to cause significant or lasting pain. Some assessment techniques or specific treatments might cause mild, temporary discomfort or soreness. Your Physiotherapist will work within your tolerance levels and encourage open feedback. If you experience notable pain, inform your therapist immediately.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. Contact your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand your plan's specifics (annual maximum, per-visit limits, co-payments, referral requirements, direct billing). If direct billing is possible, we can bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance. Bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide a receipt for your insurer.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by your Physiotherapist to assess and treat your joints, muscles, and nerves to decrease pain and improve your mobility and function. Examples include specific joint mobilizations, soft tissue release techniques, and sometimes manipulations (adjustments).

Queensway Carleton Hospital
3045 Baseline Rd.
Ottawa, ON, K2H 8P4

Phone: (613) 721-2000

Alexandra Montgomery 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: XXX09

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=04669263-8902-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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