Ana Maria Navarro Arboleda – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Ana Maria Navarro Arboleda is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Parkdale Community Health Centre in Toronto, ON, Ana Maria Navarro is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Ana Maria Navarro addresses 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. Ana Maria Navarro focuses on the unique health needs of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain mobility, strength, balance, manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall quality of life and independence. Ana Maria Navarro serves adults.

Ana Maria Navarro Arboleda completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Universidad Metropolitana (Graduating Class of 1994). With clinical experience, Ana Maria Navarro is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Ana Maria Navarro has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health.

Ana Maria Navarro empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results; Ana Maria Navarro employs a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals; Ana Maria Navarro utilizes a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Ana Maria Navarro offers consultations in English, Spanish.

Ana Maria Navarro Arboleda provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Hand Wrist

• 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.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Conservative physiotherapy management for trigger digit, which may include splinting to rest the tendon, specific tendon gliding exercises, activity modification advice, modalities to reduce inflammation, and education to prevent recurrence.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Commonly known as 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, this condition affects various joints, often worsening with age, overuse, or previous injury, and can significantly impact daily function.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).

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).
• 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.

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. Ana Maria Navarro can assess your needs.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Hands-on physiotherapy focused on mobilizing restricted joints and soft tissues to promote healing, restore normal biomechanics, and alleviate pain.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Detailed analysis of your static and dynamic posture, with tailored exercises, stretches, and advice to help you improve alignment and reduce strain on your body.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Active patient participation through guided, gentle muscle contractions to restore normal joint play, reduce muscle guarding, and improve tissue length.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Specialized manual techniques aimed at restoring normal movement and function to peripheral nerves that may be compressed, adhered, or under tension.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Targeted manual methods performed by your Physiotherapist to release tight or overactive muscles, address fascial restrictions, and alleviate pain arising from soft tissue dysfunction.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Evaluation of your body's basic movements (like squatting, lunging, reaching) to highlight areas for improvement in stability, mobility, and motor control.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Ana Maria Navarro, 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 Parkdale Community Health Centre, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Ana Maria Navarro frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The path to recovery from clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk and achieving better managing flare-ups with personalized strategies and feeling more in control of their symptoms for simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air often starts with expert guidance. Ana Maria Navarro, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• At Ana Maria Navarro's physiotherapy practice, individuals with recovering from surgery to my hand or wrist are guided towards a better understanding of ergonomics for their work and home environment. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as travelling more comfortably on planes, trains, or in cars for longer durations.
• The journey to feeling more stable and confident on their feet, especially on uneven surfaces when faced with persistent post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery is made smoother and more effective with Ana Maria Navarro's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf.
• Don't let persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady dictate what you can and cannot do. Ana Maria Navarro offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at reduced swelling and inflammation in injured areas, helping you reclaim attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout and enjoy a more functional life.

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

Ana Maria Navarro practices at Parkdale Community Health Centre, situated in the Brockton, Parkdale Village, Exhibition Place neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Kensington Market and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Parkdale Community Health Centre treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, postural assessment and correction, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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 (like deep soft tissue work, joint mobilization, or certain exercises) might cause mild, temporary discomfort or soreness, especially if the tissues being treated are sensitive, inflamed, or very stiff. However, your Physiotherapist will always work within your tolerance levels, communicate clearly about what to expect, and encourage open feedback. If you experience notable or unacceptable pain during treatment, please inform your therapist immediately so adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort.

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.

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

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a doctor's referral. This is known as direct access. However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

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 that you check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

To make your first appointment as smooth and productive as possible, please consider bringing: your health card, any doctor's referral letter (if applicable), results or reports of any imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs) related to your current condition, a list of any medications you are currently taking, and your extended health benefits information (insurance card/policy number) for direct billing if available at our clinic. Wearing comfortable clothes is also a good idea.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

Parkdale Community Health Centre
1229 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON, M6K 1L3

Phone: (416) 537-2455

Ana Maria Navarro Arboleda 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: XXX22

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=51df171f-9002-e811-813f-480fcff40721

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