Andrea Norton

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

Post Surgical

• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Restoring spinal function, core stability, and body mechanics post-operatively, ensuring a safe progression back to work, hobbies, and an active lifestyle.
• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): Comprehensive shoulder rehabilitation after surgical intervention, following surgeon-specific protocols, to ensure optimal healing, manage pain and swelling, and restore your arm's functional capacity.
• 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).

Neurological

• Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy for weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, often affecting one side of the face (e.g., Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, post-surgical facial nerve injury).
• Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) - Movement Retraining: Rehabilitation strategies tailored to the unique and often variable presentation of FND, working collaboratively with the patient to achieve their functional goals.

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. Andrea can assess your needs.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Application of precise, passive movements to joints to decrease stiffness, relieve pain, and facilitate easier, more comfortable movement.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Targeted therapy to alleviate symptoms such as shooting pain, pins and needles, or weakness arising from neural tension or entrapment.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Educating you about your diagnosis, expected recovery timeline (prognosis), and the reasons behind your treatment plan to encourage active participation in your healing.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: A variety of hands-on methods such as therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release style techniques to reduce muscle tension, break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and enhance tissue flexibility.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): A systematic screening process, such as FMS™ or SFMA™ (if your Physiotherapist is certified), to understand how you move and guide preventative or corrective exercise programs.

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

• Many patients have found lasting relief from my child walking on their toes most of the time and achieved improved coordination for complex movements and fine motor tasks under the skilled care of Andrea. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as working at their desk all day without developing back or neck stiffness with a new lease on life.
• Rediscover your ability to attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation without the constant burden of dealing with pelvic pain or bladder/bowel control issues (for both men and women). Andrea focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to successfully avoiding or delaying the need for more invasive treatments or surgery, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Struggling with the frustration of feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort? Andrea develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving developing better body awareness and understanding of healthy movement patterns. This is key to helping you get back to doing engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Are you finding that recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery stops you from enjoying playing fetch with their dog in the park for an extended time? Andrea is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.

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

Andrea practices at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, situated in a physiotherapy clinic in the central East York neighborhood of East York, ON. 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.

How can I book an appointment at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (416) 425-6220 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, while a doctor's referral may not be legally required to see a Physiotherapist, some private/extended health insurance plans do require one for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly advised that you check the specific requirements of your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

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 advised that you check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics. You should also verify your specific eligibility for any public coverage directly with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 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), and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and neurological physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, neural mobilization techniques, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Rd
East York, ON, M4G 1R8

Phone: (416) 425-6220

Andrea Norton 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: XXX64

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=91f83911-8d02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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