Benji Choo – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Benji Choo is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, ON, Benji is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Benji's focus is providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries, pain conditions, and movement dysfunctions to help patients of all ages restore function, manage pain, and improve their quality of life. Benji serves adults.

Benji Choo completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 1997). With extensive clinical experience, Benji Choo is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Benji Choo has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Benji's practice philosophy centers on empowering patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy; and employing a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Benji Choo offers consultations in English, Korean.

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

Sports Injury

• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Tearing of muscle fibers or the muscle-tendon unit due to overstretching, sudden forceful contraction, or eccentric loading during athletic activity or exertion, commonly known as a 'pulled muscle'.
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee / Anterior Knee Pain): Knee discomfort frequently experienced by runners, cyclists, and those involved in activities with repetitive knee bending, which physiotherapy can effectively manage through exercise and biomechanical correction.
• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Common joint injuries in athletes affecting stability, causing immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and functional loss, often requiring a structured rehabilitation program.

Back Neck Pain

• 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: 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: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Symptoms like 'neurogenic claudication' – leg pain, cramping, or heaviness with walking or prolonged standing that typically eases with rest or bending forward (flexion).

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.

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. Benji can assess your needs.

• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• 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.
• 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.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: A specialized physiotherapy treatment that uses a traction table or manual techniques to gently decompress spinal structures, relieve pressure, and promote healing.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or Interferential Current (IFC) for managing acute or chronic pain conditions by modulating pain signals or promoting the release of endorphins.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: A non-invasive light therapy used in physiotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, promote faster healing, reduce pain, and modulate inflammation without generating heat.

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

• The journey to getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations when faced with persistent feeling 'off-balance' and worried about falling, especially as I get older is made smoother and more effective with Benji's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence.
• Patients often come to Benji feeling defeated by difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach and resuming participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• For those whose trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury has made easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips seem like a distant memory, Benji's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward a safe and confident return to their favorite sport or recreational activity. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Struggling with the frustration of tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot? Benji develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving a return to intimacy without the fear of pain or discomfort. This is key to helping you get back to doing carrying a backpack or shoulder bag comfortably with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.

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

Benji practices at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, located in the Lawrence Park neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near University Settlement Recreation Centre and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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

In Ontario, you typically do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist. This is known as direct access. However, while a referral isn't legally required to *see* a physiotherapist, many private or extended health insurance plans *do* require one for reimbursement of services. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific coverage requirements.

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.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in certain situations, such as post-hospitalization for specific conditions, for children and youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams. However, eligibility criteria are strict and waitlists may exist. It is essential to check your private insurance coverage as many plans offer significant coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics. You should also verify your eligibility for any public coverage directly with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

While some physiotherapy techniques might feel uncomfortable or cause a temporary increase in soreness (similar to muscle soreness after a new workout), especially when working on stiff joints or tight muscles, it should not be excessively or intolerably painful. Your Physiotherapist will discuss what sensations you might expect with different treatments and will always aim to adjust the intensity and techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while still achieving therapeutic benefits. Constant communication about your comfort level is very important.

What is Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

It's difficult to say exactly how many sessions you'll need without a thorough assessment, as everyone's situation and recovery path is unique. Some acute conditions might resolve in just a few sessions, while more chronic, complex, or significant issues may require a longer period of care to achieve lasting results. Your Physiotherapist will provide an estimated treatment timeline and plan after your first visit, and this will be revisited as your treatment progresses.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiotherapist to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Ave.
Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5

Phone: (416) 480-6100

Benji Choo 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: XXX35

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=5599c81b-8c02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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