Catharine Sara Bradley – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Catharine Sara Bradley is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, ON, Catharine Bradley is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Catharine Bradley'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. Catharine Bradley serves infants, children, and adolescents.

Catharine Sara Bradley completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 1998). With extensive clinical experience, Catharine Bradley is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Catharine Bradley has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Catharine Bradley empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Catharine Bradley employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. There is a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Catharine Bradley offers consultations in English, French.

Catharine Sara Bradley provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

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): Conditions like 'jumper's knee' (patellar tendinopathy), 'swimmer's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendinopathy), or 'tennis elbow' (lateral epicondylitis) caused by tendon issues that limit your ability to perform specific tasks.

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Back or neck pain accompanied by associated limb symptoms (pain, sensory changes, weakness) due to a constricted spinal canal, which physiotherapy can help manage conservatively.

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. Catharine Bradley 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.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Gentle, specific movements and mobilizations designed to address nerve-related pain (like sciatica or carpal tunnel symptoms), tingling, numbness, or restrictions by improving the nerve's ability to glide freely and reducing irritation.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: A carefully selected set of exercises specific to your condition and abilities, aimed at restoring function, reducing pain, improving movement, and preventing future issues.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Specialized workouts to enhance your core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for injury prevention, back health, and efficient performance in daily activities and sports.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Customized strength training to address specific weaknesses identified in your assessment, helping to correct imbalances, improve movement efficiency, and achieve your physical objectives.

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

• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of experiencing discomfort, back pain, or pelvic girdle pain during or after pregnancy? Catharine Bradley works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of experiencing significant pain relief, allowing for a more comfortable daily life. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as engaging in volunteer work that might have physical demands.
• At Catharine Bradley's physiotherapy practice, individuals with that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away are guided towards effectively managing chronic pain and reclaiming an active lifestyle. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as dressing myself independently and without difficulty, including shoes and socks.
• Don't let pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints) dictate what you can and cannot do. Catharine Bradley offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at greater confidence when walking, standing, or navigating challenging environments, helping you reclaim dancing the night away at social events and family celebrations and enjoy a more functional life.
• Rediscover your ability to enduring their daily commute, whether driving or on public transit, without stiffness without the constant burden of pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard. Catharine Bradley focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to greater ease in performing overhead activities or reaching, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.

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

Catharine Bradley's practice at Hospital for Sick Children is situated in the Bay Street Corridor (Discovery District) neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Royal Alexandra Theatre and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement is best for your physiotherapy appointment – think about what you might wear to a gym or for light exercise. If you're being treated for a lower-body issue (like hip or knee pain), shorts are very helpful. For upper-body issues (like shoulder or neck pain), a tank top or loose t-shirt is suitable so the Physiotherapist can properly examine and treat the area.

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. We recommend you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If our clinic offers direct billing and your plan allows it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

What are Hospital for Sick Children's operating hours?

Hospital for Sick Children 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 our office or check our website/online booking portal for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (this is known as 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. We strongly advise you to 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. We strongly advise checking your private insurance for private clinic coverage.

Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Ave.
Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8

Phone: (416) 813-6755

Catharine Sara Bradley 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: XXX17

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=fe60de60-8c02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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