Celia Qian Chen

Celia Qian Chen provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Post Surgical

• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): A structured physiotherapy plan to help you recover full function, independence, and confidence in your new hip after replacement surgery.
• 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.

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).
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.
• 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.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.

Hand Wrist

• 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.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Focused physiotherapy care for complex hand and wrist problems, often involving custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization), specific exercises to restore dexterity, strength, and range of motion, scar management, and sensory re-education.

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. Celia Chen can assess your needs.

• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Education and instruction on effective and safe stretching techniques to help you maintain or improve your body's flexibility and joint mobility.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Application of skilled soft tissue techniques to manage pain, stiffness, and improve function in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.

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

• Don't let dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness after a car accident, like whiplash dictate what you can and cannot do. Celia Chen offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at being able to play actively with their children or grandchildren again, helping you reclaim attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation and enjoy a more functional life.
• When that nagging tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow) that flares up with activity is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout, physiotherapy with Celia Chen can help you work towards a return to intimacy without the fear of pain or discomfort. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• Physiotherapy with Celia Chen can be a transformative turning point for those affected by post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery. The shared goal is achieving understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term, paving the way for you to enjoy returning to dancing, whether it's ballet, salsa, or just for fun and a more active, vibrant life.
• Rediscover your ability to tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence without the constant burden of facial weakness or drooping on one side (like Bell's Palsy). Celia Chen focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to enjoying less stiffness in the mornings and throughout the day, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.

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

Celia Chen's practice at Cornerstone Physiotherapy is located in a central North York neighborhood of Toronto. 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.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiotherapist will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

How can I book an appointment at Cornerstone Physiotherapy?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (647) 494-4342 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.

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, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

What is Cornerstone Physiotherapy'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. A fee may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

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

For your first visit, please bring your provincial health card (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, if applicable), any relevant medical information such as a doctor's referral note (if you have one), reports from recent imaging, and a list of your current medications. Also, if you plan to use private health insurance, bring your insurance card or policy details. Finally, wear or bring comfortable clothing suitable for assessment and movement.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly depending on your condition, its severity, your goals, and your response to therapy. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment plan after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization), but eligibility criteria are strict. Check your private insurance for coverage.

Cornerstone Physiotherapy
4789 Yonge Street, Suite 1006
North York, ON, M2N 0G3

Phone: (647) 494-4342

Celia Qian Chen 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: XXX55

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=6e172e62-c9c8-e811-817c-480fcff40721

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