Christopher Austen Murtha – Physiotherapist | Lindsay, ON

Christopher Austen Murtha is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Lindsay Rehabilitation Health Centre in Lindsay, ON, Christopher Murtha is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Christopher Murtha 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. Christopher Murtha serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Christopher Austen Murtha completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2018). With clinical experience, Christopher Murtha is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Christopher Murtha has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Christopher Murtha employs a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals; empowering patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Christopher Murtha offers consultations in English.

Christopher Austen Murtha provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A physiotherapy approach to address the unique challenges of AS, aiming to keep you as mobile and active as possible and support your spinal health and overall well-being.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Individualized exercise programs and pain management strategies tailored for psoriatic arthritis to help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: Tailored exercise programs (including range of motion, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic exercises), pain relief modalities, and education on joint protection techniques and energy conservation for individuals with RA or similar conditions.

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Managing a variety of acute and chronic conditions of the hand and wrist, aiming to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term disability.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.

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. Christopher Murtha can assess your needs.

• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT for chronic tendinopathies, heel spurs, and other musculoskeletal problems, aiming to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and trigger a healing response.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: The application of specific wavelengths of light energy (cold laser) by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration at a cellular level.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Employing different types of electrotherapy to support your rehabilitation goals, including promoting tissue healing or improving motor control.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often used to prepare tissues for manual therapy or exercise, or to manage acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.

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

• Many individuals seek help from Christopher Murtha, their physiotherapist, when loss of strength in one of my limbs after an injury starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve being able to climb stairs with ease and confidence once again, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like keeping up with their team during our weekly soccer match.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Christopher Murtha's clinic, common concerns like recurrent dislocations or a feeling of instability in my shoulder or knee are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of improved balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like sitting comfortably through a movie at the cinema or a play.
• Patients often come to Christopher Murtha feeling defeated by trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving improved coordination for complex movements and fine motor tasks and resuming giving presentations or speaking publicly with confidence and good posture becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Christopher Murtha can help you move beyond shoulder pain that makes simple things like lifting my arm or reaching overhead difficult. The focus is on resuming gardening, hobbies, or household tasks without strain or discomfort, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain.

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

Christopher Murtha's practice is located at the Lindsay Rehabilitation Health Centre, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Lindsay neighborhood of Lindsay, 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. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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.

How can I book an appointment at Lindsay Rehabilitation Health Centre?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (705) 324-0404 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.

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. Always check your private/extended health insurance plans, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While you might feel some discomfort or a stretching sensation as you work to regain movement or strength, especially in the initial stages of treatment for an acute injury or chronic stiffness, it's rarely 'painful' in a distressing or harmful way. Your Physiotherapist will guide you through each step, modify treatments to suit your comfort and tolerance, and ensure that the overall experience is positive. The ultimate aim is to make you feel better, not worse.

What are Lindsay Rehabilitation Health Centre's operating hours?

Lindsay Rehabilitation Health Centre is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call our office at (705) 324-0404 for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their movement, function, and overall well-being. A registered Physiotherapist uses evidence-based techniques like targeted exercise, hands-on manual therapy, and personalized education to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of injuries, pain conditions, and physical impairments affecting your muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and even your cardiorespiratory system. It can help you reduce pain, increase mobility and strength, recover from surgery, prevent future injuries, and enhance your quality of life.

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

Patients in ON can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Lindsay Rehabilitation Health Centre
86, Angeline Street South
Lindsay, ON, K9V 3L5

Phone: (705) 324-0404

Christopher Austen Murtha 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: XXX77

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=d713fa6e-c6b2-e811-816f-480fcff4f671

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