Darcy Ellen Yee – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Darcy Ellen Yee is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Geriatric Physiotherapy Focus / Seniors' Health). Practicing at VHA Rehab Solutions in Ottawa, ON, Darcy is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Darcy focuses on the unique health needs of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain mobility, strength, balance, manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall quality of life and independence. Darcy serves seniors in the Ottawa community.

Darcy Ellen Yee completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McMaster University (Graduating Class of 2000). With extensive clinical experience, Darcy is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Darcy has a particular interest and further training in Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health.

Darcy's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Ottawa community through proactive physiotherapy. Darcy has a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care possible. Darcy offers consultations in English.

Darcy Ellen Yee 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 degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).

Geriatric

• Mobility Issues & Gait Disturbances in Seniors: Supporting seniors to maintain or improve their ability to move around effectively and independently in their home and community through targeted physiotherapy.
• Age-Related Deconditioning / Frailty / Sarcopenia Management: Physiotherapy programs designed to address physical decline in older adults, focusing on rebuilding strength (resistance exercise), improving endurance (aerobic exercise), enhancing balance, and maintaining or improving functional independence.

Vestibular Balance

• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Physiotherapy aimed at improving your balance, coordination, lower limb strength, reaction time, and confidence to reduce your risk of falling and enhance safe mobility in your home and community.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Individualized exercise programs including gaze stabilization exercises (e.g., VORx1, VORx2), habituation exercises (for motion sensitivity), and balance retraining to improve function when the vestibular system is impaired.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Brief, often intense, episodes of dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) triggered by specific changes in head position (e.g., rolling over in bed, looking up, bending down), caused by displaced inner ear crystals (otoconia).

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. Darcy can assess your needs.

• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Providing clear guidance on self-care techniques, activity modifications, and beneficial lifestyle adjustments for long-term well-being and injury prevention.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Addressing common concerns in seniors such as difficulty walking, fear of falling, joint pain and stiffness, and deconditioning, to improve their overall quality of life and ability to participate in meaningful activities.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Education on optimal body mechanics and corrective strategies to improve your posture during daily activities, work, and recreation.
• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Providing physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment guidance, education, exercise prescription, and self-management strategies remotely via secure video conferencing technology.
• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): In-home rehabilitation programs tailored to your living space and functional needs, helping you regain independence with daily activities, manage pain, and improve mobility where you live.
• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Targeted physiotherapy programs to help seniors regain strength, endurance, balance, and functional abilities after an illness, surgery, hospitalization, or a period of inactivity or decline.

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

• Through personalized physiotherapy at Darcy's clinic, common concerns like soreness and tightness in my Achilles tendon, especially after exercise are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like playing in their competitive volleyball league again.
• At Darcy's physiotherapy practice, individuals with feeling 'off-balance' and worried about falling, especially as I get older are guided towards a noticeable improvement in their gait and walking efficiency. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as getting back to their regular, consistent gym workouts.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from my infant having a tilted head or a flat spot on their head (torticollis/plagiocephaly) and achieved improved circulation and tissue healing under the skilled care of Darcy. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain with a new lease on life.
• The journey to decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues when faced with persistent recurrent dislocations or a feeling of instability in my shoulder or knee is made smoother and more effective with Darcy's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children.

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

Darcy practices at VHA Rehab Solutions, located in the Britannia, Bayshore, Crystal Beach neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Little Italy and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

What are VHA Rehab Solutions's operating hours?

VHA Rehab Solutions 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 for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

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

It's recommended to wear or bring clothing that allows unrestricted movement and provides easy access for your physiotherapist to examine the body part being assessed or treated. For instance, if you have a knee problem, please wear or bring shorts. For shoulder issues, a sleeveless top or a top with loose armholes is often helpful. The goal is to make the assessment and treatment as effective as possible.

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 insurance for coverage as many plans offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

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.

Is there parking available at or near VHA Rehab Solutions?

Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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.

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

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This depends on many factors. After your initial assessment, your Physiotherapist will give you a better idea of the anticipated number of sessions. We will regularly review your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

VHA Rehab Solutions
2625 Queensview Drive, Suite 101
Ottawa, ON, K2B 8K2

Phone: (613) 726-9823

Darcy Ellen Yee 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: XXX67

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=c93452db-8c02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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