Elmer D Cardozo – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Elmer D Cardozo is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Advanced Spine Centre in Toronto, ON, Elmer Cardozo is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Elmer Cardozo focuses on 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. Elmer Cardozo serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Elmer D Cardozo completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo (Graduating Class of 1995). With extensive clinical experience, Elmer Cardozo is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Elmer Cardozo has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Elmer Cardozo employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Elmer Cardozo maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Elmer Cardozo offers consultations in English.

Elmer D Cardozo provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Aching, burning, sharp pain, or a 'pins and needles' sensation in the wrist, thumb, or hand region, sometimes waking you at night.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Damage to the body's movement system, including issues like joint inflammation, ligament tears, or muscle overstretching, often requiring physiotherapy for optimal recovery.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Aching, soreness, or sharp pain experienced in the neck, which may include muscle spasms, trigger points, or reduced flexibility.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Discomfort felt around the shoulder blade, at the top of the shoulder, or radiating down the arm, making simple tasks challenging.

Sports Injury

• IT Band Syndrome (Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome): A common cause of lateral knee pain in athletes, often linked to training errors, muscle imbalances (e.g., weak hip abductors), or poor biomechanics, which physiotherapy aims to address.
• Stress Fractures (Activity-Related - Conservative Management/Rehab): Localized bone pain that typically worsens with activity and is relieved by rest, often accompanied by tenderness to touch over the affected bone.

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. Elmer Cardozo 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.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A non-invasive, evidence-based treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and promote tissue regeneration in stubborn soft tissue conditions that haven't responded to other therapies.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• 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 Elmer Cardozo, 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 Advanced Spine Centre, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Elmer Cardozo frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Through personalized physiotherapy at Elmer Cardozo'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 circulation and tissue healing. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again.
• Patients struggling with knee pain, especially when going up/down stairs or after a run can find dedicated and compassionate support from Elmer Cardozo. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving much better balance overall, reducing the risk of stumbles or falls, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as going on birdwatching outings in various terrains.
• For those whose feeling generally stiff, achy, and less mobile than I used to be has made getting back to their regular, consistent gym workouts seem like a distant memory, Elmer Cardozo's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward a greater sense of body confidence and trust in their physical abilities. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to getting back to their regular, consistent gym workouts with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Many find that feeling 'off-balance' and worried about falling, especially as I get older significantly impacts their ability to simply being able to get through a workday without constant pain interruptions. Elmer Cardozo helps patients target getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.

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

Elmer Cardozo practices at Advanced Spine Centre, located in the Davisville North neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near the Distillery District 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 book an appointment, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for coverage. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider about their specific requirements before your first 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 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.

Is there parking available at or near Advanced Spine Centre?

Paid parking is available in a nearby parkade. There is also some limited street parking, but please be sure to check for any restrictions or time limits.

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

Physiotherapy services in private clinics are generally not covered by OHIP. While publicly funded physiotherapy is available through some programs (e.g., post-hospitalization for certain conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams), eligibility criteria are strict and there may be waitlists. It's essential to check with your private or extended health insurance plan, as many provide coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

Advanced Spine Centre
245 Eglinton Avenue East, Inside Doctor Office
Toronto, ON, M4P 3B7

Phone: (416) 440-2999

Elmer D Cardozo 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=59d0c877-8f02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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