Emily Pilcher – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Emily Pilcher is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Resident Physiotherapist). Practicing at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, ON, Emily is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Emily focuses on 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. Emily serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Emily Pilcher completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Queen's University (Graduating Class of 2024). With clinical experience, Emily Pilcher is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Emily Pilcher has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Emily embraces a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy. Emily Pilcher offers consultations in English.

Emily Pilcher 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.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.

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.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Physiotherapy to help you regain optimal use of your hand and wrist after an injury, surgery, or due to a chronic condition, enabling you to return to work, hobbies, and daily tasks.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Addressing the inflammation, pain, and restricted movement associated with stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger or thumb.

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. Emily can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Progressive resistance training programs designed by your Physiotherapist to improve muscle performance, support joint health, and enhance functional capacity for daily life or sport.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic injury.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): The application of focused acoustic waves (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) by a trained Physiotherapist to treat chronic tendon issues (e.g., plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy), calcific tendinosis, and other persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.

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

• Many find that working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery significantly impacts their ability to getting on and off the floor with ease. Emily helps patients target enhanced ability to participate in social and community events with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Emily frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets noticeable strength gains in their limbs, supporting more demanding tasks and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like maintaining their balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.
• Patients struggling with frequent headaches that seem to start from tension in my neck or shoulders can find dedicated and compassionate support from Emily. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation.
• Don't let feeling unsteady on my feet or experiencing dizziness and balance problems dictate what you can and cannot do. Emily offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at improved coordination for complex movements and fine motor tasks, helping you reclaim being able to carry their baby or toddler without straining their back or arms and enjoy a more functional life.

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

Emily practices at St. Michael's Hospital, located in the Garden District, Ryerson neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near St. Lawrence Market and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

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. It is strongly recommended to check your private insurance for coverage of services in private clinics.

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.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at St. Michael's Hospital treat?

Physiotherapists at St. Michael's Hospital treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, back and neck pain, joint problems (arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. Specialized skills include Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and general physiotherapy. Treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education.

What are St. Michael's Hospital's operating hours?

Our clinic 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, so please call the clinic or check our website for the most current hours and availability.

St. Michael's Hospital
30 Bond Street
Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8

Phone: (416) 864-5180

Emily Pilcher 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: XXX00

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=ebabe47b-3866-ef11-a670-0022483c9e3b

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