Erika vanPoorten – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Erika vanPoorten is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Totum Life Science in Toronto, ON, Erika vanPoorten is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Erika vanPoorten 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. Erika vanPoorten serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Erika vanPoorten completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Western University (Graduating Class of 2000). With extensive clinical experience, Erika vanPoorten is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Erika vanPoorten has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Erika vanPoorten promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy. Erika vanPoorten maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Erika vanPoorten adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Erika vanPoorten offers consultations in English.

Erika vanPoorten provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• Muscle Strains and Tears: Damage or tearing of muscle fibers, ranging from a mild overstretch (Grade 1 strain) to a partial or complete rupture (Grade 2 or 3 tear), typically caused by sudden forceful contraction, excessive stretch, or direct trauma.
• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Injuries to ankle ligaments, typically from twisting or 'rolling' motions, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Can result in recurrent sprains and chronic instability if not properly rehabilitated.

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Neck, shoulder, and upper back discomfort, often accompanied by headaches or 'brain fog', after a sudden jerking motion of the head, such as in a rear-end collision.

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. Erika vanPoorten can assess your needs.

• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: Utilizing therapeutic laser to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce pain signals, and manage inflammation as part of your comprehensive physiotherapy care.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: The application of gentle, controlled mechanical or manual force to distract (stretch) spinal segments, aiming to alleviate pressure on intervertebral discs, nerves, and facet joints.
• 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): 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): Employing different types of electrotherapy to support your rehabilitation goals, including promoting tissue healing or improving motor control.

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

• Many individuals seek help from Erika vanPoorten, their physiotherapist, when recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve building the necessary muscle support for their joints, reducing the risk of re-injury, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day.
• Erika vanPoorten frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of tendonitis pain flaring up in my shoulder, knee, elbow, or foot. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets a better ability to cope with the physical stresses of daily life and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like peacefully paddling their kayak or canoe on the lake for hours.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Erika vanPoorten can help you move beyond feeling unsteady on my feet or experiencing dizziness and balance problems. The focus is on feeling more energetic and less weighed down by physical discomfort, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as competing effectively in their curling league games.
• For those whose my child complaining of 'growing pains' that keep them up at night has made simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air seem like a distant memory, Erika vanPoorten's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward restored joint function, leading to smoother and more coordinated movements. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air with greater comfort and renewed confidence.

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

Erika vanPoorten practices at Totum Life Science, located in the Rosedale neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near MaRS Discovery District and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. We recommend you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If Totum Life Science offers direct billing and your plan allows it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

How can I book an appointment at Totum Life Science?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (416) 925-5706 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.

Does Totum Life Science offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

While we do not offer direct billing at this time, we provide detailed official receipts that you can easily submit to your insurer for reimbursement according to your plan. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment and always confirm your specific coverage details, including any annual maximums, per-visit limits, or deductible requirements, directly with your insurance provider, as plans vary significantly. You are responsible for any portion not covered by your insurance.

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 (this is known as direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans *do* require one for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. Check your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

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 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. Check your private insurance for private clinic coverage.

Totum Life Science
2 Roxborough St. East, Suite 2
Toronto, ON, M4W 3V7

Phone: (416) 925-5706

Erika vanPoorten 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=fd2f94f0-9602-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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