Frances Leung – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

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

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

Frances Leung empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results; a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy. Frances Leung offers consultations in Cantonese, English.

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

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.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Common shoulder problems such as rotator cuff issues (tendinopathy, small tears), impingement syndrome, or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) significantly affecting arm function and daily comfort.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A chronic condition causing joint discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning or after inactivity), and impacting your ability to perform daily activities, walk, or engage in hobbies.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.

Back Neck Pain

• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.
• 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. Frances Leung can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• 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.
• 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 Frances Leung, 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. Frances Leung frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Many individuals seek help from Frances Leung, their physiotherapist, when one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve feeling more like their 'old self' before their injury or condition began, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like participating in community events and social gatherings more actively.
• Don't let awful foot pain first thing in the morning, like I'm walking on glass (plantar fasciitis) dictate what you can and cannot do. Frances Leung offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at the ability to sit for longer periods (e.g., at a desk, in a car) without significant discomfort, helping you reclaim competing effectively in their curling league games and enjoy a more functional life.
• Physiotherapy with Frances Leung can be a transformative turning point for those affected by feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move. The shared goal is achieving reduced swelling and inflammation in injured areas, paving the way for you to enjoy running their usual 5k route without knee pain and a more active, vibrant life.
• Tired of recovering from a concussion and dealing with lingering symptoms like dizziness or headaches interfering with actively participating in family outings and vacations without holding others back? Frances Leung uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve implementing practical strategies to avoid re-injury during work or daily life and regain your freedom of movement.

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

Frances Leung practices at St. Michael's Hospital, situated in the Garden District, Ryerson neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Toronto Eaton Centre 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 our clinic 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.

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. We strongly advise checking your private insurance for private clinic coverage.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

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 should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

The first physiotherapy session is primarily an in-depth assessment. Expect to spend time talking with your Physiotherapist about your specific issue, its history, and your overall health background. Your therapist will then perform various physical tests to assess your movement, strength, and any areas of concern. The main goal of this first visit is to understand your condition fully so that a tailored and effective treatment plan can be developed collaboratively with you. You might also receive your first set of home exercises or some initial hands-on care to start the healing process.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiotherapist can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

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

Phone: (416) 864-5180

Frances Leung 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: XXX58

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=28eff5ed-fe8c-e811-8161-480fcff4f671

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