Francine Dore – Physiotherapist | Guelph, ON

Francine Dore is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at South City Physiotherapy in Guelph, ON, Francine Dore is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Francine Dore's practice 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. Francine Dore also offers specialized assessment and treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders caused by inner ear or central vestibular system issues. Francine Dore aims to reduce symptoms, improve stability, and reduce fall risk, serving patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Francine Dore completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 1984). With extensive clinical experience, Francine Dore is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Francine Dore has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation and Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Francine Dore empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Francine Dore adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Francine Dore offers consultations in English, French.

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

Arthritis

• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Helping you regain mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve function in affected joints after a gout episode, as part of your overall gout management plan.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Supportive physiotherapy for individuals with psoriatic arthritis, focusing on managing joint pain and swelling, maintaining range of motion and strength, improving function, and providing advice on activity modification and joint protection.

Vestibular Balance

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Resolving the spinning sensations caused by BPPV quickly and effectively through targeted canalith repositioning techniques, often providing immediate relief.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): A common cause of chronic dizziness that can be helped with specific physiotherapy strategies aimed at desensitizing the brain to provocative stimuli and normalizing reliance on sensory inputs.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for inner ear balance problems, involving customized exercises that promote central nervous system compensation and adaptation to the weakened vestibular input.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Practical strategies, exercises, and environmental modification advice to improve your balance, prevent falls, and maintain your independence and activity levels.

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. Francine Dore can assess your needs.

• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: An in-depth examination to fully understand your specific condition, allowing your Physiotherapist to create an effective and personalized rehabilitation plan.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Identifying and addressing habitual postures (e.g., from desk work, phone use) or ergonomic factors that may be contributing to your pain or dysfunction.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Identifying inefficient or compensatory movement patterns that could be contributing to your pain or hindering your physical performance.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Empowering you with a clear understanding of your condition, its causes, and practical tools for effective self-management and lasting relief.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Comprehensive assessment of your fall risk factors with individualized interventions, including balance exercises, strength training, gait re-training, and home safety advice to help you prevent falls.
• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: A structured and individualized rehabilitation approach to help you navigate your recovery after a concussion, promoting symptom resolution and safe resumption of activities.

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

• Many individuals seek help from Francine Dore, their physiotherapist, when trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like returning to dancing, whether it's ballet, salsa, or just for fun.
• Struggling with the frustration of awful foot pain first thing in the morning, like I'm walking on glass (plantar fasciitis)? Francine Dore develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving feeling more resilient and less vulnerable to minor strains or injuries. This is key to helping you get back to doing playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Tired of persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady interfering with taking group exercise classes at the community center? Francine Dore uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve feeling more energetic and less weighed down by physical discomfort and regain your freedom of movement.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from dealing with pelvic pain or bladder/bowel control issues (for both men and women) and achieved greater confidence when walking, standing, or navigating challenging environments under the skilled care of Francine Dore. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as engaging in volunteer work that might have physical demands with a new lease on life.

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

Francine Dore practices at South City Physiotherapy, situated in the Kortright Hills, Hanlon Creek neighborhood of Guelph. The clinic is conveniently located near Sleeman Centre (Arena) and is accessible via Guelph Transit. Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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/extended health insurance plans, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

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.

What are South City Physiotherapy's operating hours?

South City Physiotherapy 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 at (519) 763-2885 or check our website for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

How can I book an appointment at South City Physiotherapy?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (519) 763-2885 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.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at South City Physiotherapy treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation and Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment, Postural Assessment and Correction, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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 South City Physiotherapy 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.

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 *do* require one for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. Check your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

South City Physiotherapy
620 Scottsdale Dr.
Guelph, ON, N1G 3M2

Phone: (519) 763-2885

Francine Dore 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: XXX38

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=f51b81dd-8902-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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