Gita Mikal – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Gita Mikal is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Vestibular & Balance Rehabilitation Focus). Practicing at Physiomobility - Don Mills in Toronto, ON, Gita Mikal is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Gita Mikal offers specialized assessment and treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders caused by inner ear or central vestibular system issues. Gita Mikal aims to reduce symptoms, improve stability, and reduce fall risk, serving patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Gita Mikal completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Iran University of Medical Sciences (Graduating Class of 1992). With extensive clinical experience, Gita Mikal is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Gita Mikal has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation.

Gita Mikal maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Gita Mikal employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Gita Mikal offers consultations in Cantonese, English, Farsi, Greek, Hebrew, Persian, Romanian, Russian, and Tagalog.

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

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Commonly known as 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, this condition affects various joints, often worsening with age, overuse, or previous injury, and can significantly impact daily function.

Common Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• 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.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Aching, sharp pain, a feeling of the knee 'giving way', or difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee.
• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Common back problems that can impact your posture, ability to perform daily activities, and overall mobility, addressed with targeted physiotherapy.

Vestibular Balance

• 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.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Resolving the spinning sensations caused by BPPV quickly and effectively through targeted canalith repositioning techniques, often providing immediate relief.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Comprehensive balance assessment by a Physiotherapist to identify underlying causes of unsteadiness, followed by targeted exercise programs and strategies to help you stay steady on your feet.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, including habituation exercises, sensory re-weighting, and balance training, often as part of a multidisciplinary approach (which may include medication or CBT), for managing the symptoms of PPPD/3PD.

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. Gita Mikal can assess your needs.

• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Specific stretches designed by your therapist to target tight muscle groups relevant to your condition, helping to improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Detailed analysis of your static and dynamic posture, with tailored exercises, stretches, and advice to help you improve alignment and reduce strain on your body.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A complete assessment of your musculoskeletal system to pinpoint issues, set clear rehabilitation goals, and get you started on the path to recovery.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Customized exercise plans designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, improve physical performance, and achieve your functional goals safely and effectively.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): A systematic screening process, such as FMS™ or SFMA™ (if your Physiotherapist is certified), to understand how you move and guide preventative or corrective exercise programs.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Graded exercise programs designed to improve your overall physical fitness, endurance, strength, and functional capacity, especially beneficial after illness, surgery, or periods of prolonged inactivity.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Gita Mikal, 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 Physiomobility - Don Mills, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Gita Mikal frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Tired of that 'arthritic' pain in my hands, hips, or knees interfering with doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain? Gita Mikal uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues and regain your freedom of movement.
• Many find that needing to improve my breathing patterns or lung capacity significantly impacts their ability to engaging in volunteer work that might have physical demands. Gita Mikal helps patients target sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Are you finding that feeling 'off-balance' and worried about falling, especially as I get older stops you from enjoying playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids? Gita Mikal is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve less reliance on pain medication, trusting more in their body's ability to heal and function through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Gita Mikal believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If awful foot pain first thing in the morning, like I'm walking on glass (plantar fasciitis) is hindering your ability to playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain, a personalized plan focusing on feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health can make all the difference.

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

Gita Mikal's practice is located at Physiomobility - Don Mills, situated in the Don Mills South (Flemingdon Park) neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic enjoys convenient proximity to Kensington Market and is easily accessible via the TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Physiomobility - Don Mills treat?

Physiotherapists at Physiomobility - Don Mills treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain (including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)), joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries (like Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs - e.g., Repetitive Strain Injury, Low Back Pain from Lifting)), and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation and general physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve Stretching & Flexibility Programs, Postural Assessment and Correction, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

You can expect your initial physiotherapy visit to be around an hour long. This extended time allows for a comprehensive assessment of your condition and a collaborative discussion about your treatment goals. Subsequent follow-up sessions are generally between 30 and 45 minutes, though this can be adjusted based on your individual requirements. Your Physiotherapist will advise on the appropriate appointment length for your specific care.

What is Physiomobility - Don Mills's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

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.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly. It depends on factors including the nature and severity of your condition, its duration, your goals, your body's response to therapy, and your adherence to the home exercise program. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

Physiomobility - Don Mills
6 Maginn Mews, Suite 211
Toronto, ON, M3C 0G9

Phone: (416) 444-4800

Gita Mikal 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: XXX32

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=f198c81b-8c02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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