Hans Thomas Varghese – Physiotherapist | Barrie, ON

Hans Thomas Varghese is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Thompson Chiropractic in Barrie, ON, Hans Thomas is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Hans Thomas focuses on providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries, pain conditions, and movement dysfunctions to help patients of all ages restore function, manage pain, and improve their quality of life. Hans Thomas serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Hans Thomas Varghese completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (Graduating Class of 2008). With extensive clinical experience, Hans Thomas is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Hans Thomas has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Hans Thomas employs a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Hans Thomas maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best possible care. Hans Thomas is dedicated to promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Barrie community through proactive physiotherapy. Hans Thomas offers consultations in English.

Hans Thomas Varghese provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• 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.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Pain, swelling, clicking, locking, or instability in or around the knee joint from various causes like ligament sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL), meniscal tears (managed conservatively), or patellofemoral (kneecap) pain.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): A broad term for common injuries affecting muscles, tendons (tendinitis/tendinopathy), ligaments (sprains), joint capsules (capsulitis), and bursae (bursitis), leading to pain, inflammation, and functional limitations.

Sports Injury

• Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): Pain and tenderness along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia), often resulting from running, jumping, or other repetitive impact activities, especially with sudden increases in training intensity or volume.
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee / Anterior Knee Pain): Pain felt around, under, or behind the kneecap (patella), often described as a dull ache that is aggravated by activities like running, jumping, squatting, using stairs (especially going down), or prolonged sitting with the knee bent.
• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Injuries like a 'twisted ankle', 'knee ligament injury', or 'shoulder separation' (AC joint sprain) sustained during athletic activity or accidental falls.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.
• 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.

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. Hans Thomas can assess your needs.

• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Therapeutic traction for the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine, used by physiotherapists to help reduce pain, decompress nerve roots, and improve symptoms associated with conditions like disc herniations, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
• 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.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: LLLT or 'cold laser' therapy to stimulate your body's natural healing processes, provide pain relief, and improve function in conditions like tendinopathies, arthritis, or soft tissue injuries.

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

• Discover how physiotherapy with Hans Thomas can help you move beyond trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain. The focus is on the ability to manage symptoms independently if they occasionally recur, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as challenging myself with indoor or outdoor rock climbing.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from general muscle strains and pulls from overdoing it at the gym or in the garden and achieved improved performance in work-related physical demands under the skilled care of Hans Thomas. This renewed physical ability often allows them to re-engage with beloved activities such as enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again with a new lease on life.
• Tired of recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery interfering with getting on and off the floor with ease? Hans Thomas uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve restoring normal movement patterns essential for everyday tasks and regain your freedom of movement.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of recovering my strength and energy after being very sick (like with pneumonia or Long COVID)? Hans Thomas works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as being able to carry their baby or toddler without straining their back or arms.

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

Hans Thomas practices at Thompson Chiropractic, located in the Letitia Heights, Sunnidale neighborhood of Barrie. The clinic enjoys a convenient location near the Commercial Corridor and is easily accessible via Barrie Transit. Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiotherapist to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Thompson Chiropractic treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal 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 (like muscle strains), and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like pelvic health and sports physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to helping people of all ages improve their movement, function, and overall well-being. A registered Physiotherapist uses evidence-based techniques like targeted exercise, hands-on manual therapy, and personalized education to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of injuries, pain conditions, and physical impairments affecting your muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and even your cardiorespiratory system. It can help you reduce pain, increase mobility and strength, recover from surgery, prevent future injuries, and enhance your quality of life.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in ON?

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a doctor's referral. This is known as direct access. However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics. 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 that you check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Thompson Chiropractic
Unit D - 62 Commerce Park Drive
Barrie, ON, L4N 8W8

Phone: (705) 719-2255

Hans Thomas Varghese 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: XXX13

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=16483a27-5158-e811-8146-480fcfeae051

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