Harshil Rajankumar Shah – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Harshil Rajankumar Shah is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Back on Track Physiotherapy in Ottawa, ON, Harshil Shah is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Harshil Shah's focus is 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. Harshil Shah serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Harshil Rajankumar Shah completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Government Physiotherapy College, Ahmedabad (Graduating Class of 2016). With clinical experience, Harshil Shah is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Harshil Shah has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Harshil Shah employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting; a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Harshil Shah offers consultations in English, Gujarati, Hindi.

Harshil Rajankumar Shah provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• Muscle Strains and Tears: Common injuries in active individuals, athletes, or resulting from accidents, leading to localized pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness in the affected muscle (e.g., hamstring, calf, quadriceps, groin, rotator cuff).
• 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.
• 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.

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Back or neck pain accompanied by associated limb symptoms (pain, sensory changes, weakness) due to a constricted spinal canal, which physiotherapy can help manage conservatively.
• 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.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.

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. Harshil Shah can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: A progressive approach to rebuilding your physical condition, allowing for a safe return to daily activities, work demands, and hobbies you enjoy.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Specialized workouts to enhance your core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for injury prevention, back health, and efficient performance in daily activities and sports.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Targeted exercises using resistance (such as bodyweight, resistance bands, free weights, or gym equipment) to build muscle strength, power, and endurance, tailored to your specific rehabilitation needs or performance goals.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Evaluation of your body's basic movements (like squatting, lunging, reaching) to highlight areas for improvement in stability, mobility, and motor control.

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

• The path to recovery from trying to stay as mobile and active as possible while living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and achieving waking up feeling more refreshed with considerably less pain and stiffness for being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children often starts with expert guidance. Harshil Shah, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Living with my infant having a tilted head or a flat spot on their head (torticollis/plagiocephaly) doesn't have to be your norm. Harshil Shah applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards feeling more like their 'old self' before their injury or condition began, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Harshil Shah's clinic, common concerns like feeling unsteady on my feet or experiencing dizziness and balance problems are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of running their usual distance comfortably and with improved form. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like dancing the night away at social events and family celebrations.
• Are you finding that difficulty coordinating my movements, feeling clumsy stops you from enjoying working on detailed woodworking projects in their shop without hand pain? Harshil Shah is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve developing better body awareness and understanding of healthy movement patterns through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.

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

Harshil Shah practices at Back on Track Physiotherapy, situated in the Fisher Heights, City View, Skyline neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Arts Court and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by your Physiotherapist as part of your overall physiotherapy plan. These techniques are designed to assess and treat your joints, muscles, and nerves to decrease pain and improve your mobility and function. Examples include specific joint mobilizations to improve movement, soft tissue release techniques to address muscle tightness or scar tissue, and sometimes manipulations (adjustments) if indicated and appropriate for your condition and your therapist's qualifications.

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 Back on Track 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 Ontario 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 a doctor's referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. We strongly advise you to check the specific requirements of your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Absolutely! Home exercises are a vital part of your rehabilitation journey and empower you to take an active role in your recovery process. Your Physiotherapist will carefully select and teach you exercises specific to your needs. These exercises help to reinforce what's done in the clinic, manage your condition effectively, and ensure you continue progressing towards your goals even when you're not in a session.

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.

Back on Track Physiotherapy
6 Antares Drive
Ottawa, ON, K2E 8A9

Phone: (613) 225-8122

Harshil Rajankumar Shah 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: XXX85

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=3867758f-f406-ee11-8f6e-000d3a09c3c0

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