Heather Michelle Smyth – Physiotherapist | Kingsville, ON

Heather Michelle Smyth is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Erie Shores Rehabilitation in Kingsville, ON, Heather is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Heather 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. Heather serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Heather Michelle Smyth completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Queen's University (Graduating Class of 2008). With extensive clinical experience, Heather is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Heather has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Heather's practice philosophy centers on a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Heather adopts a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Heather offers consultations in English.

Heather Michelle Smyth provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Pain affecting the hip joint and surrounding musculature, which can limit activities like walking, standing for long periods, rising from a chair, or lying on the affected side.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: Injury to muscle tissue that limits your strength, range of motion, and ability to perform specific movements or activities, requiring careful rehabilitation.

Post Surgical

• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Targeted physiotherapy to help you recover from operatively treated fractures, addressing common issues like joint stiffness, muscle weakness, swelling, pain, and functional limitations in the affected limb.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): Comprehensive post-operative recovery guidance following knee replacement, including exercises, manual therapy, and education to ensure you achieve your best possible function.
• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): A progressive exercise program, often combined with manual therapy, designed to gradually restore your shoulder's range of motion, strength, and coordination following your operation.

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. Heather can assess your needs.

• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Educating you about your diagnosis, expected recovery timeline (prognosis), and the reasons behind your treatment plan to encourage active participation in your healing.
• 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.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Structured physical activities and exercises aimed at helping you safely regain strength, stamina, and confidence in your body's abilities, tailored to your current level.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Education on optimal body mechanics and corrective strategies to improve your posture during daily activities, work, and recreation.

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

• Many individuals seek help from Heather, their physiotherapist, when numbness, tingling, or weakness in my hands, arms, feet, or legs starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve a renewed sense of vitality and enthusiasm for daily activities, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like using garden tools effectively and without pain.
• Struggling with the frustration of my child walking on their toes most of the time? Heather develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving less reliance on pain medication, trusting more in their body's ability to heal and function. This is key to helping you get back to doing taking group exercise classes at the community center with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• With Heather's help, managing facial weakness or drooping on one side (like Bell's Palsy) to achieve feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like getting back to their regular, consistent gym workouts.
• The path to recovery from general muscle strains and pulls from overdoing it at the gym or in the garden and achieving reduced muscle tension and a feeling of greater physical ease for travelling more comfortably on planes, trains, or in cars for longer durations often starts with expert guidance. Heather, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.

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

Heather practices at Erie Shores Rehabilitation, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Kingsville neighborhood of Kingsville, ON. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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.

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. It is strongly recommended to check your private insurance for coverage of services in private clinics.

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.

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 Erie Shores Rehabilitation 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 require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Does Erie Shores Rehabilitation offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Please contact Erie Shores Rehabilitation directly to inquire about their direct billing capabilities with private insurance companies. Always confirm your specific coverage details with your insurance provider.

Erie Shores Rehabilitation
375 Main St. E.
Kingsville, ON, N9Y 1A7

Phone: (519) 733-4008

Heather Michelle Smyth 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: XXX87

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=c585d071-8f02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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