Isabel Frade

Isabel Frade 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.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Knee problems that limit your ability to stay active, perform daily tasks, or enjoy your hobbies, for which physiotherapy offers effective solutions.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Difficulty with activities like reaching for objects, dressing, personal care, or carrying items due to underlying shoulder issues, which physiotherapy can help diagnose and treat.
• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Common ankle injuries causing acute pain, persistent swelling, and instability, significantly affecting your ability to walk, run, or participate in sports.

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Focused physiotherapy care for complex hand and wrist problems, often involving custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization), specific exercises to restore dexterity, strength, and range of motion, scar management, and sensory re-education.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Conservative physiotherapy management for trigger digit, which may include splinting to rest the tendon, specific tendon gliding exercises, activity modification advice, modalities to reduce inflammation, and education to prevent recurrence.

Post Surgical

• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): A tailored physiotherapy program following hip joint replacement to optimize your recovery, manage pain, ensure adherence to any precautions, and facilitate a return to an active lifestyle.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee ligament injuries post-operatively, focusing on restoring full knee function, power, and agility to meet your specific athletic or lifestyle demands.
• 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): Specialized physiotherapy focused on regaining shoulder movement, strength, stability, and function after various types of shoulder surgeries, such as rotator cuff repair, labral tear repair, shoulder stabilization procedures (e.g., Bankart repair), or shoulder joint replacement (arthroplasty).

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. Isabel Frade can assess your needs.

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.
• Fibromyalgia & Widespread Pain Management: Tailored physiotherapy including gentle exercise prescription (e.g., aquatic therapy, graded aerobic exercise), pain management education, activity pacing strategies, stress reduction techniques, and gentle manual therapies for individuals living with fibromyalgia or other widespread pain conditions.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Hands-on treatment focusing on your body's soft tissues to restore pliability, reduce discomfort, and optimize movement quality.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Specialized manual techniques aimed at restoring normal movement and function to peripheral nerves that may be compressed, adhered, or under tension.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Skilled hands-on techniques, including gentle joint mobilizations (smooth, rhythmic movements) and, where appropriate and authorized, joint manipulations (quick, precise thrusts) to restore optimal movement, reduce pain, and improve joint function.
• Chronic & Persistent Pain Management Programs: A holistic and active approach to managing long-standing pain, empowering you with tools and knowledge for better daily living, increased activity tolerance, and improved mood.

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

• When feeling 'off-balance' and worried about falling, especially as I get older is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain, physiotherapy with Isabel Frade can help you work towards a better understanding of ergonomics for their work and home environment. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• For those whose that burning pain between my shoulder blades from too much computer work has made participating in water aerobics or other pool-based exercises seem like a distant memory, Isabel Frade's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward much better balance overall, reducing the risk of stumbles or falls. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to participating in water aerobics or other pool-based exercises with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Are you finding that persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady stops you from enjoying peacefully paddling their kayak or canoe on the lake for hours? Isabel Frade is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Physiotherapy with Isabel Frade can be a transformative turning point for those affected by pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard. The shared goal is achieving reduced swelling and inflammation in injured areas, paving the way for you to enjoy shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back and a more active, vibrant life.

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

Isabel Frade's practice is located at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in the Church and Wellesley neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near St. Lawrence Market and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

The first physiotherapy session is primarily an in-depth assessment. Expect to spend time talking with your Physiotherapist about your specific issue, its history, and your overall health background. Your therapist will then perform various physical tests to assess your movement, strength, and any areas of concern. The main goal of this first visit is to understand your condition fully so that a tailored and effective treatment plan can be developed collaboratively with you. You might also receive your first set of home exercises or some initial hands-on care to start the healing process.

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 or 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.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre treat?

Physiotherapists at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), and sports injuries. They also have expertise in geriatric physiotherapy, addressing age-related conditions and mobility issues. Specific services may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and pain management programs tailored to individual needs.

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

OHIP generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available through specific programs, such as post-hospitalization care for certain conditions or through community physiotherapy clinics. Eligibility criteria are strict, and waitlists may apply. It's essential to check your private insurance coverage, as many plans offer significant coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
43 Wellesley St. East
Toronto, ON, M4Y 1H1

Phone: (416) 967-8626

Isabel Frade 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: XXX30

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=53cf78e9-8902-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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