James Tsan-Yang Chen – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

James Tsan-Yang Chen is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Humber River Hospital in Toronto, ON, James Chen is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. James Chen 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. James Chen serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

James Tsan-Yang Chen completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2016). With extensive clinical experience, James Chen is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. James Chen has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

James Chen employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. James Chen promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy and utilizes a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. James Chen offers consultations in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese.

James Tsan-Yang Chen provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Pain, discomfort, or stiffness in the lumbar spine region, whether it's a sudden onset or a long-lasting issue affecting your daily life.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or stiffness in the wrist, hand, or fingers, often resulting from overuse, repetitive tasks, arthritis, or specific conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
• 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.

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): 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).

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.

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. James Chen can assess your needs.

• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: A non-invasive light therapy used in physiotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, promote faster healing, reduce pain, and modulate inflammation without generating heat.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A non-invasive, evidence-based treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and promote tissue regeneration in stubborn soft tissue conditions that haven't responded to other therapies.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often used to prepare tissues for manual therapy or exercise, or to manage acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Utilizing traction techniques to create space within the spine, reduce nerve irritation, improve disc hydration, and alleviate back or neck pain.
• 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.

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

• Are you finding that trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain stops you from enjoying joining in on pickup basketball games at the local court? James Chen is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve a safe and confident return to their favorite sport or recreational activity through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Many individuals seek help from James Chen, their physiotherapist, when pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve a better understanding of ergonomics for their work and home environment, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence.
• The journey to effectively managing chronic pain and reclaiming an active lifestyle when faced with persistent dealing with ongoing pain and stiffness after a car accident, like whiplash is made smoother and more effective with James Chen's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back.
• At James Chen's physiotherapy practice, individuals with dealing with pelvic pain or bladder/bowel control issues (for both men and women) are guided towards developing better body awareness and understanding of healthy movement patterns. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as enduring their daily commute, whether driving or on public transit, without stiffness.

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

James Chen practices at Humber River Hospital, located in the Downsview Central neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near the Distillery District and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How can I book an appointment at Humber River Hospital?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (416) 242-1000 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at [website address]. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

It's not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after certain physiotherapy treatments, especially in the initial stages or if you're starting new exercises. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience a significant or sharp increase in pain, new or worsening neurological symptoms (like numbness, tingling, or weakness), or if your soreness lasts longer than expected, it's important to contact Humber River Hospital or your physician directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

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, while a doctor's referral may not be legally required to *see* a Physiotherapist, some private/extended health insurance plans *do* require one for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly advised that you check the specific requirements of your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

Is there parking available at or near Humber River Hospital?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside the hospital building. Look for the designated patient spots.

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.

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 advised that you check your private insurance for private clinic coverage and verify your specific eligibility for any public coverage directly with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Humber River Hospital
1235 Wilson Ave.
Toronto, ON, M3M 0B2

Phone: (416) 242-1000

James Tsan-Yang Chen 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: XXX76

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=a9a51724-9502-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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