Jennifer Natasha Forde – Physiotherapist | Hamilton, ON

Jennifer Natasha Forde is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton in Hamilton, ON, Jennifer Forde is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Jennifer Forde's focus is 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. Jennifer Forde serves adults.

Jennifer Natasha Forde completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McMaster University (Graduating Class of 2006). With extensive clinical experience, Jennifer Forde is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Jennifer Forde has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Jennifer Forde's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Hamilton community through proactive physiotherapy. Jennifer Forde utilizes a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Jennifer Forde maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best possible care. Jennifer Forde offers consultations in English.

Jennifer Natasha Forde provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Painful neck conditions that can make head movements difficult, sometimes leading to headaches or radiating pain into the shoulders.
• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Injuries to ankle ligaments, typically from twisting or 'rolling' motions, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Can result in recurrent sprains and chronic instability if not properly rehabilitated.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Symptoms in your hand or wrist that impact your ability to perform your job, hobbies, or essential self-care tasks, addressed by specialized hand physiotherapy.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Common knee complaints that can affect your ability to walk, climb stairs, squat, run, or participate in sports, addressed through a tailored physiotherapy program.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Persistent tendon pain that can interfere with your sports, work, or daily activities, often requiring specific loading programs and advice from a physiotherapist for effective management.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.

Sports Injury

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee / Anterior Knee Pain): Knee discomfort frequently experienced by runners, cyclists, and those involved in activities with repetitive knee bending, which physiotherapy can effectively manage through exercise and biomechanical correction.
• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Stretching or tearing of ligaments (the strong, fibrous bands that connect bones to each other at joints) due to sudden force, twisting, overstretching, or impact. Common in sports involving jumping, cutting, pivoting, or collisions. Examples include ACL/MCL tears in the knee or common ankle sprains.
• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Common athletic injuries affecting major muscle groups such as the hamstrings, calves, groin (adductors), quadriceps, or rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder.

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. Jennifer Forde can assess your needs.

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Active patient participation through guided, gentle muscle contractions to restore normal joint play, reduce muscle guarding, and improve tissue length.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Specific stretches designed by your therapist to target tight muscle groups relevant to your condition, helping to improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Jennifer Forde, 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 St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Jennifer Forde 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 feeling more resilient and less vulnerable to minor strains or injuries for maintaining an upright posture while working on their computer for hours often starts with expert guidance. Jennifer Forde, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort? Jennifer Forde works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as getting on and off the floor with ease.
• When one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing hitting the slopes for a full day of skiing or snowboarding in winter, physiotherapy with Jennifer Forde 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.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Jennifer Forde's clinic, common concerns like trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of improved hand and wrist function for tasks requiring dexterity. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back.

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

Jennifer Forde practices at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, situated in the Corktown, Stinson neighborhood of Hamilton. The clinic is conveniently located near Eastgate Square (East End) and is accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). 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.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement is best for your physiotherapy appointment – think about what you might wear to a gym or for light exercise. If you're being treated for a lower-body issue (like hip or knee pain), shorts are very helpful. For upper-body issues (like shoulder or neck pain), a tank top or loose t-shirt is suitable so the Physiotherapist can properly examine and treat the area.

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 private clinic coverage.

Is there parking available at or near St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton?

Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby. Please check signage for details.

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 appointment.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your first appointment will be a thorough assessment. You'll discuss your issue, history, and health background. Jennifer Forde will perform physical tests to assess your movement and strength. The goal is to understand your condition to create a tailored treatment plan. You may also receive initial exercises or hands-on care.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton treat?

Physiotherapists at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, joint problems (arthritis, post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. Treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
50 Charlton Ave. E.
Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6

Phone: (905) 522-1155

Jennifer Natasha Forde 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: XXX09

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=8927e69f-8e02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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