Karen Anne Fisher – Physiotherapist | Mississauga, ON

Karen Anne Fisher is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Bayshore Healthcare in Mississauga, ON, Karen Anne Fisher is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Karen Anne Fisher provides 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. Karen Anne Fisher serves a diverse range of patients, focusing on athletic performance and injury recovery.

Karen Anne Fisher completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McMaster University (Graduating Class of 1997). With extensive clinical experience, Karen Anne Fisher is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Karen Anne Fisher has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy, ensuring the application of current best practices.

Karen Anne Fisher's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Mississauga community through proactive physiotherapy. Karen Anne Fisher maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best possible care. Karen Anne Fisher offers consultations in English.

Karen Anne Fisher provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Discomfort, limited range of motion, and persistent tension in the cervical spine (neck), often related to posture, an injury, stress, or sleeping position.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Discomfort experienced in the hip region, groin, outer hip, or buttock, potentially stemming from joint inflammation (bursitis), muscle strains, tendinopathy, or conservative management of labral tears.

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• 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.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Pain, pins and needles, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg resulting from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve, often managed effectively with physiotherapy techniques like McKenzie method or neural mobilization.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Nerve compression symptoms due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal or the small openings where nerves exit the spine (foramina), most commonly in the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) regions.

Sports Injury

• Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): Inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue (periosteum) around the tibia, which requires rest, activity modification, and specific physiotherapy interventions for recovery.
• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Acute pain, swelling, bruising, localized tenderness, and weakness in a muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or throwing.

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. Karen Anne Fisher can assess your needs.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT for chronic tendinopathies, heel spurs, and other musculoskeletal problems, aiming to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and trigger a healing response.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: A specialized physiotherapy treatment that uses a traction table or manual techniques to gently decompress spinal structures, relieve pressure, and promote healing.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): The therapeutic use of different electrical currents by your Physiotherapist to achieve specific physiological effects, such as improving muscle contraction, reducing atrophy, or enhancing functional movement.

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

• Struggling with the frustration of my child walking on their toes most of the time? Karen Anne Fisher develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving a noticeable improvement in their gait and walking efficiency. This is key to helping you get back to doing playing their musical instrument (guitar, piano, violin, etc.) for extended periods with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Karen Anne Fisher can help you move beyond that persistent ache in my lower back that just won't quit. The focus is on getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as participating in community events and social gatherings more actively.
• When that grinding or crunching feeling in my knee or shoulder is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing cycling longer distances with their cycling club, physiotherapy with Karen Anne Fisher can help you work towards improved coordination for complex movements and fine motor tasks. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• Don't let my child complaining of 'growing pains' that keep them up at night dictate what you can and cannot do. Karen Anne Fisher offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable, helping you reclaim comfortably cooking and meal prepping for their family and enjoy a more functional life.

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

Karen Anne Fisher practices at Bayshore Healthcare, situated in the Sheridan Homelands, Erindale South neighborhood of Mississauga. The clinic is conveniently located near Port Credit Harbour and Marina and is accessible via MiWay (Mississauga Transit). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Initial assessment appointments are generally longer to allow for a thorough evaluation and discussion, typically lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. Subsequent follow-up treatment sessions are usually shorter, often ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. However, the duration can vary depending on your specific needs, the complexity of your condition, the type of treatment being provided, and the treatment plan designed by your Physiotherapist.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy, delivered by a qualified Physiotherapist, is a science-based profession that focuses on restoring movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of future problems. Your physiotherapist will use techniques such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy (hands-on treatment), education, and advice, empowering you to manage your health independently and achieve your physical goals.

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.

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 Bayshore Healthcare 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.

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.

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.

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.

Bayshore Healthcare
2101 Hadwen Rd.
Mississauga, ON, L5K 2L3

Phone: (800) 668-9490

Karen Anne Fisher 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: XXX12

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=860abb12-8c02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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