Karen Lail – Physiotherapist | Mississauga, ON

Karen Lail is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, ON, Karen is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Karen 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. Karen serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Karen Lail completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Western University (Graduating Class of 2009). With extensive clinical experience, Karen Lail is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Karen Lail has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Karen's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Mississauga community through proactive physiotherapy. Karen empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Karen adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Karen Lail offers consultations in English, Panjabi, and Punjabi.

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

Common Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• 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.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): A broad term for common injuries affecting muscles, tendons (tendinitis/tendinopathy), ligaments (sprains), joint capsules (capsulitis), and bursae (bursitis), leading to pain, inflammation, and functional limitations.
• 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.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A chronic condition causing joint discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning or after inactivity), and impacting your ability to perform daily activities, walk, or engage in hobbies.

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-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.
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): A carefully managed and individualized physiotherapy program to help you regain confidence in your spine, improve functional capacity, and prevent future issues after spinal surgery.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Guiding your rehabilitation journey after ACL or other ligament surgery, from early post-operative care to advanced sport-specific training and return-to-play testing.

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 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.
• 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.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: A progressive program designed to build a strong and stable core, improving your body's foundation for all movements and reducing strain on other structures.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: The application of gentle, controlled mechanical or manual force to distract (stretch) spinal segments, aiming to alleviate pressure on intervertebral discs, nerves, and facet joints.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Guided stretching routines and flexibility exercises prescribed by your Physiotherapist, aimed at improving your range of motion, reducing muscle tightness or stiffness, and enhancing overall movement quality.

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

• Patients often come to Karen feeling defeated by needing to improve my breathing patterns or lung capacity. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving improved circulation and tissue healing and resuming walking their children to school or the park becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Karen's clinic, common concerns like facial weakness or drooping on one side (like Bell's Palsy) are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of being able to play actively with their children or grandchildren again. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like maintaining an upright posture while working on their computer for hours.
• Tired of knee pain, especially when going up/down stairs or after a run interfering with participating in water aerobics or other pool-based exercises? Karen uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve moving more freely and with greater agility than they have in years and regain your freedom of movement.
• Many find that my baby/child having trouble with their motor skills, like delayed rolling, sitting or walking significantly impacts their ability to tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence. Karen helps patients target restored joint function, leading to smoother and more coordinated movements with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.

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

Karen practices at Credit Valley Hospital, located in the Churchill Meadows neighborhood of Mississauga. The clinic is conveniently located near the Winston Churchill Transitway Station and is accessible via MiWay (Mississauga Transit). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Absolutely! Home exercises are a vital part of your rehabilitation journey and empower you to take an active role in your recovery process. Your Physiotherapist will carefully select and teach you exercises specific to your needs. These exercises help to reinforce what's done in the clinic, manage your condition effectively, and ensure you continue progressing towards your goals even when you're not in a session.

Is there parking available at or near Credit Valley Hospital?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available on-site at Credit Valley Hospital. Please check signage for specific parking lot designations and any restrictions.

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

It's recommended to wear or bring clothing that allows unrestricted movement and provides easy access for your physiotherapist to examine the body part being assessed or treated. For instance, if you have a knee problem, please wear or bring shorts. For shoulder issues, a sleeveless top or a top with loose armholes is often helpful. The goal is to make the assessment and treatment as effective as possible.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics. 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. Check your private insurance coverage, as many plans offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

For your first visit, please bring your provincial health card (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, if applicable for any publicly funded programs or simply for identification), any relevant medical information such as a doctor's referral note (if you have one), reports from recent imaging (like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound scans), and a list of your current medications. Also, if you plan to use private health insurance, bring your insurance card or policy details. Finally, wear or bring comfortable clothing suitable for assessment and movement.

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 (direct access). However, some private health insurance plans may require a referral for coverage; check your policy details.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Your initial appointment will be about an hour long for a thorough assessment. Follow-up appointments are usually 30-45 minutes, but this may vary depending on your needs.

Credit Valley Hospital
2200 Eglinton Ave. West
Mississauga, ON, L5M 2N1

Phone: (905) 813-1571

Karen Lail 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: XXX85

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=1a76c2ef-8f02-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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