Karen Margaret Fairbrass

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

Post Surgical

• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): Guidance on hip precautions (if applicable for your surgical approach), a progressive exercise program, and functional retraining after hip surgery to help you achieve your goals.
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Supportive physiotherapy to aid your recovery and help you manage symptoms after back or neck surgery, focusing on education, safe movement strategies, and specific exercises.
• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): Comprehensive shoulder rehabilitation after surgical intervention, following surgeon-specific protocols, to ensure optimal healing, manage pain and swelling, and restore your arm's functional capacity.

Back Neck Pain

• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.

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 Fairbrass can assess your needs.

• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.
• 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.
• 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.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: The application of specific wavelengths of light energy (cold laser) by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration at a cellular level.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): The application of focused acoustic waves (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) by a trained Physiotherapist to treat chronic tendon issues (e.g., plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy), calcific tendinosis, and other persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
• 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.

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

• Patients often come to Karen Fairbrass feeling defeated by recovering my strength and energy after being very sick (like with pneumonia or Long COVID). With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort and resuming carrying a backpack or shoulder bag comfortably becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Struggling with the frustration of numbness, tingling, or weakness in my hands, arms, feet, or legs? Karen Fairbrass develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving returning to their workout routine with greater confidence and better performance. This is key to helping you get back to doing handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• With Karen Fairbrass's help, managing recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery to achieve a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like pushing a stroller or shopping cart without difficulty.
• The journey to a deeper understanding of their condition and how to manage it proactively for long-term well-being when faced with persistent clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk is made smoother and more effective with Karen Fairbrass's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like getting on and off the floor with ease.

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

Karen Fairbrass, Physiotherapist, is conveniently located in a physiotherapy clinic in the central Gravenhurst neighborhood of Gravenhurst. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Please inquire regarding specific accessibility needs for our clinic. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How can I book an appointment at Karen Fairbrass, Physiotherapist?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (905) 252-6856 during our business hours. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with Karen Fairbrass.

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. Always check your private/extended health insurance plans, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

The primary goal of physiotherapy is generally to reduce pain and improve function, not to cause significant or lasting pain. Some assessment techniques or specific treatments (like deep soft tissue work, joint mobilization, or certain exercises) might cause mild, temporary discomfort or soreness, especially if the tissues being treated are sensitive, inflamed, or very stiff. However, Karen Fairbrass will always work within your tolerance levels, communicate clearly about what to expect, and encourage open feedback. If you experience notable or unacceptable pain during treatment, please inform Karen Fairbrass immediately so adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort.

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 *do* require one for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. Check your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

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 Karen Fairbrass about your specific issue, its history, and your overall health background. Karen Fairbrass 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.

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. 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 Karen Fairbrass, Physiotherapist 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 there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

It's helpful to bring your health card, any referral letters from other healthcare providers if you were referred, and any reports or images from relevant medical tests (X-rays, MRIs, etc.) related to your condition. If you have private insurance coverage for physiotherapy, please bring your insurance card or policy details for billing purposes. Comfortable attire that allows for easy movement during the assessment is also recommended.

Karen Fairbrass, Physiotherapist
180 Royal Street
Gravenhurst, ON, P1P 1H5

Phone: (905) 252-6856

Karen Margaret Fairbrass 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: XXX46

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=341571ef-8902-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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