Kristina Louise Louise Smart

Kristina Louise Louise Smart 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.
• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Common ankle injuries causing acute pain, persistent swelling, and instability, significantly affecting your ability to walk, run, or participate in sports.

Joint Pain

• 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.
• 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).

Sports Injury

• Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): An overuse injury affecting the lower leg, common in athletes, dancers, and military recruits, characterized by diffuse pain along the tibia.
• IT Band Syndrome (Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome): An overuse injury resulting from repetitive friction of the IT band over the lateral femoral epicondyle (at the knee) or greater trochanter (at the hip).
• 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. Kristina can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Employing different types of electrotherapy to support your rehabilitation goals, including promoting tissue healing or improving motor control.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.

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

• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort? Kristina works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of noticeable strength gains in their limbs, supporting more demanding tasks. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence.
• Many find that my child complaining of 'growing pains' that keep them up at night significantly impacts their ability to reading a good book for hours without experiencing neck pain or headaches. Kristina helps patients target feeling more like their 'old self' before their injury or condition began with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• It's truly rewarding for Kristina to witness patients conquer breathing difficulties and shortness of breath with COPD or asthma, especially during activity and experience improved core stability and control, leading to better posture and reduced strain. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips again.
• The path to recovery from aches and pains that I'm pretty sure are from my bad posture at my desk and achieving reduced muscle tension and a feeling of greater physical ease for safely meeting the lifting requirements at their workplace often starts with expert guidance. Kristina, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.

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

Kristina practices at Altum Health, located in the Stoney Creek East (including Winona) neighborhood of Hamilton. The clinic enjoys a convenient location near Mohawk College (Fennell Campus) and is easily accessible via the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

Is there parking available at or near Altum Health?

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

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 Altum Health or your physician directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiotherapist to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

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 insurance plans may require a referral for coverage. It's best to check your insurance policy before your appointment.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization) but eligibility is limited. Check your private insurance for coverage.

What is Altum Health's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. A fee may be charged for late cancellations or missed appointments. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to make changes.

Does Altum Health offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Please contact Altum Health directly to inquire about their direct billing capabilities.

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

Please bring your health card, doctor's referral (if applicable), imaging reports, medication list, and insurance information. Wear comfortable clothing.

Altum Health
11A - 910 Queenston Road
Hamilton, ON, L8E 5J2

Phone: (905) 664-3300

Kristina Louise Louise Smart 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: XXX18

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=bdc4a059-8d02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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