Lara Ann MacDonald – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Lara Ann MacDonald is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Lara MacDonald, Physiotherapist in Ottawa, ON, Lara MacDonald is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Lara MacDonald focuses on 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. Lara MacDonald serves adults.

Lara Ann MacDonald completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McGill University (Graduating Class of 1992). With extensive clinical experience, Lara MacDonald is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Lara MacDonald has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Lara MacDonald employs a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Ottawa community through proactive physiotherapy; and maintaining a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Lara MacDonald offers consultations in English.

Lara Ann MacDonald provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Common Musculoskeletal

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Disorders affecting hand and wrist function, making daily tasks such as gripping objects, typing, writing, or fine motor activities difficult and painful.
• 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.

Back Neck Pain

• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Muscular pain, trigger points, and tension headaches resulting from habitual poor posture, which can be addressed with postural re-education, exercises, and ergonomic advice.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).

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): Conditions like 'jumper's knee' (patellar tendinopathy), 'swimmer's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendinopathy), or 'tennis elbow' (lateral epicondylitis) caused by tendon issues that limit your ability to perform specific tasks.

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. Lara MacDonald can assess your needs.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Skilled hands-on techniques, including gentle joint mobilizations (smooth, rhythmic movements) and, where appropriate and authorized, joint manipulations (quick, precise thrusts) to restore optimal movement, reduce pain, and improve joint function.
• 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.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Developing muscular strength and endurance to aid in injury recovery, support affected joints, improve biomechanics, and enhance athletic performance or demanding physical tasks.
• 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.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Gentle, specific movements and mobilizations designed to address nerve-related pain (like sciatica or carpal tunnel symptoms), tingling, numbness, or restrictions by improving the nerve's ability to glide freely and reducing irritation.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: A variety of hands-on methods such as therapeutic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release style techniques to reduce muscle tension, break down scar tissue, improve circulation, and enhance tissue flexibility.

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

• Patients often come to Lara MacDonald feeling defeated by widespread muscle pain and fatigue that my doctor thinks might be fibromyalgia. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving the ability to manage symptoms independently if they occasionally recur and resuming playing in their competitive volleyball league again becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Tired of general muscle strains and pulls from overdoing it at the gym or in the garden interfering with playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain? Lara MacDonald uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve reduced swelling and inflammation in injured areas and regain your freedom of movement.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Lara MacDonald's clinic, common concerns like sharp pain shooting down my leg, feeling a lot like sciatica are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of feeling empowered to take control of their physical health journey. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like running their usual 5k route without knee pain.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk? Lara MacDonald works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of enhanced ability to participate in social and community events. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back.

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

Lara MacDonald, Physiotherapist, is conveniently located in the Blackburn Hamlet, Beacon Hill neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is easily accessible near the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Please inquire regarding specific accessibility needs for our clinic. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

Some temporary post-treatment soreness can be normal, much like after a good workout. However, if your pain significantly worsens, if you develop new concerning symptoms, or if the discomfort doesn't settle down within a day or two, please call us. Your Physiotherapist would want to know so they can offer guidance and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan. Open communication is key to your successful recovery.

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 Lara MacDonald, 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 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 coverage of services in private clinics.

What is Lara MacDonald, Physiotherapist's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

While some physiotherapy techniques might feel uncomfortable or cause a temporary increase in soreness (similar to muscle soreness after a new workout), especially when working on stiff joints or tight muscles, it should not be excessively or intolerably painful. Your Physiotherapist will discuss what sensations you might expect with different treatments and will always aim to adjust the intensity and techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while still achieving therapeutic benefits. Constant communication about your comfort level is very important.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiotherapist will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

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.

Lara MacDonald, Physiotherapist
97 Westpark Drive
Ottawa, ON, K1B 3G4

Phone: (613) 203-5812

Lara Ann MacDonald 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: XXX02

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=d14a0088-8e02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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