Laura Marie Cobus – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Laura Marie Cobus is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, ON, Laura Cobus is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Laura Cobus's focus is addressing 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. Laura Cobus serves infants, children, and adolescents within the Ottawa community.

Laura Marie Cobus completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McGill University School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (Graduating Class of 2019). With extensive clinical experience, Laura Cobus is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Laura Cobus has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Laura Cobus's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Ottawa community through proactive physiotherapy. Laura Cobus empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Laura Cobus employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Laura Cobus offers consultations in English and French.

Laura Marie Cobus provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Symptoms resulting from a whiplash injury, which can vary in severity (WAD Grades I-III) and duration, requiring a comprehensive physiotherapy approach for recovery.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Symptoms of nerve compression originating from the spine, such as a 'slipped disc' or 'pinched nerve', causing radiating pain, altered sensation, or muscle weakness in a limb.
• 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).
• 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.

Post Surgical

• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee ligament injuries post-operatively, focusing on restoring full knee function, power, and agility to meet your specific athletic or lifestyle demands.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): The crucial rehabilitation phase following total or partial knee replacement surgery, with physiotherapy focusing on restoring range of motion, building strength, improving balance, managing pain and swelling, and enabling functional mobility (e.g., walking, stairs, getting in/out of a car).
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Restoring spinal function, core stability, and body mechanics post-operatively, ensuring a safe progression back to work, hobbies, and an active lifestyle.

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. Laura Cobus can assess your needs.

• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: A non-invasive physiotherapy modality that uses sound energy to stimulate cellular activity, enhance circulation, and support tissue recovery from injury or inflammation.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.
• 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.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): Targeted shockwave application to promote tissue regeneration, modulate pain, and improve function in chronic injuries, often with lasting results.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Utilizing traction techniques to create space within the spine, reduce nerve irritation, improve disc hydration, and alleviate back or neck pain.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Laura Cobus, 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 Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Laura Cobus frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery? Laura Cobus works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of being able to climb stairs with ease and confidence once again. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as maintaining their balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.
• Living with recurrent dislocations or a feeling of instability in my shoulder or knee doesn't have to be your norm. Laura Cobus applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards successfully integrating safe movement strategies into their daily routines, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children.
• The journey to a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence when faced with persistent difficulty getting out of a chair or bed due to stiffness or pain is made smoother and more effective with Laura Cobus's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like running their usual 5k route without knee pain.
• Don't let needing help to get moving again after a long period of illness or inactivity dictate what you can and cannot do. Laura Cobus offers physiotherapy solutions aimed at being able to travel more comfortably and with less planning around physical limitations, helping you reclaim getting back to golfing 18 holes without their back acting up and enjoy a more functional life.

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

Laura Cobus practices at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), situated in the Elmvale Acres, Hawthorne Meadows, Billings Bridge neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Library and Archives Canada and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What are Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)'s operating hours?

CHEO is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and some practitioners offer Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call their office or check their website/online booking portal for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in ON?

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

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.

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.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiotherapist can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

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. Check your private insurance for private clinic coverage.

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
401 Smyth Rd.
Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1

Phone: (613) 737-7600

Laura Marie Cobus 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: XXX22

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=c2ae01cd-761c-ea11-a810-000d3af42c56

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