Lisa J. Giardino – Physiotherapist | North York, ON

Lisa J. Giardino is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York in North York, ON, Lisa is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Lisa focuses on 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. Lisa serves adults.

Lisa J. Giardino completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2000). With extensive clinical experience, Lisa is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Lisa has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Lisa employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting; empowering patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Lisa J. Giardino offers consultations in English.

Lisa J. Giardino provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Neck, shoulder, and upper back discomfort, often accompanied by headaches or 'brain fog', after a sudden jerking motion of the head, such as in a rear-end collision.
• 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.
• 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.

Arthritis

• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Helping to manage the musculoskeletal aspects of psoriatic disease, working in conjunction with medical management to optimize your physical function and comfort.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A type of chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine (especially the sacroiliac joints and vertebrae), leading to pain, stiffness, and potential fusion of vertebrae, which can result in a stooped posture if not managed.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Focused physiotherapy care for complex hand and wrist problems, often involving custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization), specific exercises to restore dexterity, strength, and range of motion, scar management, and sensory re-education.

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. Lisa can assess your needs.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Application of precise, passive movements to joints to decrease stiffness, relieve pain, and facilitate easier, more comfortable movement.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Assessing your fundamental movement patterns to identify limitations, asymmetries, and potential risk factors for injury or re-injury.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Targeted manual methods performed by your Physiotherapist to release tight or overactive muscles, address fascial restrictions, and alleviate pain arising from soft tissue dysfunction.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: An in-depth examination to fully understand your specific condition, allowing your Physiotherapist to create an effective and personalized rehabilitation plan.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Lisa, 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 St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Lisa frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The journey to moving more freely and with greater agility than they have in years when faced with persistent recovering from a painful and limiting work-related injury (WCB/CNESST/WorkSafe claim) is made smoother and more effective with Lisa's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain.
• When persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing safely meeting the lifting requirements at their workplace, physiotherapy with Lisa can help you work towards better managing flare-ups with personalized strategies and feeling more in control of their symptoms. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• Many individuals seek help from Lisa, their physiotherapist, when trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve a return to intimacy without the fear of pain or discomfort, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like taking group exercise classes at the community center.
• Living with feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move doesn't have to be your norm. Lisa applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards implementing practical strategies to avoid re-injury during work or daily life, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children.

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

Lisa practices at St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York, situated in a physiotherapy clinic in the central North York neighborhood of North York. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What are St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York's operating hours?

Our clinic 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 our office at (416) 226-6780 or check our website for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

How can I book an appointment at St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (416) 226-6780 during our business hours. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain (Ankylosing Spondylitis), joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, neural mobilization techniques, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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?

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.

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), but eligibility is strict. Check your private insurance for coverage.

St. John's Rehab Hospital; North York
285 Cummer Ave
North York, ON, M2M 2G1

Phone: (416) 226-6780

Lisa J. Giardino 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: XXX16

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=3b6063bd-8c02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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