Louise Duciaume Summersby – Physiotherapist | North Bay, ON

Louise Duciaume Summersby is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at One Kids Place - North Bay in North Bay, ON, Louise Summersby is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Louise Summersby's focus is 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. Louise Summersby serves infants, children, and adolescents.

Louise Duciaume Summersby completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Ottawa (Graduating Class of 1996). With extensive clinical experience, Louise Summersby is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Louise Summersby has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Louise Summersby employs a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Louise Summersby empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Louise Summersby maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best possible care. Louise Summersby offers consultations in English, French.

Louise Duciaume Summersby provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Commonly known as 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, this condition affects various joints, often worsening with age, overuse, or previous injury, and can significantly impact daily function.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.

Sports Injury

• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Acute pain, swelling, bruising, localized tenderness, and weakness in a muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or throwing.
• 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).
• Stress Fractures (Activity-Related - Conservative Management/Rehab): Tiny cracks or severe bruising within a bone caused by repetitive force, overuse, or cumulative stress, common in weight-bearing bones of the lower leg (tibia, fibula), foot (metatarsals, navicular), or hip in athletes involved in high-impact sports.
• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Stretching or tearing of ligaments (the strong, fibrous bands that connect bones to each other at joints) due to sudden force, twisting, overstretching, or impact. Common in sports involving jumping, cutting, pivoting, or collisions. Examples include ACL/MCL tears in the knee or common ankle sprains.

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. Louise Summersby can assess your needs.

• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Therapeutic traction for the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine, used by physiotherapists to help reduce pain, decompress nerve roots, and improve symptoms associated with conditions like disc herniations, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): ESWT for chronic tendinopathies, heel spurs, and other musculoskeletal problems, aiming to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and trigger a healing response.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Louise Summersby, 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 One Kids Place - North Bay, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Louise Summersby frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• With Louise Summersby's help, managing aches and pains that I'm pretty sure are from my bad posture at my desk to achieve a significant improvement in their overall quality of life and daily well-being becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like pushing a stroller or shopping cart without difficulty.
• Tired of recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery interfering with being able to carry their baby or toddler without straining their back or arms? Louise Summersby uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve the ability to manage symptoms independently if they occasionally recur and regain your freedom of movement.
• Physiotherapy with Louise Summersby can be a transformative turning point for those affected by recovering from a concussion and dealing with lingering symptoms like dizziness or headaches. The shared goal is achieving feeling less fatigued during physical activities and throughout the day, paving the way for you to enjoy playing fetch with their dog in the park for an extended time and a more active, vibrant life.
• The path to recovery from recovering my strength and energy after being very sick (like with pneumonia or Long COVID) and achieving getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care for setting up and taking down equipment for hobbies or sports often starts with expert guidance. Louise Summersby, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.

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

Louise Summersby practices at One Kids Place - North Bay, situated in the Downtown North Bay, Central neighborhood of North Bay. The clinic is conveniently located near Chief Commanda II Dock and is accessible via North Bay Transit. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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

To make your first appointment as smooth and productive as possible, please consider bringing: your health card, any doctor's referral letter (if applicable), results or reports of any imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs) related to your current condition, a list of any medications you are currently taking, and your extended health benefits information (insurance card/policy number) for direct billing if available at our clinic. Wearing comfortable clothes is also a good idea.

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.

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. It is strongly recommended to check your private insurance for coverage of services in private clinics.

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.

Is there parking available at or near One Kids Place - North Bay?

Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby. Please check local signage for any restrictions.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at One Kids Place - North Bay treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, back and neck pain, joint problems (arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also offer services like Spinal Decompression and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

One Kids Place - North Bay
400 McKeown Avenue
North Bay, ON, P1B 0B2

Phone: (705) 476-5437

Louise Duciaume Summersby 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: XXX69

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=87c612be-8b02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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