Marian C. Sears-Carter – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Marian Sears-Carter is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork in Ottawa, ON, Marian Sears-Carter is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Marian Sears-Carter addresses 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. Marian Sears-Carter serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Marian Sears-Carter completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McGill University (Graduating Class of 1989). With extensive clinical experience, Marian Sears-Carter is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Marian Sears-Carter has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Marian Sears-Carter empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Marian Sears-Carter employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Marian Sears-Carter utilizes a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Marian Sears-Carter offers consultations in English.

Marian C. Sears-Carter provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

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.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Exercises and advice to manage the impact of gout on your joints, improve mobility, and reduce the likelihood of long-term joint damage.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Addressing the inflammation, pain, and restricted movement associated with stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger or thumb.
• 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.

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.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Symptoms like 'neurogenic claudication' – leg pain, cramping, or heaviness with walking or prolonged standing that typically eases with rest or bending forward (flexion).
• 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.

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. Marian Sears-Carter can assess your needs.

• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Utilizing targeted electrical currents to help alleviate pain, manage discomfort, and support healing in conjunction with other physiotherapy interventions.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: LLLT or 'cold laser' therapy to stimulate your body's natural healing processes, provide pain relief, and improve function in conditions like tendinopathies, arthritis, or soft tissue injuries.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic injury.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Hands-on treatment focusing on your body's soft tissues to restore pliability, reduce discomfort, and optimize movement quality.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Hands-on physiotherapy focused on mobilizing restricted joints and soft tissues to promote healing, restore normal biomechanics, and alleviate pain.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Marian Sears-Carter, 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 Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Marian Sears-Carter frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• At Marian Sears-Carter's physiotherapy practice, individuals with facial weakness or drooping on one side (like Bell's Palsy) are guided towards more comfortable and efficient movement when transitioning between positions (e.g., sit to stand). The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Marian Sears-Carter's clinic, common concerns like numbness, tingling, or weakness in my hands, arms, feet, or legs are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like walking their children to school or the park.
• Living with experiencing discomfort, back pain, or pelvic girdle pain during or after pregnancy doesn't have to be your norm. Marian Sears-Carter applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of managing the physical demands of their job without constant pain.
• Many individuals seek help from Marian Sears-Carter, their physiotherapist, when difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning shirts or writing due to hand pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve a smooth and confident transition back to their work duties, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like using garden tools effectively and without pain.

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

Marian Sears-Carter practices at Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork, situated in the Orleans (Fallingbrook, Queenswood Heights) neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Ottawa Public Library Main Branch and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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 Ontarians. 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 waitlists may exist. Always check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics. Verify your specific eligibility for any public coverage directly with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork 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, 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 and general physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy, Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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 Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork 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 involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by your Physiotherapist as part of your overall physiotherapy plan. These techniques are designed to assess and treat your joints, muscles, and nerves to decrease pain and improve your mobility and function. Examples include specific joint mobilizations to improve movement, soft tissue release techniques to address muscle tightness or scar tissue, and sometimes manipulations (adjustments) if indicated and appropriate for your condition and your therapist's qualifications.

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.

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.

What are Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork's operating hours?

Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork 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 or check our website/online booking portal for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

Does Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

While we do not offer direct billing at this time, we provide detailed official receipts that you can easily submit to your insurer for reimbursement according to your plan. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment. Always confirm your specific coverage details, including any annual maximums, per-visit limits, or deductible requirements, directly with your insurance provider.

Align Massage Therapy and Advanced Bodywork
5929 Saint Joseph Blvd
Ottawa, ON, K1C 6V8

Phone: (613) 830-1380

Marian C. Sears-Carter 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: XXX99

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=323b527e-8a02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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