Marilyn Baker

Marilyn Baker provides skilled physiotherapy care for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.
• 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.

Common Msk

• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Injuries to ankle ligaments, typically from twisting or 'rolling' motions, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Can result in recurrent sprains and chronic instability if not properly rehabilitated.
• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Common back problems that can impact your posture, ability to perform daily activities, and overall mobility, addressed with targeted physiotherapy.
• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or stiffness in the wrist, hand, or fingers, often resulting from overuse, repetitive tasks, arthritis, or specific conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: A 'pulled' muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or sudden changes in direction, causing immediate pain and difficulty using the muscle.

Pelvic Health

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS - Men & Women): Helping to reduce chronic pain in the pelvis, improve muscle function, desensitize painful areas, and enhance your quality of life when dealing with persistent pelvic pain.
• Urinary Incontinence (Stress, Urge, Mixed - Men & Women): Specialized physiotherapy management of bladder leakage issues through targeted pelvic floor muscle training (Kegels and more), bladder retraining techniques, education, and lifestyle advice.
• Constipation / Bowel Dysfunction (Pelvic Floor Related): Difficulty with bowel movements, such as infrequent stools, straining, a sensation of incomplete emptying, or the need for manual maneuvers to defecate, which may be linked to pelvic floor muscle tension (hypertonicity), weakness, or incoordination (dyssynergic defecation).

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. If your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Marilyn can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct treatment to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, break down scar tissue, and accelerate the repair of injured soft tissues.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: The application of specific wavelengths of light energy (cold laser) by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration at a cellular level.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.

Note: This list highlights some key services offered by Marilyn. For a full list or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with standards set by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

At GMF Clinique médicale Waterloo, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Marilyn frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Living with needing help to get moving again after a long period of illness or inactivity doesn't have to be your norm. Marilyn applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards reduced swelling and inflammation in injured areas, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of setting up and taking down equipment for hobbies or sports.
• If that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away is preventing you from fully enjoying reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain, Marilyn offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Many individuals seek help from Marilyn, their physiotherapist, when that burning pain between my shoulder blades from too much computer work starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve moving more freely and with greater agility than they have in years, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like being able to carry your baby or toddler without straining your back or arms.

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

Marilyn practices at GMF Clinique médicale Waterloo, a reputable physiotherapy clinic situated in the Waterloo neighborhood of Waterloo, QC. The clinic is conveniently located near the Waterloo Park West Entrance, making it accessible for patients in the region. It is well-connected via public transportation, including Grand River Transit (GRT) bus routes and the ION Light Rail, ensuring easy access for patients coming from different parts of Waterloo and surrounding communities. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What types of conditions do Physiothérapeutes at GMF Clinique médicale Waterloo treat?

Our Physiothérapeutes treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain (Assessment for Adapted Transportation Eligibility), joint problems such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery, sports injuries like complex non-healing wounds (within scope), nerve pain, and pelvic health concerns. Treatments often involve manual therapies such as Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy) and electrotherapy modalities like NMES and FES, combined with personalized exercise programs to help patients regain function and reduce pain.

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 details to verify include your annual maximum for physiotherapy, 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 your insurer permits, Marilyn’s clinic can often bill them directly for the covered portion. Otherwise, you will need to pay at the time of service and submit an official receipt for reimbursement. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

In Quebec, RAMQ generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket or rely on private insurance for coverage. However, some physiotherapy services received within public hospitals or CLSCs may be covered under certain eligibility criteria. It is advisable to verify your specific coverage directly with RAMQ and review your private insurance plans to understand the extent of your coverage for physiotherapy services.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiothérapeute in QC?

In Quebec, patients can typically access physiotherapy services directly without a physician’s referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check your insurance policy details before your first appointment to confirm whether a referral is necessary for coverage.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

You can expect your initial physiotherapy session to last around an hour, allowing sufficient time for a comprehensive assessment and treatment planning. Follow-up appointments generally range from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your needs and treatment plan. Your physiothérapeute will advise you on the appropriate duration for each session.

What is the difference between a Physiotherapist (Physiothérapeute) and a Physiotherapy Technologist (Technologue en physiothérapie) in Quebec?

A Physiothérapeute in Quebec has completed a university master's program, enabling them to assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans independently. They can perform advanced procedures and make clinical decisions. In contrast, a Technologue en physiothérapie holds a college diploma (DEC) and assists physiotherapists by implementing treatment plans, applying modalities, and supporting patient exercises under supervision.

Does GMF Clinique médicale Waterloo offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, GMF Clinique médicale Waterloo offers direct billing for most major private insurance providers such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Blue Cross. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to facilitate billing. If direct billing is not available for your plan, we will provide detailed receipts for you to submit for reimbursement. We recommend confirming your coverage specifics with your insurer prior to your appointment, including any annual maximums, co-payments, or deductibles. You remain responsible for any charges not covered by your insurance.

GMF Clinique médicale Waterloo
5351, rue Foster, # 200
Waterloo, QC J0E 2N0

Phone: (450) 539-1102

Marilyn Baker is regulated by the Code des professions and Professional Integration Arrangement for physiotherapists in QC and is a member of the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

Registration can be verified with the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

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