Mario Leandro Chique Alfonzo – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Mario Leandro Chique Alfonzo is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Neurological Rehabilitation Focus). Practicing at Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa, ON, Mario Chique Alfonzo is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Mario Chique Alfonzo's focus is assisting individuals in recovering function, improving mobility, managing symptoms, and enhancing quality of life after neurological events or conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. Mario Chique Alfonzo serves adults.

Mario Leandro Chique Alfonzo completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Ottawa (Graduating Class of 2011). With clinical experience, Mario Chique Alfonzo is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Mario Chique Alfonzo has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Neurological Physiotherapy.

Mario Chique Alfonzo empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results; Mario Chique Alfonzo employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Mario Chique Alfonzo offers consultations in English, French, Spanish.

Mario Leandro Chique Alfonzo provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Vestibular Balance

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): A chronic functional dizziness disorder characterized by persistent sensations of dizziness, unsteadiness, or non-spinning vertigo (often lasting for 3 months or more), typically exacerbated by upright posture, active or passive motion, or exposure to complex or moving visual environments (e.g., busy supermarkets, scrolling on a screen). Often follows an acute vestibular event, medical illness, or period of psychological distress.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Reduced function of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) inner ear balance systems (vestibular organs), leading to persistent dizziness, gaze instability (difficulty keeping vision clear during head movement), imbalance, and sometimes nausea.
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Difficulty maintaining stability during standing, walking, or changing positions, which may be due to various factors including age-related changes, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal weakness, sensory impairments, or medication side effects, often leading to an increased risk of falls.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Resolving the spinning sensations caused by BPPV quickly and effectively through targeted canalith repositioning techniques, often providing immediate relief.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).

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. Mario Chique Alfonzo can assess your needs.

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Active patient participation through guided, gentle muscle contractions to restore normal joint play, reduce muscle guarding, and improve tissue length.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Skilled hands-on techniques, including gentle joint mobilizations (smooth, rhythmic movements) and, where appropriate and authorized, joint manipulations (quick, precise thrusts) to restore optimal movement, reduce pain, and improve joint function.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Hands-on treatment focusing on your body's soft tissues to restore pliability, reduce discomfort, and optimize movement quality.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Targeted therapy to alleviate symptoms such as shooting pain, pins and needles, or weakness arising from neural tension or entrapment.
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Evidence-based neurological rehabilitation focused on harnessing neuroplasticity, motor learning principles, and task-specific training to help regain lost skills and adapt to new ways of moving.
• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Providing physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment guidance, education, exercise prescription, and self-management strategies remotely via secure video conferencing technology.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Mario Chique Alfonzo, 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 Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Mario Chique Alfonzo frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Tired of my child complaining of 'growing pains' that keep them up at night interfering with comfortably cooking and meal prepping for their family? Mario Chique Alfonzo uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve improved overall mobility, making it easier to navigate their home and community and regain your freedom of movement.
• Many individuals seek help from Mario Chique Alfonzo, their physiotherapist, when recovering my strength and energy after being very sick (like with pneumonia or Long COVID) starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve improved balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children.
• Patients struggling with recovering from a burn and needing help with scar mobility and movement can find dedicated and compassionate support from Mario Chique Alfonzo. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as using garden tools effectively and without pain.
• Mario Chique Alfonzo believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If feeling generally stiff, achy, and less mobile than I used to be is hindering your ability to hitting the slopes for a full day of skiing or snowboarding in winter, a personalized plan focusing on more comfortable and efficient movement when transitioning between positions (e.g., sit to stand) can make all the difference.

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

Mario Chique Alfonzo practices at Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, situated in the Lower Town, Sandy Hill East, ByWard Market neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Ottawa City Hall (Lisgar St entrance) and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

Physiotherapy should not be an ordeal of pain. While you might feel some discomfort or a stretching sensation as you work to regain movement or strength, especially in the initial stages of treatment for an acute injury or chronic stiffness, it's rarely 'painful' in a distressing or harmful way. Your Physiotherapist will guide you through each step, modify treatments to suit your comfort and tolerance, and ensure that the overall experience is positive. The ultimate aim is to make you feel better, not worse.

Does Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital 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, as plans vary significantly. You are responsible for any portion not covered by your insurance.

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.

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.

What are Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital's operating hours?

Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call the clinic or check their website for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

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.

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. However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Bruyere Continuing Care, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital
43 Bruyere St.
Ottawa, ON, K1N 5C8

Phone: (613) 562-6262

Mario Leandro Chique Alfonzo 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: XXX36

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=01f3e8f0-9002-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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