Martha Lyn Wiggins – Physiotherapist | Brockville, ON

Martha Lyn Wiggins is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Brockville General Hospital in Brockville, ON, Martha is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Martha's focus is 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. Martha serves adults.

Martha Lyn Wiggins completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Queen's University (Graduating Class of 1994). With extensive clinical experience, Martha is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Martha has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Martha's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Brockville community through proactive physiotherapy. Martha has a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care possible. Martha adopts a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Martha offers consultations in English.

Martha Lyn Wiggins provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
• 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).
• 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.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Symptoms resulting from a whiplash injury, which can vary in severity (WAD Grades I-III) and duration, requiring a comprehensive physiotherapy approach for recovery.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Damage to the body's movement system, including issues like joint inflammation, ligament tears, or muscle overstretching, often requiring physiotherapy for optimal recovery.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Aching, sharp pain, a feeling of the knee 'giving way', or difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee.

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. Martha can assess your needs.

• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Developing muscular strength and endurance to aid in injury recovery, support affected joints, improve biomechanics, and enhance athletic performance or demanding physical tasks.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Specialized workouts to enhance your core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for injury prevention, back health, and efficient performance in daily activities and sports.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Graded exercise programs designed to improve your overall physical fitness, endurance, strength, and functional capacity, especially beneficial after illness, surgery, or periods of prolonged inactivity.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Educating you about your diagnosis, expected recovery timeline (prognosis), and the reasons behind your treatment plan to encourage active participation in your healing.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Martha, 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 Brockville General Hospital, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Martha frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Many individuals seek help from Martha, their physiotherapist, when trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve resuming gardening, hobbies, or household tasks without strain or discomfort, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like maintaining their balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.
• The path to recovery from breathing difficulties and shortness of breath with COPD or asthma, especially during activity and achieving decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues for attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation often starts with expert guidance. Martha, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Martha frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of that nagging tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow) that flares up with activity. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets understanding how to prevent future flare-ups and manage their condition long-term and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like safely meeting the lifting requirements at their workplace.
• When sharp pain shooting down my leg, feeling a lot like sciatica is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain, physiotherapy with Martha can help you work towards returning to their workout routine with greater confidence and better performance. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.

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

Martha practices at Brockville General Hospital, situated in a physiotherapy clinic in the central Brockville neighborhood of Brockville. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in ON?

In Ontario, you typically do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist. This is known as direct access. However, even though a referral isn't legally required to book an appointment, some private insurance plans may require one for coverage. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements for physiotherapy coverage.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available through specific programs (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. Most Ontarians will need to rely on their private or extended health insurance plans for coverage of physiotherapy services in private clinics. Always check your insurance plan details and confirm your coverage directly with your insurer.

Does Brockville General 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 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.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, a personalized home exercise program is a crucial and integral component of most physiotherapy treatment plans. Your Physiotherapist will prescribe specific exercises tailored to your condition, abilities, and goals. These exercises are designed to complement your in-clinic treatment, help you manage your symptoms effectively between sessions, accelerate your recovery, and empower you with tools for long-term self-management. Your active participation in your home program is key for optimal results.

What is Brockville General Hospital's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may be waiting for care. A fee may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows the Physiotherapist to easily access and assess the area being treated, and permits you to move freely for any exercises or movements. For example, shorts are ideal for knee, hip, or ankle issues, while a tank top or loose t-shirt works well for shoulder, neck, or upper back problems. Athletic wear or gym attire is generally a good choice. You may also be provided with a gown if needed.

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.

Brockville General Hospital
75 Charles St.
Brockville, ON, K6V 1S8

Phone: (613) 345-5645

Martha Lyn Wiggins 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: XXX07

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=4954c87b-8b02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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