Martine Hamilton – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Martine Hamilton is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Sunnybrook- St. John's Rehab in Toronto, ON, Martine Hamilton is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Martine Hamilton'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. Martine Hamilton serves adults.

Martine Hamilton completed their degree in Physiotherapy from McGill University (Graduating Class of 1987). With extensive clinical experience, Martine Hamilton is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Martine Hamilton has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Martine Hamilton's practice philosophy centers on a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy. Martine Hamilton offers consultations in English, French.

Martine Hamilton provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Arthritis

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: Helping you live well with rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthropathies through targeted physiotherapy interventions designed to manage symptoms, preserve function, and promote overall well-being.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A physiotherapy approach to address the unique challenges of AS, aiming to keep you as mobile and active as possible and support your spinal health and overall well-being.

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Pain, pins and needles, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg resulting from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve, often managed effectively with physiotherapy techniques like McKenzie method or neural mobilization.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Symptoms in your hand or wrist that impact your ability to perform your job, hobbies, or essential self-care tasks, addressed by specialized hand physiotherapy.
• 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.

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. Martine Hamilton can assess your needs.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): The application of focused acoustic waves (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) by a trained Physiotherapist to treat chronic tendon issues (e.g., plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy), calcific tendinosis, and other persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
• 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.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Superficial heat application carefully monitored by your therapist to promote relaxation, pain relief, and enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
• 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.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Martine Hamilton, 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 Sunnybrook- St. John's Rehab, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Martine Hamilton frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Many individuals seek help from Martine Hamilton, their physiotherapist, when feeling generally stiff, achy, and less mobile than I used to be starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve successfully avoiding or delaying the need for more invasive treatments or surgery, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache.
• The path to recovery from pain or weakness that's stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies and achieving a return to intimacy without the fear of pain or discomfort for managing their personal care routines independently often starts with expert guidance. Martine Hamilton, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• When difficulty getting out of a chair or bed due to stiffness or pain is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing sitting comfortably through a movie at the cinema or a play, physiotherapy with Martine Hamilton can help you work towards a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• Martine Hamilton believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If frequent headaches that seem to start from tension in my neck or shoulders is hindering your ability to giving presentations or speaking publicly with confidence and good posture, a personalized plan focusing on enhanced pelvic floor function and control (for relevant conditions) can make all the difference.

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

Martine Hamilton's practice at Sunnybrook- St. John's Rehab is situated in the Newtonbrook, Willowdale neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near MaRS Discovery District and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How can I book an appointment at Sunnybrook- St. John's Rehab?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (416) 226-6780 during our business hours. Many of our practitioners also offer the convenience of online booking through our website at [Website Address Here]. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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.

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 (this is known as direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly advised that you check the specific requirements of your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

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 Sunnybrook- St. John's Rehab or your physician directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

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. It is strongly advised that you check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Sunnybrook- St. John's Rehab
285 Cummer Ave.
Toronto, ON, M2M2G1

Phone: (416) 226-6780

Martine Hamilton 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: XXX38

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=61d32842-8a02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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