Micaela Alisha Cox

Micaela Alisha Cox provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Symptoms of nerve compression originating from the spine, such as a 'slipped disc' or 'pinched nerve', causing radiating pain, altered sensation, or muscle weakness in a limb.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis focuses on maintaining spinal mobility and flexibility (especially extension), improving posture, strengthening core and back muscles, managing pain, and providing education on self-management and regular exercise.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): An inflammatory arthritis that can affect some people with psoriasis (a skin condition), causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes affecting tendons (enthesitis) and ligaments. Can affect small or large joints, often asymmetrically, and sometimes the spine.

Joint Pain

• 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.
• 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.

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. Micaela Cox can assess your needs.

• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Therapeutic traction for the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine, used by physiotherapists to help reduce pain, decompress nerve roots, and improve symptoms associated with conditions like disc herniations, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
• 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: Targeted manual methods performed by your Physiotherapist to release tight or overactive muscles, address fascial restrictions, and alleviate pain arising from soft tissue dysfunction.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: Ultrasound therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often used to prepare tissues for manual therapy or exercise, or to manage acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.

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

• Living with feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move doesn't have to be your norm. Micaela Cox applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards a better ability to cope with the physical stresses of daily life, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of operating machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work.
• Patients often come to Micaela Cox feeling defeated by recovering from surgery to my hand or wrist. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving a smoother and stronger postpartum recovery and resuming handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Rediscover your ability to actively participating in family outings and vacations without holding others back without the constant burden of feeling generally stiff, achy, and less mobile than I used to be. Micaela Cox focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to getting back to hiking, running, or cycling pain-free and with renewed vigor, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• When trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day, physiotherapy with Micaela Cox can help you work towards improved hand and wrist function for tasks requiring dexterity. 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 Micaela Cox, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Micaela Cox practices at Summit Physiotherapy, situated in the Kingscourt, Rideau Heights neighborhood of Kingston. The clinic is conveniently located near Hotel Dieu Hospital Site and is accessible via Kingston Transit. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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 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 apply. Always check your private insurance coverage, as many plans offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics. Verify your specific eligibility directly with OHIP.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

The first physiotherapy session is primarily an in-depth assessment. Expect to discuss your issue, its history, and overall health with your Physiotherapist. They will perform physical tests to assess your movement, strength, and areas of concern. The goal is to understand your condition to develop a tailored treatment plan. You might receive home exercises or initial hands-on care.

Does Summit Physiotherapy offer direct billing to private insurance companies?

Yes, Summit Physiotherapy offers direct billing for most major private insurance companies such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Blue Cross. Please bring your insurance card and policy details to your appointment. Always confirm your specific coverage details with your insurance provider, including annual maximums, per-visit limits, or deductibles. You are responsible for any portion not covered by your insurance.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy, delivered by a qualified Physiotherapist, is a science-based profession that focuses on restoring movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It can also help reduce the risk of future problems. Your physiotherapist will use techniques such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy (hands-on treatment), education, and advice, empowering you to manage your health independently and achieve your physical goals.

Summit Physiotherapy
1-677 Innovation Drive
Kingston, ON, K7K 7E6

Phone: (613) 893-3498

Micaela Alisha Cox 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: XXX30

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=e060824f-d541-ee11-be6e-000d3a09cff4

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