Nadine Elizabeth Leiper – Physiotherapist | Barrie, ON

Nadine Elizabeth Leiper is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Children's Treatment Network Simcoe York in Barrie, ON, Nadine is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Nadine focuses on providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries, pain conditions, and movement dysfunctions to help patients of all ages restore function, manage pain, and improve their quality of life. Nadine serves infants, children, and adolescents within the community.

Nadine Elizabeth Leiper completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2001). With extensive clinical experience, Nadine is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Nadine has a particular interest and further training in areas such as General Physiotherapy Practice and general physiotherapy.

Nadine embraces a collaborative approach, working closely with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Nadine empowers patients through clear education about their condition and provides practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Nadine offers consultations in English.

Nadine Elizabeth Leiper provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Sports Injury

• Muscle Strains (e.g., Hamstring, Calf, Groin, Quadriceps, Rotator Cuff): Acute pain, swelling, bruising, localized tenderness, and weakness in a muscle, often occurring during activities like sprinting, jumping, lifting, or throwing.
• Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome): An overuse injury affecting the lower leg, common in athletes, dancers, and military recruits, characterized by diffuse pain along the tibia.
• Ligament Sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL, PCL, Ankle Ligaments): Damage to ligaments that can range from mild (Grade 1 - overstretched) to moderate (Grade 2 - partial tear) to severe (Grade 3 - complete tear), impacting joint integrity and function.

Back Neck Pain

• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Discomfort, aching, stiffness, or muscle fatigue in the back or neck arising from sustained or awkward postures during daily activities, prolonged work (e.g., desk work, computer use), or sleep.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Difficulty with activities like reaching for objects, dressing, personal care, or carrying items due to underlying shoulder issues, which physiotherapy can help diagnose and treat.
• 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.

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. Nadine can assess your needs.

• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: A specialized physiotherapy treatment that uses a traction table or manual techniques to gently decompress spinal structures, relieve pressure, and promote healing.
• 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.
• 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.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: Utilizing therapeutic laser to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce pain signals, and manage inflammation as part of your comprehensive physiotherapy care.
• 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.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Nadine, 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 Children's Treatment Network Simcoe York, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Nadine frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The path to recovery from wrist pain and tingling, possibly from carpal tunnel syndrome, especially at night and achieving improved balance and coordination, leading to safer and more confident mobility in seniors for being able to perform deep cleaning tasks around the house often starts with expert guidance. Nadine, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Nadine believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If swelling in my arm or leg, possibly lymphedema, after surgery or treatment is hindering your ability to painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache, a personalized plan focusing on much better balance overall, reducing the risk of stumbles or falls can make all the difference.
• Are you finding that pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints) stops you from enjoying operating machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work? Nadine is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Nadine can help you move beyond recovering from a painful and limiting work-related injury (WCB/CNESST/WorkSafe claim). The focus is on feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as attending and enjoying their children's or grandchildren's sporting events.

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

Nadine practices at Children's Treatment Network Simcoe York, located in the Downtown Barrie, East Bayfield neighborhood of Barrie. The clinic enjoys a convenient location near Meridian Place and is easily accessible via Barrie Transit. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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

In Ontario, you can usually see a Physiotherapist directly without a doctor's referral. This is called direct access. However, even though a referral isn't legally required to *see* a Physiotherapist, some private and extended health insurance plans *do* require one for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider about their specific requirements before your first appointment.

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.

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

Comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement is best for your physiotherapy appointment – think about what you might wear to a gym or for light exercise. If you're being treated for a lower-body issue (like hip or knee pain), shorts are very helpful. For upper-body issues (like shoulder or neck pain), a tank top or loose t-shirt is suitable so the Physiotherapist can properly examine and treat the area.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Children's Treatment Network Simcoe York treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like general physiotherapy and pelvic health. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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.

Is there parking available at or near Children's Treatment Network Simcoe York?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside our building. Look for the designated patient spots.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

While some physiotherapy techniques might feel uncomfortable or cause a temporary increase in soreness (similar to muscle soreness after a new workout), especially when working on stiff joints or tight muscles, it should not be excessively or intolerably painful. Your Physiotherapist will discuss what sensations you might expect with different treatments and will always aim to adjust the intensity and techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while still achieving therapeutic benefits. Constant communication about your comfort level is very important.

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.

Children's Treatment Network Simcoe York
165 Ferris Lane
Barrie, ON, L4M 2Y1

Phone: (705) 792-1450

Nadine Elizabeth Leiper 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: XXX31

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=626648f3-8c02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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