Niall Clarke

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

Pediatric

• Toe Walking (Idiopathic / Habitual): Physiotherapy interventions for habitual toe walking, which may include stretching tight calf muscles, strengthening other leg muscles, gait retraining exercises, sensory input strategies, and advice on footwear to encourage a heel-toe walking pattern.
• Developmental Delays (Gross Motor Skills): Physiotherapy support and intervention for infants and children with delayed physical development to help them achieve their motor potential through play-based activities and targeted exercises.
• Pediatric Sports Injuries & Growing Pains (e.g., Osgood-Schlatter, Sever's Disease): Musculoskeletal injuries common in young, growing athletes due to overuse, rapid growth spurts, or acute trauma. Examples include Osgood-Schlatter disease (painful lump below the kneecap), Sever's disease (heel pain), Little League elbow/shoulder, and various sprains or strains.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Discomfort felt around the shoulder blade, at the top of the shoulder, or radiating down the arm, making simple tasks challenging.
• Muscle Strains and Tears: Injury to muscle tissue that limits your strength, range of motion, and ability to perform specific movements or activities, requiring careful rehabilitation.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Aching, sharp, or deep pain in the hip that may worsen with activity, specific movements, or even at rest.
• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Painful neck conditions that can make head movements difficult, sometimes leading to headaches or radiating pain into the shoulders.

Developmental

• Coordination Challenges / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) - Supportive Physiotherapy: Marked difficulties with motor coordination that significantly interfere with a child's ability to perform daily living activities (e.g., dressing, using cutlery), achieve academically (e.g., handwriting), or participate in play and sports. These difficulties are not explained by intellectual disability or other primary neurological or sensory conditions.

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. Niall Clarke can assess your needs.

• Postural Assessment and Correction: Education on optimal body mechanics and corrective strategies to improve your posture during daily activities, work, and recreation.
• 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.
• Sports Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention: Movement analysis, strength and conditioning advice, and targeted exercises designed by your Physiotherapist to enhance your athletic performance, improve biomechanics, optimize movement efficiency, and reduce your risk of sports-related injuries.
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation & Management: Helping you get back in the game quickly and safely with targeted sports physiotherapy, focusing on restoring strength, agility, and confidence.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): A systematic screening process, such as FMS™ or SFMA™ (if your Physiotherapist is certified), to understand how you move and guide preventative or corrective exercise programs.

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

• Many find that pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints) significantly impacts their ability to tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence. Niall Clarke helps patients target decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• At Niall Clarke's physiotherapy practice, individuals with recovering from a burn and needing help with scar mobility and movement are guided towards a deeper understanding of their condition and how to manage it proactively for long-term well-being. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Niall Clarke can help you move beyond difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke. The focus is on getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again.
• Are you finding that one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain stops you from enjoying managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain? Niall Clarke is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve resuming gardening, hobbies, or household tasks without strain or discomfort through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.

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

Niall Clarke practices at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, situated in a physiotherapy clinic in the central East York neighborhood of East York. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

You can expect your initial physiotherapy visit to be around an hour long. This extended time allows for a comprehensive assessment of your condition and a collaborative discussion about your treatment goals. Subsequent follow-up sessions are generally between 30 and 45 minutes, though this can be adjusted based on your individual requirements. Your Physiotherapist will advise on the appropriate appointment length for your specific care.

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.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. We recommend you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital offers direct billing and your plan allows it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

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. We strongly advise checking your private insurance for private clinic coverage.

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 (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first 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 is Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation 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 types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 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, sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Pediatric Physiotherapy and general physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve Postural Assessment and Correction, Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Rd
East York, ON, M4G 1R8

Phone: (416) 425-6220

Niall Clarke 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: XXX10

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=042fbbaa-73da-eb11-bacb-000d3a09c81f

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