Nicole Karan

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

Post Surgical

• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): Restoring your ability to perform daily tasks, work, and recreational activities by addressing pain, stiffness, and weakness after your shoulder surgery.
• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Targeted physiotherapy to help you recover from operatively treated fractures, addressing common issues like joint stiffness, muscle weakness, swelling, pain, and functional limitations in the affected limb.
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): A carefully managed and individualized physiotherapy program to help you regain confidence in your spine, improve functional capacity, and prevent future issues after spinal surgery.

Back Neck Pain

• 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).
• 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.

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. Nikki Karan can assess your needs.

• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Application of skilled soft tissue techniques to manage pain, stiffness, and improve function in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: A comforting physiotherapy modality that helps to soothe tight muscles, decrease pain perception, and improve the flexibility of soft tissues.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Manual treatments specifically designed to improve joint mechanics, alleviate discomfort, reduce stiffness, and enhance your range of motion in the spine or limbs.
• 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.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Targeted therapy to alleviate symptoms such as shooting pain, pins and needles, or weakness arising from neural tension or entrapment.

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

• When trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing operating machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work, physiotherapy with Nikki Karan can help you work towards improved breathing mechanics and capacity through postural correction. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• The path to recovery from that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away and achieving a noticeable reduction in daily discomfort, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable for playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain often starts with expert guidance. Nikki Karan, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.
• Physiotherapy with Nikki Karan can be a transformative turning point for those affected by recovering from surgery to my hand or wrist. The shared goal is achieving a renewed sense of vitality and enthusiasm for daily activities, paving the way for you to enjoy carrying a backpack or shoulder bag comfortably and a more active, vibrant life.
• The journey to feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health when faced with persistent shoulder pain that makes simple things like lifting my arm or reaching overhead difficult is made smoother and more effective with Nikki Karan's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache.

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

Nikki Karan's practice at Core Health Collective is situated in the Western Hill, Glen Ridge neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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.

Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

For your first visit, please bring your provincial health card (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, if applicable for any publicly funded programs or simply for identification), any relevant medical information such as a doctor's referral note (if you have one), reports from recent imaging (like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound scans), and a list of your current medications. Also, if you plan to use private health insurance, bring your insurance card or policy details. Finally, wear or bring comfortable clothing suitable for assessment and movement.

What is Core Health Collective'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 or missed appointments without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

Is there parking available at or near Core Health Collective?

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

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. Always check your private insurance for 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. However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

Core Health Collective
63 Ontario Street
St. Catharines, ON, L2R 5J3

Phone: (905) 650-2673

Nicole Karan 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: XXX84

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=e596decb-5984-e811-8152-480fcfeae051

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