Pooja Thakkarar – Physiotherapist | Ajax, ON

Pooja Thakkarar is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Harwood Health & Wellness in Ajax, ON, Pooja is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Pooja focuses on 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. Pooja serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Pooja Thakkarar completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (Graduating Class of 2011). With clinical experience, Pooja Thakkarar is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Pooja Thakkarar has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Pooja empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results; Pooja employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Pooja Thakkarar offers consultations in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada.

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

Common Musculoskeletal

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Aching, soreness, or sharp pain experienced in the neck, which may include muscle spasms, trigger points, or reduced flexibility.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Helping to alleviate the symptoms of a catching, locking, or painful finger/thumb through targeted physiotherapy interventions, potentially avoiding the need for injections or surgery in some cases.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Specialized physiotherapy for conditions affecting the intricate structures of the hand and wrist, such as fractures (e.g., Colles', scaphoid), tendon lacerations or ruptures (e.g., flexor/extensor tendon repairs), ligament sprains/tears (e.g., skier's thumb, TFCC injuries), repetitive strain injuries, or arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis). Includes both conservative management and post-operative rehabilitation.

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. Pooja can assess your needs.

• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Assessing your fundamental movement patterns to identify limitations, asymmetries, and potential risk factors for injury or re-injury.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Employing different types of electrotherapy to support your rehabilitation goals, including promoting tissue healing or improving motor control.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.
• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Teaching you essential strategies and exercises to manage your symptoms independently, accelerate recovery, and prevent future problems.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: The application of gentle, controlled mechanical or manual force to distract (stretch) spinal segments, aiming to alleviate pressure on intervertebral discs, nerves, and facet joints.

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

• Many individuals seek help from Pooja, their physiotherapist, when one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve enjoying less stiffness in the mornings and throughout the day, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like driving for longer periods without neck or back pain.
• Patients often come to Pooja feeling defeated by an old ankle sprain that never seems to fully heal and still feels weak. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving getting back to hiking, running, or cycling pain-free and with renewed vigor and resuming doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Many find that recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery significantly impacts their ability to maintaining an upright posture while working on their computer for hours. Pooja helps patients target improved circulation and tissue healing with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Pooja can help you move beyond trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain. The focus is on getting their strength back after surgery or a period of inactivity, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity with ease.

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

Pooja practices at Harwood Health & Wellness, situated in the Southwood, Pickering Beach neighborhood of Ajax. The clinic is conveniently located near Ajax Casino and is accessible via Durham Region Transit (DRT). Our clinic is accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

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/extended health insurance plans, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

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.

How can I book an appointment at Harwood Health & Wellness?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (905) 231-9424 during our business hours. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

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 Harwood Health & Wellness or your Physiotherapist directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy involves skilled, hands-on treatments performed by your Physiotherapist as part of your overall physiotherapy plan. These techniques are designed to assess and treat your joints, muscles, and nerves to decrease pain and improve your mobility and function. Examples include specific joint mobilizations to improve movement, soft tissue release techniques to address muscle tightness or scar tissue, and sometimes manipulations (adjustments) if indicated and appropriate for your condition and your therapist's qualifications.

What are Harwood Health & Wellness's operating hours?

Harwood Health & Wellness is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call our office at (905) 231-9424 for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

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.

Harwood Health & Wellness
19 Harwood Ave S
Ajax, ON, L1S 2B9

Phone: (905) 231-9424

Pooja Thakkarar 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: XXX94

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=de19c0d0-997a-ed11-81ad-002248d51760

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