Prashanthi Pidikiti – Physiotherapist | Scarborough, ON

Prashanthi Pidikiti is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Geriatric Physiotherapy Focus / Seniors' Health). Practicing at Tendercare Living Centre in Scarborough, ON, Shanthi is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Shanthi focuses on the unique health needs of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain mobility, strength, balance, manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall quality of life and independence. Shanthi serves seniors.

Shanthi completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (Graduating Class of 1999). With clinical experience, Shanthi is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Shanthi has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health.

Shanthi promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Scarborough community through proactive physiotherapy; a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Shanthi offers consultations in English, Hindi, Tamil.

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

Vestibular Balance

• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Helping your brain adapt to a weakened inner ear balance sense, reducing chronic dizziness, improving visual focus during movement, and enhancing your overall balance and stability.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Brief, often intense, episodes of dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) triggered by specific changes in head position (e.g., rolling over in bed, looking up, bending down), caused by displaced inner ear crystals (otoconia).
• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Physiotherapy aimed at improving your balance, coordination, lower limb strength, reaction time, and confidence to reduce your risk of falling and enhance safe mobility in your home and community.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD / 3PD): Addressing chronic subjective dizziness and unsteadiness through targeted rehabilitation designed to reduce symptoms and improve functional abilities for individuals with PPPD/3PD.

Joint Pain

• 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.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Conditions like 'jumper's knee' (patellar tendinopathy), 'swimmer's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendinopathy), or 'tennis elbow' (lateral epicondylitis) caused by tendon issues that limit your ability to perform specific tasks.

Geriatric

• Mobility Issues & Gait Disturbances in Seniors: Supporting seniors to maintain or improve their ability to move around effectively and independently in their home and community through targeted physiotherapy.
• Age-Related Deconditioning / Frailty / Sarcopenia Management: Helping seniors stay strong, mobile, active, and independent for longer through tailored exercise and functional rehabilitation programs.

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. Shanthi can assess your needs.

• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Specialized physiotherapy programs focused on addressing the unique physical needs of older adults, aiming to improve mobility, strength, balance, flexibility, manage age-related conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia), and reduce the risk of falls.
• Fibromyalgia & Widespread Pain Management: A holistic and supportive physiotherapy approach to managing the diffuse pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms commonly associated with fibromyalgia.
• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Rehabilitation focused on reversing the effects of deconditioning, combating frailty, and restoring autonomy for seniors, enabling them to live more fully.
• Home-Based Physiotherapy Visits (Mobile Physio): Providing professional physiotherapy assessment, treatment, education, and exercise prescription directly in the comfort and convenience of your home environment, especially for those who have difficulty attending an outpatient clinic due to mobility issues, severe pain, or other constraints.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Specific training programs to enhance your sense of body position, improve your reaction times to unexpected balance disturbances, and build confidence in your ability to move safely in various environments.
• Tele-Rehabilitation / Virtual Physiotherapy Consultations: Providing physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment guidance, education, exercise prescription, and self-management strategies remotely via secure video conferencing technology.

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

• Struggling with the frustration of a noticeable curve in my child's spine or uneven shoulders (scoliosis concerns)? Shanthi develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving improved coordination for complex movements and fine motor tasks. This is key to helping you get back to doing reading a good book for hours without experiencing neck pain or headaches with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Physiotherapy with Shanthi can be a transformative turning point for those affected by that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away. The shared goal is achieving being able to travel more comfortably and with less planning around physical limitations, paving the way for you to enjoy playing in their competitive volleyball league again and a more active, vibrant life.
• Living with pain or weakness that's stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies doesn't have to be your norm. Shanthi applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards learning specific exercises that provide ongoing relief and maintain their progress, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of peacefully paddling their kayak or canoe on the lake for hours.
• Shanthi frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of that grinding or crunching feeling in my knee or shoulder. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets seeing their child achieve developmental milestones with greater ease (for pediatric physio) and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like driving for longer periods without neck or back pain.

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

Shanthi's practice at Tendercare Living Centre is situated in a physiotherapy clinic in the central Scarborough neighborhood of Scarborough. 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.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

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

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a doctor's referral. This is known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements.

What are Tendercare Living Centre's operating hours?

Tendercare Living Centre is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Some practitioners may offer Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call the clinic at [Insert Phone Number Here] or check their website for the most up-to-date information.

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.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Your initial physiotherapy visit will likely be around an hour long. This allows for a comprehensive assessment and discussion of your treatment goals. Follow-up sessions are generally between 30 and 45 minutes, but this can vary depending on your needs.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does not cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in certain situations, such as after hospitalization for specific conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams. Eligibility criteria are strict and waitlists may exist. It is strongly recommended that you check your private insurance coverage for physiotherapy services at private clinics.

Tendercare Living Centre
1020 McNicoll Avenue
Scarborough, ON, M1W 2J6

Phone: (416) 499-2020

Prashanthi Pidikiti 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: XXX52

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=c882890b-8e02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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