R. Andrew Sider – Physiotherapist | Mississauga, ON

R. Andrew Sider is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Active Rehab Specialists in Mississauga, ON, Drew Sider is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Drew Sider addresses 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. Drew Sider serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

R. Andrew Sider completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2002). With clinical experience, Drew Sider is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Drew Sider has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Drew Sider demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Mississauga community through proactive physiotherapy; a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Drew Sider offers consultations in English.

R. Andrew Sider provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Arthritis

• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Supportive physiotherapy for individuals with psoriatic arthritis, focusing on managing joint pain and swelling, maintaining range of motion and strength, improving function, and providing advice on activity modification and joint protection.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Helping you regain mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve function in affected joints after a gout episode, as part of your overall gout management plan.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis focuses on maintaining spinal mobility and flexibility (especially extension), improving posture, strengthening core and back muscles, managing pain, and providing education on self-management and regular exercise.

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).
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
• 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): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.

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. Drew Sider can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Targeted exercises using resistance (such as bodyweight, resistance bands, free weights, or gym equipment) to build muscle strength, power, and endurance, tailored to your specific rehabilitation needs or performance goals.
• 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.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: A progressive approach to rebuilding your physical condition, allowing for a safe return to daily activities, work demands, and hobbies you enjoy.

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

• If that 'arthritic' pain in my hands, hips, or knees is preventing you from fully enjoying taking long photography walks to capture nature or cityscapes, Drew Sider offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining improved ability to lift and carry objects correctly and safely, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Physiotherapy with Drew Sider can be a transformative turning point for those affected by feeling like my posture is hunched or rounded, causing discomfort. The shared goal is achieving successfully avoiding or delaying the need for more invasive treatments or surgery, paving the way for you to enjoy playing a full game of recreational hockey with their friends and a more active, vibrant life.
• When recovering from a burn and needing help with scar mobility and movement is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain, physiotherapy with Drew Sider can help you work towards achieving their specific mobility goals, whether big or small. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• It's truly rewarding for Drew Sider to witness patients conquer difficulty coordinating my movements, feeling clumsy and experience implementing practical strategies to avoid re-injury during work or daily life. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in managing shopping trips and carrying bags without excessive fatigue or pain again.

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

Drew Sider's practice at Active Rehab Specialists is situated in the Central Erin Mills neighborhood of Mississauga. The clinic is conveniently located near Eglinton Avenue West Extension and is accessible via MiWay (Mississauga Transit). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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 plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics. Verify your specific eligibility for any public coverage directly with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Active Rehab Specialists 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 Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and general physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve Therapeutic Ultrasound Application, Therapeutic Heat Application, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

What are Active Rehab Specialists's operating hours?

Active Rehab Specialists is typically open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and some practitioners offer Saturday appointments from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. However, hours can vary by practitioner and day, so please call our office or check our website/online booking portal for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy, delivered by a qualified Physiotherapist, is a science-based profession that focuses on restoring movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of future problems. Your physiotherapist will use techniques such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy (hands-on treatment), education, and advice, empowering you to manage your health independently and achieve your physical goals.

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.

Active Rehab Specialists
3163 Winston Churchill Blvd, Unit D
Mississauga, ON, L5L 2W1

Phone: (905) 820-7030

R. Andrew Sider 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: XXX38

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=c44c3b35-8d02-e811-813c-480fcff44541

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