Rehana Meru – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Rehana Meru is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Closing the Gap Healthcare in Toronto, ON, Rehana Meru is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Rehana Meru's practice 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. Rehana Meru also provides specialized assessment and treatment for conditions related to the pelvic floor and surrounding region for all genders. This includes issues such as incontinence, pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and pre/post-natal concerns. Rehana Meru serves adults.

Rehana Meru completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2012). With extensive clinical experience, Rehana Meru is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Rehana Meru has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Rehana Meru employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Rehana Meru promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy and utilizes a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Rehana Meru offers consultations in English.

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

Pelvic Health

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse (Conservative Management): Physiotherapy for symptoms of pelvic heaviness, bulging, pressure, or discomfort related to prolapse, aiming to improve pelvic floor support and manage symptoms without surgery.
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS - Men & Women): Persistent or recurrent pain experienced in the pelvic region (e.g., lower abdomen, perineum, genitals, rectum), which can have various causes including musculoskeletal dysfunction (e.g., tight pelvic floor muscles, trigger points), nerve irritation, or visceral issues. Affects both men and women.
• Constipation / Bowel Dysfunction (Pelvic Floor Related): Improving the coordination, strength, and relaxation of muscles involved in defecation to promote easier and more complete bowel movements.
• Prostatitis Symptoms / Chronic Pelvic Pain in Men (Supportive Care): Supportive physiotherapy care for men experiencing chronic pelvic or prostatic pain, aiming to reduce symptoms and improve daily function and quality of life.

Chronic Pain

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) - Activity Management: Supporting individuals with CFS/ME to manage their symptoms, avoid PEM, and find sustainable ways to engage in activity, often in collaboration with other healthcare providers.
• Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory and mood issues (often called 'fibro fog'), and tender points.

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Specific exercises (e.g., McKenzie exercises, stretching, postural exercises) and strategies to help individuals with ankylosing spondylitis maintain function, reduce stiffness, and prevent long-term spinal changes.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): An inflammatory arthritis that can affect some people with psoriasis (a skin condition), causing joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and sometimes affecting tendons (enthesitis) and ligaments. Can affect small or large joints, often asymmetrically, and sometimes the spine.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: Helping you live well with rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthropathies through targeted physiotherapy interventions designed to manage symptoms, preserve function, and promote overall well-being.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Exercises and advice to manage the impact of gout on your joints, improve mobility, and reduce the likelihood of long-term joint damage.

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. Rehana Meru can assess your needs.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A non-invasive, evidence-based treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and promote tissue regeneration in stubborn soft tissue conditions that haven't responded to other therapies.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Application of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or Interferential Current (IFC) for managing acute or chronic pain conditions by modulating pain signals or promoting the release of endorphins.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): The application of cold packs, ice massage, or other cold modalities by your Physiotherapist to reduce swelling, inflammation, muscle spasm, and acute pain, particularly after an 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.
• 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.
• Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Muscle Retraining: A technique to help you learn how to effectively and efficiently use your pelvic floor muscles, making your exercises more targeted and successful.

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

• Patients often come to Rehana Meru feeling defeated by trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving reduced swelling and inflammation in injured areas and resuming spending hours gardening comfortably, without subsequent back or knee strain becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Many find that that 'arthritic' pain in my hands, hips, or knees significantly impacts their ability to taking group exercise classes at the community center. Rehana Meru helps patients target reduced muscle tension and a feeling of greater physical ease with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Struggling with the frustration of pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard? Rehana Meru develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving improved performance in work-related physical demands. This is key to helping you get back to doing attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Living with working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery doesn't have to be your norm. Rehana Meru applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards being able to climb stairs with ease and confidence once again, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of getting in and out of the car smoothly and without wincing.

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

Rehana Meru practices at Closing the Gap Healthcare, situated in the York Mills West neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Osgoode Hall and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Please inquire regarding specific accessibility needs for our clinic. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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 Closing the Gap Healthcare 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.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

It's difficult to say exactly how many sessions you'll need without a thorough assessment, as everyone's situation and recovery path is unique. Some acute conditions might resolve in just a few sessions, while more chronic, complex, or significant issues may require a longer period of care to achieve lasting results. Your Physiotherapist will provide an estimated treatment timeline and plan after your first visit, and this will be revisited as your treatment progresses.

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 types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Closing the Gap Healthcare treat?

Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes issues like back and neck pain, joint problems (arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy and Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

Closing the Gap Healthcare
35 The Links Road, Suite 202
Toronto, ON, M2P 1T7

Phone: (416) 226-6141

Rehana Meru 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: XXX41

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=a7bf854a-9102-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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