Riddhi Patel

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

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Physiotherapy to help you regain optimal use of your hand and wrist after an injury, surgery, or due to a chronic condition, enabling you to return to work, hobbies, and daily tasks.
• 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.

Joint Pain

• 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.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.

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. Riddhi Patel can assess your needs.

• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): The application of focused acoustic waves (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) by a trained Physiotherapist to treat chronic tendon issues (e.g., plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy), calcific tendinosis, and other persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: A comforting physiotherapy modality that helps to soothe tight muscles, decrease pain perception, and improve the flexibility of soft tissues.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: A non-invasive light therapy used in physiotherapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, promote faster healing, reduce pain, and modulate inflammation without generating heat.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.
• 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 Riddhi Patel, 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 Niagara Health & Rehab Centre, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Riddhi Patel frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• When soreness and tightness in my Achilles tendon, especially after exercise is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air, physiotherapy with Riddhi Patel can help you work towards feeling more stable and confident on their feet, especially on uneven surfaces. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• Rediscover your ability to easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips without the constant burden of breathing difficulties and shortness of breath with COPD or asthma, especially during activity. Riddhi Patel focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to sleeping more soundly through the night due to reduced pain and discomfort, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Struggling with the frustration of persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady? Riddhi Patel develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving a deeper understanding of their condition and how to manage it proactively for long-term well-being. This is key to helping you get back to doing spending hours gardening comfortably, without subsequent back or knee strain with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• Through personalized physiotherapy at Riddhi Patel's clinic, common concerns like managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of getting back to enjoying life's simple pleasures without physical limitations. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like working on detailed woodworking projects in their shop without hand pain.

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

Riddhi Patel practices at Niagara Health & Rehab Centre, a reputable physiotherapy clinic in the St. Catharines neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near the Downtown Core and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

What is Niagara Health & Rehab Centre'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 equivalent to 50% of the service cost may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) 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 Niagara Health & Rehab Centre?

Paid parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building. Limited free street parking may be found nearby, but please check local signage for restrictions.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

You can expect your initial physiotherapy visit to be around an hour long. This extended time allows for a comprehensive assessment of your condition and a collaborative discussion about your treatment goals. Subsequent follow-up sessions are generally between 30 and 45 minutes, though this can be adjusted based on your individual requirements. Your Physiotherapist will advise on the appropriate appointment length for your specific care.

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

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral. However, some private/extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

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?

Bring your health card, any doctor's referral letter (if applicable), results of any imaging tests, a list of medications you are currently taking, and your extended health benefits information for direct billing if available. Wear comfortable clothing.

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 specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization), but eligibility criteria are strict. Check your private insurance for coverage.

Niagara Health & Rehab Centre
23 Hannover Dr, Unit 3A
St. Catharines, ON, L2W 1A3

Phone: (289) 362-3600

Riddhi Patel 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: XXX17

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=df7d044d-2396-ee11-be37-0022483d0baf

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