About
Sandy Heming is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic in Toronto, ON, Sandy Heming is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Sandy Heming 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. Sandy Heming serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.
Sandy Heming completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 2002). With extensive clinical experience, Sandy Heming is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Sandy Heming has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Sandy Heming maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Sandy Heming adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Sandy Heming offers consultations in English, Portuguese.
Sandy Heming 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): Managing a variety of acute and chronic conditions of the hand and wrist, aiming to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term disability.
- 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): Commonly known as 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, this condition affects various joints, often worsening with age, overuse, or previous injury, and can significantly impact daily function.
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): Physiotherapy to address residual joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and functional loss after an acute gout attack has subsided, or to help manage musculoskeletal impairments and tophi-related issues associated with chronic gout, always in conjunction with appropriate medical management for urate control.
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. Sandy Heming can assess your needs.
- Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Utilizing traction techniques to create space within the spine, reduce nerve irritation, improve disc hydration, and alleviate back or neck pain.
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): Targeted shockwave application to promote tissue regeneration, modulate pain, and improve function in chronic injuries, often with lasting results.
- Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
- General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Structured physical activities and exercises aimed at helping you safely regain strength, stamina, and confidence in your body's abilities, tailored to your current level.
- Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
- Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Personalized programs incorporating various stretching techniques (e.g., static, dynamic, PNF) to alleviate stiffness, increase tissue extensibility, and promote better posture.
Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Sandy Heming, 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 David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Sandy Heming frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- With Sandy Heming's help, managing my baby/child having trouble with their motor skills, like delayed rolling, sitting or walking to achieve increased flexibility throughout their body, particularly in their back and major joints becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like getting back to golfing 18 holes without their back acting up.
- It's truly rewarding for Sandy Heming to witness patients conquer pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard and experience a better ability to cope with the physical stresses of daily life. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours again.
- Struggling with the frustration of feeling like my joints are just 'wearing out' and getting harder to move? Sandy Heming develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving resuming gardening, hobbies, or household tasks without strain or discomfort. This is key to helping you get back to doing performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
- Patients often come to Sandy Heming feeling defeated by recovering from a concussion and dealing with lingering symptoms like dizziness or headaches. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving improved ability to lift and carry objects correctly and safely and resuming enduring their daily commute, whether driving or on public transit, without stiffness becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Sandy Heming, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.
Sandy Heming practices at David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic, situated in the University of Toronto, Harbord neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Toronto Reference Library and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.
- 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.
- What are David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic's operating hours?
- David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic 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 the clinic or check their website 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.
- Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?
- Physiotherapy should not be painful. While some discomfort or stretching sensation might be felt, especially initially, it should not be distressing or harmful. Your Physiotherapist will adjust treatments to ensure your comfort.
- Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?
- Yes. Physiotherapy can assess movement, identify weaknesses, and provide personalized exercise programs to prevent future injuries and recurring pain.
- What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?
- Physiotherapy helps you move effectively and comfortably. Your Physiotherapist will create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your functional goals and live a more active life.
- What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic treat?
- Our Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, joint problems, sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also offer specialized services like Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education.
David L. MacIntosh Sports Medicine Clinic
100 Devonshire Place, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON, M5S 2C9
Phone: (416) 978-4678
Sandy Heming 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: XXX50
Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=77f5353b-8d02-e811-813c-480fcff44541
Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new treatment program.