Sarah Jane McNamee – Physiotherapist | Guelph, ON

Sarah Jane McNamee is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Speed River Physiotherapy in Guelph, ON, Sarah’s Harmony in Motion is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion 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. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Sarah Jane McNamee completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Toronto (Graduating Class of 1993). With extensive clinical experience, Sarah’s Harmony in Motion is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Sarah’s Harmony in Motion promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the Guelph community through proactive physiotherapy; empowering patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion offers consultations in English.

Sarah Jane McNamee 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): Focused physiotherapy care for complex hand and wrist problems, often involving custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization), specific exercises to restore dexterity, strength, and range of motion, scar management, and sensory re-education.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Conservative physiotherapy management for trigger digit, which may include splinting to rest the tendon, specific tendon gliding exercises, activity modification advice, modalities to reduce inflammation, and education to prevent recurrence.

Post Surgical

• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Guiding your rehabilitation journey after ACL or other ligament surgery, from early post-operative care to advanced sport-specific training and return-to-play testing.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): Comprehensive post-operative recovery guidance following knee replacement, including exercises, manual therapy, and education to ensure you achieve your best possible function.

Joint Pain

• 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.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Persistent tendon pain that can interfere with your sports, work, or daily activities, often requiring specific loading programs and advice from a physiotherapist for effective management.

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. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Therapeutic traction for the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine, used by physiotherapists to help reduce pain, decompress nerve roots, and improve symptoms associated with conditions like disc herniations, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
• 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.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): Targeted shockwave application to promote tissue regeneration, modulate pain, and improve function in chronic injuries, often with lasting results.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Sarah’s Harmony in Motion, 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 Speed River Physiotherapy, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Rediscover your ability to hitting the slopes for a full day of skiing or snowboarding in winter without the constant burden of trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain. Sarah’s Harmony in Motion focuses on evidence-based treatment plans that lead to learning specific exercises that provide ongoing relief and maintain their progress, integrating various therapeutic techniques for optimal and lasting results.
• Sarah’s Harmony in Motion believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If sharp pain shooting down my leg, feeling a lot like sciatica is hindering your ability to performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back, a personalized plan focusing on increased endurance for walking, allowing for longer and more enjoyable outings can make all the difference.
• Physiotherapy with Sarah’s Harmony in Motion can be a transformative turning point for those affected by trouble with a constantly stiff and sore neck, making turning my head a pain. The shared goal is achieving feeling less fatigued during physical activities and throughout the day, paving the way for you to enjoy taking group exercise classes at the community center and a more active, vibrant life.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Sarah’s Harmony in Motion can help you move beyond persistent dizziness that isn't a spinning vertigo but makes me feel unsteady. The focus is on experiencing significant pain relief, allowing for a more comfortable daily life, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as participating fully in their martial arts practice, including sparring.

Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Sarah’s Harmony in Motion, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Sarah’s Harmony in Motion practices at Speed River Physiotherapy, situated in the Downtown Guelph, Exhibition Park neighborhood of Guelph. The clinic is conveniently located near Old Quebec Street Shoppes and is accessible via Guelph Transit. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiotherapist can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

The primary goal of physiotherapy is generally to reduce pain and improve function, not to cause significant or lasting pain. Some assessment techniques or specific treatments (like deep soft tissue work, joint mobilization, or certain exercises) might cause mild, temporary discomfort or soreness, especially if the tissues being treated are sensitive, inflamed, or very stiff. However, your Physiotherapist will always work within your tolerance levels, communicate clearly about what to expect, and encourage open feedback. If you experience notable or unacceptable pain during treatment, please inform your therapist immediately so adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiotherapist to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

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.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services provided in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in some specific situations, such as post-hospitalization for certain conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams. Eligibility criteria are strict, and there may be waitlists. Most Ontarians will need to rely on private insurance or pay out-of-pocket for physiotherapy services in private clinics. It is essential to check your private insurance coverage and verify your eligibility for any public coverage directly with OHIP.

Speed River Physiotherapy
5 Gordon Street, 102A
Guelph, ON, N1H 4G8

Phone: (519) 836-4800

Sarah Jane McNamee 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: XXX22

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=8ee8e1e2-4d31-e811-813a-480fcff4f671

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