Seanna Kathleen Clarke-Okah – Physiotherapist | Ottawa, ON

Seanna Kathleen Clarke-Okah is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Neurological Rehabilitation Focus). Practicing at Bruyere Health in Ottawa, ON, Seanna Clarke-Okah is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Seanna Clarke-Okah's focus is assisting individuals in recovering function, improving mobility, managing symptoms, and enhancing quality of life after neurological events or conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease. Seanna Clarke-Okah serves adults.

Seanna Kathleen Clarke-Okah completed their degree in Physiotherapy from University of Queensland (Graduating Class of 2009). With clinical experience, Seanna Clarke-Okah is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Seanna Clarke-Okah has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Neurological Physiotherapy.

Seanna Clarke-Okah embraces a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals; promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Ottawa community through proactive physiotherapy. Seanna Clarke-Okah offers consultations in English.

Seanna Kathleen Clarke-Okah provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Vestibular Balance

• General Balance Deficits and Increased Fall Risk: Practical strategies, exercises, and environmental modification advice to improve your balance, prevent falls, and maintain your independence and activity levels.
• Vestibular Hypofunction (Unilateral or Bilateral): Reduced function of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) inner ear balance systems (vestibular organs), leading to persistent dizziness, gaze instability (difficulty keeping vision clear during head movement), imbalance, and sometimes nausea.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Brief, often intense, episodes of dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) triggered by specific changes in head position (e.g., rolling over in bed, looking up, bending down), caused by displaced inner ear crystals (otoconia).

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.
• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).

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. Seanna Clarke-Okah can assess your needs.

• Manual Therapy (Joint Mobilization & Manipulation): Application of precise, passive movements to joints to decrease stiffness, relieve pain, and facilitate easier, more comfortable movement.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Improving the mobility and health of your nervous system to reduce pain, restore sensation, and enhance overall function.
• Balance Training & Falls Prevention Programs: Targeted exercises and strategies designed by your Physiotherapist to improve your stability, coordination, lower limb strength, and body awareness (proprioception), thereby reducing your risk of falls, particularly beneficial for older adults or individuals with balance impairments.
• Neurological Rehabilitation (e.g., Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, Acquired Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury): Specialized therapeutic interventions provided by a Neuro Physiotherapist to assist individuals in recovering function, improving mobility, balance, coordination, strength, and independence following a neurological event or diagnosis.
• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Management & Rehabilitation: Specialized physiotherapy to address persistent concussion symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, balance problems, visual disturbances, and difficulty concentrating or tolerating activity.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Application of skilled soft tissue techniques to manage pain, stiffness, and improve function in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Seanna Clarke-Okah, 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 Bruyere Health, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Seanna Clarke-Okah frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Through personalized physiotherapy at Seanna Clarke-Okah's clinic, common concerns like experiencing discomfort, back pain, or pelvic girdle pain during or after pregnancy are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of improved overall mobility, making it easier to navigate their home and community. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation.
• Seanna Clarke-Okah believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If loss of strength in one of my limbs after an injury is hindering your ability to easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips, a personalized plan focusing on getting back their independence with daily activities and personal care can make all the difference.
• Living with recovering from a painful and limiting work-related injury (WCB/CNESST/WorkSafe claim) doesn't have to be your norm. Seanna Clarke-Okah applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards getting their strength back after surgery or a period of inactivity, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day.
• Are you finding that that 'arthritic' pain in my hands, hips, or knees stops you from enjoying getting back to golfing 18 holes without their back acting up? Seanna Clarke-Okah is dedicated to helping patients like you achieve a significantly reduced risk of falling, enhancing safety and independence through a hands-on, active approach to physiotherapy.

Your personalized physiotherapy plan, developed with Seanna Clarke-Okah, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives.

Seanna Clarke-Okah practices at Bruyere Health, situated in the Centretown West, Chinatown neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Parliament Buildings and is accessible via OC Transpo (O-Train LRT, Bus). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

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 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. It is strongly advised to check your private insurance for coverage of services in private clinics.

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.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This is very individual and depends on many factors. After your comprehensive initial assessment, your Physiotherapist will be able to give you a better idea of the anticipated number of sessions and the frequency of visits needed to achieve your specific goals. We believe in open communication and will regularly review your progress with you, adjusting the treatment plan as you improve and as needed.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

Some temporary post-treatment soreness can be normal, much like after a good workout. However, if your pain significantly worsens, if you develop new concerning symptoms, or if the discomfort doesn't settle down within a day or two, please call us. Your Physiotherapist would want to know so they can offer guidance and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan. Open communication is key to your successful recovery.

Bruyere Health
60 Cambridge Street
Ottawa, ON, K1R 7A5

Phone: (613) 562-6262

Seanna Kathleen Clarke-Okah 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: XXX08

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=b89604af-129d-ea11-a812-000d3af42c56

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