Sharmila Subramanian – Physiotherapist | Scarborough, ON

Sharmila Subramanian is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Geriatric Physiotherapy Focus / Seniors' Health). Practicing at Hellenic Home for the Aged in Scarborough, ON, Sharmila Subramanian is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Sharmila Subramanian focuses on the unique health needs of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain mobility, strength, balance, manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall quality of life and independence. Sharmila Subramanian 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. Sharmila Subramanian serves seniors.

Sharmila Subramanian completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (Graduating Class of 2001). With clinical experience, Sharmila Subramanian is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Sharmila Subramanian has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health.

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

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

Post Surgical

• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): A structured physiotherapy program to manage post-operative pain and swelling, improve knee flexibility and strength, and re-educate your gait pattern after a TKA or PKA.
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Restoring spinal function, core stability, and body mechanics post-operatively, ensuring a safe progression back to work, hobbies, and an active lifestyle.
• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): Specialized physiotherapy focused on regaining shoulder movement, strength, stability, and function after various types of shoulder surgeries, such as rotator cuff repair, labral tear repair, shoulder stabilization procedures (e.g., Bankart repair), or shoulder joint replacement (arthroplasty).
• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): Physiotherapy rehabilitation after total or partial hip replacement surgery, aimed at restoring mobility, strength, balance, and improving your gait pattern, allowing you to perform daily activities safely and effectively.

Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A type of chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine (especially the sacroiliac joints and vertebrae), leading to pain, stiffness, and potential fusion of vertebrae, which can result in a stooped posture if not managed.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-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. Sharmila Subramanian can assess your needs.

• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic injury.
• 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.
• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Helping seniors regain their physical capacity, reduce dependency, and improve their ability to manage at home safely and effectively.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Addressing common concerns in seniors such as difficulty walking, fear of falling, joint pain and stiffness, and deconditioning, to improve their overall quality of life and ability to participate in meaningful activities.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Sharmila Subramanian, 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 Hellenic Home for the Aged, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Sharmila Subramanian frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• When frequent headaches that seem to start from tension in my neck or shoulders is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain, physiotherapy with Sharmila Subramanian can help you work towards decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.
• At Sharmila Subramanian's physiotherapy practice, individuals with managing stiffness, tremors, and movement challenges with Parkinson's disease are guided towards less reliance on pain medication, trusting more in their body's ability to heal and function. The focus is on enabling you to once again participate fully and comfortably in activities you enjoy, such as taking group exercise classes at the community center.
• With Sharmila Subramanian's help, managing recovering from a concussion and dealing with lingering symptoms like dizziness or headaches to achieve much better balance overall, reducing the risk of stumbles or falls becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like getting back to their regular, consistent gym workouts.
• Patients often come to Sharmila Subramanian feeling defeated by loss of strength in one of my limbs after an injury. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving a smoother and stronger postpartum recovery and resuming performing self-care tasks like hair washing or reaching their back becomes a realistic and attainable goal.

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

Sharmila Subramanian practices at Hellenic Home for the Aged, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Scarborough neighborhood of Scarborough, ON. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

It's recommended to wear or bring clothing that allows unrestricted movement and provides easy access for your physiotherapist to examine the body part being assessed or treated. For instance, if you have a knee problem, please wear or bring shorts. For shoulder issues, a sleeveless top or a top with loose armholes is often helpful. The goal is to make the assessment and treatment as effective as possible.

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 Ontarians. 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 recommended to check your private insurance coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Hellenic Home for the Aged treat?

Physiotherapists at Hellenic Home for the Aged treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions common among seniors, including arthritis, post-surgical rehabilitation (hip, knee, shoulder, spine), and age-related deconditioning. They also address balance issues, fall prevention, and pain management. Treatment often involves manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and modalities such as heat and cold therapy.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

Is there parking available at or near Hellenic Home for the Aged?

Ample parking is generally available close to the clinic entrance.

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. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for coverage, so it's best to check your insurance policy.

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.

Hellenic Home for the Aged
2411 Lawrence Ave East
Scarborough, ON, M1P 4X1

Phone: (416) 654-7718

Sharmila Subramanian 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: XXX67

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=4aec0f2a-9502-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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