Smibi Skaria – Physiotherapist | Oshawa, ON

Smibi Skaria is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, ON, Smibi Skaria is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Smibi Skaria's role involves addressing 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. Smibi Skaria serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Smibi Skaria completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (Graduating Class of 2002). With clinical experience, Smibi Skaria is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Smibi Skaria has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Smibi Skaria empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results; a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Smibi Skaria offers consultations in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil.

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

Post Surgical

• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Helping you manage pain, improve scar mobility, and regain optimal strength and range of motion in a limb following fracture fixation surgery.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee ligament injuries post-operatively, focusing on restoring full knee function, power, and agility to meet your specific athletic or lifestyle demands.
• 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.
• Post-Hip Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Hip Arthroplasty - THA/PHA): A tailored physiotherapy program following hip joint replacement to optimize your recovery, manage pain, ensure adherence to any precautions, and facilitate a return to an active lifestyle.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Common shoulder problems such as rotator cuff issues (tendinopathy, small tears), impingement syndrome, or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) significantly affecting arm function and daily comfort.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Hip problems that interfere with your mobility, sleep, and daily comfort, which can be effectively managed with physiotherapy interventions.
• Ankle Sprains and Instability: Common ankle injuries causing acute pain, persistent swelling, and instability, significantly affecting your ability to walk, run, or participate in sports.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Aching, sharp pain, a feeling of the knee 'giving way', or difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee.

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): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.

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. Smibi Skaria can assess your needs.

• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Customized exercise plans designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, improve physical performance, and achieve your functional goals safely and effectively.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Guided stretching routines and flexibility exercises prescribed by your Physiotherapist, aimed at improving your range of motion, reducing muscle tightness or stiffness, and enhancing overall movement quality.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Targeted exercises focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, back, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles to provide better support for your spine, improve posture, enhance balance, and increase movement efficiency.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Customized strength training to address specific weaknesses identified in your assessment, helping to correct imbalances, improve movement efficiency, and achieve your physical objectives.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.
• Neural Mobilization Techniques (Nerve Gliding): Gentle, specific movements and mobilizations designed to address nerve-related pain (like sciatica or carpal tunnel symptoms), tingling, numbness, or restrictions by improving the nerve's ability to glide freely and reducing irritation.

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

• If clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk is preventing you from fully enjoying playing in their competitive volleyball league again, Smibi Skaria offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining a noticeable improvement in their gait and walking efficiency, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Smibi Skaria believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If trying to get back to my best after a frustrating sports injury is hindering your ability to handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending, a personalized plan focusing on learning specific exercises that provide ongoing relief and maintain their progress can make all the difference.
• For those whose that persistent ache in my lower back that just won't quit has made operating machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work seem like a distant memory, Smibi Skaria's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward increased flexibility throughout their body, particularly in their back and major joints. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to operating machinery or tools safely and efficiently at work with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• With Smibi Skaria's help, managing aches and pains that I'm pretty sure are from my bad posture at my desk to achieve improved breathing mechanics and capacity through postural correction becomes a clear journey, allowing patients to confidently re-engage with life and activities like painting or drawing for longer stretches without neck or shoulder ache.

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

Smibi Skaria practices at Lakeridge Health, situated in the Vanier, McLaughlin West neighborhood of Oshawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Oshawa Executive Airport and is accessible via Durham Region Transit (DRT). Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Yes, in almost all cases, you will receive a customized home exercise program. These exercises are carefully chosen by your Physiotherapist to specifically target your issues and help you achieve your functional goals faster and more effectively. Performing them as recommended is very important for your progress and for maintaining the improvements you make during your clinic visits.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Lakeridge Health treat?

Physiotherapists at Lakeridge Health treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and general physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription, Stretching & Flexibility Programs, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

What is Lakeridge Health'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 may be charged for late cancellations 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 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 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 that you check your private/extended health insurance plan for coverage, as many plans offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Lakeridge Health
58 Rossland Rd. West
Oshawa, ON, L1G 2V5

Phone: (905) 576-8711

Smibi Skaria 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: XXX12

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=704d848d-9202-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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