Valerie Elizabeth Hawke – Physiotherapist | Toronto, ON

Valerie Elizabeth Hawke is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Leaside Sports Medicine in Toronto, ON, Valerie Hawke is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Valerie Hawke 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. Valerie Hawke serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Valerie Elizabeth Hawke completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Shenandoah University (Graduating Class of 2007). With extensive clinical experience, Valerie Hawke is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Valerie Hawke has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Valerie Hawke employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Valerie Hawke maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care, promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Toronto community through proactive physiotherapy. Valerie Hawke offers consultations in English.

Valerie Elizabeth Hawke provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Post Surgical

• 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.
• 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-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.

Back Neck Pain

• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Discomfort, aching, stiffness, or muscle fatigue in the back or neck arising from sustained or awkward postures during daily activities, prolonged work (e.g., desk work, computer use), or sleep.
• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Post-traumatic neck pain, restricted movement, and associated issues common after car accidents, which benefit from early and appropriate physiotherapy intervention.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Back or neck pain that often radiates into an arm or leg, potentially with numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensations, due to a spinal disc problem (herniation, protrusion, or bulge) compressing or irritating a nearby nerve root (radiculopathy). Sciatica specifically refers to radicular pain down the leg.

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): 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.

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. Valerie Hawke can assess your needs.

• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: Specialized workouts to enhance your core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for injury prevention, back health, and efficient performance in daily activities and sports.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Targeted exercises using resistance (such as bodyweight, resistance bands, free weights, or gym equipment) to build muscle strength, power, and endurance, tailored to your specific rehabilitation needs or performance goals.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization & Release Techniques: Hands-on treatment focusing on your body's soft tissues to restore pliability, reduce discomfort, and optimize movement quality.
• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Education and instruction on effective and safe stretching techniques to help you maintain or improve your body's flexibility and joint mobility.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Using controlled isometric and isotonic muscle contractions, as directed by your Physiotherapist, to address joint restrictions and muscle imbalances effectively.
• 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.

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

• Physiotherapy with Valerie Hawke can be a transformative turning point for those affected by difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning shirts or writing due to hand pain. The shared goal is achieving a noticeable improvement in their gait and walking efficiency, paving the way for you to enjoy swimming laps at the pool for fitness and relaxation and a more active, vibrant life.
• Many individuals seek help from Valerie Hawke, their physiotherapist, when pain in my shins when I try to run or be active (shin splints) starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve increased endurance for walking, allowing for longer and more enjoyable outings, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like getting in and out of the car smoothly and without wincing.
• Patients struggling with that 'pins and needles' feeling that won't go away can find dedicated and compassionate support from Valerie Hawke. The therapeutic focus is squarely on achieving feeling less fatigued during physical activities and throughout the day, using a range of physiotherapy services to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as getting back to golfing 18 holes without their back acting up.
• The path to recovery from recovering my strength and energy after being very sick (like with pneumonia or Long COVID) and achieving less reliance on pain medication, trusting more in their body's ability to heal and function for giving presentations or speaking publicly with confidence and good posture often starts with expert guidance. Valerie Hawke, a skilled physiotherapist, provides just that.

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

Valerie Hawke practices at Leaside Sports Medicine, located in the Leaside neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Chinatown and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Please inquire regarding specific accessibility needs for our clinic. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

What is Leaside Sports Medicine'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 (or one business day) 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 equivalent to 50% of the service cost may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments (no-shows) without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

What are Leaside Sports Medicine's operating hours?

Leaside Sports Medicine 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 our office or check our website for the most current hours and specific practitioner availability.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Your first physiotherapy appointment, which includes a detailed assessment and the development of your initial treatment plan, usually takes about 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled for 30 to 45 minutes. The exact duration of each session will depend on the nature of your treatment and what your Physiotherapist has planned for that specific visit to best help you progress.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Physiotherapist in ON?

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a physician's referral (this is known as direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans do require a referral for reimbursement of physiotherapy services. It is strongly advised to check the specific requirements of your individual insurance policy before your first appointment.

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 private clinic coverage and to verify your specific eligibility for any public coverage directly with OHIP.

Leaside Sports Medicine
1929 Bayview Ave, 203
Toronto, ON, M4G 3E8

Phone: (647) 368-6280

Valerie Elizabeth Hawke 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: XXX42

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=4b24ed59-e0ac-e911-a988-000d3af475a9

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