Monate Praamsma, Physiotherapist

I have always felt a great pull toward helping people, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in a helping, health-care profession. I grew up in the Ottawa Valley near Almonte, and as a child, after experiencing my own injuries (during daily activities, sports, and ballet), I saw clearly how physiotherapists can transform people’s lives, by giving them the tools to work with their own bodies and easing the pain they experience.

With Masters degrees in Kinesiology and Physiotherapy from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, treating patients with orthopedic and sports injuries, as well as neurological injuries and conditions. Over the years, however, I’ve become deeply interested in treating pelvic health issues (for all genders), particularly for people before and after they give birth.

I aim to provide people with holistic care that helps them feel strong and empowered. Pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for babies present many challenges, both physical and mental. In my practice, I help with many of the issues that arise, including general pelvic pain, urinary pain and incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pain during sex, limitations in movement, and sacroiliac (SI) pain, among other issues. I also help people make a plan after childbirth for a return to physical activity, such as running or fitness classes, tailored to their own goals.

I am a lifelong learner and find great joy in taking courses so I can then apply the most up to date, evidence based, clinical skills and practices for my clients. I will forever feel there will always be more to learn and continue to look forward to more learning. My list of courses and certifications is long some of which includes:

  • Hypopressives Level 1; Ramona Horton’s Visceral Urinary System course
  • Antony Lo’s The Female Athlete course; Birth Healing Institute (postpartum body)
  • Holly Herman’s Finessing your pelvic exams and treatments
  • Susan Clinton’s Advanced GI  anorectal and Pelvic Floor Course
  • Pelvic Health Solutions Levels 1-4 (Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Pain and Pregnancy courses)
  • Diane Lee: Thorax and Pelvis and Treating women with Pelvic Girdle Pain
  • Julie Wiebe’s Athlete courses; Advanced Motor Control Training of the Spine (Dr. Paul Hodges)
  • Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Manual Therapy Level 2, Soft Tissue Release

Besides offering one-on-one client centered therapy sessions I also offer several group physiotherapy classes (currently through Zoom). I developed and led these group classes as a wonderful way to progress my clients through their rehab and focus on achieving their specific movement goals. These classes include: Postnatal Core Restore, Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), Prenatal movement and prepare for birth and Postnatal Return to Running Classes.

My own life provides constant inspiration and motivation for my work. I have three children, and I see motherhood as a journey, one that shifts and changes and requires new ways of caring for myself and my body, along with the needs and goals of my kids. I live with my husband, our kids, and our cat in the wonderful neighbourhood of Carlington in Ottawa, just a short walk from Core Connections Physiotherapy Clinic. We love to keep active, and we head to Gatineau Park and other beautiful areas as much as possible, for skiing, hiking, canoeing, and camping.

Email: monate@core-connections.ca
Hours:
Mondays 8:30 am – 11:30 am and 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Tuesdays 8:30 am – 11:30 am and 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Thursdays 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Fridays 8:30 am – 1:00 pm

Services provided in English.