Alex Ruth

Qualifications

• Registered Physiotherapist
• Dry Needling certified by Integrated Dry Needling (CIDN)
• GLA:D Canada Trained Practitioner: Managing hip and knee osteoarthritis

Teaching Involvement 

• Teaching Assistant University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Practice (MSK) Unit 2
• Lecturer, University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy; Social, Political, Ethical and Cultural Considerations in Health Care

Services Offered

• Physiotherapy
• Paediatric Physiotherapy
• Manual Therapy
• Dry Needling
• Shockwave Therapy
• GLA:D Exercises Classes

Since obtaining her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto, Alex has emerged as a physiotherapy leader in clinical practice, as an educator and as an advocate for her work with communities who have been structurally marginalized.

Alex’s clinical skills include comprehensive neuromusculoskeletal assessment and treatment for clients throughout the lifespan, from helping children achieve their developmental milestones, to helping adults and seniors stay active and maximize their independence. Alex values the importance of the therapeutic relationship and strives to provide the utmost patient-centered care, by helping clients achieve their individual goals while considering their unique life experiences and prioritizing comfort, communication and trauma-informed care. She is proud to be included on the Rainbow Health Ontario service provider directory, demonstrating her commitment to providing competent and welcoming care to 2SLGBTQ people in Ontario.

Alex is dedicated to her continuing education and remaining up to date with current physiotherapy research. She has taken advanced courses in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, shoulder rehabilitation, neurodevelopmental therapy, and integrated dry needling. She is currently working towards her FCAMPT (Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy) designation.

Alex’s work outside of the clinic includes teaching at the University of Toronto in the Department of Physical Therapy, on anti-oppression and critical allyship for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. She is also a co-founder of the Queer Physiotherapy Collective, a community of practice for Queer and Transgender physiotherapists and students in Canada.

In her spare time, Alex enjoys staying active with Pilates, boxing and Muay Thai, as well as relaxing with her cat and a good book.

Publications

• Considerations for addressing cisgenderism and heterosexism in Canadian outpatient physiotherapy clinics. Houlding-Braunberger, E., Greasley, C., Richardson, A.I.J., Parrott-Mautner, K., Reed, C., Taylor, A., Ruth, A., Beavers, L., & Nixon, S. (2024).
• Experiences engaging in a group-based physiotherapist-led exercise programme for adults living with HIV and complex multimorbidity: a qualitative study. Homayouni, T. S., Ruth, A., Abbott-Tate, Z., Burger, H., Rahim, S., Murray, C., Wannamaker, R., Chan Carusone, S., & O’Brien, K. K. (2021). BMJ open, 11(7), e045158.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/7/e045158.abstract

Learn more about the some of the conditions and people that Alex treats

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy 
• Meniscus Injury
• Achilles Tendinopathy
• Posture and Ergonomics
• Paediatric physiotherapy 
• Cancer exercise rehabilitation 
• GLA:D Canada Exercise Program 
• Long COVID and Physiotherapy Management

Blog Posts

• 5 tips for getting back to exercise after a break
• Reducing falls with exercise
• Getting kids active
• Rehabilitation after COVID-19