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About Ottawa Rehab Protocols

Your Recovery Starts Here

Ottawa Rehab Protocols is an academic project founded by a group of rehabilitation practitioners who share a passion for research and evidence-based practice. Our mission is to create and share reliable, up-to-date rehabilitation protocols for musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries, including both surgical and non-surgical management.

Our team includes physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other rehabilitation specialists with advanced post-graduate education, including PhD graduates and doctoral students, combining academic knowledge with real-world clinical experience.

We work collaboratively on various topics related to MSK injuries, continuously reviewing new research to develop and refine protocols that can guide both clinicians and patients toward optimal recovery outcomes.

Each member of our research group may practice in different regions across Canada, mainly within Ontario.
Feel free to explore their profiles to connect and learn more about their clinical practices.


Meet Our Team

Working together for Better Rehab

At Ottawa Rehab Protocols, our team brings together rehabilitation professionals who combine clinical expertise with a strong background in research. We’re not just practitioners, we are researchers committed to advancing rehabilitation science and transforming evidence into practical, accessible rehab protocols.

Ben B. Lahouti – BSc PT, MSc, DPT (Candidate)

Physiotherapist

Ben is a registered physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Exercise Neuroscience from Memorial University of Newfoundland. During his Master’s studies, he focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms and neurophysiological changes in the nervous system in response to exercise. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) at The College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota, USA. Ben has extensive clinical experience working with athletic populations, particularly soccer players, and holds the FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, along with several post-graduate certifications in manual therapy. He has also published peer-reviewed research in respected journals, including Experimental Brain Research and others.
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Sobhan (Soby) Sobhani, PT, PhD

Sobhan (Soby) Sobhani – MSc PT, PhD

Physiotherapist

Sobhan (Soby) is a registered physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Sports Physiotherapy from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Iran) and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Groningen (Netherlands). His PhD research focused on the effects of various types of footwear on Achilles tendinopathy and also running performance. He has published over 30 scientific papers in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals such as Physical Therapy in Sport, Human Movement Science, Gait & Posture, British Journal of Sports Medicine, and Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. See below for the full list of publications.
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Dr. Nima Jalali, DC Chiropractor

Nima Jalali – BSc KIN, DC

Chiropractor

Dr. Nima, our chiropractor, has a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a strong foundation in exercise-based therapy. His treatment approach blends manual techniques with active rehab, making him a key resource for both post-op recovery and sport-specific rehabilitation.
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Milad – MSc PT, PhD (Candidate)

Milad Ataeian – MSc PT, PhD (Candidate)

Physiotherapist

Milad is a Registered Physiotherapist with over a decade of international clinical experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, orthopedic injuries, and sports-related conditions. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and is currently completing his PhD in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University, where his research focuses on the clinical application of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in physiotherapy practice. Milad has extensive experience treating patients of all ages with acute and chronic injuries, post-surgical conditions, and long-standing movement impairments. His approach is grounded in evidence-based care, emphasizing pain reduction, improved mobility, strength restoration, and safe return to full function. He remains committed to advancing rehabilitation science through ongoing research and clinical practice.

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Afsoon Razmjooee - Certified orthotist and founder of Orthomake Clinic in Ottawa

Afsoon Razmjooee

Orthotist

Afsoon is a certified orthotist and founder of Orthomake Clinic in Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Iran and completed a 2-year residency in Clinical Orthotics Management. With over 18 years of experience in designing and providing custom orthoses for the legs, arms, spine, and feet, she has helped clients of all ages improve their function, mobility, and quality of life. Fluent in English, French, and Farsi, Afsoon is committed to serving the community with compassion and professionalism.


Fatemeh Ehteshami - Physiotherapist - MSC PT, PhD Candidate

Fatemeh Ehteshami – MSC PT, PhD Candidate

Physiotherapist

Fatemeh is a dedicated physiotherapist and current PhD Candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Physiotherapy) at the University of Western Ontario. She holds a Master of Science in Sport Physiotherapy and brings a wealth of clinical experience, including 5 years of practice in pelvic floor rehabilitation, acute care, and musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation. During her MSc, Fatemeh focused on telerehabilitation for shoulder pain — a growing area of practice that bridges patient care with evidence-based digital health delivery. Her academic pursuits are complemented by her passion for patient-centred care, functional recovery, and supporting individuals across the lifespan.

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Alireza Tahmasbi- Physiotherapist- MSC PT, PhD (Candidate)

Alireza Tahmasbi – MSC PT, PhD (Candidate)

Physiotherapist

Alireza is a physiotherapist and PhD Candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. Alireza’s doctoral research focuses on improving outcomes following orthopedic surgeries in individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis. He brings a strong clinical background in both inpatient and outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation, along with several peer-reviewed publications in the field of physiotherapy. Passionate about evidence-based practice, Alireza is dedicated to generating and synthesizing high-quality research to support clinicians in delivering high-value musculoskeletal care. His goal is to integrate clinical expertise with rigorous research to enhance patient outcomes and translate scientific knowledge into practical, meaningful improvements in rehabilitation practice.
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Mahsa Mohammadzadeh, MSc OT, PhD (Candidate)

Mahsa Mohammadzadeh – MSc OT, PhD (Candidate)

Occupational Therapy

Mahsa holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is currently a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She brings valuable clinical experience in adult neurological rehabilitation across both hospital and private practice settings, including inpatient and outpatient care. Her clinical background includes working with individuals living with stroke, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. Through her doctoral research, Mahsa continues to expand her focus on spinal cord injury and participation, with particular attention to the Canadian healthcare and policy context. She is passionate about bridging clinical practice and research to enhance rehabilitation outcomes and ensure evidence-informed care that supports long-term participation and inclusion.

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Leyla Sefiddashti- MSc PT, PhD (Candidate)

Leyla Sefiddashti – MSc PT, PhD (Candidate)

Resident Physiotherapist

Leyla is a resident physiotherapist passionate about helping individuals recover from injuries, restore function, and improve overall quality of life. She has a strong clinical focus on sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, and biomechanics, bringing over seven years of experience working with professional and competitive athletes. She has served as the physiotherapist for elite teams, including the Women’s National Wushu Team at the 8th Wushu Sanda World Cup. Leyla is currently a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa, where her research focuses on playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in music students. Her clinical expertise includes Dry Needling, Corrective Exercise, and Functional Movement Screening.

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The Gap We Noticed

Although high-quality evidence and standard protocols exist for procedures like tendon repairs, ligament reconstructions, and joint replacements, we found no centralized, go-to resource, especially one that could serve both healthcare professionals and patients in a practical, adaptable way. That realization sparked the idea for this platform several years ago.

Physiotherapist studying PubMed article on shoulder replacement post-op rehab, showing the evidence gap our platform addresses.

Our Process

Research

We began a deep dive into the most reliable research and medical guidelines available. Our goal was to ensure everything we present is grounded in strong, evidence-based practices.

Structure

We carefully selected and reviewed key articles under each topic, summarized countless pages of evidence, and extracted the core principles that mattered most to recovery.

Refine

The protocols were further enhanced with the latest clinical findings and real-world feedback, blending science with hands-on expertise to ensure they’re practical and adaptable.