Heather Mary Venhuizen – Physiotherapist | Orangeville, ON

Heather Mary Venhuizen is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville, ON, Heather Venhuizen is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Heather Venhuizen's focus is 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. Heather Venhuizen serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Heather Mary Venhuizen completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Queen's University (Graduating Class of 2008). With extensive clinical experience, Heather Venhuizen is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Heather Venhuizen has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Heather Venhuizen employs a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Heather Venhuizen has a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Heather Venhuizen offers consultations in English.

Heather Mary Venhuizen provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Specialized physiotherapy for conditions affecting the intricate structures of the hand and wrist, such as fractures (e.g., Colles', scaphoid), tendon lacerations or ruptures (e.g., flexor/extensor tendon repairs), ligament sprains/tears (e.g., skier's thumb, TFCC injuries), repetitive strain injuries, or arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis). Includes both conservative management and post-operative rehabilitation.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Conservative physiotherapy management for trigger digit, which may include splinting to rest the tendon, specific tendon gliding exercises, activity modification advice, modalities to reduce inflammation, and education to prevent recurrence.

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Neck, shoulder, and upper back discomfort, often accompanied by headaches or 'brain fog', after a sudden jerking motion of the head, such as in a rear-end collision.
• Spinal Stenosis Symptoms: Often age-related changes leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs with walking (neurogenic claudication in lumbar stenosis) or in the arms/hands (cervical stenosis).
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Sharp, shooting, electric-like, or burning pain that travels along the path of a nerve due to issues with intervertebral discs or other spinal structures.

Joint Pain

• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A chronic condition causing joint discomfort, stiffness (especially in the morning or after inactivity), and impacting your ability to perform daily activities, walk, or engage in hobbies.
• 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.

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. Heather Venhuizen can assess your needs.

• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Teaching you essential strategies and exercises to manage your symptoms independently, accelerate recovery, and prevent future problems.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Evidence-based exercise programs designed by your physiotherapist, including instruction and progression, to optimize your recovery and enhance your physical well-being.
• 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.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Education on optimal body mechanics and corrective strategies to improve your posture during daily activities, work, and recreation.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: A thorough evaluation by your Physiotherapist to accurately diagnose movement dysfunctions, injuries, and the underlying sources of your pain.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): Identifying inefficient or compensatory movement patterns that could be contributing to your pain or hindering your physical performance.

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

• Discover how physiotherapy with Heather Venhuizen can help you move beyond difficulty moving one side of my body or walking easily after a stroke. The focus is on enjoying family vacations and outings with more energy and less pain, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as returning to a specific physical hobby they had to give up due to pain.
• Many individuals seek help from Heather Venhuizen, their physiotherapist, when difficulty coordinating my movements, feeling clumsy starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve a significant improvement in their overall quality of life and daily well-being, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like walking their children to school or the park.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of recovering my strength and mobility after a knee or hip replacement surgery? Heather Venhuizen works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of better managing flare-ups with personalized strategies and feeling more in control of their symptoms. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as tackling home renovation and DIY projects with confidence.
• Physiotherapy with Heather Venhuizen can be a transformative turning point for those affected by recovering from surgery to my hand or wrist. The shared goal is achieving regaining full function in an injured area, enabling a return to cherished activities, paving the way for you to enjoy maintaining their balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails and a more active, vibrant life.

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

Heather Venhuizen practices at Headwaters Health Care Centre, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Orangeville neighborhood of Orangeville. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

How can I book an appointment at Headwaters Health Care Centre?

You can book an appointment by calling our clinic directly at (519) 941-2410 during our business hours. Our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable appointment time with the right physiotherapist for your needs.

What kind of clothing should I wear to my physiotherapy appointment?

Comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement is best for your physiotherapy appointment – think about what you might wear to a gym or for light exercise. If you're being treated for a lower-body issue (like hip or knee pain), shorts are very helpful. For upper-body issues (like shoulder or neck pain), a tank top or loose t-shirt is suitable so the Physiotherapist can properly examine and treat the area.

What should I do if my condition seems to worsen after a physiotherapy session?

Some temporary post-treatment soreness can be normal, much like after a good workout. However, if your pain significantly worsens, if you develop new concerning symptoms, or if the discomfort doesn't settle down within a day or two, please call us. Your Physiotherapist would want to know so they can offer guidance and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan. Open communication is key to your successful recovery.

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

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

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

The number of physiotherapy sessions required varies greatly from person to person. It depends on several factors, including the nature and severity of your condition, how long you've had the issue (acute vs. chronic), your individual treatment goals, your body's unique response to therapy, and how consistently you are able to follow your prescribed home exercise program and self-management advice. Your Physiotherapist will discuss a proposed treatment frequency and estimated duration after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress with you.

Is there parking available at or near Headwaters Health Care Centre?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside our building. Look for the designated patient spots.

Is there anything specific I should bring to my first physiotherapy appointment?

It's helpful to bring your health card, any referral letters from other healthcare providers if you were referred, and any reports or images from relevant medical tests (X-rays, MRIs, etc.) related to your condition. If you have private insurance coverage for physiotherapy, please bring your insurance card or policy details for billing purposes. Comfortable attire that allows for easy movement during the assessment is also recommended.

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 that you check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Headwaters Health Care Centre
100 Rolling Hills Dr.
Orangeville, ON, L9W 4X9

Phone: (519) 941-2410

Heather Mary Venhuizen 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: XXX38

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=c0d2d865-8f02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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