Betty Joan Stengel – Physiotherapist | St. Catharines, ON

Betty Joan Stengel is a dedicated Physiotherapist (Geriatric Physiotherapy Focus / Seniors' Health). Practicing at Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. Catharines, ON, BJ is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. BJ focuses on the unique health needs of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain mobility, strength, balance, manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall quality of life and independence. BJ serves seniors.

Betty Joan Stengel completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Mohawk College (Graduating Class of 1988). With extensive clinical experience, BJ is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. BJ has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health.

BJ empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. BJ adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. BJ uses a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. BJ offers consultations in English.

Betty Joan Stengel provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Arthritis

• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Helping to manage the musculoskeletal aspects of psoriatic disease, working in conjunction with medical management to optimize your physical function and comfort.
• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Physiotherapy to address residual joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and functional loss after an acute gout attack has subsided, or to help manage musculoskeletal impairments and tophi-related issues associated with chronic gout, always in conjunction with appropriate medical management for urate control.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: An autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, swelling, and potential deformity in multiple joints, often symmetrically. Physiotherapy aims to manage pain, maintain joint function and mobility, improve strength and endurance, provide joint protection strategies, and support self-management.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis focuses on maintaining spinal mobility and flexibility (especially extension), improving posture, strengthening core and back muscles, managing pain, and providing education on self-management and regular exercise.

Post Surgical

• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Guiding your rehabilitation journey after ACL or other ligament surgery, from early post-operative care to advanced sport-specific training and return-to-play testing.
• Post-Knee Replacement Rehabilitation (Total or Partial Knee Arthroplasty - TKA/PKA): The crucial rehabilitation phase following total or partial knee replacement surgery, with physiotherapy focusing on restoring range of motion, building strength, improving balance, managing pain and swelling, and enabling functional mobility (e.g., walking, stairs, getting in/out of a car).
• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Gentle and progressive physiotherapy rehabilitation following spinal surgery (e.g., for disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or spinal fusion), initiated once cleared by your surgeon, to improve mobility, core strength, posture, reduce pain, and safely return to daily activities.
• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Physiotherapy aimed at restoring movement, strength, and function after surgical repair of broken bones (e.g., Open Reduction Internal Fixation - ORIF, intramedullary nailing), once the fracture site is sufficiently healed and cleared for rehabilitation by your surgeon.

Common Musculoskeletal

• Wrist and Hand Pain (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, Strains): Disorders affecting hand and wrist function, making daily tasks such as gripping objects, typing, writing, or fine motor activities difficult and painful.
• Low Back Pain (Acute or Chronic): Common back problems that can impact your posture, ability to perform daily activities, and overall mobility, addressed with targeted physiotherapy.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries (General - Tendinitis, Bursitis, Capsulitis, Sprains, Strains): Damage to the body's movement system, including issues like joint inflammation, ligament tears, or muscle overstretching, often requiring physiotherapy for optimal recovery.
• Hip Pain (e.g., Bursitis, Muscle Strains, Labral Issues - conservative): Pain affecting the hip joint and surrounding musculature, which can limit activities like walking, standing for long periods, rising from a chair, or lying on the affected side.

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. BJ can assess your needs.

• Stretching & Flexibility Programs: Specific stretches designed by your therapist to target tight muscle groups relevant to your condition, helping to improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
• Strength & Conditioning for Rehabilitation and Performance: Progressive resistance training programs designed by your Physiotherapist to improve muscle performance, support joint health, and enhance functional capacity for daily life or sport.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Tailored exercise prescription, education on safe movement, manual therapy (gentle techniques), and functional training to help seniors maintain their independence, enhance safety in their home and community, and promote active and healthy aging.
• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Customized exercise plans designed to help you recover from injury, manage chronic conditions, improve physical performance, and achieve your functional goals safely and effectively.
• 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.
• General Reconditioning & Fitness Programs: Structured physical activities and exercises aimed at helping you safely regain strength, stamina, and confidence in your body's abilities, tailored to your current level.

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

• Patients often come to BJ feeling defeated by that grinding or crunching feeling in my knee or shoulder. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving learning specific exercises that provide ongoing relief and maintain their progress and resuming playing their musical instrument (guitar, piano, violin, etc.) for extended periods becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• BJ believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery is hindering your ability to pushing a stroller or shopping cart without difficulty, a personalized plan focusing on enhanced ability to participate in social and community events can make all the difference.
• If that nagging tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow) that flares up with activity is preventing you from fully enjoying engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours, BJ offers expert guidance and tailored treatment. Physiotherapy focuses on attaining feeling more resilient and less vulnerable to minor strains or injuries, often utilizing targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to help you regain your previous level of function.
• Many individuals seek help from BJ, their physiotherapist, when pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve seeing their child achieve developmental milestones with greater ease (for pediatric physio), empowering them to joyfully return to activities like playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain.

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

BJ practices at Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre, situated in the Merritton, Thorold South (Brock University Area) neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near Fairview Mall and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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 Ontarians. 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 waitlists may apply. Always check your private/extended health insurance plan, as many offer significant physiotherapy coverage for services in private clinics.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

While some physiotherapy techniques might feel uncomfortable or cause a temporary increase in soreness (similar to muscle soreness after a new workout), especially when working on stiff joints or tight muscles, it should not be excessively or intolerably painful. Your Physiotherapist will discuss what sensations you might expect with different treatments and will always aim to adjust the intensity and techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible while still achieving therapeutic benefits. Constant communication about your comfort level is very important.

What types of conditions do Physiotherapists at Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre treat?

Physiotherapists at Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre treat a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, issues like back and neck pain, joint problems (such as arthritis or post-surgical recovery), sports injuries, and nerve pain. We also have therapists with specialized skills in areas like Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health and general physiotherapy. Our treatments often involve manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education to help you achieve your functional goals.

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.

What is Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre'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 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 may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments without sufficient notice. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

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 (direct access). However, some private/extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement. Check your insurance policy before your first appointment.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy in physiotherapy encompasses hands-on interventions like joint glides, sustained pressures, soft tissue massage, and joint manipulations to reduce pain, increase joint movement, relax muscles, or improve nerve mobility.

I have private health insurance. How does that work with physiotherapy payments?

Many private health insurance plans offer coverage for physiotherapy. Contact your insurer before your appointment to understand your plan's specifics (annual maximum, per-visit limits, co-payments, referral requirements, and direct billing options). If direct billing is possible, we can bill your insurer; otherwise, we'll provide a receipt for your claim.

Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre
541 Glenridge Ave.
St. Catharines, ON, L2T 4C2

Phone: (905) 685-1381

Betty Joan Stengel 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: XXX53

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=bacb3754-8a02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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