Candice Jennifer Vermeulen – Physiotherapist | St. Catharines, ON

Candice Jennifer Vermeulen is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Niagara Health & Rehab Centre in St. Catharines, ON, Candice is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Candice'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. Candice serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

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

Candice's practice philosophy centers on empowering patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Candice has a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best possible care. Candice offers consultations in English.

Candice Jennifer Vermeulen provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Back Neck Pain

• 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.
• 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).
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: Pain and muscle tension related to ergonomic factors at work or home, muscle imbalances, and suboptimal body mechanics or movement habits.

Hand Wrist

• 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.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Managing a variety of acute and chronic conditions of the hand and wrist, aiming to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent long-term disability.

Common Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• Knee Pain (e.g., Patellofemoral Syndrome, Meniscal Issues - conservative, Ligament Sprains): Pain, swelling, clicking, locking, or instability in or around the knee joint from various causes like ligament sprains (e.g., ACL, MCL), meniscal tears (managed conservatively), or patellofemoral (kneecap) pain.

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. Candice can assess your needs.

• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: Utilizing targeted electrical currents to help alleviate pain, manage discomfort, and support healing in conjunction with other physiotherapy interventions.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Application: The application of high-frequency sound waves by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to promote deep tissue heating, increase local blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate the healing process in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): The application of focused acoustic waves (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) by a trained Physiotherapist to treat chronic tendon issues (e.g., plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy), calcific tendinosis, and other persistent musculoskeletal conditions.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: Application of therapeutic heat to prepare tissues for exercise, manual therapy, or stretching, or to manage chronic muscle soreness and joint stiffness.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): A common physiotherapy treatment for acute injuries, designed to help numb pain, decrease bleeding into the tissues, and minimize secondary hypoxic injury.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: The application of specific wavelengths of light energy (cold laser) by your Physiotherapist to targeted tissues to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration at a cellular level.

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

• Through personalized physiotherapy at Candice's clinic, common concerns like post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery are thoroughly assessed and addressed with the objective of improved circulation and tissue healing. This often involves a combination of in-clinic treatment, education, and self-management strategies, helping people to once again enjoy activities like swimming laps at the pool for fitness and relaxation.
• For those whose my child complaining of 'growing pains' that keep them up at night has made playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain seem like a distant memory, Candice's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain with greater comfort and renewed confidence.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Candice can help you move beyond trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain. The focus is on enjoying less stiffness in the mornings and throughout the day, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as getting in and out of the car smoothly and without wincing.
• Tired of working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery interfering with handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending? Candice uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve achieving their specific mobility goals, whether big or small and regain your freedom of movement.

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

Candice practices at Niagara Health & Rehab Centre, a reputable physiotherapy clinic in the St. Catharines neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near Ridley College and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Definitely. A key aspect of physiotherapy is not just treating current problems but also preventing future ones. A Physiotherapist can assess your movement, identify potential weaknesses or imbalances that could lead to injury, and provide you with a personalized program of exercises and strategies. This proactive approach is beneficial for athletes, individuals with physically demanding jobs, or anyone looking to maintain long-term musculoskeletal health and avoid recurring pain.

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

In Ontario, you can typically see a Physiotherapist directly without a doctor's referral. This is known as direct access. However, even though a referral isn't legally required to see a Physiotherapist, some private and extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement. It is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider before your first appointment to understand their specific requirements.

Is physiotherapy covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

OHIP generally does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in certain situations, such as post-hospitalization for specific conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams. However, eligibility criteria are strict and waitlists may apply. It's essential to check your private insurance coverage, as many plans offer significant coverage for physiotherapy services in private clinics.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

Manual therapy refers to specialized hands-on techniques used by a Physiotherapist to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This can include joint mobilization (gentle, rhythmic gliding movements), joint manipulation (skilled, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts, where appropriate and within the therapist's scope and with your consent), various soft tissue mobilization techniques (like massage, myofascial release, trigger point release), and neural mobilization (gentle techniques to improve nerve movement). The primary goals are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore optimal joint mechanics, reduce muscle tension, and enhance tissue repair and function.

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.

Niagara Health & Rehab Centre
23 Hannover Dr, Unit 3A
St. Catharines, ON, L2W 1A3

Phone: (289) 362-3600

Candice Jennifer Vermeulen 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: XXX80

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=cc0a8886-8f02-e811-813f-480fcff40721

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