Jennifer C. Wonder – Physiotherapist | St. Catharines, ON

Jennifer C. Wonder is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Niagara Children's Centre in St. Catharines, ON, Jennifer Wonder is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Jennifer Wonder addresses 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. Jennifer Wonder provides specialized physiotherapy services for infants, children, and adolescents to address developmental delays, congenital conditions (like torticollis), orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, and promote optimal motor function and participation.

Jennifer C. Wonder completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Queen's University (Graduating Class of 1992). With extensive clinical experience, Jennifer Wonder is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Jennifer Wonder has a particular interest and further training in areas such as Pediatric Physiotherapy and Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Jennifer Wonder promotes preventative care and long-term wellness for the St. Catharines community through proactive physiotherapy; a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional learning to provide the best care. Jennifer Wonder offers consultations in English.

Jennifer C. Wonder provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Neurological

• Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy Rehabilitation: May include specific facial exercises, neuromuscular re-education (PNF for the face), biofeedback, electrical stimulation (if appropriate), massage, and strategies to improve facial movement, symmetry, reduce synkinesis (unwanted movements), and manage eye care.
• Parkinson's Disease Management & Movement Therapy: Helping individuals with Parkinson's Disease maintain mobility, functional independence, and safety, and improve their quality of movement and life.
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitation (Incomplete/Specific Cases): Comprehensive physiotherapy focusing on improving strength in available muscles, enhancing functional mobility, and promoting health and wellness after a spinal cord injury.

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): Addressing the inflammation, pain, and restricted movement associated with stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger or thumb.
• 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.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Pain, tenderness, swelling, and dysfunction in a tendon (the strong cords that attach muscles to bones) due to overuse, repetitive strain, injury, or degeneration. Common sites include the Achilles, patellar tendon (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), or elbow (tennis/golfer's elbow).
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Joint pain, aching, and functional limitation due to the progressive loss of cartilage, which physiotherapy can help manage through exercise, education, and pain relief strategies.

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. Jennifer Wonder can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: Therapeutic traction for the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine, used by physiotherapists to help reduce pain, decompress nerve roots, and improve symptoms associated with conditions like disc herniations, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: The use of specific electrical stimulation devices (IFC or TENS) by your Physiotherapist to provide pain relief, reduce muscle spasm, decrease swelling, or promote muscle activation and re-education.
• 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.
• Other Electrotherapy Applications (e.g., NMES, FES): Utilizing electrophysical agents as an adjunct to your physiotherapy treatments to aid recovery, improve muscle function, manage pain, or reduce swelling, tailored to your specific condition.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Using therapeutic cold to manage the initial stages of an injury (e.g., sprains, strains) and control inflammatory responses, helping to limit tissue damage.

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

• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning shirts or writing due to hand pain? Jennifer Wonder works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of greater confidence when walking, standing, or navigating challenging environments. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation.
• Patients often come to Jennifer Wonder feeling defeated by feeling unsteady on my feet or experiencing dizziness and balance problems. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving improved core stability and control, leading to better posture and reduced strain and resuming taking group exercise classes at the community center becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Struggling with the frustration of wrist pain and tingling, possibly from carpal tunnel syndrome, especially at night? Jennifer Wonder develops individualized physiotherapy programs specifically aimed at achieving feeling more positive, capable, and optimistic about their physical health. This is key to helping you get back to doing working on detailed woodworking projects in their shop without hand pain with confidence and significantly reduced discomfort.
• When general muscle strains and pulls from overdoing it at the gym or in the garden is limiting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing reading a good book for hours without experiencing neck pain or headaches, physiotherapy with Jennifer Wonder can help you work towards feeling less fatigued during physical activities and throughout the day. The aim is to restore optimal function so you can comfortably and safely return to the things you love.

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

Jennifer Wonder's practice at Niagara Children's Centre is situated in the Merritton, Thorold South (Brock University Area) neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near Royal Canadian Henley Regatta Course and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic is accessible. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

Will I be given exercises to do at home?

Absolutely! Home exercises are a vital part of your rehabilitation journey and empower you to take an active role in your recovery process. Your Physiotherapist will carefully select and teach you exercises specific to your needs. These exercises help to reinforce what's done in the clinic, manage your condition effectively, and ensure you continue progressing towards your goals even when you're not in a session.

How long do physiotherapy appointments typically last?

Initial assessment appointments are generally longer to allow for a thorough evaluation and discussion, typically lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. Subsequent follow-up treatment sessions are usually shorter, often ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. However, the duration can vary depending on your specific needs, the complexity of your condition, the type of treatment being provided, and the treatment plan designed by your Physiotherapist.

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.

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

Many private health insurance plans offer full or partial coverage for registered physiotherapy services. We recommend you contact your insurance provider directly before your first appointment to understand the specifics of your plan. Key things to check are: your annual maximum for physiotherapy, any per-visit limits or co-payments, whether a doctor's referral is required for reimbursement, and if your plan allows for direct billing by the clinic. If Niagara Children's Centre offers direct billing and your plan allows it, we can often bill your insurer directly for the covered portion. You would then be responsible for any co-payment or remaining balance not covered by your plan at the time of service. Please bring your insurance card and all necessary policy details to your first appointment. If direct billing is not possible, we will provide you with an official receipt that you can submit to your insurer.

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. We strongly advise checking your private insurance for private clinic coverage.

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

Patients in ON 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.

Niagara Children's Centre
567 Glenridge Ave
St. Catharines, ON, L2T 4C2

Phone: (905) 688-3550

Jennifer C. Wonder 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: XXX06

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=26296e08-8b02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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