Jennifer Helen Evans

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

Back Neck Pain

• Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): A range of neck and related symptoms including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes arm pain or cognitive difficulties, following a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck, most typically from a motor vehicle accident.
• Postural Back/Neck Pain: A common cause of persistent back and neck pain due to the cumulative strain of prolonged sitting, standing, or performing tasks in non-ideal positions.
• Herniated Disc / Sciatica / Radiculopathy: Symptoms of nerve compression originating from the spine, such as a 'slipped disc' or 'pinched nerve', causing radiating pain, altered sensation, or muscle weakness in a limb.
• 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).

Common Musculoskeletal

• Neck Pain and Stiffness: Discomfort, limited range of motion, and persistent tension in the cervical spine (neck), often related to posture, an injury, stress, or sleeping position.
• Shoulder Pain (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, Impingement, Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis): Difficulty with activities like reaching for objects, dressing, personal care, or carrying items due to underlying shoulder issues, which physiotherapy can help diagnose and treat.

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 Evans can assess your needs.

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Active patient participation through guided, gentle muscle contractions to restore normal joint play, reduce muscle guarding, and improve tissue length.
• Therapeutic Heat Application: The use of moist heat packs, paraffin wax, or other heat sources by your Physiotherapist to relax muscles, increase local blood flow, reduce stiffness, alleviate chronic pain, and improve tissue extensibility.
• Interferential Current (IFC) / TENS Therapy: A non-invasive electrotherapy modality aimed at reducing pain, muscle guarding, or swelling, and sometimes used for muscle strengthening, as part of your physiotherapy treatment.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation: Utilizing therapeutic laser to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce pain signals, and manage inflammation as part of your comprehensive physiotherapy care.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• It's truly rewarding for Jennifer Evans to witness patients conquer trying to stay as mobile and active as possible while living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and experience moving more freely and with greater agility than they have in years. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in working on detailed woodworking projects in their shop without hand pain again.
• Jennifer Evans believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If an old ankle sprain that never seems to fully heal and still feels weak is hindering your ability to standing for longer periods, for example, while cooking or at an event, a personalized plan focusing on regaining full function in an injured area, enabling a return to cherished activities can make all the difference.
• Jennifer Evans frequently assists patients in overcoming the effects of my child complaining of 'growing pains' that keep them up at night. A carefully designed physiotherapy program, potentially including specialized manual techniques and progressive exercises, targets improved hand and wrist function for tasks requiring dexterity and supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending.
• Living with awful foot pain first thing in the morning, like I'm walking on glass (plantar fasciitis) doesn't have to be your norm. Jennifer Evans applies expert physiotherapy knowledge to work towards achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach, so you can get back to the simple pleasure of competing effectively in their curling league games.

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

Jennifer Evans practices at SMILE Therapy for Kids, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Concord neighborhood of Concord. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Street parking and nearby paid lots offer convenient options for visitors.

Can physiotherapy help prevent injuries or recurring pain?

Yes, absolutely! Physiotherapy plays a significant role in injury prevention and managing recurring pain. Your Physiotherapist can identify underlying risk factors such as muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, postural issues, or biomechanical inefficiencies. By addressing these through targeted exercises, education on proper body mechanics, ergonomic advice, and activity modification, physiotherapy can help reduce your risk of initial injury, prevent re-injury, and manage chronic conditions more effectively, keeping you active and healthy.

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

It's not uncommon to experience some temporary soreness or a mild increase in symptoms after certain physiotherapy treatments, especially in the initial stages or if you're starting new exercises. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience a significant or sharp increase in pain, new or worsening neurological symptoms (like numbness, tingling, or weakness), or if your soreness lasts longer than expected, it's important to contact SMILE Therapy for Kids or your Physiotherapist directly. They can provide advice, adjust your treatment plan if necessary, or determine if you need to be reassessed.

Is physiotherapy treatment supposed to be painful?

The primary goal of physiotherapy is generally to reduce pain and improve function, not to cause significant or lasting pain. Some assessment techniques or specific treatments (like deep soft tissue work, joint mobilization, or certain exercises) might cause mild, temporary discomfort or soreness, especially if the tissues being treated are sensitive, inflamed, or very stiff. However, your Physiotherapist will always work within your tolerance levels, communicate clearly about what to expect, and encourage open feedback. If you experience notable or unacceptable pain during treatment, please inform your therapist immediately so adjustments can be made to ensure your comfort.

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 to check 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.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

This is very individual and depends on many factors. After your comprehensive initial assessment, your Physiotherapist will be able to give you a better idea of the anticipated number of sessions and the frequency of visits needed to achieve your specific goals. We believe in open communication and will regularly review your progress with you, adjusting the treatment plan as you improve and as needed.

SMILE Therapy for Kids
422 North Rivermede Rd, Unit 8
Concord, ON, L4K 3R5

Phone: (416) 525-9116

Jennifer Helen Evans 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: XXX22

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=517a5b17-8c20-eb11-a813-000d3af427b4

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