Sarah Joy Kernicky – Physiotherapist | Welland, ON

Sarah Joy Kernicky is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Niagara Health System - Welland County General Hospital in Welland, ON, Sarah Kernicky is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Sarah Kernicky 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. Sarah Kernicky serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

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

Sarah Kernicky empowers patients through clear education about their condition and practical self-management strategies for lasting results. Sarah Kernicky adopts a collaborative approach, working with patients to achieve their movement and functional goals. Sarah Kernicky offers consultations in English.

Sarah Joy Kernicky provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Hand Wrist

• Trigger Finger/Thumb (Stenosing Tenosynovitis): A condition where a finger or thumb gets stuck or 'catches' in a bent position, then may snap straight (like pulling a trigger). Caused by inflammation and narrowing of the tendon sheath around the flexor tendon.
• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Physiotherapy to help you regain optimal use of your hand and wrist after an injury, surgery, or due to a chronic condition, enabling you to return to work, hobbies, and daily tasks.

Post Surgical

• Post-Spinal Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Discectomy, Laminectomy, Fusion - with surgeon clearance): Supportive physiotherapy to aid your recovery and help you manage symptoms after back or neck surgery, focusing on education, safe movement strategies, and specific exercises.
• Post-Fracture Fixation Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., ORIF): Targeted physiotherapy to help you recover from operatively treated fractures, addressing common issues like joint stiffness, muscle weakness, swelling, pain, and functional limitations in the affected limb.

Arthritis

• Gout (Management of Musculoskeletal Impairments): Helping you regain mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve function in affected joints after a gout episode, as part of your overall gout management plan.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) & Other Inflammatory Arthropathies: Physiotherapy as an important part of a multidisciplinary team approach to managing rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis), helping to minimize disease impact and maximize quality of life.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): A type of chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine (especially the sacroiliac joints and vertebrae), leading to pain, stiffness, and potential fusion of vertebrae, which can result in a stooped posture if not managed.
• 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.

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. Sarah Kernicky can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• Spinal Decompression / Mechanical Traction: A specialized physiotherapy treatment that uses a traction table or manual techniques to gently decompress spinal structures, relieve pressure, and promote healing.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Gentle, active manual therapy techniques where you use your own specific muscle contractions against your therapist's controlled resistance to improve joint mobility, lengthen tight tissues, and reduce pain.
• Cryotherapy Application (Cold Therapy): Cold therapy techniques applied by your therapist to effectively alleviate acute pain, reduce inflammation, and manage muscle soreness or spasm.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A non-invasive, evidence-based treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and promote tissue regeneration in stubborn soft tissue conditions that haven't responded to other therapies.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Sarah Kernicky, 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 System - Welland County General Hospital, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Sarah Kernicky frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• It's truly rewarding for Sarah Kernicky to witness patients conquer clicking, popping, or pain in my jaw (TMJ issues) when I eat or talk and experience noticeable strength gains in their limbs, supporting more demanding tasks. A tailored approach to physiotherapy, focusing on your specific needs, can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity with ease again.
• Many individuals seek help from Sarah Kernicky, their physiotherapist, when one leg feeling shorter than the other, causing hip or back pain starts impacting daily life. Through a personalized physiotherapy plan, they often achieve enhanced recovery from post-surgical procedures with fewer complications, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like walking up and down several flights of stairs without issue or breathlessness.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of trying to stay as mobile and active as possible while living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? Sarah Kernicky works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities. This might involve specific rehabilitation techniques, hands-on care, and a home program, all aimed at helping you confidently resume important activities, such as handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending.
• Tired of working on getting back to normal after a fracture or other surgery interfering with attending and enjoying their children's or grandchildren's sporting events? Sarah Kernicky uses a blend of physiotherapy techniques to help you achieve greater ease in performing overhead activities or reaching and regain your freedom of movement.

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

Sarah Kernicky practices at Niagara Health System - Welland County General Hospital, situated in the North Welland, Niagara College Area neighborhood of Welland. The clinic is conveniently located near Seaway Mall and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT) / Welland Transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

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.

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

For your first visit, please bring your provincial health card (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, if applicable for any publicly funded programs or simply for identification), any relevant medical information such as a doctor's referral note (if you have one), reports from recent imaging (like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound scans), and a list of your current medications. Also, if you plan to use private health insurance, bring your insurance card or policy details. Finally, wear or bring comfortable clothing suitable for assessment and movement.

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, some private health insurance plans may require a referral for coverage; therefore, check your insurance policy before your appointment.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services in private outpatient clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available in specific situations (e.g., post-hospitalization, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams), but eligibility is strict and waitlists may apply. Check your private insurance for coverage.

What is manual therapy in physiotherapy?

In physiotherapy, manual therapy encompasses a range of 'hands-on' interventions. Your Physiotherapist may use these techniques to help reduce your pain, increase joint movement, relax tight muscles, or improve the mobility of your nerves. Common approaches include joint glides, sustained pressures, specific soft tissue massage, and, when indicated, joint manipulations. It's a key part of helping your body move better.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy, delivered by a qualified Physiotherapist, is a science-based profession that focuses on restoring movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of future problems. Your physiotherapist will use techniques such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy (hands-on treatment), education, and advice, empowering you to manage your health independently and achieve your physical goals.

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 Niagara Health System - Welland County General Hospital?

Ample free patient parking is available directly on-site at Niagara Health System - Welland County General Hospital. Please check signage for designated patient parking areas.

Niagara Health System - Welland County General Hospital
65 Third Street
Welland, ON, L3B 4W6

Phone: (905) 378-4647

Sarah Joy Kernicky 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: XXX95

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=1356e1d7-8f02-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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