Shannon Walters

Shannon Walters provides skilled physiotherapist care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Concussion

• Concussion / Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) & Post-Concussion Syndrome: A brain injury caused by a direct or indirect blow to the head, resulting in a range of symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances, cognitive difficulties (e.g., 'brain fog', memory issues), fatigue, and emotional changes. Post-Concussion Syndrome refers to symptoms persisting beyond the typical recovery window.

Peripheral Nerve

• Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic, Chemotherapy-Induced, Idiopathic): Management of symptoms such as pain (neuropathic pain), numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, typically in the hands or feet, resulting from damage to peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
• Nerve Entrapments / Compressions (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sciatica, Meralgia Paresthetica): Symptoms such as localized or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness caused by mechanical compression or irritation of peripheral nerves at specific anatomical sites (entrapment points).

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Inflammation (tendinitis) or, more commonly, degeneration (tendinosis/tendinopathy) of tendons, leading to localized pain that typically worsens with activity or loading of the tendon.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in affected joints like the knees, hips, spine, or hands.

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. Shannon Walters can assess your needs.

• Personalized Therapeutic Exercise Prescription: Development of a tailored therapeutic exercise program by your Physiotherapist, focused on your specific rehabilitation needs, strength goals, flexibility improvements, balance, and overall conditioning.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Congenital Muscular Torticollis & Plagiocephaly (Flat Head) Treatment: Specialized physiotherapy care to help your baby achieve a centered head position, full neck range of motion, and optimal head shape development.
• Core Stability & Strengthening Training: A progressive program designed to build a strong and stable core, improving your body's foundation for all movements and reducing strain on other structures.

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

• The journey to enhanced pelvic floor function and control (for relevant conditions) when faced with persistent trouble performing repetitive tasks at work without pain is made smoother and more effective with Shannon Walters's expert physiotherapy care, often leading to a fulfilling and active return to pastimes like giving presentations or speaking publicly with confidence and good posture.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Shannon Walters can help you move beyond post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery. The focus is on improved overall mobility, making it easier to navigate their home and community, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as going on enjoyable fishing or camping trips again.
• Patients often come to Shannon Walters feeling defeated by difficulty getting out of a chair or bed due to stiffness or pain. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving getting back to hiking, running, or cycling pain-free and with renewed vigor and resuming attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes without limitation becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• For those whose hip pain when I walk, climb stairs, or try to sleep on my side has made enduring their daily commute, whether driving or on public transit, without stiffness seem like a distant memory, Shannon Walters's physiotherapy care offers a clear path toward feeling significantly stronger and more capable in their physical abilities. Effective, evidence-based treatments can be instrumental in helping you get back to enduring their daily commute, whether driving or on public transit, without stiffness with greater comfort and renewed confidence.

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

Shannon Walters practices at Damen Optimal Health Team, a physiotherapy clinic in the central Strathroy neighborhood of Strathroy, ON. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Our clinic is accessible. Free patient parking is typically available on-site or nearby.

What should I expect during my first physiotherapy appointment?

Your initial physiotherapy appointment is a comprehensive assessment. Your Physiotherapist will start by discussing your medical history, the details of your current symptoms or injury, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve with physiotherapy (your functional goals). This is followed by a thorough physical examination, which may include evaluating your range of motion, strength, posture, balance, and specific movement patterns, as well as performing special tests relevant to your condition. Based on these findings, your therapist will provide a clinical impression or diagnosis, discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, and often begin some initial treatment or provide education and a home exercise program to get you started.

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

Is there parking available at or near Damen Optimal Health Team?

Yes, there is ample free patient parking available directly in front of and beside our building. Look for the designated patient spots.

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.

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.

Damen Optimal Health Team
8 Front Street East
Strathroy, ON, N7G 1Y4

Phone: (519) 205-0329

Shannon Walters 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: XXX90

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=6cf7e33f-9202-e811-8136-480fcfeae051

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