Sheetal Shah – Physiotherapist | Woodbridge, ON

Sheetal Shah is a dedicated Physiotherapist. Practicing at Villa Santa Maria Community in Woodbridge, ON, Sheetal is committed to high-quality, patient-centered care aligning with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards. Sheetal'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. Sheetal has a particular interest in serving seniors, focusing on the unique health needs of older adults, aiming to improve and maintain mobility, strength, balance, manage age-related conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall quality of life and independence.

Sheetal Shah completed their degree in Physiotherapy from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (Graduating Class of 1998). With extensive clinical experience, Sheetal is committed to ongoing professional development and evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Sheetal has a particular interest or further training in areas such as Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Geriatric Physiotherapy / Seniors' Health.

Sheetal's practice philosophy centers on promoting preventative care and long-term wellness for the Woodbridge community through proactive physiotherapy; a patient-centered approach, actively involving individuals in their treatment planning and goal setting. Sheetal Shah offers consultations in English, Gujarati, Hindi.

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

Hand Wrist

• Hand and Wrist Injuries & Conditions (e.g., Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Sprains, Arthritis - Conservative/Post-Op): Specialized physiotherapy for conditions affecting the intricate structures of the hand and wrist, such as fractures (e.g., Colles', scaphoid), tendon lacerations or ruptures (e.g., flexor/extensor tendon repairs), ligament sprains/tears (e.g., skier's thumb, TFCC injuries), repetitive strain injuries, or arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis). Includes both conservative management and post-operative rehabilitation.
• 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.

Post Surgical

• Post-Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation (e.g., Rotator Cuff Repair, Labral Repair, Stabilization, Replacement): Restoring your ability to perform daily tasks, work, and recreational activities by addressing pain, stiffness, and weakness after your shoulder surgery.
• Post-ACL or Other Knee Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee ligament injuries post-operatively, focusing on restoring full knee function, power, and agility to meet your specific athletic or lifestyle demands.

Joint Pain

• Tendinopathy/Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, Rotator Cuff, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow): Persistent tendon pain that can interfere with your sports, work, or daily activities, often requiring specific loading programs and advice from a physiotherapist for effective management.
• Osteoarthritis (Knee, Hip, Spine, Hands, Other Joints): Commonly known as 'wear-and-tear' arthritis, this condition affects various joints, often worsening with age, overuse, or previous injury, and can significantly impact daily function.

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. Sheetal can assess your needs.

• Patient Education & Self-Management Strategies: Educating you about your diagnosis, expected recovery timeline (prognosis), and the reasons behind your treatment plan to encourage active participation in your healing.
• Postural Assessment and Correction: Detailed analysis of your static and dynamic posture, with tailored exercises, stretches, and advice to help you improve alignment and reduce strain on your body.
• Functional Movement Screening (FMS™/SFMA™ if certified): A systematic screening process, such as FMS™ or SFMA™ (if your Physiotherapist is certified), to understand how you move and guide preventative or corrective exercise programs.
• Rehabilitation for Age-Related Deconditioning & Loss of Autonomy: Helping seniors regain their physical capacity, reduce dependency, and improve their ability to manage at home safely and effectively.
• Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Assessment: Detailed physical assessment of your joints, muscles, nerves, and movement patterns to identify the root cause of your symptoms and guide your treatment.
• Geriatric Physiotherapy & Seniors' Health: Tailored exercise prescription, education on safe movement, manual therapy (gentle techniques), and functional training to help seniors maintain their independence, enhance safety in their home and community, and promote active and healthy aging.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Sheetal, 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 Villa Santa Maria Community, physiotherapy is focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health and daily activities. Sheetal frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Patients often come to Sheetal feeling defeated by general muscle strains and pulls from overdoing it at the gym or in the garden. With a supportive and targeted physiotherapy approach, achieving achieving personal fitness goals that once seemed out of reach and resuming playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder pain becomes a realistic and attainable goal.
• Many find that pain or weakness that's stopping me from enjoying my favorite hobbies significantly impacts their ability to getting back to golfing 18 holes without their back acting up. Sheetal helps patients target feeling more stable and confident on their feet, especially on uneven surfaces with physiotherapy, making a return to these activities possible.
• Discover how physiotherapy with Sheetal can help you move beyond pain and difficulty with overhead movements like reaching into a cupboard. The focus is on decreased frequency and intensity of headaches related to neck or postural issues, enabling a joyful return to the activities you love, such as managing the physical demands of their job without constant pain.
• Sheetal believes that everyone deserves to move well and feel their best. If post-operative stiffness and weakness that's slowing down my recovery is hindering your ability to joining in on pickup basketball games at the local court, a personalized plan focusing on building the necessary muscle support for their joints, reducing the risk of re-injury can make all the difference.

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

Sheetal's practice at Villa Santa Maria Community is situated in a physiotherapy clinic in the central Woodbridge neighborhood of Woodbridge, ON. The clinic is conveniently located near nearby parks and community recreation facilities and is accessible via local public transit routes. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance.

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

In Ontario, you typically do not need a doctor's referral to see a physiotherapist. This is known as direct access. However, while a referral isn't legally required for *access* to physiotherapy services, some private insurance plans may require one for reimbursement. It is crucial to check your individual insurance policy's requirements before your first appointment to avoid unexpected costs.

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.

Approximately how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?

It's difficult to say exactly how many sessions you'll need without a thorough assessment, as everyone's situation and recovery path is unique. Some acute conditions might resolve in just a few sessions, while more chronic, complex, or significant issues may require a longer period of care to achieve lasting results. Your Physiotherapist will provide an estimated treatment timeline and plan after your first visit, and this will be revisited as your treatment progresses.

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

OHIP generally does NOT cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Publicly funded physiotherapy is available through specific programs (e.g., post-hospitalization for certain conditions, for children/youth, seniors, or through Community Physiotherapy Clinics/Family Health Teams), but eligibility is restrictive and waitlists may apply. Check your private insurance coverage as many plans offer significant physiotherapy benefits for services in private clinics.

What is Villa Santa Maria Community's appointment cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly. To ensure we can accommodate all our patients efficiently, we kindly request at least 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients. A fee may be charged for late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) or missed appointments. Please contact our clinic as soon as possible if you need to make any changes to your appointment.

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

Many private health insurance plans offer coverage for physiotherapy. Contact your insurer before your first appointment to understand your plan's specifics: annual maximum, per-visit limits, co-payments, referral requirements, and direct billing options. If direct billing is available, we can bill your insurer; otherwise, we'll provide a receipt for you to submit. Bring your insurance information to your appointment.

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

Please bring: your health card, doctor's referral (if applicable), imaging reports, medication list, and insurance information (for direct billing). Wear comfortable clothing.

What is physiotherapy and how can it help me?

Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function after injury, illness, or disability. Your physiotherapist uses exercise, manual therapy, education, and advice to help you manage your health and achieve your physical goals.

Villa Santa Maria Community
5400 Steeles Avenue West
Woodbridge, ON, L4L 9S1

Phone: (905) 856-7200

Sheetal Shah 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: XXX65

Verify registration with The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: https://portal.collegept.org/en-US/public-register/display-member-contact/?id=e681eb99-8e02-e811-8134-480fcff4f671

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