Do you have pain or dysfunction relating to a muscle, tendon, joint, nerve, spine or other musculoskeletal area and not sure what to do?  We are pleased to introduce you to Jessica Willemse who is a Physiotherapist and the owner of Ramara Physiotherapy located on Fawn Bay Road.  Ramara Physiotherapy can help you get back to your daily life while overcoming pain – in most cases our goal is to RESOLVE the issue rather than just live with it – so it’s more of a positive outcome!!  We love to get to know the person behind the dream and passion, and we were thrilled to ask Jessica a few questions in our Community Spotlight.

When were you first interested in becoming a physiotherapist?

I wanted to be a physiotherapist for as long as I can remember.  I knew I belonged in the healthcare system but other professions didn’t seem to suit me as well.  I liked the idea of trying to fix problems that cause pain, especially ones that interfere with our daily living and quality of life.  Physiotherapy was the perfect fit.

Can you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

Absolutely! After high school I completed a 4-year Bachelors in Science Kinesiology at McMaster University where I worked with a few sports teams as a Strength and Conditioning Coach.  I then attended the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for a 2.5 year Masters Degree in Physical Therapy.

Since then, I have done a lot of extra training in things like acupuncture and oncology rehabilitation, but my true passion started after completing my certification in the McKenzie MDT Method.  This took me 3 years and is a system that focus on rapid diagnostics using movement rather than passive care, and is best known for it’s work with the spine and nerve entrapments, but I use this system to treat all areas of the body!  Recently I’ve also finished extra training with a company called IMC in the US that allows me access to data collection & research, and weekly Grand Rounds meetings in which I am able to present challenging patient cases to a panel for group collaboration!  This is the first of it’s kind in Canada.

Was it always a dream of yours to own your own a clinic, and when did Ramara Physiotherapy first opened it’s doors?

Not at all, actually! Up until 2021 I’ve only ever had a passion for patient care.  Recently after having my son I wanted more autonomy and a focus on work-life balance, and I felt working for myself was the best way to achieve this.  I started working for myself part-time in April 2021 virtually with patients from all over Ontario and ended up loving the new challenge of owning a business so I turned this into a brick and mortar clinic – just opened in December 2021!

Would someone need a doctor’s referral to book a visit with you?

No! Great question as a lot of people don’t realize this.  You can call, email or book with me online with no referral necessary.  The only thing you MAY need a doctor’s referral for is extended health insurance reimbursement, depending on which provider you have.

What can someone expect from one of your treatment sessions?

I use a system called The McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy).  This is a system that is very different to standard physiotherapy that most people are familiar with, and focuses on rapid diagnostics.  This means that every appointment is an assessment, aimed at taking all measures and comparing them to our first visit, so we can have progress as rapidly as possible.

When you come in Day 1 we have a thorough discussion on what you’ve been feeling (usually 20-30minutes), then we go through a physical exam aiming to learn about the root cause of the problem (another 30mins).  We can do hands-on treatment if necessary, and you leave with only ONE movement to do at home.  Each next treatment is a version of this, and I do not use any modalities or assistants.

What do you hope your clients gain from Ramara Physiotherapy?

Empowerment and autonomy! Years ago, I used treatments like acupuncture, ultrasound etc but I found that these were aimed at making someone feel better in the short term, but they weren’t truly fixing the underlying problem.  The McKenzie system brings a resolution quicker with less dependence on the practitioner.  This helps us keep appointment numbers low – the less you need me to do, the less you need to come in! I am currently averaging 5 visits per program of care, where standard physiotherapy is typically anywhere from 10-24 visits.

Where are you located and how do I prepare for a treatment session?

I have a clinic attached to the front of my home just south of Rama, 15mins from Brechin and 10mins from Orillia.  Nothing is needed to prepare for treatment other than filling out my medical health forms and wearing a piece of clothing that isn’t restricting.  Because I use the McKenzie system, it is easy for me to provide identical care virtually on telehealth as it is in person! This means a lot more comfort for some people due to COVID-19 right now.  If you choose a telehealth appointment, you’d also need working internet and a smart device for video (laptop, smart phone, tablet).  This can sound intimidating, but it only involves one click and I can walk you through the process!

What does Jessica like to do in her free time? 

In a non-COVID world I spend all of my time with friends and family.  I love being with my husband and son and love spending time on the lake – stand up paddleboarding, canoeing, seadooing.  I also love exercise/yoga/meditation!

If you had any words of encouragement or advice for someone thinking of opening up their own business what would they be?

Trust your intuition and what you truly want.  If you’re holding back due to fear, make sure you’re set up to be successful so your risk is as calculated as possible, and then go for it!

For more information on Ramara Physiotherapy, please visit ramaraphysiotherapy.ca and we also encourage you to follow them on facebook at:  Ramara Physiotherapy and on Instagram at:  ramaraphysio.