08/17/2026
Get to know Shandia!
Q: What inspired you to have a career in physiotherapy?
A: I didn't actually know what I wanted to do, though I figured it would be something in the medical field. I was in college playing basketball and I wasn't quite cutting it in organic chemistry, so I randomly took some anatomy and other 'phys ed' type courses which I really enjoyed and got some decent grades in. Around the same time I fractured my lower leg (tibfib) playing soccer. I was in a cast for 4 months, missed a season with my basketball team and attended physio quite a bit for my rehab. My rehab was a really positive experience and the physio definitely helped get me back to playing basketball and the other activities I enjoyed. Physiotherapy seemed like a pretty interesting career so I decided to give it a shot, 25 years later, I think I made a pretty good choice.
Q: Do you have a favourite injury to treat?
A: I like most things lower extremity (foot, ankle, knee, hip), but I definitely have a very keen interest and have done a lot of continuing education in ACL rehab. I also really enjoy doing Return to Sport planning with athletes of all ages, but in particular adolescents and young adults returning to their school, club or university sports.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you give almost every patient?
A: It's not so much advice, as much as working with the patient to help them find ways to keep moving and doing the things they enjoy even while managing an injury.
Q: What’s a common rehab myth you wish more people knew the truth about?
A: That you need to wait for a doctor's referral or imaging results before starting physio. The information we get from patients when we take their history gives us more then enough information to start the journey to recovery. Physios are trained to rule out red flags and when to refer on for further medical care, so the sooner we can get people moving and work with them to form a rehab plan to reach their goals, the better.
Q:When you're not in clinic, what are you up to?
A: I am the lead physiotherapist for the Canadian National Snowboard Team meaning I do injury management for all the national team athletes, organize the other physios who travel with our various teams, and work with the rest of the medical/performance team to establish our organizations concussion, injury management and return to snow protocols. I am also lucky to get to travel all over the world supporting the teams at training camps and world cup competitions. When not working I love to kiteboard, downhill ski, mountain bike, golf and play some volleyball. I am a member of Girls Forward Foundation whose mission is keeping young girls in sport, and I also volunteer with the SPCA and Elder Dog.
