At Fit Physiotherapy, you will meet a fun and professional group of practitioners. Among us are Athletic Therapists, Registered Massaged therapists, Physiotherapists, Kinesiologists, Personal Trainers, and Administrators.
Pankil Shah
Pankil graduated from Queen’s University with a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy (MScPT) in 2015. Pankil strives to deliver the most current evidence-based practice to all of his patients, with a heavy manual therapy base that focuses on treating the root cause of your problem. He believes in implementing personalized treatment plans that allow patients not only restore function, but also learn to make minor adjustments to their lifestyle to stay healthy. He has a passion for continually seeking out new research, which allows him to provide both efficient and effective care. Because of his previous clinical experiences in sports clinics and general private practice, Pankil enjoys working with clients of a variety of age groups and with a variety of conditions.
Pankil has completed his acupuncture training and is now pursuing additional manual therapy training offered through the Orthopaedic Division of the CPA. Pankil’s other clinical experiences include treating post-operative knee, hip and shoulder patients. When not at work, Pankil plays golf, baseball, cricket, and volleyball. Pankil is also a huge Raptors fan and a bandwagon jumper of the Leafs and Jays.
I visited the clinic today for the first time. Receptionist was very friendly and I met with Sarah and Pankil. During the initial exam Pankil explained, in detail, what causing the pain and discomfort in my elbow. He fully explained to me the treatment plan that going to take place as well as how it may feel. Sarah set me up and performed the first session of treatment. Everyone that I interacted with was very welcoming and showed a genuine interest in helping me. I would highly recommend coming to FIT Physiotherapy.
I receive nothing but exceptional service from the moment I walk in the door until I walk out. The staff are knowledgeable, professional but also have a great sense of humour and wonderful bedside manner. Pankil is very punctual and goes above and beyond to try to accommodate your schedule as well. I would highly recommend Fit Physiotherapy.
Pankil is great! Very informative and helpful. Made me feel at ease with my injury and gave me great exercises to do on my own time to speed up my recovery. The support staff is awesome as well, very friendly and knowledgeable. The new facility is nicely set up and you now get Netflix to watch while being treated. Lots of parking.
Johnny Chaya
Johnny Chaya graduated from Queen’s University with a Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy. Passionate about exercise science and its application to physical rehabilitation, Johnny’s treatments incorporate a safe and reliable focus on manual and movement/exercise therapy. His mission is to provide a well-rounded holistic approach that is evidence-based, and client-centered. Through his vast clinical experiences, Johnny has worked with a wide variety of orthopaedic conditions. He is extremely attentive to the needs of his patients, as he thoroughly explains their diagnoses and recommended care plans. In addition, Johnny is an RYT 500 — a certified Advanced Hatha Yoga Instructor — which has allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of how to self-manage chronic pain and stress and how to cultivate a peaceful daily experience. Johnny’s leisure and hobbies include playing the guitar, playing soccer and ice hockey, running, hiking, swimming, cycling, and practicing yoga.
Victoria Geropoulos
MSc. PT, BSc. (Hons)
Victoria is a graduate of the Physical Therapy program at Queen’s University. Prior to this, she achieved her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at McMaster University. Victoria’s pursuit in physical therapy is a result of her desire to help others achieve their maximum well-being.
Victoria aims to provide individualized care, combining manual therapy, exercise prescription and education to identify the source of her client’s functional limitations and help them achieve their goals. Victoria is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and skill set through post-graduate courses to serve her clients best and provide them with evidence-based care.
PULAK (PAUL) PARIKH
PT, PhD, DPT, FCAMPT, FAAOMPT, OCS
Registered Physiotherapist
Assistant Professor (Full-time), University of Western
Assistant Professor (Adjunct), McMaster University
Clinician Scientist
“My approach to therapy is simple. The method for treatment is always client-centered with a specific focus to get rid of pain, restore function and prevent further injury. My goal is to get you out of the clinic as fast as possible arming you with the tools needed to prevent any reoccurrence of symptoms. I have dedicated my life to this profession and am grateful to do something that I especially love.”
Pulak (Paul) started his post-secondary education obtaining a Bachelors of Kinesiology degree from McMaster University. He completed his physical therapy education with a Masters degree from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. Subsequently, he completed his clinical doctorate degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. All of his fellowship training and education was completed in United States along with his certification in dry needling (acupuncture). He is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics (US) and has qualified as a Fellow for both the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy and the American Academy of Manual Physical Therapists. Recently, he completed his second doctorate (a research- based PhD) at McMaster University in Hamilton (2020).
He is now a full-time faculty member at the University of Western, as a professor teaching orthopedics, functional anatomy, biomechanics, physiotherapy evaluation and examination along with manual therapy. A lifetime academic, Paul’s interests include the spine and upper extremity research. He is a published author and has lectured at local, provincial, national and international levels. His clinical experience consists of working with professional athletes from a variety of organizations, along with maintaining a general orthopedic outpatient practice. As a dually licensed therapist, he is able to work both in the United States and Canada. In addition, he is the clinical director for Spectrum Physiotherapy, FIT Physiotherapy and Orthopedic Associates in Newmarket, ON. His special interests include his family, music and physical activity of all kinds!
You can contact Paul at the office of Spectrum Physiotherapy here.
Recent publications:
Comparison of CPG’s for the diagnosis, prognosis and management of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review, 2019, Published in BMC musculoskeletal disorders https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-019-2441-3
Functional outcomes and management for distal biceps tendon rupture,
MacSphere, 2020, McMaster University
http://hdl.handle.net/11375/25355
Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture: Is surgery the best course of treatment? Two case reports, 2020, Journal of Hand Therapy. https://www.jhandtherapy.org/article/S0894-1130(20)30044-2/fulltext
I had daily back and groin issues for almost two years, I was recently recommended Paul by a friend. In just over a month of weekly sessions my back is pain free, and my groin is soon to follow. I look forward to my sessions every week because I know that with Paul and his team’s assistance, I am making substantial progress towards my goal of painless, full mobility, something I would have never thought possible just a short while ago. Would recommend 100%!
Shauna Park
RMT, DOMP
I am a Registered Massage Therapist and Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (DOMP) with training in CranioSacral, Myofascial, Muscle Energy, Ligamentous Articular Strain, Counterstrain, Still Technique, Lymphatic Activation and Drainage techniques and Visceral Manipulation therapies. As a Massage Therapist or Osteopathic Manual Practitioner I use deep myofascial and Structural Integration techniques. Treatments are a great complement to physiotherapy because they focus on the whole body, improving lymphatic system function, decreasing fascial restriction and supporting the parasympathetic nervous system for body healing mechanisms.
I have training in Jin Shin Do ® Bodymind Acupressure as well as MPS Auricular Therapy and MPS Advanced (Jaw-Shoulder-Knee-Spine) Circuits. Acupressure and Acupuncture represent a form of nerve stimulation and regulation, balancing the sympathetic/parasympathetic (autonomic nervous system) and its corresponding Yin/Yang (feminine/masculine) energetic balancing system.
I also have Yoga training which I use in remedial exercise programs in conjunction with treatments to reinforce stretch and strengthening (asanas), meditation (pratyahara) and breathing (pranayama) for health and wellness.
I have been practising for plus 2 years as an osteopath at Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine affiliated clinics (Spectrum/FIT, OA), Newmarket. I have extensive experience working with concussion and sports related injuries including athletes at international competitive levels.
Sara Di Nuzzo
B.A., RMT
Sara started her post- secondary education at York University completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She later pursued her passion for health by becoming a RMT. Sara graduated at Georgian College with honors from the Massage Therapy program in 2017 and is in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.
Sara believes that massage therapy has a great impact on mental and physical wellness and is beneficial for all age groups. Whether the treatment is therapeutic or wellness based, she believes that regular visits will help clients minimize their pain and reach a higher level of health and wellness overall. She uses a variety of techniques including myofascial release, Swedish massage, trigger point therapy and passive stretching. Sara is passionate about helping people achieve their wellness goals through education, a personalized treatment plan and home care.
When Sara is not at the clinic, she enjoys going to the gym and cooking.
Fanda Wong
R.TCMP, R.Ac
Fanda is a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCMP) and acupuncturist in Ontario. Her interest in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture developed after she graduated from the program of Life Science at the University of Toronto, majoring in Health and Disease. As the Life Science program progressed, she realized that prevention is always key when it comes to health and disease. Therefore, she pursued the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner program at Humber College and graduated with honors.
During the school years at Humber College, Fanda was selected as a recipient for the Chinese Medicine program scholarship for two years. She was also chosen to participate in the Chinese Medicine internship at the Hong Kong Baptist University. Her passion in acupuncture and herbal medicine grew significantly after the eye-opening internship in Hong Kong, especially in the field of women’s health. Besides her interest in gynecology and reproductive health, Fanda has also seen patients with acute and chronic pain, insomnia, emotional distress, digestive issues, chronic illnesses, and general wellbeing during her internships in Toronto throughout the years. She enjoys incorporating different modalities during her treatments for the best results especially acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapies! When she is not seeing patients, she loves spending quality time with her family and her two adorable little puppies.
Fanda speaks fluent English and Cantonese, and she looks forward to meeting all of you in this multidisciplinary clinic.