Sonia Vovan

PT, BHSc, MScPT, Ph.D. Candidate

I am a Registered Physiotherapist and Vestibular Therapist (based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) with a passion for helping everyone get back to doing what they love. Concussions and vestibular disorders are widely considered as “invisible” conditions, and it may be difficult for others to understand how you feel because they can’t “see” it. My mission is to increase awareness of “invisible” conditions and help you understand what’s going on in your body so that you can feel empowered to have more control over your body and build your confidence to speak up about your health care needs.

I do this by being a:

Clinician

I am an experienced Physiotherapist and Vestibular Therapist working one-on-one with patients in the clinic (in the areas of Toronto, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Markham, and Vaughan) or virtually (via telehealth services).

Advocate

I am a strong advocate for brain injury awareness. I started my Instagram page (@allinyourheadpt) because a patient of mine once told me that she didn’t know if anyone else felt the way she did. I wanted to share common patient stories and experiences to let others know they are not going through it alone.

Through my work as a Board Member of the Brain Injury Association of York Region, we provide programs, supports, and services for brain injury survivors and caregivers in York Region (Ontario) and beyond (through our virtual programs!). Our offerings are free and made available to anyone who identifies as brain injury survivors and caregivers.

Researcher

I am pursuing my Ph.D. at York University (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) under Dr. Lauren Sergio’s supervision to study sex-related differences in multi-domain changes following concussions in working-aged adults. Under Dr. Jennifer Campos’ co-supervision, I am collaborating with the KITE Research Institute to use their state-of-the-art multi-sensory immersive Virtual Reality lab, StreetLab.

I hope to contribute to research with my clinical expertise while simultaneously applying my research to my clinical practice. The world of concussion and vestibular treatment is constantly evolving; therefore, I look forward to being able to contribute to these areas from both ends of the spectrum.

Educator

My passion for concussion and vestibular rehabilitation, along with my desire to help individuals suffering from dizziness and vertigo, inspired me to develop a course specifically tailored for busy working professionals: The Dizzy Brain Course. Through professional development and mentorship, I aim to cultivate a new generation of clinicians who are motivated to pursue concussion rehabilitation, thereby addressing the growing number of individuals experiencing persistent symptoms.

 

Additionally, I teach clinical skills in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, specializing in the neurological unit and vestibular selective. Our vestibular team was honored with the 2024 Exceptional and Recognition Award.

Certifications and Post-Graduate Training

Sonia has a special interest in working with individuals with vestibular disorders and concussions. She received her advanced training in Vestibular Rehabilitation through Duke University’s School of Medicine (accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association) and received extensive post-graduate training in Post-Concussion Management.

Other Certifications and Post-Graduate Training:

Evaluation and Treatment of Visual Dysfunction After a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, Bioflex Laser Therapy, The Kinesio Taping® Method, The Bobath Concept, The Concussion Corner Academy

Sonia is an advocate for individuals suffering from brain injuries (and “invisible illnesses”) and has been a Board Member of the Brain Injury Association of York Region since 2019. She also volunteers for the Vestibular Disorders Association, writing patient-friendly research summaries of papers in the Journal of Vestibular Research. Sonia is an Executive Member of the Neurosciences Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, advocating for and promoting the profession of neurological physiotherapy across Canada.

Volunteer Work

Interests

Sonia has an interest in the 3 main ‘F’s - fun, fitness, and food! She enjoys solving puzzles in escape rooms and playing charades, lifting heavy weights or walking her dog, and eating all sorts of cuisines!

Patient Stories

  • Patient Story #1

    My journey living with a vestibular disorder started in December 2013. Days have not been easy and have been very challenging but I see light at the end of the tunnel.

    My first episode with vertigo came in the middle of the night when I went to use the washroom and my head was spinning and I felt like I was bouncing off the walls. I landed face down on the bathroom floor and was helped back into bed by my husband. The next day I thought to myself I must have some sort of the flu and that this would pass. I slowly started to move about my house but always felt “off". Not knowing what was going on I reached out to a local physiotherapist's office and we discussed the possibility that this could be an inner ear and vestibular issue. I didn't know that our inner ear affects our balance and can cause dizziness and so my rollercoaster began.

    In October 2020 I was introduced to Sonia and she helped me get my life back. Through vestibular rehab, Sonia slowly introduced me to techniques and exercises to get me moving again and having the confidence to do the tasks of living. Sonia taught me about the different body systems involved and how we need to get the systems working together to improve balance, improve vision stabilization and doing exercises that provoke dizziness. During the early stages of rehab, the exercises were hard to do because they made me dizzy and uneasy. Week after week, I did the exercises and found that they became easier to do and my dizziness became less and less. The pain in my ear also lessened. Sonia endlessly answered my repeated questions week after week. The mental toll this takes on an individual with a vestibular disorder is so hard. I felt embarrassed, I felt I didn't have control, I felt alone, I felt scared, and I felt afraid many days.  Sonia provided me with great resources to read and videos to watch to help me feel I wasn't alone on this journey. She supported me with finding the triggers in my life that can cause vertigo. I now know that chronic stress is a huge trigger for my vertigo.

    Today, my life is back. I have to admit I have worked hard at my rehab and I haven't missed a day of doing my home-prescribed exercises multiple times a day. I'm feeling confident to do all my daily tasks, my housework, I can walk outside and look up at the birds, I'm working out now doing gym exercises and 30 minutes of cardio five times a week. I still have days that I feel a little "off" and the ear pressure comes back but they are becoming less and less and I'm feeling stronger and more confident in all aspects of my life. Vestibular rehab was the only treatment that worked for me and I can't praise Sonia enough. Thank you, thank you!

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