Our Team

Dana Bubenko, Physiotherapist, has spent much of her career (23 years of it) working in South Texas Rio Grande Valley, and moved back to Winnipeg in 2020. If you’re a “Winter Texan” you may have bumped into her down there! 

Before joining the team at River East Physiotherapy, Dana worked in a variety of settings in Texas and Canada, including rehabilitation hospitals, acute care hospitals, and an outpatient clinic. 

Training and Qualifications

Dana graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy from the University of Manitoba.  On top of her university qualifications, Dana has completed extensive post-graduate training in neurological rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, hands-on (“manual”) therapy, and post-operative rehabilitation, including:

• NDT-Bobath* three-week certification for treatment of stroke (under Waleed Al-Oboudi, MOT, OTR in Loma Linda, California).  
• Functional Manual Therapy, Upper and Lower Quarter (under Alan Weismantel, PT, OMT, FAAOMPT in San Antonio, Texas).
• Physical Literacy Enhanced Rehabilitation (Dr. Dean Kriellars, University of Manitoba) 
• Introduction to Vestibular Therapy (North 49 Balance & Dizziness Centre)
• Low Level Laser

*NDT is a commonly used acronym for Neuro-Developmental Treatment.

Dana’s Approach

Dana treats a wide range of conditions, including bone, muscle, nerve and joint injuries.  She has a particular passion for working with clients living with post-stroke, brain injury, Parkinson's, and other neurological conditions.

Dana's approach is very hands-on.  She works one-to-one to retrain the normal, everyday movements that are important to her clients.  Dana finds her clients respond well to her hands-on (manual therapy) skills, particularly those who have developed pain and tightness from neurological conditions.

Unique Service Offerings

1. Stroke & Brain Injury: Dana’s extensive training and experience in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation make her services relatively unique in Manitoba.  
2. Hands-On Treatment: Dana's manual therapy skills are also unique, particularly:
   • Her approach to applying them with stroke and brain injury clients, and
   • Her skills in visceral manipulation - which is a hands-on treatment to help your internal organs and nerves glide smoothly in your body.
3. Physiotherapy in Spanish: After working on the border of Mexico for over 20 years, Dana can provide Physiotherapy services in both English and Spanish.  

New! Dana recently did a webinar entitled "Tips to Walk Better After Stroke." If you or someone you care about is recovering from a stroke, this webinar recording is for you:

More about Dana

Are there any particular challenges that you are passionate about solving?

"The stroke community in Winnipeg is so underserved," says Dana. "I would really like people to know that help is available, whether your stroke is recent or if it occurred many years ago.  Anyone can improve their movement and function!"

What do you like best about River East Physiotherapy?

"I like that the clinic was willing to take on the challenge of expending services to include a specific program for stroke rehab. Other clinics that I contacted were not interested, which tells me that River East Physiotherapy really cares about its community."

What do you like best about being a Physiotherapist?

"I have always found great satisfaction in helping someone learn to walk again, or helping someone get to the level to go back home instead of to a personal care home. 

"My favorite thing to do at work is to challenge a patient beyond what they think they can do.  I love to see their eyes light up when that happens!"

What are some compliments you’ve received from patients?

"The best compliment I’ve received is when patients in the hospital or rehab facility ask me if I can keep seeing them when they go home, because it means that I’m doing a good job and my patients know it. And now patients CAN see me at River East Physiotherapy Clinic!"

Someone who knows you well would describe you as:

"Peaceful."

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

"I love playing piano, especially chamber music, and I play piano and organ at a couple of churches in Winnipeg. I also really enjoy singing in Ukrainian choir. And of course I love spending time with my three kids, going out for breakfast, playing boardgames (but video games are beyond my skill set!)."

Where are you local?

"I grew up on a farm in northern Alberta."

What is your favorite thing about Winnipeg?

"I love that Winnipeg has such a great music scene.  Fun fact – I had the same piano teacher as Emmanual Ax, though he turned out to be a little more famous than me."

Photo credit: David Lipnowski Photography

Physiotherapy Tips from Dana

Here's a sample of medical rehabilitation tips Dana has shared online:

Physiotherapy for Parkinsons

During the Parkinson's IQ & You event June 1st, 2024, our physiotherapist Dana Bubenko gave an insightful talk on the challenges faced by individuals with Parkinson's disease. 🎤

Watch her demonstration on how to stand up.

Everyone's Parkinson's symptoms are different, and some people with Parkinson's need to re-learn common movements like sitting and standing up safely. Her demo offered practical tips. 🪑

Personalized physiotherapy can be so helpful for managing symptoms and making everyday life a bit easier.

👉If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s disease, we're here to help.

We offer:

• Personal one-on-one sessions with a physiotherapist
• Custom exercise plans to keep you moving better at home
• Group classes for neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s

About the SI Joint

Watch this video to learn: What Dana wishes everyone knew about the SI joint and SI Joint pain.

Post-Stroke Facilitation Techniques

Know someone who's had a stroke? With the right techniques, progress is possible - even years after a stroke. 💆

Our physiotherapist Dana Bubenko has advanced training in post-stroke facilitation techniques. These techniques help retrain movement patterns, activate muscles, and improve coordination—making everyday tasks like walking and reaching easier. By supporting neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and relearn movement), these exercises help the brain rewire and regain control over function.

🧠 Rehab isn’t one-size-fits-all. We create a custom treatment plan for each patient, which may include these facilitation techniques and also manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, strength training, assistive devices, and more.

Recovering After a Stroke

Why do people think they can’t get better after stroke?

🧠 While progress might be fastest early on, recovery doesn’t just end—your brain keeps adapting and improving over time. This is thanks to 'neuroplasticity,' your brain’s ability to adapt and learn.

The first few months are critical for rapid progress. But beyond that, there’s so much potential to keep improving. Whether it’s walking with less effort, regaining arm function, or building strength, physiotherapy can help you make meaningful gains, even YEARS after a stroke.

Running low on insurance coverage? Don’t lose hope. With our personalized home programs and affordable group classes, we have options to keep you improving.

Cornhole As Physiotherapy

Playing cornhole as physiotherapy? Our physiotherapist Dana Bubenko uses it to help clients work on balance, stability and coordination. 🤔

This playful combo of standing on one leg and tossing a bag into a cornhole is both fun and therapeutic.

Here’s the twist: standing on foam challenges your balance - you work harder because it's an unstable surface. And when you add in the cornhole toss, you’re activating your motor skills and hand-eye coordination — making it a full-body challenge.

Book online with Dana Bubenko, here: