I am a passionate advocate for all of us to be able to live our fullest lives and optimize the function of our bodies. As a physiotherapist, I have the privilege of providing clients with knowledge, tools and guidance to help recover or resolve symptoms and to work towards an optimal quality of life. We all deserve to achieve our goals, whether they are performance based, recreational, or functional!

Growing up, I spent many years pursuing my own goals in sprint canoe kayak and experienced first hand the support of my physiotherapists through training injuries on and off the water. It sparked a curiosity in me about how the body works, and how we can encourage it to heal itself, and in the profession of physiotherapy as a whole.

I completed my Master’s in Physiotherapy from the University of Ottawa after graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Throughout my career, I have pursued continuing education on a variety of topics including chronic pain, acupuncture and dry needling, spinal conditions and running injuries. I have also specialized in pelvic health physiotherapy and have taken courses on the majority of pelvic health conditions, pelvic pain, the deep core system, prenatal conditions, postnatal recovery including return to running, and physiotherapy for the gender diverse population. I believe physiotherapy is both an art and a science. On top of my 9 years of experience, I prioritize staying up to date on the latest research and love to learn different techniques and tricks from my amazing colleagues.

I love to work one-on-one with my clients. I aim to understand their individual needs and goals in order to implement the appropriate care. I rely on evidence-based practices and integrate exercise and functional movement strategies as my main treatment approach, along with soft tissue release, joint mobilization, and functional dry needling. My background in Kinesiology and my extensive experience as a competitive athlete and sprint canoeing and kayaking coach, provide me knowledge and confidence in prescribing progressive and individualized exercises and motivating my clients. I am also a certified yoga teacher and enjoy practicing and teaching yoga, as well as integrating aspects of yoga into my practice. I am happy to work with clients of any background and experience and of all gender identities in English, French or Spanish.

I recently became a mom and it has opened up my eyes to the unique experiences and challenges of parenthood. I have been enjoying introducing my daughter to many of my favourite activities, such as walking our dog, hiking, paddling at the cottage, and camping! We also love to travel and were lucky to be able to go back to Mexico, where I was born, as a family. We look forward to more trips together in the future!

Email: Galia@core-connections.ca

My Hours: Monday 8:30am-3:30pm Tuesday 2:15pm-5:15pm Wednesday 8:30am-2pm Thursday 8:30am-3:30pm

Services offered in English, French and Spanish.

I am a passionate advocate for all of us to be able to live our fullest lives and optimize the fu... Read More

In 2011, I founded Core Connections Physiotherapy out of a deep desire to create a beautiful, community-based clinic and centre of excellence for orthopedic, pre and postnatal, and pelvic health physiotherapy services. I have always been passionate about health, movement, and helping people. Working for over the last 29 years as an orthopedic and pelvic health physiotherapist has been a deeply fulfilling journey and I truly love what I do!

My academic studies began at the University of Toronto, where I studied physiotherapy and developed a love for learning about anatomy, physiology and neuroanatomy. After graduating, I pursued 10 years of rigorous postgraduate training in orthopedic manual therapy and successfully completed my Fellowship in Manual and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (FCAMT) in 2008.

A few years earlier, in 2003, my curiosity for pelvic health was piqued following a lecture focused on the connection between the core and pelvic health. This led me to undertake a master’s degree at Queens where I published The Integrated Continence System: A Manual Therapy Approach to the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence. That work inspired me to develop integrated pelvic health and orthopedics programs in Ottawa and to raise community awareness about pelvic health through workshops, lectures with the Orthopedic Physiotherapy Division of the CPA, physiotherapy education nights, as well as presenting at OPA conferences.

Over the years, I have continued to deepen my knowledge and skills through advanced training. I have integrated Barral Visceral Mobilization techniques in the assessment and treatment of common orthopedic and pelvic health conditions. My further training has included completing Integrated Systems Model training and pessary training course in 2014. Following this, I collaborated with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario as the first pelvic health physiotherapist to introduce pessary fitting in Ontario, and I continue to mentor colleagues in this area. These experiences have enriched my practice and allowed me to support individuals with a wide range of orthopedic and pelvic health concerns.

Outside of the clinic, I love to be outdoors - playing with my son, Nikko, gardening, cycling, back country camping, cross-country skiing. I also have a love for adventure, which has taken me on solo treks the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, hut-to-hut cross-country ski adventures in Charlevoix and cycle touring with my family in the Maritimes. Travel and exploration have shaped my educational journey, and trips to India and Nepal, where I spent time trekking and participating in meditation retreats, have helped shape my holistic view of health, wellness and mindfulness. I look forward to many more fun family adventures ahead!

Affiliations

Heather is a member of the Orthopedic, Women’s Health and Seniors Divisions of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

In 2011, I founded Core Connections Physiotherapy out of a deep desire to create a beautiful, com... Read More

EDS; sports

I’m a physiotherapist with over 13 years of experience, and I truly love the work I do! My specialties lie in pelvic health, orthopedics, and sports physiotherapy and nothing brings me more joy than helping people feel strong, supported, confident and in control of their bodies.

My interest in supporting athletes recover from injuries began in childhood, influenced by my father, a professional soccer coach. I followed in his footsteps, playing soccer and competing nationally in swimming and water polo, which gave me insight into the challenges and rewards of sport. These experiences shaped my commitment to supporting athletes in recovery and performance.

Over the years, I have published and presented at a number of international conferences. My research interests have included varicose veins in high level athletes, land-based versus water-based exercises in reducing pain and disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and core stability exercises on and off the Swiss Ball. A highlight of my career was co-designing a novel ultrasound device that helps treat acute and chronic joint pain.

Becoming a mom deepened my interest in pelvic health and musculoskeletal care. Experiencing firsthand how the body evolves through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond inspired me to specialize in pelvic floor rehabilitation for all genders. I am especially passionate about supporting women through the peri, menopausal, and postmenopausal stages, helping them navigate the physical changes of each phase with the right tools, movement strategies, and individualized care. Every stage of life brings unique challenges, and I believe physiotherapy can play a key role in helping people feel strong, supported, and more at ease in their bodies. With a strong understanding of orthopedics and sports, it gives me a deeper insight into treating athletic pelvic health individuals to better understand the demands of their bodies in a peculiar way! My curiosity about how people with hypermobile joints respond differently to conventional manual or physiotherapy techniques has led me to become a member of EDS- ECHO society, where I spent the last 4 years helping individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD)!

I hold additional certifications in the following areas: - Pelvic Health solutions - Level I, II and III (Urinary incontinence and Prolapse, Pelvic pain through trauma informed lens, Biopsychosocial aspects of pelvic health) - Pessary Fitting - Prolapse and Incontinence. - EDS ECHO Clinicians North America (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders) - Functional Dry Needling - Functional Movement Training - Kinesiology Taping - Cupping

Outside of the clinic, you can find me playing with my son, Nyrit, whether that is experimenting with new recipes, biking along the Ottawa river, dancing or travelling off the beaten path. I also love unwinding by watching The Office on repeat!

Email: pratyusha@core-connections.ca

Hours: Monday 9-5pm Tuesday 9-5 pm Friday 9-5pm

Services provided in English and Telugu.

EDS; sports I’m a physiotherapist with over 13 years of experience, and I truly love the work I ... Read More

A not uncommon story, my initial interest in Physiotherapy stemmed from my own involvement in sports. What this looks like over 35 years later is a deep commitment to use our Physiotherapy discipline as a resource for musculoskeletal health so people can continue with activities they love. While I’ve explored a variety of clinical areas over the years, my core practice remains primarily in orthopaedics. My consistent goal is to empower individuals to optimize management of their own care. Sensible independent exercise routines, activity modification and progression, education specific to their condition and physiotherapy manual therapy techniques can all be components of that care.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from McGill University in Montreal. I completed the Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy in 2003. This is a qualification to perform manipulations of both the peripheral and spinal joints. I also have participated in continuing education for Physiotherapists within the manual therapy syllabus. I completed Level 1 Acupuncture Canada Certification in 2010. I have recently taken further training in Vestibular Rehabilitation.

Outside of the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Dave, and two daughters. You can find us cycling and lake swimming in the summer and skiing, both downhill and cross country, in the winter. I’ve recently returned to singing Alto in a choir and am a struggling novice cello player.

Affiliations - Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy. - Acupuncture Canada Certification

My hours: Tuesdays 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Thursdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Services offered in English.

A not uncommon story, my initial interest in Physiotherapy stemmed from my own involvement in spo... Read More