My passion for helping others led me to pursue a career in massage therapy. I recently graduated from the massage therapy program at Fanshawe College and before that, the kinesiology program at Brock University. During my time at Fanshawe, I had the opportunity to treat a variety of clients from different populations, including athletes and seniors.

As a firm believer in the uniqueness of each individual’s pain and experience, I recognize the importance of finding a treatment plan that works for you. That’s why I utilize a variety of techniques, such as general Swedish massage, joint mobilizations, and passive stretching, to meet your specific goals. My commitment to your wellbeing extends beyond just physical care. I take the time to listen to your concerns and work collaboratively with you to create a customized treatment plan that effectively addresses your unique needs. One of my favourite aspects of my work is providing simple and effective home care exercises that you can do to self-manage your condition when you are not in the clinic. By empowering you with the tools to manage your symptoms, you will be better equipped to take control of your health.

My ultimate goal is to help you get back to doing what you love pain-free. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the progress you make as you regain your range of motion and return to the activities that you enjoy. It’s a privilege to be able to help you get back on track and I’m deeply committed to providing you with the highest quality of care. Helping you achieve optimal health and wellbeing is truly my passion, and I’m honored to play a role in your journey towards a healthier, happier life.

Outside the clinic, my personal life mirrors my professional life as I find joy in moving my body, whether it’s playing soccer, golfing with friends, or hiking with my dog Cujo!

My passion for helping others led me to pursue a career in massage therapy. I recently graduated ... Read More

Please note, Sarah’s caseload for evening clients (after 4pm) is currently full, and she is not accepting new clients in the evening timeslots

As a massage therapist, I feel deeply connected to your health and wellbeing. With my background in kinesiology, I am passionate about helping you achieve your fitness goals and take your performance to the next level. Whether you are an athlete or simply looking to stay active, I am dedicated to using my knowledge to help you overcome injuries and dysfunction to achieve your optimal health.

I have been practicing for over 16 years and have an educational background in Kinesiology, Rehabilitative Exercise and Massage Therapy. My practice focuses on working directly with the client to evaluate their medical history, daily routines along with their current physical limitations and dysfunctions to determine the best treatment plan for each individual client. I am skilled in assessing and treating soft tissue dysfunction and I use a variety of methods, including: manual therapy techniques, rehabilitative exercises, posture and ergonomics training and body awareness exercises to prevent, manage, and rehabilitate injuries related to sport, exercise, or repetitive daily activities.

I am a strong advocate for holistic healthcare and client accountability. This means every treatment I provide will not only include manual therapy techniques, but also empowering you with knowledge about your condition, your body and the exercises and modifications you can make to your environment and daily activities. By understanding the healing process, you can become an active participant in your own rehabilitation, taking control of your health and wellbeing. I take great pride in working closely with you and your other healthcare providers to create the most comprehensive healthcare plan possible. This approach ensures that every aspect of your health is taken into consideration, so you can achieve the best possible outcomes.

I’m constantly learning and growing in my field, always striving to give you the best possible care. For me, there’s no greater joy than seeing the transformation impact that a comprehensive healthcare plan can have on your life.

If you’re ready to take control of your health and wellbeing, I invite you to book an appointment with me today. Through holistic healthcare, comprehensive treatment plans, and thorough education about your condition, we can work together to help you achieve optimal health and healing. Don’t wait any longer to become an active participant in your rehabilitation – contact me today to start your journey towards a healthier, happier you.

Please note, Sarah’s caseload for evening clients (after 4pm) is currently full, and she is not a... Read More

Please note, Michelle’s caseload for evening clients (after 4pm) is currently full, and she is not accepting new clients in the evening timeslots

As a massage therapist with 20 years experience, I am passionate about helping my clients find musculoskeletal balance to ensure they are able to continue doing the activities they love most!

I am a graduate of Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy and have been a registered member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario since 2003.

I provide therapeutic massage, focusing on root causes of injury, discomfort and/or muscle imbalance and am dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans that address your unique needs and concerns. I am a strong advocate of client education, as I firmly believe that an educated client is an empowered one. I will work with you to understand the mechanism of your symptoms and help find the best way to promote continued recovery success. Drawing from my clinical knowledge, experience, and training in general massage techniques, fascial release, passive muscle stretching, functional/Kinesiology taping, acupressure, pregnancy massage, sport massage and client education my goal is to recreate body balance so you can enjoy normal function, be free of pain and discomfort, and have the confidence to live your best life!

My particular passion is for pre and postnatal massage and I believe that supporting postural integrity and the health of supporting muscle structures during pregnancy is key to promoting a more comfortable pregnancy and more effective birth. I am committed to ensuring you feel validated, nurtured and cared for every step of the way. I offer a specialized pregnancy treatment table and supportive accessories for optimal comfort during your massage treatment. Postpartum, I offer treatments and/or education and instructions for abdominal scar tissue health, breast massage, self care for nursing mothers, and general infant massage. My goal is to create a supportive and nurturing environment for mothers-to-be and new parents as they navigate the musculoskeletal changes during this beautiful and sacred time in their lives.

Please note, Michelle’s caseload for evening clients (after 4pm) is currently full, and she is no... Read More

WHO AM I?

I’m Kayla, I am a registered physiotherapist, I am a mechanical diagnostician. I am a mom of two littles, a wife, a small business owner, an avid reader, a soccer player. Like most of you, I wear many hats!

Over 10 years ago, being a confused student making my way through physio school, I was so fortunate to complete an internship with a McKenzie Institute faculty member. Suddenly, musculoskeletal (MSK) (muscle/joint/nerve) pain not only made sense, but was an exciting puzzle that I could help solve, and see change for people, a lot of times IMMEDIATELY. What was this magic?! Turns out it’s not magic, but an evidence based discovery from over 50 years ago called directional preference. I was pushed to re-think how I approached MSK pain, and finally having a clear cause and effect system for assessment clicked for my analytical brain.

Upon graduation, I immediately started to pursue my postgraduate education with the McKenzie Institute in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and in 2019, became a certified MDT clinician. This is a proven system to treat clients with MSK pain using simple movements in as few visits as possible. While this is most of the population (80%+), this system also helps to quickly determine the small percentage of people who actually need the imaging, the injection or the surgical intervention, and to get them connected to the right spot in the healthcare system in a more timely manner.

Between 2019 and 2021, I was fortunate to receive access to further advanced my training became a certified Outcomes Accountable Care (OAC™) clinician. My education and skill advancement does not end with certification though. One of my favourite parts of doing what I do is that I have access to a team of colleague experts to help ensure I can deliver the best and most efficient quality of care to you, because that’s what you deserve. You deserve to understand your pain, treat the SOURCE of your pain, and prevent recurrence of the issue for life.

So then, more importantly, who are you?

You are someone that is FRUSTRATED by your nerve/muscle/joint pain, and are TIRED of it preventing you from doing what you want to do. Maybe it is as simple as wanting to get up from the couch after watching Netflix without feeling like you are 150 years old. Maybe you want to get back on the court, the slopes, the pitch and your pain is stopping you. Do you feel like you have tried a bunch of approaches without success? Or you get better for awhile and then the pain comes right back? Are you motivated to better understand your body, and willing to invest your time into yourself to get there? I will be accountable to you, while you are accountable to yourself! I have the added knowledge to co-pilot this metaphorical plane, but only YOU are the one who can land it. I look forward to connecting with you.

What do you get? - Always one on one ongoing assessment with ME every visit - The option to pursue your care in clinic or via telehealth - Email access between visits for any questions that crop up

WHO AM I? I’m Kayla, I am a registered physiotherapist, I am a mechanical diagnostician. I am a ... Read More

15 years ago, I began my journey as a registered massage therapist, eager to learn and grow in my field. Over the years, I honed my skills, working with clients from all walks of life in a variety of settings, from athletic facilities to private clinics. Although I enjoyed each experience, over time I began to realize that something was missing. I wanted to create a space where I could fully honor my values and better serve my clients. This led to us to opening Function First in 2016, giving me the freedom to work on my own terms, with the ability to create a welcoming, healing environment that reflected my values.

As a massage therapist, I strive to make each session as nurturing and effective as possible, combining my years of experience with an unwavering commitment to your wellbeing. At the heart of everything I do is the desire to bring you relief from pain, so you can live your life to the fullest. My focus is on therapeutic massage that helps you not only to relax, but also to heal. Your treatment time is focused on reducing soft tissue adhesions and restrictions, increasing blood flow, and easing muscle tension. My ultimate goal is to help regulate your nervous system, so that you can restore everyday function and prevent the recurrence of pain.

I know that injuries and everyday aches and pains can be challenging and frustrating. That’s why I’m here for you, to promote healing for many different injuries and help ease those pains. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or recovering from an injury, my massage therapy sessions offer a safe and nurturing environment where you can find comfort and relief. So why not take a step towards feeling better today? Let me help you find the healing you deserve.

15 years ago, I began my journey as a registered massage therapist, eager to learn and grow in my... Read More