Donna has been a physiotherapist for 30 years, gaining experience in several fields including the military, the National Health Service (UK) and private practice in both England and Canada. She graduated with a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Toronto in 1989, and has since completed numerous post-graduate courses, most notably in advanced manual therapy, acupuncture and yoga. Donna has studied with Neil Pearson, physiotherapist and yoga therapist with Life is Now, Dr. Mary Massery, physiotherapist, whose publications and interests focus on linking motor behaviors to breathing and/or postural mechanics – “If You Can’t Breath, You Can’t Function”. and has completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Meranda Squires at The Lotus Centre.  Donna has completed Bonefit Training with Osteoporosis Canada, and an Urban Poling course for Rehab and Wellness Professionals and is a GLA:D certified therapist.

She incorporates Yoga, postural training and wellness into her treatment sessions.

Donna is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and is registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists.

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Michael Kay – BSc Physiotherapy, MSc (CAFCI)

Michael graduated from the University of Toronto, worked for a time then completed post graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario.

Michael has a range of clinical experience in neurosciences, orthopaedics and vocational rehabilitation. He is trained in the McKenzie treatment system which he integrates into the management of low back pain, and neck pain. He also has extensive experience in post-surgical rehabilitation including TKA and ACL repair.

For the past ten years, he has worked in an advanced professional and leadership role as a physiotherapist in outpatient orthopaedics with Eastern Health. Patients and students have benefited from his expertise in adult education approaches, clinical reasoning and research. Michael holds an appointment with Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy as an Adjunct Clinical Associate. Recently, he was appointed a Professional Associate with Memorial University’s Discipline of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine.

Professionally Michael has served in positions as Chairperson for the Newfoundland and Labrador Physiotherapy Association and an executive member on the College of Physiotherapists.  Nationally, he is a former Chair for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA)’s Acupuncture Division.

Michael is a Level 3 Judo Coach and is an Instructor in coach education with the NCCP program. Other spare time finds him on the water – Sea Kayaking.

Michael is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and is registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists.

 

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Melissa holds a Masters Degree in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University (2010) and an Honors Bachelors degree in Kinesiology from Memorial University of Newfoundland (2007). She worked in Edmonton, Alberta in the private sector for nearly a decade, returning to the island mid 2020, and is excited to join the team at Back on Track!

Melissa has worked with hundreds of clients of all ages providing them with education and encouragement to achieve their rehabilitation goals.  She has treated various acute and chronic orthopedic conditions including injuries from slip and fall, sports, work, motor vehicle accidents, gradual onset pain, and many other conditions.

Melissa’s treatments consist of a strong education component, manual therapy, exercise, and therapeutic modalities as needed. She also has advanced training and experience treating concussions and vestibular (dizziness) issues such as BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), which is often a result of the displacement of crystals in the inner ear causing dizziness when in certain positions.

Melissa loves to learn and focused on continuing education during her time in Alberta, taking many post-graduate courses to enhance her skills and stay current with the latest research and best patient care:

– CBI (Canadian Back Institute) Health Group: Treating the Patient with Pain Disorder (2012)

– CBI Health Group: Level 1 Spinal Assessment & Treatment (2011/2012)

-The Dizziness and Balance rehabilitation Clinic: Vestibular Rehabilitation-A Comprehensive Introduction (2014)

-The Dizziness and Balance Clinic: Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation (2020)

-Concussion Rehab Works Inc.: Concussion Management Workshop Level 1 (2020)

– Swodeam Institute: Certified Manual Therapist (2018)

-Mulligans Lower Quadrant Mobilization with Movement (2016)

-Mulligans Upper Quadrant Mobilizations with movement (2015)

-Selective Functional Movement Assessment (2017)

– Swodeam Institute: The MVA Accident Patient (2016)

-K Taping Pro (2014)

-Principles of Shoulder Exercise & Rehabilitation by Shoulder Specialist Lyn Watson (2017)

-APTEI (Advanced Physical Therapy Educational Institute) for the following:

Temporomandibular (TMJ) Joint (2016)

The Foot and Ankle Complex (2015)

Elbow, Wrist & Hand (2015)

Cervical Spine Articular Dysfunctions (2015)

Cervical Spine Neural Tissue Mechanosensitivity (2015)

The Hip Complex (2013)

The shoulder Complex (2013)

The Advanced Physical Therapy Lumbo-pelvic Complex Certification (2014).

Melissa has also developed a passion for yoga and felt a strong need to integrate this into her practice. Getting individuals on their mats, breathing, and focusing enables them to become more connected with their bodies. Stepping away from the demands of life to move and breathe in a way that eases stress, goes hand in hand with physical therapy.  She completed her first 200 HR yoga teacher training with world-renowned yoga instructor Rachel Brathen, known as Yoga Girl. The purpose of her classes is to not only deepen a connection to ourselves, but with the people around us.

In 2020 she completed another 200hr yoga training called the LYT method. The LYT method was created by International Yoga Teacher and Physical Therapist Lara Heimann. It is heavily rooted in anatomy and focuses on optimizing alignment so you can function and move at your best. LYT yoga is an intense movement experience that systematically overrides the patterns of compensation and poor habits through the exploration of brain mapping and purposeful movement.

In her free time, Melissa loves doing anything outdoors, especially movement-related fun! Daily movement activities are important to her, in addition to her daily yoga and meditation practices. She also loves to read and am obsessed with books!

Melissa looks forward to meeting you in the clinic and working together to create a life where you can live and move optimally.

Melissa is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and is registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jennifer has been practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist since 2009. She received a diploma in Massage Therapy from ICT Massage Therapy from Northumberland College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She treats a wide variety of conditions- sports related injuries, pregnancy, postural dysfunction, myofascial restriction, motor vehicle and stress related discomfort.

Jennifer is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Massage Therapy Association, and is registered with the College Of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Kaitlyn graduated with honors from the ICT Kikkawa College in Toronto, Ontario.  Following her Massage Therapy training, Kaitlyn has completed courses in Sports Massage, Remedial Exercise Progression for Low Back Pain, and she has a Cupping Massage Therapy Certification.

Before attending college in Ontario, Kaitlyn graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree, and she has been a Motivator/Fitness Coach at Goodlife Fitness since 2012.  Her Kinesiology degree, and her experience working at Goodlife Fitness, allow Kaitlyn to guide her clients on their rehabilitation, and to offer them fitness advice.

Kaitlyn is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Massage Therapy Association, and is registered with the College Of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Sheldon completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology – BA(Hons.) –  and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English – BA – both from  Sir Wilford Grenfell Collage Memorial University’s west coast campus in Newfoundland.  He went on to complete his graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University in Ontario, where he worked with cancer patients.  For the past 17 years Sheldon has worked as a Clinical Psychologist with Eastern Health, in a community setting for 14 years, and acute care services at the Waterford Hospital for 3 years.

Over the course of his career, Sheldon has diagnosed and/or treated people with a variety of mental health concerns, including Adjustment, Anxiety, and Mood Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Addictions.  He has experience working with people from a variety of religions, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, in both traditional and nontraditional settings.  Sheldon has co-authored a book titled “Faith, Hope, and Charity as Character Traits in Adler’s Individual Psychology.”

Sheldon is a member of the Association of Psychology of Newfoundland and Labrador and is registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board.

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Michelle joined the Back on Track team in June of 2012 as our staff accountant and administrator. Michelle brings with her 20 years of administration and accounting experience in the hair care and automotive industries, as well as with a national public accountancy firm.

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