Physiotherapy at Guelph Women’s Health Associates (GWHA)

Have you ever wondered or felt:

Where can I access these unique services?
With a busy schedule, how can I manage or attend multiple appointments
I am really not comfortable talking to my doctor about my concern
I don’t think there is any treatment that will work and help me
I want treatment that allows me to be in control
Are there other options than medication? I am not interested in medication if there are other options
After seeing my doctor, I am now waiting months for a specialist appointment. What else can I do?

If this resonates with you GWHA can offer you strategies to get you back to optimal health.

Why are women choosing Guelph Women’s Health Associates?

People often tend to look after everyone but themselves, until one day a light bulb goes off and they realize – “it’s time to look after me”. When this moment occurs many people face the reality that they can’t ignore the signals that their body has been giving them. Stress levels and lack of self care hit a critical point and they feel like their health is in jeopardy mentally, physically and emotionally.

Those nagging symptoms like a little bit of urinary leakage have progressed now to stopping them from minor physical activity like an evening walk. Being inactive has heightened their sense of fatigue and overall feeling of sadness or depression, which is adding to both emotional and sexual strain in their relationships. In these moments people may feel helpless, but people also know that given that right resources that they are strong and can return to an optimal state of health.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

How is GWHA different?

GWHA’s professional team works collectively with you, applying our many decades of combined experience to your unique situation to find the solutions that are most effective, and easeful for you.

We recognized the need for a friendly, calm, and supportive environment where women can freely talk about their issues, while also getting excellent treatment. Our office location has accessible parking, an elevator to our suite (for those days when you just don’t feel like taking the stairs!) and a friendly bright feminine environment welcoming you upon arrival.

Sometimes our busy schedule doesn’t allow us to take time away from our family, and we understand that. New moms are welcome to bring their infants along with them during treatment sessions, as well as our facility is absolutely comfortable and welcoming of nursing moms– in fact, we support it!

GWHA’s professional team offers unique extended treatment sessions, so that while you are with us, you don’t feel rushed during your treatment, and feel as relaxed as possible.

Although we do offer a wide range of services, in some instances, your personalized treatment plan might require a separate visit to another Guelph community provider. We want you to receive the best care possible, and because of that, we are very open minded when it comes to referring our patients to other providers operating in the community. After all, our patients are number one– your success is our success.

Our Physiotherapy Services in Guelph Women’s Health Associates (GWHA)

Pregnancy

Pelvic Pain & Sexual Dysfunction

Prolapse

Physiotherapy for Female Incontinence

Physiotherapy for Male Incontinence

Pediatric Pelvic Physiotherapy Treatment

Shoulder Pain Physiotherapy Treatment

Low Back Pain Physiotherapy Treatment

Knee Pain Physiotherapy Treatment

Our Guelph Women’s Health Associates (GWHA) Physiotherapists & Staff

Janet MacKinnon

Registered Physiotherapist, MSc (PT), MSc (Bio Med), BSc Hon, Clinical Director of GWHA

View Janet MacKinnon's Biography

Janet has a passion for keeping people active at all ages and stages of life. By working closely as a team with her clients, Janet is able to create a personal achievable program for any level of fitness. Janet works with all genders experiencing orthopaedic or pelvic health issues. Janet is a graduate of University of Guelph and McMaster University. Having over 10 years of experience in both pelvic health and orthopaedic physiotherapy allows her to generate a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the whole body. Janet specialises in Pelvic Health having taken Pelvic Health Physiotherapy levels 1-5 (Female and Male Urinary Incontinence), Pelvic Pain, Pregnancy, and Anorectal Disorders as well as further courses for pregnancy and exercise. Janet has completed courses in acupuncture through McMaster University, as well as many running injury and female athlete courses. Janet has taught at the University of Guelph and at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario sharing her passion for physiotherapy and health. Janet can often be seen running around Guelph either driving kids to hockey, dance and swimming or herself running the roads and trails. Areas of Specific Training: Running rehabilitation Female athlete rehabilitation Pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain Post-partum care including vaginal and cesarean birth Urinary Incontinence Dyspareunia Acupuncture Areas of Clinical Interest: Athletic rehabilitation Incontinence Pelvic pain and prolapse Exercise through the perinatal period Menopause Transgender health

Aishwarya Desai

Registered Physiotherapist, BSc (Bio), MPT

View Aishwarya Desai's Biography

Aishwarya Desai graduated from Western University in 2020 with a Masters of Physical Therapy. She also obtained a Bachelor of Science with honours in the fields of Biology and Medical Physiology from the University of Waterloo in 2018. Aishwarya offers over 2+ years of clinical experience in orthopedics and neural rehabilitation and has been treating pelvic floor dysfunction since 2021. Aishwarya has experience working with women of all ages, helping them overcome urinary, fecal and urge incontinence, as well as pelvic pain. She works alongside expecting mothers, with the aim of helping them prepare for childbirth, postpartum rehabilitation and returning to exercise and/or day to day activity following their pregnancy. She also treats pelvic organ prolapse and constipation and guides her patients as they undergo menopausal and peri-menopausal changes. Aishwarya has worked with a wide variety of patient population, including those suffering from adhesive capsulitis, low back pain, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, post-operative rehabilitation, arthritis; cardiorespiratory conditions such as pneumonia, COPD, atelectasis; and neurological conditions such as stroke, MS, Glioma, and Parkinson’s Disease. Aishwarya speaks English, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Marathi and would love to use this knowledge to provide the best possible care for her patients. Areas of Specific Training: • Level 1 Manual Therapy • Hand and upper extremity rehabilitation from Roth/McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Center • Level 1 and 2 of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy • Post-partum rehabilitation following cesarian birth Areas of Clinical Interest: • Urinary, feal and urge incontinence • Pelvic pain, including pain associated with intercourse • Post-partum recovery, and post-partum return to exercises • Acute and chronic neck and shoulder pain • Mid and lower back and stiffness • Pubic symphysis and SIJ dysfunction during pregnancy

Jessica Moretto

Physiotherapy Resident

View Jessica Moretto's Biography

Jessica is a new graduate from McMaster University’s Master’s of Physiotherapy program. She has a passion for pelvic health, is dedicated to ongoing education and looks forward to continuing to advance her skills in the field of women’s health. Jessica strives to empower clients with the knowledge and tools needed to optimize their health and well-being. She has taken courses to practice pelvic health physiotherapy, including attaining her level 1 (bowel and bladder disorders) and level 2 (pelvic pain) training, and has completed her level 3 training. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science, Honours Biology, and a minor in French from McMaster (2021), and a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster (2023) as well. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys cooking, baking, volunteering, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and spending time with family and friends.

Janette MacMillan

Lead Administrator

View Janette MacMillan's Biography

Janette has just recently joined GWHA as a full-time receptionist and has many years working in Customer Service. In my spare time, I like to spend it in my craft room crafting and creating floral arrangements for all occasions. You will often find me throughout the year being a vendor at various craft shows

Elizabeth Connelly

Part-Time Reception

View Elizabeth Connelly 's Biography

Elizabeth is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph, earning a degree in Biomedical Sciences. She intends to continue her studies at the Michener Institue of Education, enrolled in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Outside of school, Elizabeth is an avid runner and enjoys going to the gym, especially with friends. She also loves hiking the Guelph trails with her two dogs. Elizabeth can be found working part-time at the front desk at Guelph Women’s Health Associates.

Khushi Balwani

Part-Time Reception

View Khushi Balwani's Biography

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Maureen Callaghan

HR Generalist

View Maureen Callaghan's Biography

I am a human resources practitioner who has worked in a wide range of settings, including live performance, manufacturing and various educational environments. I specialize in onboarding experience, and administrative processes, and am passionate about creating a safe and efficient workplace. I am currently working towards CHRP designation and studied at McMaster University and OISE, University of Toronto.