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

Mon 8am -8pm, 
Tues 8am-7pm,
Wed 8am -8pm,
Thurs 8am -8pm,
Friday 8am -4pm
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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)

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

Janet MacKinnon

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

Janet is a graduate of University of Guelph and McMaster University. Janet has over 10 years of experience in both pelvic health and orthopaedic physiotherapy which 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 also completed courses in Acupuncture through McMaster University, and running injury courses. She has a clinical interest in treating low back, surgical rehabilitation, and pelvic health specifically pregnancy, incontinence, prolapse, and post-partum return to activity/sport.

Shannon Clutton Carr

Registered Physiotherapist, Hons.B.Kin, MPT, CGIMS

Shannon is a graduate of McMaster University and Western University. Shannon offers over 10 years of clinical experience in orthopedics and started her pelvic floor treatment journey in 2018. She has furthered her education by completing courses in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy levels 1-4, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Manual Therapy Levels 1-3, AFCI acupuncture, GUNN IMS/dry needling, and specific courses related to Running Injuries, Post-Partum Return to Sport, and Dance Rehabilitation. Her treatment techniques include the use of Manual Therapy, Specialized Exercise, Acupuncture/Dry Needling/IMS, and STOTT Pilates Mat & Reformer training. Shannon also launched the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Series online and in person at GWHA in collaboration with Guelph Family Doulas in 2019. Lastly, Shannon remains committed to supporting my ‘people’ through the pregnancy and infant loss community. She is a peer facilitator with the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre. Shannon understands the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of pregnancy loss on a parent, and use a trauma-informed approach in my care. She is a loss mom with 2 living children, including 1 rainbow baby. Shannon has lived in Guelph most of her life and enjoy exploring the city with my kids, especially now as the world opens up to them again. She loves her Peloton, drinking a good coffee with friends, reading, and making mediocre baked goods for her family!

Eliza Pereira-Karve

Registered Physiotherapist, MPT

Eliza has a special interest in women’s health and pelvic health physiotherapy. Her journey into pelvic health physiotherapy began not as a therapist, but as a patient. Her firsthand experience of the benefits of pelvic health physiotherapy and the positive influence it had on her quality of life, motivated her to pursue formal training in pelvic health. Eliza graduated in 2009 with a Masters in Physiotherapy. She began practising in Ontario in 2011 with a diverse orthopaedic caseload and gradually transitioned to a focus on treating women. She has completed numerous courses focused on treating incontinence, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, vaginismus, diastasis rectus abdominis, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic girdle pain, to name a few. In 2021, she completed pelvic health focussed, clinical mentorship in the Integrated Systems Model (ISM) approach with Diane Lee and associates in British Columbia. Eliza has experience working with women of all ages, assisting them to overcome sexual health-related challenges, prepare for childbirth, return to exercise and activity after pregnancy and age gracefully from peri to post-menopause. Eliza strongly believes that optimal health is a combination of a healthy body, and a resilient spirit and mind. She uses a whole-person treatment approach that involves sensitive communication, education, manual therapy and individualized exercise prescription and modalities. When she is not practising, Eliza likes travelling with her spouse to off the beaten path destinations. She also enjoys all things artsy and craftsy.

Aishwarya Desai

Physiotherapist Resident

Aishwarya Desai is a physiotherapy resident who graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 2020 with a Master 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 has also obtained her Manual Therapy Level 1 certification and completed a three-series course on therapeutic management of the Upper Extremity from the Roth/McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Center. Furthermore, she has completed the Level 1 and 2 of the Pelvic Health Courses, certifying her to work with individuals dealing with Female and Male Incontinence, Pelvic Pain, Pregnancy and Anorectal Disorders. She is excited to continually improve her skills and update her knowledge. Aishwarya has worked with a wide variety of patient population, ranging from helping individuals suffering from adhesive capsulitis, low back pain, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, post-operative rehabilitation, arthritis, ankle sprains, cervicogenic headaches, and pelvic health specifically with pre-natal, post-partum, incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain. Aishwarya speaks English, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Marathi and would love to use this knowledge to provide the best possible care for her patients.

Jessica Dorado

Lead Office Administrator, Regional Trainer

Jessica holds a degree in Geography from the University of Guelph and a diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts Management from George Brown College. She first joined EPA’s Bullfrog location in 2015 where she worked full-time reception for a year before going to pastry school. Jesica worked at the University of Guelph pastry kitchen where she focused on recipe development and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. With the impacts of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, Jessica excitedly rejoined the EPA team in 2020 at the Guelph Women’s Health location. Jessica is your main contact person for any booking and billing inquiries at GWHA.

Jenn Wrixon

Receptionist

Jen has done so much since the age of 16 that it would take a whole web page to list it all. Here’s the short version: after living in a remote cabin in the British Columbia woods, she moved back to Ontario in her 20s and became a Registered Reflexologist and Certified Aromatherapist. She put her practice on hold to raise two beautiful daughters, but eventually found herself drawn to creative business—and has refinished furniture, crafted wall hangings, created jewelry, and painted fine art for clients for more than a decade. Pandemic isolation made her miss people, so now you’ll find her at the front desk of Guelph Women’s Health Associates. Jen’s hobbies and interests include cooking, walking in Guelph’s Preservation Park, running, and anything creative.

Hannah Beaumont

Part-Time Receptionist

Pic & bio coming soon!

Megan Diamantopoulos (Currently on Maternity Leave)

Part-Time Receptionist

Megan has a Family and Social Relations degree from the University of Windsor. She is currently completing training at the Newman Clinic to become a licensed lactation consultant. Megan can be found working the front desk in the evenings at Guelph Women’s Health Associates.

Delaney Tone

Part-Time Summer Receptionist

My name is Delaney Tone and I am from Arthur, Ontario. I am currently going into my third year of a BSc in Kinesiology at Queen’s University. Growing up I participated in various sports, and I want to maintain an aspect of this in my future career. I look forward to learning as much as I can from the EPA team and being a friendly face for all who visit us. In my free time, I am very involved in clubs and committees within my program, love reading, and get out on the ice or baseball diamond.