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Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an effective, evidence based medical science that specializes in the movement of the human body. Physiotherapists provide an in depth musculoskeletal physical assessment, to diagnose injury or disability. They are specifically educated to deal with the musculoskeletal components of the human body including injury to muscle, joints and ligaments. The main goals of physiotherapy... Read More

Physiotherapy is an effective, evidence based medical science that specializes in the movement of the human body. Physiotherapists provide an in depth musculoskeletal physical assessment, to diagnose injury or disability. They are specifically educated to deal with the musculoskeletal components of the human body including injury to muscle, joints and ligaments. The main goals of physiotherapy are to reduce pain, improve mobility and restore functional abilities. Through a series of therapy programs and prescription exercises, our physiotherapists are able to help you achieve long term results and ultimately a healthy lifestyle! It is important to seek physiotherapy quickly after an injury as results improve with early intervention. Treatment options include, but are not limited to, therapeutic modalities, individually prescribed exercise plans, acute and post-concussion syndrome management, vestibular rehabilitation, acupuncture, dry needling, soft tissue distraction and myofascial release techniques.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, to achieve a therapeutic response. It enhances the function of muscles and joints. Massage therapy relieves pain and stress as well as improving blood circulation. Massage therapy also has a sedative, calming effect. There are two different types of massage offered at our clinic. 1. Deep Therapeutic Massage. The massag... Read More

Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, to achieve a therapeutic response. It enhances the function of muscles and joints. Massage therapy relieves pain and stress as well as improving blood circulation. Massage therapy also has a sedative, calming effect. There are two different types of massage offered at our clinic. 1. Deep Therapeutic Massage. The massage therapist utilizes deep pressure to achieve a therapeutic effect. They work out the ‘knots’ in the muscles to improve mobility and reduce pain. 2. Gentle and Soothing Massage. The massage therapist utilizes light to moderate pressure to improve blood circulation and promote relaxation and pain relief.

Private Physiotherapy Pilates

This is a one-on-one or semi-private Physiotherapy lead Pilates session. The one hour session will be led by our Pilates certified Physiotherapist. Pilates is an exercise regime that is typically performed on a floor mat to improve flexibility and stability by strengthening the muscles; especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back. Pilates is a low impact exercise r... Read More

This is a one-on-one or semi-private Physiotherapy lead Pilates session. The one hour session will be led by our Pilates certified Physiotherapist. Pilates is an exercise regime that is typically performed on a floor mat to improve flexibility and stability by strengthening the muscles; especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back.

Pilates is a low impact exercise regime where the exercises are performed slowly and include each of the 6 basic principles: Concentration, breathing, control, centering, precision and whole body movement.

Spin

Pilates Class

Our Pilates classes are led by our certified Pilates instructor. Each class is one hour long and will host 9 participants. For those who are new, Pilates is an exercise regime that is typically performed on a floor mat to improve flexibility and stability by strengthening the muscles; especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back. Pilates is a low impact exercise reg... Read More

Our Pilates classes are led by our certified Pilates instructor. Each class is one hour long and will host 9 participants. For those who are new, Pilates is an exercise regime that is typically performed on a floor mat to improve flexibility and stability by strengthening the muscles; especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back.

Pilates is a low impact exercise regime where the exercises are performed slowly and include each of the 6 basic principles: Concentration, breathing, control, centering, precision and whole body movement.

Bracing Consultation

Mary Ellen Baldner PT, MScPT, FCAMPT

Mary Ellen is a graduate of McMaster University where she earned a Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy in 2012. Prior to this, she attended York University, graduating in 2010 with a BFA honours double major in Dance and Kinesiology. Her background in dance instilled in her a lifelong love of movement. Physiotherapy has allowed her to continue to discover how movement and exercise can decrease pain, restore function after injury, and increase quality of life at any age or activity level. She believes in empowering clients with the information and tools that they need to optimize their own health.

Mary Ellen has a keen interest in pursuing continuing education. She completed all her manual therapy levels through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, becoming a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT) in 2017. She is a certified Integrated Dry Needling practitioner and has her AA1 acupuncture certification through Acupuncture Canada. She has completed training in advanced management of post-concussion syndrome through the R2P Concussion Management program, and she has taken courses in, among other areas, vestibular rehabilitation and persistent pain management. Mary Ellen has practiced Pilates herself for many years and is a certified Pilates instructor in both mat and reformer through the Balanced Body instructor training program.

Mary Ellen is thrilled to return to her home, Antigonish, where she continues her own active lifestyle outside of the clinic; in addition to Pilates and dancing, she enjoys running, hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and swimming.

Mary Ellen is a graduate of McMaster University where she earned a Master of Science degree in Ph... Read More

Beth Beaton

Phil Casey

Ms. Shirlyn Donovan

Aly Gillis

Mr. Nathan Giroux MScPT

Nathan grew up in a small town outside of Ottawa and made the move to the East Coast to pursue his Bachelors Degree in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University and graduated in 2012. While at St. FX’s Nathan was the student athletic therapist for the varsity men’s hockey team for two seasons. Upon graduation Nathan worked in the private sector in Nova Scotia as a Kinesiologist before leaving to pursue his Physiotherapy degree. Nathan’s passion for sport led him to complete his Masters thesis on parental awareness of sports-related concussions, and he brings this knowledge into his practice. In 2015 Nathan graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University (Scotland) with his Masters in Physiotherapy.

Since graduation Nathan has completed several courses including AA1 and AA2 levels of acupuncture, giving him advanced acupuncture skills. He then extended this knowledge of needling techniques, and took his Level 1 Dry Needling through Acupuncture Canada. As well Nathan has taken his Advanced Upper and Lower Extremity Certification, and Lumbo-Pelvic Complex Certification through APTEI (Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute). Nathan is also trained in both acute concussion care and post-concussion syndrome care, through the R2P Concussion Management program. He is also a Certificate Candidate with Sports Physiotherapy Canada, and is currently working with the Nova Major Bantam hockey team.

Nathan is excited to be back in Antigonish and looks forward to becoming more involved in the St. FX’s community as well as the larger community of Antigonish. In his free time, he loves being active with CrossFit, playing recreational hockey, running, and spending time with his two dogs!

Nathan grew up in a small town outside of Ottawa and made the move to the East Coast to pursue hi... Read More

Kailey Landry
(She/Her/Hers) Registered Massage Therapist

Kailey grew up in a small Acadian community in Cape Breton. Focusing on chemistry and biology, she finished high school and decided to go to St.FX to pursue a dream in the health care field. After completing 2 years, she realized that massage therapy was her true calling. Kailey moved to Halifax where she graduated from Eastern College with Honours in her Massage Therapy Diploma. Being a home body, she decided to move closer to home and be part of the Xcel team.

Kailey is very excited to put her skills to work and is looking forward to meet new clients and building long lasting, professional relationships. She can perform deep tissue, therapeutic and relaxation massage, with focuses on trigger point and fascial therapy as well as cupping therapy.

In her spare time, Kailey enjoys spending time at the family cottage, sitting around the campfire and furthering her studies to become the most competent massage therapist she can be.

Kailey grew up in a small Acadian community in Cape Breton. Focusing on chemistry and biology, sh... Read More

Rachel MacDougall

Meghan MacLeod

Miss Jen MacNeil

Laura Nickelo MScPT

Laura grew up in Shubenacadie, N.S. She completed her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University. Since graduation she has worked in private practice in Elmsdale, N.S prior to opening Xcel Physiotherapy. Laura is a proud graduate of St. Francis Xavier University with Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics. During her time at St.FX she a student Athletic Therapist with the national championship winning X-Women Rugby program as a and completed a CPTN personal training certification. As an NCCP level 1 figure skating coach she also enjoyed coaching in learn to skate programs. She is a Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) member and a member of the CPA’s Acupuncture and Animal Rehabilitation divisions.

Laura has extensive needling training through Acupuncture Canada; she is CAFCI certified and Level 1 and 2 Dry Needling. She has also completed the upper extremity, lower extremity and lumbopelvic courses through the Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute (APTEI). Laura is currently working to complete the requirements to obtain a diploma in Canine Rehabilitation through Canadian Physiotherapy Associations Animal Rehabilitation Division.

Laura has a special interest in general fitness; cardio, strength and mobility. She is passionate about promoting and encouraging regular physical activity in conjunction with healthy lifestyle habits.

Her passion for health and wellness stemmed from years of competitive figure skating, as a member of Team Nova Scotia. Laura has always been either working at a gym or leading exercise classes; she currently offers spin classes out of Xcel! When not at the clinic she can be found relaxing with her fur kids, training or race prepping with the toughest toddler trainer around.

Laura grew up in Shubenacadie, N.S. She completed her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy at Glas... Read More

Matt Smorenburg MScPT, MSc Neuroscience, BSc, IT-PT

Matt graduated from Carleton University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. He then completed his Master’s of Science in Neuroscience at Queen’s University in 2017, researching how eye movements can be used as a potential biomarker to diagnose and assess neurological disorders. He was awarded the prestigious Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship for his research.

After completing his thesis, Matt pursued his Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University, graduating in 2019. After physiotherapy school, he completed post-graduate training in advanced functional dry needling, pain neuroscience education, advanced manual therapy, concussion and vestibular rehabilitation techniques. Matt completed his Titleist Professional Institute (TPI) training to assess/treat golfer’s physical abilities, with the goal of improving swing mechanics and reducing pain while on the course.

Matt has a special interest in treating a wide variety of clients, ranging from elite athletes to clients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. He has experience treating clients suffering from balance/vertigo issues, concussions, cervicogenic headaches and migraines, both acute and chronic.

Matt is passionate about accelerating his clients’ recovery from injury. He values compassion, always striving to understand his client’s values and individualizes their rehabilitation to suit their functional needs. He strives to implement evidence-informed practice, remaining up to date on effective treatment strategies and approaches. When not at work, Matt loves lifting weights, fishing, archery, golfing and spending time with his golden retrievers Thor and Freya.

Matt graduated from Carleton University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience... Read More

Sara Swinkels Registered Massage Therapist

Sara was born and raised in Antigonish. She graduated in 2012, with Honours, from the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She is returning from maternity leave and very excited to see her existing and new clients.

Sara is a member of MTANS. She is certified in Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Prenatal Massage and Craniosacral Therapy.

In her spare time, Sara enjoys being a mom to Dirks, spending time with family and friends, being outdoors and traveling.

Sara was born and raised in Antigonish. She graduated in 2012, with Honours, from the Atlantic Co... Read More

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Located at: 133 Church Street, Suite 144, Antigonish
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Need Help? 9027351818 clinic@xcelphysio.ca