Hi, my name is Karah

and I can’t wait to meet you! I am an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner with a passion for helping people overcome health challenges which impede their ability to live more joyful, fulfilling lives. My passion for understanding the intricacies of the body was ignited while training and competing all over the world as a rhythmic gymnast representing team Canada. While competing at this level, injuries were common, however through rehabilitation and successful management, these challenges fostered my devotion to understanding the human body.

After obtaining my BSc in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph, I enrolled in a 5 year program at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto and graduated with a Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice. This program was culminated in the successful completion of a thesis where I looked at the importance of an interdisciplinary treatment approach when working in the field of women’s pelvic health.

Whether you are someone with pelvic pain, back pain, neck pain, headaches, digestive complaints or pelvic health concerns such as endometriosis, incontinence or painful periods (just to name a few!) you’ve landed in the right place! I take a full body approach to healing, focusing specifically on joint mechanics, the fascial system, visceral manipulation & cranial-sacral therapy. This approach can help to remove tensions from areas of the body, allowing the body’s natural self healing mechanisms to function properly. When I’m not helping clients, you can find me getting outside and staying active with my husband, daughter & pup!

Hi, my name is Karah and I can’t wait to meet you! I am an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner with ... Read More

I grew up in Guelph and graduated from the University of Toronto Physiotherapy class of 1993. I then lived in the United States for 21 years, raising my 2 daughters in the mountains of Vermont. In 2021, I returned to Guelph to be closer to my parents to assist them as they navigate the aging process.

Over the years, I have strived to continuously improve my manual therapy skills and delve deeper into understanding the mind-body connection as it relates to health and disease. I draw upon treatment techniques including myofascial release, muscle energy, structural integration and cranio sacral therapy. My aim is to assist each person to gain freedom in their movement and joy in each step of their life. In 2021, I graduated from massage school in Sedona, Arizona. This training assisted me to gain a greater understanding of the fascia in the body, and recognizing its mobility being the key to health.

My other loves include animals and nature. I combine them by walking in the woods with my rescue dog Roo.

I grew up in Guelph and graduated from the University of Toronto Physiotherapy class of 1993. I t... Read More

Shabina Lafleur-Gangji, R.Ac, TCMP, is an Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner. Her primary clinical focuses include chronic and acute pain, digestive issues, mental health, pregnancy and postpartum care, harm reduction, and working with communities that often face barriers to accessing healthcare.

Shabina Lafleur-Gangji, R.Ac, TCMP, is an Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practiti... Read More

Hello, and thank you for reading to learn about me and my approach to physiotherapy!

I grew up in Ottawa, and participated in many different sports growing up, so my passion for physiotherapy came naturally from enjoying an active lifestyle throughout my life. I love chatting with my clients about their active interests as much as possible, and weave this into my treatment approach - over the years I’ve participated in many things including curling, soccer, skiing, volleyball, running, just to name a few! At present, you’ll find me in my spare time enjoying keeping very active with the ‘informal’ exercise of keeping up with my two young children (aged 3 and 1) and our family dog!

My educational background includes a bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University, and I obtained my Master of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Toronto in 2013, with many ongoing continuing education courses since then. I’ve been living and working in Guelph since 2017.

My approach to physiotherapy assessment and treatment utilizes evidence-based practice and clinical experience to work with my patients to find the underlying cause of pain or injury, and the plan for treatment is created and tailored with individualized goals to resume participation in the meaningful activities of each clients life. Treatment options include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and education on injury specifics and health promotion support.

The most rewarding part of my workday is to seeing others return to enjoying the sports and activities that they love!

Hello, and thank you for reading to learn about me and my approach to physiotherapy! I grew up i... Read More

I’m a ‘Friendly Manitoban’ by nature and a Guelphite since 1997. I’ve come into my profession honestly having grown up with my father who worked hard in his private practice as an orthodontist and my mother who gave up a nursing career to raise me and my 3 siblings. You could describe me as a ‘nurturing perfectionist’ with those role models!

I decided to pursue a career in physiotherapy from a love of human anatomy and body mechanics as well as from personal experience as a competitive track runner. After graduating from Queen’s University my husband and I moved to Guelph. I worked at a private practice clinic in town and after 10 years and 3 maternity leaves producing 3 beautiful daughters, I decided to open my own clinic in 2007 and continue my professional journey as the owner of Speed River Physiotherapy.

I’m privileged to be a “health facilitator” for so many active adults in our community but this also means my ability to take on new patients is very limited. I enjoy meeting new faces and challenges and will continue to accept new patients if you have the patience to wait for me and are willing to be an active participant in your own pursuit of optimal health and wellbeing.

I’m a ‘Friendly Manitoban’ by nature and a Guelphite since 1997. I’ve come into my profession hon... Read More

As a child growing up in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, I was rather shy until my parents enrolled me in a dance class at the age of five. This class proved to be the first step in a lifelong passion and its numerous therapeutic applications.

I attended Ryerson University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance program in 2004 where I took a course in anatomy geared towards injury prevention in dancers. I was drawn to the complexity of the human body and how it can be manipulated to strike a healthy balance between the physical and the mental state. 

After university, I enrolled in the Canadian College of Massage and  Hydrotherapy where I graduated with honours in 2014. It excites me to be a part of both the Guelph dance community and the health practitioners they work with. Outside of the clinic, I lead with a busy family life with my husband, Daniel, and our two kids, Norah and Will.

As a child growing up in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, I was rather shy until my parents enrolled m... Read More

I grew up dancing, fostering a curiosity about how the body moves and works. As a young adult I wanted to be a scientist, but after completing an undergraduate thesis in a lab I realized that I was more patient with people than with pipettes! As a physiotherapist, I hope to empower people of all ages to learn more about their body and how to perform at their best.

My post-graduate courses and continuing education in Pilates (mat and reformer), manual therapy, acupuncture and pelvic health gives me access to a variety of specialized techniques to help my patients realize their health goals. I treat patients in the clinic and teach Clinical Pilates classes at Pilates in Guelph.

In addition to my direct patient care duties I also continue to be an active member of the Guelph dance community as well as Healthy Dancer Canada the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists. For more information about the services I offer for dancers, visit www.heathercfinn.com.

I live in Guelph with my husband and three children. I love music and dance, reading, family road trips, and escapes to the wilderness of Killarney Provincial Park or anywhere you can hike, paddle or jump in the lake.

I grew up dancing, fostering a curiosity about how the body moves and works. As a young adult I w... Read More