Melanie MacKinnon

Qualifications

• Registered Physiotherapist
• Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT)
• Acupuncture certified by Acupuncture Canada (AFCI)
• Dry Needling certified by Integrated Dry Needling (CIDN)
• FITforeGOLF™ Trained Practitioner
• GLA:D Canada Trained Practitioner
• MelioGuide™ Trained Practitioner
  

Teaching Involvement

• Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy; Lecturer and
  Co-coordinator Advanced MSK
• Instructor and Mentor Canadian Physiotherapy Association Orthopedic Division
• Mentor Advanced Health Care Practice Graduate Program (AHCP) within the CMP Field (formerly manipulative therapy field), Western University, London, ON
• Instructor Integrated Dry Needling

Services Offered

• Physiotherapy (Complex Cases)
• Manual Therapy, FACMPT
• Acupuncture
• Dry Needling
• Shockwave Therapy
• GLA:D Exercise Classes

Melanie MacKinnon grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. For her undergraduate training, she headed out east to Halifax where she graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology (HBScKIN) from Dalhousie University. She then returned to Ontario and received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT) degree from the University of Toronto.

Four years later, she advanced her Physical Therapy training by completing her Masters in Clinical Science Manipulative Therapy (MClSc MT) degree from the University of Western Ontario. She was extremely proud to become a Fellow with the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physical Therapists (FCAMPT) in 2009.

Being a FCAMPT represents a commitment to ongoing learning, self-reflection and evidence-based medicine. FCAMPTs are not only in Canada, but are part of an international organization, representing Physical Therapists from around the world. Melanie has completed a variety of other complementary post-graduate Physiotherapy courses relating to manual therapy, exercise prescription, and acupuncture and dry needling. She has completed population specific courses related to specific activities such as running and golf, and others that address specific conditions such as arthritis, menopause and osteoporosis.

Melanie has a passion for teaching, and is deeply invested in teaching and mentoring at the University entry-level Physiotherapy program and at the post graduate level. She is an Assistant Professor, teaching stream, for the Advanced Musculoskeletal Unit in the Masters of Science, Physical Therapy program, MScPT, in the Department of Physical Therapy and the University of Toronto.  She also teaches and mentors within both the Orthopedic Divisions’ Advanced Integrated Manual (AIM) program  and Western University’s post-graduate Advanced Health Care Practice Graduate Program (ACHP) within the CMP Field.

Driven to build a team of like-minded and highly skilled and compassionate practitioners, and to serve the Yonge and Eglinton community, Melanie founded Strive Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine in 2020. Melanie is dedicated to supporting the professional development of her Strive team, through regular teaching and mentoring. She is also proud to be able to offer a flexible work environment that allows the Strive team members to pursue their own teaching and research roles and continue to be able to work clinically.

Clinically, Melanie enjoys working with individuals of all ages, helping each one to move better, with less pain and get back to enjoying the activities that they choose to do.

Blog posts

• How to return to activity after COVID-19
• Give yourself a win
• You can’t pour from an empty cup