Melanie MacKinnon

Registered Physiotherapist
Member of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy
Acupuncture certified by Acupuncture Canada
Dry Needling certified by Integrated Dry Needling
FITforeGOLF™ Trained Practitioner
MelioGuide™ Trained Practitioner
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

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 is proud to be  Fellow of this association and to have served as the secretary and treasurer from 2016 – 2022.  Melanie is dedicated  to supporting the professional development of her Strive team, through regular teaching and mentoring.

Melanie has completed a variety of other complementary post-graduate Physiotherapy courses relating to the diagnosis and treatment of movement impairment syndromes, mobilizations of joints with movement as well as mobilization of the nervous and fascial systems. She has a completed a number of population specific courses related to specific activities such as running and golf, and others that address specific conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. To complement the skills she learned in these programs, Melanie has completed a certification in acupuncture from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI), as well as dry needling from the Integrated Dry Needling (CIDN), programs. Integrating this knowledge and skill, Melanie creates individualized exercise programs, to help her patients move better, with less pain, and get back to enjoying the activities that they want to do.

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.

Melanie enjoys working with individuals of all ages, athletic or not, helping each one to move better, with less pain and get back to enjoying the activities that they choose to do. 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.