Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc.

06/30/2023

Thanks guys. Lots of opportunities when you never say no.

06/30/2023

Even though these shoes are very well worn and have many stories to tell, they haven’t been used in over 3 decades. Today marks 31 years since one of our co-founders Rich VanderWal embarked on a new journey.

Rich’s wheels are definitely more worn in than his kicks, if you can believe that. He has completed numerous races, competitions and seized each opportunity to try something new. Today signifies embracing a new chapter, and the importance of resilience when facing life’s challenges.🏆

Swipe to see some of Rich’s adventures! ⛰️

💪

03/02/2023

We are so grateful to be a part of getting our clients back to what they love & helping them discover a new passion in accessible sport.

We were able to experience our mantra again on February 16th at the 22nd Annual Ski & Snowboard Day hosted by !

Neurocore has been supporting this event for over 15 years! Ski & Snowboard Day is a unique opportunity to get our clients out of the clinic & into the real world, developing new & exciting skills. Clients, therapists, and families look forward to this event each & every year.

A huge thank you to , , and the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS) for arranging this event & physically supporting & guiding our clients on the slopes.

P.S. Never stop shredding!

12/14/2022

With specialized rock climbing equipment, OT's and PT's, supportive partners and kids admiring all attendees were able to reach the summit at the Canadian Adaptive Rock Climbing Try It Out Session!

Watching the benefits of hard-working rehab being applied to real life leisure activities is one of our greatest rewards!

11/12/2022

Have a wheely good weekend!

11/09/2022

A 12 year tradition of weekly education sessions is finally back!!
We play, learn and grow together through education.
Thank you for an amazing education session on the reformer.
If you are interested in doing an education session at Neurocore contact us!

11/01/2022

Beginner Mat Pilates class coming to Neurocore. Come move with .calvo and experience the benefits Pilates can offer you. Contact us to register!

11/01/2022

This very beary bunch hopes you had a Happy Halloween!🎃

09/29/2022

Hang on tight it's almost Friday!!!
Physio Fun Challenge!! 😀💪

09/02/2022

A huge thank you to our summer 2022 volunteers & staff who shared with us the greatest gifts- time, empathy, enthusiasm! Wishing you the best in your upcoming academic year😌 Remember that once you start laughing you start healing.

07/16/2022

"Balance is not something you find it's something you create"

What do you think of this adapted plank supremely performed by our client with a T 11 spinal cord injury and a T10-L2 spinal fusion? We love it!

07/07/2022

It took the BIAYR (Brain Injury Association of York Region) annual mixer to trade in our runners for dress up shoes! BIAYR is an evolving volunteer lead organization which provides support groups, workshops, educational sessions, awareness and advocacy at no cost for those living with an acquired brain injury in York Region, Ontario.

Huge thank you to all the BIAYR team members who organized the event. Special thanks to one of our team members Sonia Vovan
For passionately getting us organized & to Diana Rockbrune of Oatley Vigmond for capturing memories of being together for the first time in a long time.

To learn more about BIAYR, go to https://www.biayr.org/

07/02/2022

“Millennials & Generation Z are so lazy!”

Watch as OUR millennial and Gen Z staff put these words to shame, and choose to lead by example by completing an intense hamstring workout to kick off their Saturday mornings.

A healthy body is a healthy mind ✅🧠🏋️‍♀️

How did you start your Saturday morning? With the beautiful summer weather in Toronto this weekend, choose to celebrate your Canada Day by going outdoors, getting your blood pumping, and adapting a healthy, active lifestyle!

06/28/2022

Photos from Handcycling Club of Canada's post

06/13/2022

Rain or shine, the finish line is mine🏁

Conquered:
✅200km+
✅1000metres+ of vertical cycling🗻
✅2 flat tires rescued with glue & later duct tape⚙️
✅Rain & thunderstorms🌧

Now let’s conquer our DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) 😳 Bring on the laser, manual lymphatic drainage, kinesiotape & a little massage & chiro should help too💆🏼‍♂️🙈🤗

06/12/2022

Some strap their cycling shoes, others strap their hand bikes - all for the common goal to 🎗

What’s incredibly special about this photo is it represents survivors, fighters, and fundraisers.

VanderWal is the co-founder of Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. & knows first hand the impact of living with a spinal cord injury and cancer. Despite the complete motor and sensory loss below chest level, he relies on his arms and handcycle to find the freedom to fly. His quiet strength lifts our team 💪🏻

Wayne Gelb has completed this ride for 14 years representing Salit Steel. He only missed this ride once due to the removal of a spinal tumor from his neck to his back and is riding despite residual sensory loss and balance deficits in his trunk and legs. When he arrived to Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. his first stated goal was “to get back on my bike”. Wayne sacrifices his Physio time to greet every patient along his way. His smile and positive attitude invigorates our team.

Every participant in this Ride is determined to ride from Toronto to Hamilton & Hamilton to Niagara Falls to fundraise for cancer.

Every participant has a story, a purpose, someone they are dedicating their ride to. Some with us, some watching over us…

We love this quote on one bike in particular “Cancer hates positivity” We’ll move forward in the light of those who have passed, celebrating their lives and finding positivity.

04/21/2022

We live in a world that often demands us to make choices, sometimes difficult choices that can feel overwhelming as we constantly question whether it is the right choice. As practitioners in the world of healing, we invite you to consider the beauty of "grey area". We believe that it is possible to see the light from both sides, we believe a choice does not have to divide us, and we believe that love and kindness can guide us there.

10/22/2021

When our client was looking at options to get outside with hopes to begin hiking again, this e-mtnExplorer3 handcycle seemed like a good start. 👍

Co-founder of and rider/racer shares his experiences, expertise and equipment to help find new freedoms to reach her goal.💪💪

More shred sessions coming in the future.

For more info on adaptive handcycling contact Rich

BikeOn- Explorer3 https://www.sport-on.com/explorer

Bowhead Reach https://www.bowheadcorp.com/reach-bike

Kootney adaptive https://kootenayadaptive.com

10/09/2021

To and - is honoured to have been your last stop as Physio students & part of your University of Toronto Physio journey. We are so grateful for your enthusiasm to learn & your compassion.

Now go SOAR! Onwards & Upwards🪂✌

09/29/2021

2 is better than 1 👯‍♀️! Integrating PoNS (portable neuromodulation stimulator) 🧠& Balance Matters 🏃🏾 by in rehab for our client with Parkinson’s led by Physiotherapist🙌🏽.

Reach out to if you have any questions.

09/27/2021

Postural control👍
- What is it?
- How do we assess it?
- What treatment options are there to improve it?
- How does it relate to functional movement?
- How does postural control influence selective movement?

Learn about this & understand human movement at the introductory Bobath level course hosted and lead by Julie Vaughan-Graham, PT, PhD.

Sign up here:
https://cbiaorg.com/events/introductory-2-day-course-the-study-of-human-movement-the-bobath-concept-5/

Or via:
https://opa.on.ca/professional-development/course-listings/entry/82231/

09/17/2021

We love to learn!! Thank you Gillian Johnston for the .ca course focusing on how cohesive analysis of the ribs, pelvis, & feet create efficient movement & function!

If you are interested in taking/ hosting this course, please contact Gillian .ca

08/23/2021

"Begin Again…Good Souls"- Butterfly Wings, Kasthuri Packiyanathan

We are so proud to see our clients succeed within the clinic, but are even more excited to see them flourish outside our walls.

"Neurocore has been such a support to me throughout my journey.  Not only have you helped me physically but emotionally and mentally as well.  That peace of mind and hope created here really let me find the space in my own mind to put together this book."  Kasthuri Packiyanathan

We are so thankful for our client & poet, Kasthuri Packiyanathan, for sharing with us her newly published poetry book "Butterfly Wings", a book on her "journey of healing and learning to spread" her "wings once again". We are so excited to share her poetry of personal reflections.

You can find more of her poetry at



Pick up your complimentary copy at our reception or purchase @ https://www.amazon.ca/Butterfly-Wings-Kasthuri-Packiyanathan/dp/B0974TSD5N/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=butterfly+wings+kasthuri+packiyanathan&qid=1628609966&sr=8-2

"Begin Again…Good Souls"- Butterfly Wings, Kasthuri Packiyanathan

We are so proud to see our clients succeed within the clinic, but are even more excited to see them flourish outside our walls.

"Neurocore has been such a support to me throughout my journey.  Not only have you helped me physically but emotionally and mentally as well.  That peace of mind and hope created here really let me find the space in my own mind to put together this book."  Kasthuri Packiyanathan

We are so thankful for our client & poet, Kasthuri Packiyanathan, for sharing with us her newly published poetry book "Butterfly Wings", a book on her "journey of healing and learning to spread" her "wings once again". We are so excited to share her poetry of personal reflections.

You can find more of her poetry at



Pick up your complimentary copy at our reception or purchase @ https://www.amazon.ca/Butterfly-Wings-Kasthuri-Packiyanathan/dp/B0974TSD5N/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=butterfly+wings+kasthuri+packiyanathan&qid=1628609966&sr=8-2

08/09/2021

Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. updated their business hours.

Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. updated their business hours.

08/07/2021

Our co-founder Rich VanderWal sharing his life experience with Shane host of the Underground Antics podcast🎙️

Reposted from Ep. #30 Reclaiming Your Life: A Story of Human Resilience with Para-athlete and Inspiration Rich Vander Wal

Check out the blog post for photos and more of Rich! Link in bio🙏🏽

Rich Vander Wal is a para athlete, recreation therapist, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and an inspiration to all. In this episode, Rich tells us his story of transformation after having experienced a traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in 1992, which resulted in complete T4 Paraplegia. These days Rich is a Recreation Therapist and Founder of Neurocore Physiotherapy, a rehab centre for individuals with neurological conditions, a father and family man, an elite athlete, and keynote speaker helping people find fulfillment in their lives. Rich’s story epitomizes human resilience and being able to reclaim your life after suffering a life-changing accident.

After suffering a complete T4 paraplegia in a motorcycle accident, Rich’s whole world was shaken. His whole life suddenly had to change as he embarked on a journey on learning how to live a fulfilled life after the accident. After spending months in rehab learning to work his body in new ways, and learning to use his new equipment, Rich found himself again in sports and athletics - albeit now he had to also redefine training as a para athlete. Rich got involved in just about as many sports as he could - rowing, tennis, cycling, swimming, skiing, and mountain biking. Sport and athletics is still an essential part of Rich’s life. Rich has represented Canada in rowing, tennis, and alpine skiing and is currently training for a triathlon event.

Rich became a recreation therapist and advocate for people who have suffered serious injury or medical conditions after being inspired by his own rehab team. Now he is the inspiration to many others and strives to show people how it is possible to reclaim your life after a massive change.

Thanks for tuning in!

Share this episode with someone who might enjoy it!

06/01/2021

We are spinning with excitement as one of our Vestibular Physiotherapist Sonia Vovan from .in.your.head.pt takes over page & shares one of her many useful tips on Vestibular Rehab that have helped so many of our clients & staff!

**📢 Sound On For Full Effect 📢**

⚠️FULL DISCLOSURE: Vestibular Rehabilitation makes you feel WORSE ❌ before you feel BETTER ✅

Vestibular Rehabilitation involves reproducing dizziness, through repeated exposure of the specific movement and visual stimuli that provokes dizziness 🌀

At first, the exercises may seem like you're feeling worse, especially if you've been experiencing your vestibular symptoms for a while... Most likely, you've avoided moving your eyes and head quickly, looking up, bending down, or turning around, because they made you feel dizzy/nauseous/off-balance 🥴

So once you start doing them again in your Vestibular Rehabilitation program, the movements can be disorienting and feel distressing 😣

Over time, with consistency in engaging in a Vestibular Rehabilitation program that addresses your specific triggers, the intensity of the dizziness will decrease as the brain learns to habituate to the abnormal signals it is receiving from the inner ear 🧠

Keep your head up (literally!) and keep at it! 🙆🏻‍♀️

Want to learn more! Go to .in.your.head.pt

05/18/2021

Grateful 🙏 to our clients who have voted to receive the & for the “best Physiotherapy clinic in York Region” for the 5th year! We humbly share this with so many other phenomenal Physiotherapy clinics in York Region.

To every client, we are honoured to be a part of your health journey. Your commitment to optimizing your health under any circumstance fuels us.

To every team member (clinicians, admins, students, volunteers) & to everyone who has referred to us, we are so grateful for your compassion & diverse skills ensuring clients receive the best personal care.

The pandemic has impacted all of us, but nothing will affect our focus to deliver safe access to rehab in a supportive & healthy environment.

05/10/2021

Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. updated their phone number.

Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. updated their phone number.

04/22/2021

Cancer sucks...I am sure we can all agree on that. If you have been to Neurocore, you know we love our pups. Kona, our chocolate lab has been a full time soul surfer lifting spirits of those who love dogs & quickly converting those who were on the fence.

On March 29, Kona went from catching a 🎾ball to suddenly laying down due to rupture of a tumor on her spleen which caused massive internal bleeding into her abdomen😢.

With medical miracle work at 🩺🐶loads of ❤️LOVE & PAWSitive energy all around her, she has made it past her given prognosis of 24 hours & we hope she has a few more weeks in her as she is now considered palliative.

As it turns out, Kona has hemangiosarcoma- a cancer of her blood vessels 🩸which often is sadly only found after a tumor has ruptured.

We brought Kona home to keep receiving our collective love as she shares her pure unconditional love🥰🐾.

Kona has reminded our NC family how when one of us hurts, we all hurt. Through her journey, she also reminds us of the power of community, support & to embrace what we can control which is to lift each other up & celebrate what we have NOW- one another.

Kona Chocolate Rose, we ❤️ you! You have taken such great care of us- we promise to keep taking care of you. We hope you know you will always be the heart & Core of NeuroC❤️re.

*Special thanks to every Veterinarian who has helped with Kona- Dr. Boylan, Dr. Ethier, Dr. Boudreau & Stephanie of , Dr. Barrett of & to Dr. Robert Curran of Houghton Vet House Calls (best house vet ever🙏).

04/11/2021

- We eagerly offer novel movement experiences that are challenging & even intriguing! Here is one of our clients whom despite cervical and thoracic fusion, is safely exploring his movement potential!

What is Garuda?
As per - "Garuda is a holistic organic method of movement which concentrates on flow of movement. It has the clarity and mindfulness of Pilates at its core, the economy of form of Alexander Technique, the self-perception of Feldenkrais, the spirituality of Yoga and the joy of dance”.

Interested in exploring the Garuda in you? Contact us to learn more!

03/22/2021

Just over a year ago we didn’t know what today would look nor feel like. One thing is for sure- no amount of PPE will stop us from doing what we love! ❤️ We are so grateful to be able to give amidst this masquerade!

Special thank you to who put this video together while on mat leave!
We miss you Aly!!

03/06/2021

Remember what happened to the 🐠 tank when Nemo blocked the filtration system?👍 it got backed up & became “filthy, filthy, absolutely filthy”.

As per Dr. Perry Nickelston : Now imagine that your body is the 🐟 tank and your cells & organs are the fish 🐠swimming in the 💦 or “Lymph”.

The 🐠 tank is maintained by filtering water much as the body is maintained by filtering lymph through our lymphatic system.

If the water in the tank or the lymph in the body are not cleaned & filtered regularly, neither the 🐠 nor our cells would survive.

Swipe LEFT to learn more!

Thank you to Dr. Perry Nickelston

Stay tuned for additional Lymph posts coming soon with & .huangfu!!

02/22/2021

Are you a Physio? Join our awesome team!

Email your cover letter, resume & references to [email protected].

02/20/2021

“How do I find courage?” asked the client, “Let’s start by giving it wings” offered the Physio...👐🏻👐🏻👐🏻

We encourage our clients with words 🗣and make them smile with actions😆. Today started with an awesome client working on his walking which was impacted by a traumatic brain & spinal cord injury🧠🚶🏻. We know that when doubt, frustration, fear and pain take over, the body & mind suffer😅. However, together we find our strength to give courage wings 👐🏻 & take the next step💪🏾🧘🏼🏋🏻

😉

02/14/2021

How are we getting through the pandemic with our work family?
One step at a time, staying grounded and remembering to put our feet up with our pups on a long weekend... 😉❤️

01/29/2021

It is always our pleasure to support OBIA & BIST’s events as the Valentine event on Feb 11!

Their commitment to attend to the needs of those living with the effects of Acquired Brain Injuries & their families is critical to our community.

Visit http://obia.ca to learn more

Many thanks to Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates inc. for your generous lead sponsorship of the Valentine's event. 💝
For tickets or sponsorships, please visit:
bit.ly/35kl8cS
Brain Injury Society of Toronto

01/22/2021

01/03/2021

Wishing you a #2021 filled with & ✌️💞😊

☀️ ❤️