07/26/2022
✨Big welcome to our new team member, registered physiotherapist, Kanako!
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Kanako had a special passion for movement and exercise even before realizing her dream career as a physiotherapist. As an immigrant from Japan in 1999, Kanako always loved to engage in various sports at her school as her way of expressing, challenging, and connecting with others before she could communicate in English. After graduating with Honours of Kinesiology from McMaster University in 2014, landing in the top 15th percentile in her class, Kanako completed her Masters in Physiotherapy at University of Toronto in 2016 to continue to pursue her passion for understanding human body kinematics.
After practicing in private clinics and hospitals, Kanako obtained an extensive experience in treating a wide variety of injuries, including complex orthopedic conditions (e.g. muscle strains, post-surgical injuries, arthritis, fractures, and chronic pain), neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis), vestibular conditions (e.g. BPPV), concussion, and motor vehicle and workplace-related injuries.
Kanako is committed to keeping her knowledge and technical skills up to date and relevant by completing continuing education courses including:
• The Role of Physiotherapy in The Treatment of Anyone Experiencing Pelvic Pain through a Trauma-Informed Lens Level 2 (Pelvic Health Solutions)
• The Physical Therapy Approach to Anyone Experiencing Urinary Incontinence Level 1 (Pelvic Health Solutions)
• Movement Analysis Program Level 1
• Certified Fascial Stretch Therapy Level 1 (Stretch to Win Center and Institute)
• Best Practices in Concussion Management: Level 1 (Shift Concussion Management)
• Introductory and Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation (Dr. Bernard Tonks)
• Advanced Lumbopelvic Complex, Upper Extremity, Cervicothoracic Courses (Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute)
• Acupuncture Level I by Acupuncture Canada (Jan 2017)
During her free time, Kanako enjoys playing beach volleyball and portaging during the summer and badminton and snowboarding during the winter. Kanako also loves to try new sports to challenge herself and explore new movement patterns required.