About Us
About Physio Works Muskoka
Formerly known as The Huntsville Pelvic Health and Pain Center, Physio Works Muskoka is the lifelong dream of mother-daughter physiotherapy team, Carolyn and Brittany Vandyken. Both Registered Physiotherapists, Carolyn and Brittany have a passion for cutting edge physiotherapy care taking a biopsychosocial approach.
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At Physio Works Muskoka, we take a patient-centered approach focusing on your specific goals. We have a vision of creating a safe space for both men and women to reach their optimum health with a variety of conditions including Pelvic Health, Chronic Pain, Pregnancy and Post-Partum Care, Cancer Care and Breast Pain.
Our Team
Carolyn Vandyken, Registered Physiotherapist
Carolyn Vandyken is a Registered Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Educator, Researcher, Author and co-owner of Physio Works Muskoka. Carolyn is also the co-owner of Pelvic Health Solutions, a Canadian-based, international teaching company with a mandate to educate heath care professionals (physiotherapists, midwives, doctors, nurse practitioners, massage therapists and occupational therapists) on an evidence-based but often overlooked area of medicine which significantly affects adult quality of life, namely, pelvic floor health. With 31 years of clinical practice, Carolyn has contributed chapters to two international textbooks on pelvic pain and the overactive pelvic floor. She has co-authored a patient-centred book called Why Pelvic Pain Hurts, and has co-authored four research papers on pelvic pain and incontinence in peer reviewed journals. Carolyn has been invited to speak extensively at international conferences on the topic of pelvic health and central sensitization.
Carolyn’s husband Al keeps her grounded in the wonders of living in Muskoka, enjoying extensive hiking, kayaking, canoeing and other outdoor pursuits. Their three grown children add a dimension of experience and love that is cherished. Two weddings, in both 2017 and 2018, bring the number of their children to five.
Brittany Vandyken, Registered Physiotherapist
Brittany Vandyken is a Registered Physiotherapist and co-owner of Physio Works Muskoka. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Brock University in 2014 while playing as an Academic All-Canadian on Brock’s varsity basketball team. Following this, she obtained her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University in 2017 winning several awards and scholarships including Faculty of Health Science Outstanding Achievement Award, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and the CPA Award for graduating top of her class. She has received additional post-graduate training in soft tissue release, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and oncology rehabilitation. Brittany has a passion for clinical research on lumbo-pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, recently publishing in the journal Muskuloskeletal Science and Practice. After growing up in Cambridge, Brittany is thrilled to be living and working in Huntsville where she can combine her passion for physiotherapy with her love of the outdoors. Outside of work, she enjoys sports such as skiing, basketball, squash, and swimming as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, camping and travelling with her husband, Erik. Brittany is happy to help both men and women achieve their best health through any issues including pelvic health concerns, chronic pain, pregnancy or post-natal care, oncology care, and fitness/exercises programs.
Brittany Maw, Physiotherapy Assistant
Brittany Maw is a Physiotherapy Assistant. She is an honors college graduate of the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant program at Canadore College in 2017. Brittany also holds a certificate for Personal Support Worker from Canadore College in 2014. Brittany has two years student clinical experience as a physiotherapy assistant within the North Bay hospital rehabilitation floor, mental health floor as well as private practices in North Bay, ON and Huntsville, ON. Brittany offers professional experience within many varieties of workplace settings such as, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, and group homes for children with autism as well as community based settings. At Physio Works Muskoka, Brittany facilitates scheduling and reviews patient exercises prescribed by the physiotherapist. On her spare time she enjoys watching her younger brother play hockey as well as camping in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Deanna Lavigne, Registered Kinesiologist
Deanna is a Registered Kinesiologist with the Ontario College of Kinesiologists and a member of the Ontario Kinesiology Association. She is passionate about motivating, educating and prescribing exercises for people to improve their physical and mental well being. At Physio Works Muskoka, Deanna is offering exercise oncology services to people in cancer treatment and to anyone trying to get back to participating in the activities and work they love. Deanna graduated from the University of Waterloo, with a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology with an option in Ergonomics. Deanna has taken several post graduate courses in exercise prescription for people with cancer and for older adult populations, promoting self-care, and functional abilities evaluations during her pursuit of lifelong learning. Deanna volunteers with Enliven, a centre for self-care for people and care givers on the cancer journey and for TriMuskoka, our local triathlon club their sons, Adam and Nick, will both be heading off to University in the fall. In her spare time, Deanna loves participating in all outdoor activities and has been known to complete several adventure and endurance races on her bike, in her canoe, in the mud, on the snow, or running the roads and trails, simply because she can.