Northern Physiotherapy believes in an active approach to your rehabilitation. We do our best to help you feel your best and to improve your everyday life.

At Northern Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic physiotherapists establish individualized treatment plans for each patient and have arranged their schedules to allow for superior quality, patient focused, one-on-one care to be delivered according to individual needs. The clinic is warm, friendly and set in a relaxed atmosphere that is conductive to YOUR rehabilitation.

Therapists treat all types of injuries to clients of all ages and operate without any ‘waiting list’ so that each patient can be seen in a timely manner. Clinic hours of operation are 8:00 am – 6:00 pm to accommodate work and school hours. Individual therapists often allow their hours to be even more flexible depending on the individual needs of their patients.

The associates have extensive experience in orthopedics and treatment programs. Northern Physiotherapy continues to promote continuing education in Northwestern Ontario by hosting and attending specialty courses and seminars. In house teaching includes involvement with physiotherapy interns, resident physicians and volunteer students. We believe it is our responsibility to our patients to continually improve our skills and be the best therapists that we can be

Kylie Knudsen: Registered Physiotherapist/Co-owner

Kylie was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She graduated with “Honours” from the Honour’s Bachelor of Kinesiology program at Lakehead University. She went on to complete her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University where she was awarded the “Quinte District Award” for academic excellence. After having a wonderful clinical placement at Northern Physiotherapy she decided that it would be a good fit for her and returned to work here after graduation. In early 2012, Kylie decided to take on the role of co-clinic owner. She has continued to take on multiple physiotherapy students through the NOSM Rehabilitation Studies/ Northern Studies Stream Program with the goal of providing an excellent educational opportunity like the one she was given here. She has completed extended course work in acupuncture, the McKenzie Method, advanced taping practices, spinal manipulation, Mulligan concepts, and has completed up to Level 3 with the Canadian Curriculum of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. She has taken special training in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy allowing her to perform internal assessment and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction when indicated. She is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Her extracurricular activities have always kept her busy. Kylie coached the St. Patrick Saints Competitive Cheerleading team for over 10 years, winning both local and National titles with the team. Kylie has also been involved in the local dance community since a young age and continues to teach locally. She has successfully completed her Advanced 1 Ballet Exam in the Cecchetti Method . For this reason, she really enjoys working with injured dancers. Kylie also enjoys spending time with her two puppies, camping with her family and forever out-fishing her husband. In June 2017, Kylie and her husband welcomed a son to their family and absolutely love spending as much time with him as possible.

Tracy Auld: Registered Physiotherapist/Co-Owner

Tracy Auld is happy to join Kylie as a partner at Northern Physiotherapy and allow her mother Cathi Auld a well earned retirement. Tracy attended Lakehead University with Kylie and earned an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology with a certificate of palliative care. She worked as a personal trainer for two years before attending Queen's University in the Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy program where she received recognition for outstanding academic achievement and athletic performance in interuniversity sports for curling. Tracy has completed post-graduate courses in concussion management, vestibular rehabilitation, chronic pain management, acupuncture, soft-tissue release, therapeutic and athletic taping, rehabilitation techniques in oncology, the McKenzie method, and most recently pelvic health. Specialized training in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy allows her to perform internal assessments (internally when indicated) to accurately diagnose and treat the cause of urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain. She encourages people to become active participants in their own wellbeing and strives to provide the tools and knowledge for them to manage and improve their health. She has membership in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Ontario Physiotherapy Association, and College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. As a curler, skier, runner, and cyclist she keeps active through every season. Growing up she tried any sport she could which built a great foundation for understanding the needs of different athletes. It was her keen interest in sport that led her become one of the physiotherapist for the Canadian Women's Sledge Hockey Team (Para Ice Hockey).

Lei Chisholm: Founder/ Registered Physiotherapist

Lei was born and raised in Halifax. He completed an Honours BSc. at Dalhousie University in 1994 and immediately switched into the Physiotherapy Program which he completed in 1997. Lei has worked in a variety of locales throughout the Maritimes as well as Overseas, however he and his wife chose to relocate to Thunder Bay to enjoy a Northern slice of Canada. They have made their home here and are busy raising their three children. He has worked in a variety of public and privately run clinics in Thunder Bay prior to opening Northern Physiotherapy in 1999. He added the Algoma Street location in late 2009. Because of his busy life, Lei has taken a breather from sole management. He is now focusing his energies on chauffeuring the brood (and new puppy) to the ski centers, the pool, camp, and Judo. In Summer, he trades in the cross country skis for wakeboards and the snow shoes for runners! Lei will continue to help you stay active in comfort with custom orthotics or custom knee/ ankle brace, in addition to acupuncture and all of the other skills in his toolbox to help you reach your goals. On a clinical note, Lei has completed an extensive list of Orthopedic courses including: Mechanical Assessment and Treatment of the Spine, Manual Therapy for Treatment of the Spine/Extremities Conditions, Anatomical Acupuncture, Sahrmann Method, Mulligan Techniques, Myofascial Release, and Orthotic Prescription and Fabrication. Lei is a peer assessor for the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (Quality Management Program). He has membership in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Ontario Physiotherapy Association, College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, and Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. He is a Past President of Northwestern District of the Ontario Phyiotherapy Association, and served as a representative on the Provincial WSIB Advisory Committee.

Marie-Pier Picard: Registered Physiotherapist

Marie was born and raised in Quebec. She completed her education at McMaster University graduating first with an Honours Bachelor in Kinesiology and then completing her Master's of Science in Physiotherapy in 2011. As a physiotherapy student, Marie participated in the Northern Study Stream (NSS) where she had the opportunity to do two of her clinical placements in the “North” and ultimately fell in love with Thunder Bay and decided to make it her home. She began her career as a Physiotherapist at Northern Physiotherapy and various nursing homes in Thunder Bay. She has successfully complete the AA1 acupuncture course through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada institute (AFCI), the Level 3 Manual Course through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA), the Part A McKenzie Method course, a Mulligan concepts course and myofascial release course, and Lyn Watson's Level 1 and 2 shoulder courses. Marie is bilingual and offers physiotherapy services in French and English. She is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, the Ontario Physiotherapy Association, and is registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. As a life-long learner, Marie looks forward to furthering her skills in manual therapy and acupuncture and will hopefully be adding dry needling to her toolbox in the future. For many years, Marie was involved in field coverage for wrestling, football and cheerleading competitions, including national competitions and training camps across Canada. She also joined Tracy as a volunteer physiotherapist for the Canadian Women's Sledge Hockey Team (Para Ice Hockey) in 2017. In her free time, Marie enjoys spending time outdoors with her Boston Terrier “Myla”, traveling, Crossfit and exploring Thunder Bay and all of its beauty.

Vanessa Kroeker: Registered Physiotherapist

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Vanessa grew up in the NWO francophone community. She attended La Vérendrye Highschool. She then attended Lakehead University and graduated with an Honors Bachelor in Kinesiology in First Class Standings. She continued her academic career at the University of Ottawa, completing her Masters in Health Sciences in Physiotherapy in 2015. Since graduating, Vanessa gained diverse clinical experience including in-patient geriatric rehab, outpatient paediatrics and inpatient neuro rehab (stroke and traumatic/spinal cord injuries). She has extensive experience assessing and treating various paediatric conditions such as congenital torticollis, gross motor delays, developmental coordination disorders and lower extremity alignments. She has been helping out at Northern Physiotherapy since graduating and has loved being part of this friendly and dynamic team! She is bilingual (French and English), has her level 1 in manual therapy, level 1 Functional Dry Needling and plans on taking her level 2 Functional Dry Needling in the near future. Vanessa is an active participant and member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA). She is part of the executive team as the treasurer of the Northwestern Ontario branch of the OPA. She is also a faculty member for the Clinical Division of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. On her time off, Vanessa enjoys hiking the area with her golden retriever Leo!

Rachel Carter: Registered Physiotherapist

Originating from Sarnia, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron, she have made Northwestern Ontario her home for over 20 years. She completed her degree in Biology/Psychology at the University of Western Ontario and Physiotherapy degree at the University of Toronto. She then travelled north to Sioux Lookout to start her physiotherapy career. She quickly fell in love with the Northwest and the people here and practiced in Sioux Lookout for seventeen years before moving to Thunder Bay for further new adventures. She relationships, communities and life experiences have led her to explore and view life through a holistic lens for wellness, healing and living. She use a Bio-Psycho Social-Spiritual framework which she strives to apply in her life and with clients. Rachel's clinical practice has included working in hospitals, northern communities, inpatient, outpatient care and community organizations. She has a special interest in Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, spinal pain, persistent pain, arthritis, neurodynamic and orthopaedic conditions. She has extensive postgraduate training in a broad range of areas some of which include; The McKenzie Institute International, Manual Therapy for the spine and extremities, Sahrmann Method, David Butler and advanced pain science, Acupuncture, Restorative Yoga, Qigong, and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy. She is a member of the Arthritis Health Professionals Association, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Ontario Physiotherapy Association including divisions of Women’s Health, Pain Science and Orthopeadics, and is Registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. As a proud mom, and a lover of the outdoors, when not in the clinic or perusing research articles, she can be found at family events and activities, on or by the water, trail running, skiing, camping and hiking, relaxing around the campfire or rejuvenating through Kundalini yoga. She looks forward to meeting you and serving you at Northern Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic.

Kay Walker: Administrative Assistant

Kay is originally from Scotland and came to Thunder Bay via Toronto and St. Catherines, Ontario. She joined the team a number of years ago and enjoys the friendly energetic atmosphere. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and taking her Golden Retriever, Indy, for long walks. She recently became a proud Grandmother and is enjoying this new phase of her life immensely. She looks forward to being of assistance to you at Northern Physiotherapy.

Allison Bel: Administrative Assistant

Allison was born and raised in Thunder Bay. She graduated from the Tourism & Travel program and worked as a flight attendant and travel agent before deciding to make a change into the medical field. After completing the Medical Secretary course at Confederation College she decided that Northern Physiotherapy was the best fit for her. She enjoys traveling, hiking, walking her dogs, and spending the summer weekends at her camp on Shebandowan.