New clinic hopes to help local residents

A new physio clinic on Gateway Road is hoping it can provide local residents with the complete package.

Complete Physiotherapy (#3 - 1115 Gateway Rd.) opened its doors on June 14. Myles Willis and his wife, Bohdanka — both of whom are physiotherapists — are co-owners.

"I always wanted to help people," said Willis. Originally from Stonewall, Man., Willis played competitive hockey for years. "When I was playing hockey, our trainer was a physio therapist and from there it sparked an interest."

Willis and his wife met in school, and the two have been practising physiotherapists now for seven years.

"I’ve got a lot of training in advanced orthopedics and vestibular and concussion rehab," Willis said. "My training in spinal manipulation, I’m one of a handful in this area who has that as well. With this clinic, that’s what I’d like to make one of our cornerstones."

"When things aren’t getting better, I like to figure out why," said Bohdanka, who specializes in hand and arm therapy. "It’s nice to help people."

Complete Physiotherapy has seven physio beds, a large workout space, and two massage rooms. The clinic specializes in advanced orthopedic physiotherapy, vestibular (balance and dizziness) rehabilitation, concussion management and upper extremity therapy. Currently, they’re working on establishing themselves in the neighbourhood.

Elyse Copp, the team’s therapeutic massage therapist and a longtime East Kildonan resident, is looking forward to connecting with old clients.

"I’ve been working as a massage therapist for 16 years," said Copp, who grew up in East St. Paul. "I worked 14 years in this area, then went downtown for a while, and now I’m back."

A former gymnast, Copp got into massage to help other athletes. While it is still early days at Complete Physiotherapy, she said "It’s been good so far."

"I like being back over here."

"One thing that’s big for me is community involvement," Willis said, adding that he hopes to connect with both younger clients on sports teams and older clients in personal care homes.

"Often, what we do can help prevent someone from having a fall, from breaking their hip and then they lose their independence," he said.

"It’s amazing when you can help people walk out feeling better. People go through some pretty significant life changing events. Sometimes we can’t cure those, but we can help coach them through."

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