Kaela Southwell, MScPT, BScHK, C/NDT

Kaela is a passionate physiotherapist who is dedicated to providing comprehensive and individualized care to her patients. She is the co-owner of Woolwich Physiotherapy. She completed her Bachelor of Science with specialization in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa and her Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. While at the University of Toronto, she served as President of the Physical Therapy Graduate Student Association and co-founded the Community Philanthropic Committee. She has been awarded the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Leadership Award of Excellence, the Department of Physical Therapy Mountain Challenge Book Prize and the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award from the University of Toronto. She continues to be actively involved in the University of Toronto’s Physical Therapy program by assisting with labs and examinations. 

Kaela combines her positivity, experience and passion to help her patients reach their goals, no matter how big or how small. She focuses clinically on both orthopedic and neurological conditions, including stroke, brain injury, and neurological movement disorders (ie. Parkinson’s, PSP, MS, ALS etc). She believes in empowering her clients and working collaboratively to develop individualized and meaningful treatment plans. She is a believer of life-long learning and continues to improve her clinical knowledge and skills with continuing education courses. She has a particular interest in treating ankle, knee, hip and shoulder injuries. She has completed courses in advanced manual therapy, acupuncture, McKenzie method, Bobath, and Neuro-Development Treatment (NDT). Kaela currently serves as a scientific advisor to the PSP Society of Canada.

Kaela grew up in Elora, Ontario with three brothers and played high level hockey and lacrosse. Kaela and her husband Dan continue to live an active lifestyle through running, weight training, hiking, hockey and kayaking. Kaela and Dan welcomed a baby boy in 2023, and she is enjoying every moment as a mom. She stays connected with the sports community through volunteer work as a hockey coach and sports first responder. Among other events, she has provided medical coverage for the Muskoka Ironman, the Ontario Winter Games and the Canadian Sledge Hockey Championships.