ABOUT US

About Physio Works Muskoka

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. Carolyn and Brittany are thrilled to have Tammy Darby, Paediatric and Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, providing paediatric and orthopaedic physiotherapy services in the clinic starting in Fall 2021. In Winter 2024, Miranda Carley, RMT, began providing Massage Therapy services.

At Physio Works Muskoka, we take a patient-centered approach focusing on your specific goals. We have a vision of creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone at all ages and stages of life 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.

With the addition of Tammy Darby, we are thrilled to offer physiotherapy care across all ages from birth and infancy to geriatrics. Tammy Darby offers Pediatric and General Orthopedic physiotherapy care for all ages including infant/early years development, neuromotor, congenital and acquired disorders, sports injuries and training, pediatric pelvic health, and orthopedics.

Miranda Carley provides massage therapy services to all clients, with a focus on perinatal and infant massage care. She has a passion for helping pregnant people throughout their pregnancy and beyond as well as providing new parents with practical skills and techniques for their infants and children.

We are all honoured to be a part of your health journey

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 one of the co-owners of Reframe Rehab, a Canadian-based, international teaching company with a mandate to educate healthcare professionals (physiotherapists, midwives, doctors, nurse practitioners, massage therapists and occupational therapists) about integrating a biopsychosocial approach into health care. With 34 years of clinical practice, Carolyn has contributed chapters to three 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 five research papers on pelvic pain, low back pain and incontinence in peer reviewed journals. Carolyn speaks extensively at international conferences on the topic of pelvic health and a biopsychosocial framework. Carolyn received the YWCA Women of Distinction award (2004) and the distinguished Education Award from the Ontario Physiotherapy Association in 2015. Carolyn was recently awarded the Medal of Distinction from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2021 for her work in pelvic health and pain science. 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 grandchildren in 2021 have added another layer of excitement as life continues to evolve.

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, breast health 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 and Physical Therapy. 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, running, 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.

Tammy Darby, Registered Physiotherapist

Tammy is a Registered Physiotherapist and new to the Physio Works Muskoka team. She graduated from the University of Alberta with her Masters of Physical Therapy degree and previously obtained her
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Brock University. Tammy loves working with children of all ages with a variety of both neurological and orthopedic conditions. Tammy has gained extensive experience and knowledge working in the pediatric physiotherapy world with children aged newborn to eighteen for over ten years. She is passionate about ensuring that her clients and their families work together as a team to have the best possible outcomes. Tammy continues to strive to ensure all her patients achieve their physiotherapy goals by providing an evidence-based, hands-on and whole-body approach. She has worked in both the school and the private clinic setting, working with both adults and children of all ages in Calgary and Hong Kong. She has also completed her medical acupuncture training and recently started training in pediatric pelvic health. She is excited to begin providing pediatric physiotherapy services in the clinic and virtually, as well as developmental screens for families curious if their children are meeting their developmental milestones. Tammy is happy to treat individuals of all ages. In her spare time, Tammy loves spending time with her family, as well as hiking, golfing, snowboarding, and planning the next travel adventure.

Miranda Carley, Registered Massage Therapist

Miranda is a Registered Massage Therapist. She graduated from Mohawk College in 2021 with an Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy and registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario in the Fall of 2021. She has a passion for helping anyone reach their health and wellness goals, but has a focus on working with the perinatal population, including mothers, infants and children. This passion sparked when she became a mom herself and had first hand experienced of all that goes on within pregnancy and postpartum journey. She has taken specialized courses in pregnancy and infant massage, and is actively working to enhance the care provided to all pregnant people, as well as their babies and children, in Muskoka. Miranda teaches Infant Massage Workshops, where she educates parents on massaging their babies for creating bonds between baby & caregiver, as well as to provide relief for a variety of symptoms. Miranda is also certified in cupping from RockTape Canada, and has successfully completed Trimesters Massage Therapy Education for "The RMT Working With Infants & Children". She volunteers for the Canadian Massage Conference & Massage Therapy Media to educate other Registered Massage Therapists. When she's not in the clinic, Miranda enjoys her time with her family whether it's spent at home or exploring Muskoka. Long walks with her dog, or lounging by the lake are a couple of the ways she spends time outdoors in the warmer months. Though she's not the biggest fan of winter, she's learning to embrace it with the help of her daughter.

Jackie Riley, M.Ed., Health and Wellness Manager

Jackie Riley is a wellness advocate and provides patient education at Physio Works Muskoka at the direction of the treating physiotherapist. For 15 years, Jackie affected healthy change as the National Wellness Specialist for Telus. During that time, Jackie contributed to award-winning healthy workplace programs in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Jackie holds a master’s degree in adult education, is a former professor with Centennial College’s Wellness and Health Promotion program and is a proud supporter of The Hospital for Sick Children. As an active living enthusiast and mental health consumer, Jackie understands the needs of clients and patients as they forge their own definitions of wellness and healthy living.

Jackie is a former instructor and trainer with Goodlife, has Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction certification, and dabbles on a yoga mat at the first opportunity.

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.