Shift Bodywork and Performance Care

04/22/2026

Dorsa takes a comprehensive, biopsychosocial, and whole-person approach to physiotherapy, grounded in the belief that effective care begins with understanding the person behind the injury. She also brings Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy back to Shift.

Growing up as a competitive swimmer and volleyball player, Dorsa has always valued movement as both a challenge and a form of expression. Today, she continues to explore new ways to move through Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mountain hiking, and training for her first marathon. These experiences reinforce her belief that growth often happens at the edge of discomfort, and that perceived limitations are often opportunities to learn, adapt, and evolve.

Dorsa collaborates closely with each patient to establish meaningful, individualized goals and believes that every patient encounter is an opportunity for shared learning. By integrating thorough assessments with motor control principles, she develops treatment plans that are both evidence-informed and tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Her goal is not only recovery, but empowerment—equipping patients with the understanding, tools, and confidence needed to move well long after formal treatment ends.

In her clinical practice, Dorsa believes that no goal is too small or too ambitious—whether it’s reaching the top shelf in the kitchen, returning to recreational sport, or taking on a triathlon at 50. She maintains that the only true limits are the ones we haven’t yet learned to navigate. Online booking link in bio!

03/09/2026

03/06/2026

Meet Rui! Rooted in the principles of classical , Rui’s practice reflects a holistic view of health that integrates body, mind, and spirit. He emphasizes restoring balance through gentle, non-invasive manipulation of the spine, joints, and soft tissues to support optimal muscular, nervous, and circulatory function. By alleviating structural restrictions, he empowers the body to heal itself. Rui tailors each treatment to the individual, applying a classical osteopathic approach that is gentle, precise, and effective. Combining exercise science with holistic osteopathic manual therapy, Rui aims to support overall health, restore vitality, and empower each patient on their journey to wellness. Rui continues to expand his expertise through mentorship and integrating a wide range of osteopathic approaches including cranial osteopathy (SCTF), functional indirect techniques (Still–Laughlin), muscle energy techniques (Mitchell Sr.), Fulford percussor hammer, facilitated positional release (FPR), balance ligamentous tension (BLT), ligamentous articular strain (LAS), and the fascial distortion model (FDM). This comprehensive exploration allows him to continually refine his understanding of the body’s innate capacity for healing. Rui brings a vast background of credentials and experience in Strength & Conditioning, Weight lifting, Martial Arts and Sports performance to his practice. Before transitioning into osteopathy, Rui spent several years training high-level athletes and supporting special populations through personalized fitness and rehabilitation Programs. A lifelong martial artist, Rui began training in 1998 and has competed in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at national and international levels, earning black belts in both disciplines.

01/27/2026

Join the Shift team!

We’re looking to add another Osteo to our team to take over a mat leave and beyond. Please email info@shiftbodywork.com with a resume.

Thanks for the inspo.

12/01/2025

Shift Bodywork & Performance Care is growing and we are looking for a Physiotherapist to join our team.  One of our therapists is moving and she’s leaving a thriving practice behind. We are looking for dynamic and collaborative individuals who aim to provide innovative care.  Competency in manual therapy, neurokinetic therapy, pelvic health and acupuncture are assets. 
 
We understand how important it is to surround yourself with experienced, innovative practitioners, and we have built a culture of mentorship and collaboration that encourages our multidisciplinary therapists to evolve in order to provide more functional, game-changing solutions for our clients.  We are also the home for Neurokinetic Therapy Canada.     
 
We offer an integrated EMR system, full reception, online booking, direct billing and hands on clinic management.  Our practitioners have access to state of the art equipment, large private treatment rooms and a curated movement space.  We operate in 2800 sq ft in the heart of Leslieville, Toronto.  
 
We offer competitive remuneration and a formalized mentorship program for experienced therapists. 
 
Please email a resume and cover letter to: info@shiftbodywork.com subject line: ‘Application’.  

09/25/2025

✨She’s BAAAAAAACCCKKK!✨

After a year of mat leave, Kaylin is returning to Shift.

If you need a refresher, Kaylin grew up playing multiple sports including field hockey, volleyball, and soccer, but thrived in rugby. She was a member of the Women’s Ontario Rugby team where she won a silver medal at the Canadian National Finals. She has worked with various sports teams including the Italian Men’s National Rugby Team, Rugby Canada, and was the head trainer for Toronto men’s Balmy Beach Rugby Club for three years; leading them to two championships. Whether it be her passion for sports, massage or holistic health, she offers her clients a wide range of therapeutic treatments that provides the highest level of patient care.

https://shiftbodywork.janeapp.com/ #/staff_member/8/bio

09/23/2025

✨Introducing: Clinical Pilates x Shift

If you want to up your pilates game or enhance your injury prevention, Shift is introducing a physiotherapist-led exercise method that integrates the principles of traditional Pilates with the latest in musculoskeletal and rehabilitation science, offered by Kieri Lavoie.   
  
✨Evidence-Based Movement Therapy for Rehabilitation and Functional Strength

These treatments are designed to assist in the prevention, management, and recovery of injuries by improving core stability, postural alignment, flexibility, and neuromuscular control.  Whether it’s for return to play or injury prevention, the goal of clinical pilates is to get and keep everything firing to withstand and progress the rigours of general exercise. 

Unlike general Pilates classes, Clinical Pilates is tailored to individual needs based on a comprehensive clinical assessment. Programs are prescribed and monitored by qualified physiotherapists to ensure safety, effectiveness, and alignment with therapeutic goals.

✨Clinical Applications
Clinical Pilates can be an effective treatment addition for:
* Spinal conditions (e.g., low back or neck pain, disc injury, degenerative changes)
* Postural dysfunction and muscle imbalances
* Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation
* Pelvic floor and women’s health
* Chronic pain and fatigue syndromes (e.g., fibromyalgia)
* Sports injury rehabilitation and performance conditioning
* Falls prevention and functional mobility in older adults
* Anyone looking to improve posture, core strength, and body awareness.

Programs are individually designed to address biomechanical dysfunction, improve movement efficiency, and support long-term health.

✨What to expect:
Each participant begins with a one-on-one initial assessment conducted by a physiotherapist. This includes:
* Comprehensive musculoskeletal and movement screening
* Discussion of clinical goals and functional outcomes
* Development of a customized Clinical Pilates program

https://shiftbodywork.janeapp.com/ #/staff_member/7/treatment/207

09/17/2025

Shift was out last weekend helping tune up runners participating in the Constantine

The run raised over $746,000 for 38 Toronto charities this year.

What can Shift do to optimize your run? Whether you’re starting out or a seasoned runner, we use techniques like , , as well as manual therapy, joint mobility, etc to ensure you’re firing on all cylinders and have compensation-free access to everything you want to train.

An individualized biomechanical tune up with any of our practitioners can add longevity and optimize performance for the long run.

03/06/2025

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

Life happens, and our nervous system reorganizes to keep us safe and keep our eyes level. Sometimes these compensations are less than biomechanically efficient and need a tweak to maintain optimal strength and mobility. When a structure overworks for something else that’s underworking, it gets angry about working above its pay grade. Then it starts screaming at you.

Can’t fire your glutes? It’s not always a cueing issue. Or a hip flexor issue. We’re a complicated biomechanical being and no one’s compensation is the same. If your body is defaulting to a structure that’s not meant for that function, it needs a motor pattern overhaul.

A biomechanical assessment, gait assessment, muscle testing and tune up can ensure that you’re moving properly, and firing on all cylinders from the feet up and the nervous system out.

Using a vast array of innovative techniques, team can assess and offer efficient game changing individual solutions to decrease pain and optimize function.

TAG A FRIEND WHO COULD USE A TUNE UP ⬇️

11/11/2024

. As the home of NKT North of the border, our practitioners know the value of individual muscle testing to assess dysfunction.
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JOGA x NKT

Saw a rugby gal I’ve been working with for ACL rehab.  She’s 10 months post ACL repair and just finished her first season back in action.  We check in from time to time to mitigate and fine-tune any issues that come up on the field..  She complained of some knee tension on her repaired side when she was put in as prop in the scrum.  What functional move do I know that mimics a scrum? JOGA tabletop.  Not only does this train the stability required to scrum, but it gives me a tool to assess stability side to side as JOGA extends one leg back to incorporate rotational stability. Stabilizing with her surgical leg on the ground replicated her discomfort in the scrum.  Back to the treatment table.  Using NKT testing, I found her right TFL overworking for an underworking right psoas. Basically her hip flexors were in a dysfunctional relationship. Fixed that pattern and re-assessed tabletop.  No pain.  

Homework: stretch TFL and activate psoas to get everything online, then train it with JOGA.  There is no one size fits all motor dysfunction. Test, don’t guess.

11/03/2024

with .repost
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Hey and :)
If you’re curious to know more about and - come visit me on Wednesdays and Saturdays at

These classes are warm and welcoming, and the small class size means that you’ll get just enough hands-on cuing and feedback to help you feel successful and strong.

ELDOA is an incredible exercise program. People who have done everything from yoga to crossfit find it to be one of the most effective and surprisingly challenging exercise classes they have ever done.

It’s personal and focusing, meaning that everyone (athletes, wellness folks, those recovering from injury, etc) gets an effective and rewarding experience.

Try it in your own body, and see why people often say, “I can’t believe my doctor / chiropractor / physiotherapist never told me about this!” It really might change how you feel about exercise and how much you can do for your own health by moving your body well.

Visit torontoeldoa.com and shiftbodywork.com for information about ELDOA group classes and private sessions in Toronto!

10/28/2024

✨When is low back pain not a back problem? ✨

Met this gal backstage at a rock show.  Mentioned ongoing long standing low back pain and pointed to both QLs.  Speaking of standing, she stands for a side hustle bartending, and stands for backstage work, also clocking about 25000 steps a day (not uncommon for production/crew on a show day).  

I immediately think core due to bilateral back symptoms.  Transverse abdominals were not online, and I couldn’t get them online with anything.  Then she mentions an old left ACL repair.  Hamstring graft. 

The truth will set you free.  If you clip hamstring tendons, they’re either going to check out or be super pissed.  Based on NKT testing, her left hamstrings were overworking for an underworking re**us femoris (both playing tug of war with her tibia post ACL injury/surgery).  Fixed that pattern and her TVA came back online and her back felt better.  

Assess, don’t guess.  
Chronic pain doesn’t have to be that way.
You are a special snowflake (in your dysfunction and solution). 

Your nervous system runs the show.  
IMPORTANT PSA: As always, no injury, body, or nervous system is the same.  Nothing replaces a diligent assessment of your special snowflake dysfunction & compensations.