Stay in the Game—Skip the Surgery
How Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Athletic Therapy, and Massage Keep Athletes Strong
For athletes, the love of the game often comes with pushing physical limits. Whether it’s the final sprint to the finish line, a sharp pivot on the court, or a relentless training schedule, the demands placed on the body are high. While this dedication is admirable, it can also lead to injury—sometimes suddenly through impact or strain, other times gradually through overuse. The good news? With the right care team at Leaps and Bounds Performance Rehab—including physiotherapists, chiropractors, athletic therapists, and massage therapists—many of these injuries can be prevented or managed effectively, often reducing the need for surgery.
Join Us for the Pre-Race Shakeout Run!
As proud sponsors of the Oakville Nutrience Half Marathon on October 5th, our team will once again be providing therapy services before and after the race. To kick things off, our very own athletic therapist, Andrew, will be hosting a Shakeout Run on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00pm. This light run is a great way to loosen up, connect with fellow runners, and get race-ready. We’d love to see you there!
Our Team Making an Impact on the National Stage!
We are so proud to share the amazing work our team has been doing outside the clinic! Our very own physiotherapist, Pat Stanziano, was on the ground in St. John’s, Newfoundland, providing care for athletes competing in basketball, wrestling, and soccer at the Canada Summer Games. At the same time, Andrew, our Athletic Therapist, was in Halifax, Nova Scotia supporting the 15U Provincial Lacrosse Team – who went on to win the National Championship!
These experiences highlight the passion and dedication our team brings not only to our patients but also to athletes competing at the highest level. Check out these wonderful photos. We couldn’t be prouder of Pat, Andrew, and the incredible athletes they supported!
We’re excited to welcome our new physiotherapist, Tania Tajik, to the team!
Tania brings a wealth of experience and a warm, patient-focused approach to care. Much like Pat and Carolina, Tania is certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (also known as the McKenzie Method). She’ll be starting with us on September 22.
Understanding Common Sports Injuries
In sports, certain injuries show up time and time again. Quick stops, rapid changes in direction, and awkward landings can cause ankle sprains, stretching or tearing the ligaments that stabilize the joint. Knee injuries—from ligament sprains to cartilage tears—are another frequent challenge, especially in sports that require jumping or twisting. Shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff strains or dislocations, often occur in activities involving repeated overhead motions, such as swimming, volleyball, or baseball. And then there are fractures—either sudden breaks from forceful impact or stress fractures from repeated strain on a bone.
Beyond the “what” of these injuries, it’s important to look at the “why.” Poor warm-up habits, incorrect technique, overtraining without adequate rest, and muscular imbalances all contribute. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward prevention.
The Role of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a cornerstone in both prevention and recovery. Using an evidence-informed approach, our physiotherapists assess the body’s movement patterns, identify weaknesses or restrictions, and create individualized programs to address them. This may include targeted strengthening, flexibility work, balance training, or sport-specific drills to improve mechanics.
Equally important is education. Our physiotherapists teach athletes how to move efficiently, maintain proper posture, and structure training sessions to minimize risk. The goal isn’t just to get you back on the field—it’s to help you return with the tools to stay there.
Why Chiropractic Care Matters
At Leaps and Bounds Performance Rehab, our chiropractor supports healthy joint alignment, mobility, and overall musculoskeletal balance. Restrictions or altered mechanics can place extra strain on muscles and joints, which over time may affect both comfort and performance. Using techniques such as manual adjustments, mobilizations, soft tissue release, and movement-based strategies, chiropractic care helps restore natural movement patterns, ease discomfort, and promote resilience.
For athletes and active individuals, even small improvements in joint function can enhance performance, efficiency, and recovery. Just as importantly, our chiropractor integrates her care with physiotherapists, athletic therapists, massage therapists, and other practitioners to ensure a cohesive plan that addresses the body as a whole—not just one area in isolation.
The Value of Athletic Therapy
Athletic therapists play a vital role in keeping athletes healthy and active. With expertise in injury assessment, emergency care, and active rehabilitation, they specialize in getting athletes safely back to play. At Leaps and Bounds, our athletic therapists use exercise prescription, functional training, and hands-on treatment techniques to restore strength, stability, and mobility.
Their focus on sport-specific movement patterns makes athletic therapy an essential bridge between injury recovery and peak performance, ensuring athletes can return to competition with confidence.
The Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy at Leaps and Bounds is more than a post-game luxury—it’s a valuable therapeutic tool. Sports massage can help release muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote recovery after intense training or competition. By addressing tight or overworked muscles, massage therapy may help prevent compensatory movements that lead to injury.
When integrated into an overall care plan, massage therapy supports the work done in physiotherapy, chiropractic, and athletic therapy sessions, helping athletes recover more fully and return to their sport feeling balanced and ready.
Our Patients Are Getting Results
“The team at Leaps and Bounds are like no other. My family has seen several providers for different needs: athletic therapy with Andrew for my young son, and physio for other son after months in hospital/ICU who needed a strong team to help build him back up. I personally have seen Carol for back/chest pain. Most recently I have been seen by Anthony who has been amazing. He’s easy to talk to and very knowledgeable, helping me gain strength and feel better quickly. I recommend this team to anyone.” – A.L.
A Team-Based Approach
The real advantage comes when these four professions work together. Physiotherapy addresses movement mechanics and rehabilitation. Chiropractic care supports joint health and mobility. Athletic therapy bridges the gap between recovery and performance. Massage therapy relieves muscle tension and promotes tissue recovery.
At Leaps and Bounds, this team-based model ensures athletes receive well-rounded care from multiple perspectives—without overstepping professional boundaries or making unsubstantiated claims.
Prevention is the Priority
Avoiding injury is always better than recovering from one. That’s why your care team may recommend:
- Structured warm-ups and cool-downs tailored to your sport
- Regular strength and flexibility training to address imbalances
- Proper progression in training loads to prevent overuse
- Periodic assessments to catch small issues before they escalate
Every recommendation is grounded in credible, verifiable practice standards—not marketing hype.
Bottom line: You don’t have to wait for an injury to happen before taking action. With coordinated care from physiotherapy, chiropractic, athletic therapy, and massage therapy at Leaps and Bounds, athletes can improve performance, reduce injury risk, and, in many cases, avoid the need for surgery altogether.
Get Back In The Game
If you’re looking to return to your sport stronger and more prepared—or you simply want to protect the progress you’ve made—consider booking an assessment with our team. It’s not just about getting back in the game; it’s about staying there.
Help Us Help Our Community
This month we will be raising money for the Oakville Fareshare Foodbank! We will donate $10 for every Google review we receive!
Our Caring Team Is Here For You
Andrew Convery, BAHSc Hons AT, CSEP-PT
Certified Athletic Therapist (C)
Carolina Rotondo, MPT, Hons BSc, Cert MDT
Registered Physiotherapist
Christina Camilleri, RMT, BAHSc Hons AT
Certified Athletic Therapist (C), Registered Massage Therapist
Dr. Roslyn Eng, DC, Hons BSc Kin
Doctor of Chiropractic
Michelle Davies
Client Experience Manager
Onika Green, Cert MPC, MHK
Mental Performance Consultant
Pat Stanziano, MPT, Hons BScKin, Cert MDT, Dip Sport Physio
Registered Physiotherapist, Sport Physiotherapist
Thomas Stavro Sholdoff, MscPT, Hons BA Kin
Registered Physiotherapist
Recipe of the Month: Sweet & Sour Tofu
Ingredients:
- 14 oz. extra-firm tofu
- 1 small red onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 (1″) piece ginger, peeled
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, plus 1/3 cup pineapple juice, divided
- 1/3 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 3 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 Tbsp. ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. plus 1/3 cup cornstarch, divided
- 4 Tbsp. neutral oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- Steamed white rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- Place 3 layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel on a plate. Place tofu on towels and cover with another 3 layers of towels or another clean kitchen towel. Place a heavy can or skillet on top of tofu to press moisture out, pouring off excess water and replacing towels as they get soaked, 30 to 45 minutes (you can do this with a tofu press if you have one).
- Meanwhile, arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 425°. Cut onion and bell peppers into 1″ pieces. Into a medium bowl or large measuring cup, grate ginger and garlic. Add pineapple juice, broth, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp. cornstarch and stir to combine.
- Break or cut tofu into rough 1″ pieces or cubes and transfer to a large bowl; season with 1 tsp. salt. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil and gently toss tofu to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup cornstarch and gently toss until tofu is coated. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with 2 Tbsp. oil.
- Bake tofu, turning halfway through, until light brown and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes.
- When tofu has about 12 minutes remaining, in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil. Add onion and bell peppers; season with salt, then toss to coat vegetables with oil. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables start to soften and blister on the surface, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Whisk sauce to reincorporate cornstarch and pour into skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Add vegetables, tofu, and pineapple chunks to skillet and toss to coat in sauce.
- Divide rice among bowls. Spoon tofu mixture over. Top with sesame seeds (if using).