Heather Grewar

Core Connections Physiotherapy

363 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON, K2A 0E7

In 2011, I founded Core Connections Physiotherapy out of a deep desire to create a beautiful, community-based clinic and centre of excellence for orthopedic, pre and postnatal, and pelvic health physiotherapy services. I have always been passionate about health, movement, and helping people. Working for over the last 29 years as an orthopedic and pelvic health physiotherapist has been a deeply fulfilling journey and I truly love what I do! My academic studies began at the University of Toronto, where I studied physiotherapy and developed a love for learning about anatomy, physiology and neuroanatomy. After graduating, I pursued 10 years of rigorous postgraduate training in orthopedic manual therapy and successfully completed my Fellowship in Manual and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (FCAMT) in 2008. A few years earlier, in 2003, my curiosity for pelvic health was piqued following a lecture focused on the connection between the core and pelvic health. This led me to undertake a master’s degree at Queens where I published The Integrated Continence System: A Manual Therapy Approach to the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence. That work inspired me to develop integrated pelvic health and orthopedics programs in Ottawa and to raise community awareness about pelvic health through workshops, lectures with the Orthopedic Physiotherapy Division of the CPA, physiotherapy education nights, as well as presenting at OPA conferences. Over the years, I have continued to deepen my knowledge and skills through advanced training. I have integrated Barral Visceral Mobilization techniques in the assessment and treatment of common orthopedic and pelvic health conditions. My further training has included completing Integrated Systems Model training and pessary training course in 2014. Following this, I collaborated with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario as the first pelvic health physiotherapist to introduce pessary fitting in Ontario, and I continue to mentor colleagues in this area. These experiences have enriched my practice and allowed me to support individuals with a wide range of orthopedic and pelvic health concerns. Outside of the clinic, I love to be outdoors - playing with my son, Nikko, gardening, cycling, back country camping, cross-country skiing. I also have a love for adventure, which has taken me on solo treks the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, hut-to-hut cross-country ski adventures in Charlevoix and cycle touring with my family in the Maritimes. Travel and exploration have shaped my educational journey, and trips to India and Nepal, where I spent time trekking and participating in meditation retreats, have helped shape my holistic view of health, wellness and mindfulness. I look forward to many more fun family adventures ahead! Affiliations Heather is a member of the Orthopedic, Women’s Health and Seniors Divisions of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.