Lara Thiessen - BScHK

Lara completed her BSc in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. After her degree, she moved to Nelson to live amongst the mountains that always felt like home. She is a registered kinesiologist with the BC Association of Kinesiologists. 

With over a decade of experience in recreational facilities and private clinics, Lara recognizes the universal importance of movement, in injury rehabilitation and overall health and well-being. Her passion has become working with people of all ages to get them moving effectively so that they can do what they love. She takes a balanced approach to address strength, endurance, muscle activation, body awareness and targeted relaxation. Whether it is injury recovery and prevention or strengthening for everyday life and sports, she wants you working smarter not harder.

Lara also has experience in ergonomics, return to work programs, chronic pain and hydrotherapy.  She has additional certifications in Custom Orthotic Therapy with The Orthotics Group, Kinesiology Taping with FMT, Older Adult Programming with the BCRPA and Weight Training Instructing with CFES.

When she isn’t working, she can be found downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater paddling, or doing aerial silks.

Lara Thiessen - BScHK Lara completed her BSc in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. Afte... Read More

Jane is an RMT who hails from the East Coast; completed her certification with CMTBC here in Nelson in 2022; and has lived a little all over in between! She is passionate about all things “body” curious about all sorts of healing modalities, loves all kinds of movement and exercise, resting & digesting— you name it, she’s fascinated by it! She is excited to deepen her knowledge through more hands-on experience, learning from her incredible co-workers, and from each individual patient.

Her style is focused primarily on the nervous system of the client, bringing relaxation of the body & mind to the forefront. This involves lots of deep breathing, myofascial techniques, passive stretching, and deeper Swedish massage. She is most often described as “firm, but gentle”— though she’s not afraid to throw some elbows in there, when needed!

Outside of massage, you can find her learning more about supporting the body through her yoga practice, dance classes, weightlifting, and walking around our beautiful town, coffee in hand.

Jane is an RMT who hails from the East Coast; completed her certification with CMTBC here in Nels... Read More

Anna Pauly - BA, MSc, MPT

Anna brings over 30 years of expertise in orthopedic injury rehabilitation and 18 years as a licensed physiotherapist. She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology, a Master of Science in Physiology, a Master of Science in Physiotherapy, and a diploma in remedial massage therapy. Anna played varsity basketball for both the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba, and her University of Winnipeg team earned induction into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. She has also competed nationally and internationally in Ultimate Frisbee and participated in downhill mountain biking across BC and Alberta. For 10 years, Anna ran her own massage therapy practice before completing her Master of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta. She then joined the University of Calgary as a physiotherapist, where she gained experience working with Olympic athletes, sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons, and contributed to research in osteoarthritis rehabilitation, concussion care, and injury prevention.

As the owner of Kokanee Physiotherapy in Nelson, BC, for over seven years, Anna continues to expand her expertise. Her certifications include:

Advanced concussion management, Vestibular rehabilitation (for dizziness and vertigo), Anatomical acupuncture, Intramuscular stimulation (IMS), Training in breathing techniques, Training in the biopsychosocial approach to managing pain and chronic conditions, Numerous orthopedics and manual therapy courses, Pelvic floor rehabilitation and urinary incontinence treatments for both men and women. Anna’s extensive training and experience support a broad scope of care.

In addition to running her practice, Anna is actively involved in her community through volunteering on youth sports boards, coaching, and supporting local organizations. Outside of work, she enjoys cross-country and downhill skiing, mountain biking, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Anna Pauly - BA, MSc, MPT Anna brings over 30 years of expertise in orthopedic injury rehabilita... Read More

Chelsey recently completed her education at the Okanogan College of Massage Therapy and is now a Registered Massage Therapist with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. Chelsey worked for years in the trades and landscaping and grew a profound appreciation for the clinicians who helped support her physical health for both work and play. The draw to massage therapy came from her love of activity and movement and the connection it can share with mental wellness and self-awareness. Chelsey treats a wide variety of conditions such as musculoskeletal injury, conditions of the peripheral nervous system, postural dysfunction or accommodation, joint replacements or injury, motor vehicle accidents and chronic systemic conditions. Chelsey grounds her treatments in assessment-based myofascial release, joint and soft tissue mobilizations, active release, neuromuscular technique and isolytic stretching. Chelsey is dedicated to consistently growing her knowledge base of anatomy, biomechanic relationships, compensation patterns and massage techniques. She is inspired by the desire to help alleviate discomfort and empower those in her treatment room to participate in their own recovery through education and homecare.

Chelsey recently completed her education at the Okanogan College of Massage Therapy and is now a ... Read More

Joe Melo - BHK, MPT

Joe earned his Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of British Columbia in 2011 after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics. He has completed post-graduate certifications in anatomical acupuncture (CAFCI), orthopaedic manual therapy, and chronic pain management. Joe recently became a certified Gunn IMS (intramuscular stimulation) practitioner through the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Sports Medicine Division (CGIMS). He also provides custom knee bracing services.

Joe’s treatment approach utilizes postural and movement re-training, dry needling, manual therapy, and pain science education to help patients achieve their unique therapy goals. When he’s not in the clinic, Joe can usually be found spending time with his wife and two sons enjoying everything the beautiful surroundings of Nelson have to offer.

Joe Melo - BHK, MPT Joe earned his Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Brit... Read More

Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (with distinction). She has continued her education over the past 25 years with numerous post-graduate courses in manual therapy, myofascial release, acupuncture, pelvic health, vestibular and Bike Fitting.

Her passion is working with individuals with chronic, complex health issues and finding ways to improve their quality of life and function. She has extensive training in addressing breathing related disorders, as well as post infectious illness such as Long COVID, ME/CFS and POTS.

But she is also up for the challenge of sorting out those aches and pains that might keep you from doing the things you love.

Outside of work, you will find Jessica on her bike or hitting the lake in the summer, on her snowboard or at the cross-country trails in the winter, and hiking and running in the shoulder seasons!

Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Phy... Read More

Kevin Kelly - BSc.P.T

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario where he received both his Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. Kevin is now a member of the College of Physiotherapists of B.C as well as the Canadian and B.C Physiotherapy Associations.

Kevin recently moved from Kitchener-Waterloo where he has been a practicing physiotherapist since 2002. With extensive experience treating various injuries and conditions ranging from various sport related injuries, post orthopedic surgeries as well as pain resulting from motor vehicle collisions. Kevin understands the importance of a thorough initial assessment in order to understand and appropriately treat the condition at hand. He believes communication and education of the physical ailment with the patient is important in a timely recovery.

In his spare time, Kevin enjoys participating in Triathlons/ Ironmans, which has helped him develop a better understanding of care with the aging athlete. Kevin Is also an avid snowboarder, hiker and traveler.

Kevin Kelly - BSc.P.T Kevin is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario where he received... Read More

Originally from the eastern township in Quebec, Laurie graduated from Sherbrooke’s University in 2022 with a master’s degree in Physiotherapy. She is very interested in sports therapy and loves helping her patients going back to the different activities that truly matters to them. Whether you love running, walking, paddling, biking, climbing, skiing or snowboarding, Laurie will make sure you have all the tools and help you need to forget about your injuries when you are out there and just enjoy your activities. Her treatments are evidence based and focusses on orthopedic assessment, manual therapy, IMS, patient’s education, and personalized progressive exercise program. Laurie is also passionate about women’s health and is very excited to provide pelvic floor rehabilitation services to the Nelson area. She specialized in post- partum and pre-partum concerns (management of scar tissues, diastasis, low-back pain, constipation), but also in management of urinary incontinence and prolapsus.

Originally from the eastern township in Quebec, Laurie graduated from Sherbrooke’s University in ... Read More