It’s hard to believe we are approaching ten years since the doors of Propel Physiotherapy’s first location opened in Etobicoke. Back in 2016, we were a small team of approximately 10 therapists, a couple of us fairly new to the profession but expertly guided by our founder Kyle Whaley.
The mission he laid out was simple: provide top-notch rehabilitation care for people with neurological and complex orthopaedic conditions. Over the years, that mission hasn’t wavered. What has changed is how much we’ve grown and as a result the number of lives we have been able to touch along the way.
For those who don’t know me, I’m the managing director and a co-owner at Propel. I was lucky enough to be one of the members of that first small team of physiotherapists in Etobicoke.
It has been my great pleasure to see our clinic grow from a single location in Etobicoke to a thriving practice with additional locations now in Pickering and Peterborough. And to be frank, we are not done growing yet!
Building the Foundation
To be able to stay true to our mission while expanding, we have focused on building the foundation—a foundation of evidence-based care, rooted in services like Bobath/NDT assessment and treatment, manual therapy, functional exercise prescription, movement-based therapies, and mindfulness. If that sounds like a mouthful, it is—but trust me, it’s all about tailoring care to meet each client’s unique needs.
Clients with unique needs and goals require uniquely crafted approaches. Although there is a time and place for quick appointments and modalities, we believe the 1:1 care, longer sessions, and guided treatment plans help to improve the patient experience. Most importantly, with additional structure, guidance, and time spent with us, people are able to obtain longer-lasting changes and bridge the gap between being a patient and being an advocate for their own health.
For example, we’ve taken many clients requiring in-home physiotherapy treatment, and progressed them to an ambulatory state so they can attend sessions in the clinic. As their goals change, we are also able to foster an environment for self-care, like regularly attending yoga or local group walking classes at the community centre, for years to come.
On that same note, another thing that sets us apart is our commitment to meeting clients where they are—literally. Our clinicians regularly visit clients at their homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living residences. For many, this makes all the difference. It’s about ensuring access to care, no matter the circumstances. Seeing the smiles on our clients’ faces when they realize they can regain mobility, independence, or just a little bit of normalcy—that’s why we do this.
Expanding Services and Expertise
Our ability to impact so many people in Southern Ontario and beyond has been in large part to our immensely talented team. Not only have we expanded geographically, we’ve been able to added a range of niche services delivered by our diverse and skilled team of health professionals.
Today, these offerings include pelvic health physiotherapy, paediatric physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hand and upper extremity therapy, and even water-based therapies in community pools. It has been incredible to see the positive impact these additional services have made on our clients’ lives.
Lifelong learning isn’t just a buzzword around Propel; it’s a value we live and breathe. To that end, we’ve made investing in continuous learning for our team a priority. Over the years, we’ve organized learning events, both individual and group, whether it’s a casual lunch and learn with one of our team members who has recently received training at a vestibular course, or a community partner presenting opportunities for caregivers and clients alike. Some of our training sessions might be a little nerdy at times – but they are what keeps us sharp. After all, our clients deserve nothing but the best.
More recently, we introduced new roles, including our Education and Volunteer Coordinator position to help bake a growth mindset into the culture, as well as teach and inspire future generations of health professionals.
Engaging with Our Communities
But it’s not just about what happens in the clinic. One of the things I’m most proud of is how we have engaged with the communities we serve. Over the years, we’ve hosted networking events, free workshops, hands-on in-service education seminars, and mentorship programs for youth, in addition to sponsoring and participating in charitable events that support our industry associations.
As part of our 10-year anniversary celebration, we are looking forward to creating bigger connections to the communities we serve and giving back in ways that go far beyond a therapy session.
Heartbeat of Our Business
As we approach this milestone, we can’t help but reflect on our journey. From our humble beginnings in Etobicoke to three clinics and 40+ staff, it’s been a wild ride. Each location has its own unique vibe, but the heart of Propel remains the same: a dedication to helping people move forward with life in the face of health challenges.
Our clients are the heartbeat of our business. Whether it’s helping a stroke survivor regain their independence, guiding a child with developmental delays through therapy, or simply giving someone the tools to manage chronic pain, every success story reminds us why we started this journey in the first place.
Looking Ahead: Propel’s Vision for the Future
And while we’re celebrating the past decade, we’re also looking ahead. Plans for a fourth location are already in the works, and we can’t wait to introduce our services to another community in Ontario.
As we kick off the new year, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who’s been part of our journey. To our clients, thank you for trusting us with your care. To our staff, thank you for your dedication, expertise, and passion. And to our communities, thank you for welcoming us with open arms. We couldn’t have done it without you.
We are super excited about the future of Propel Physiotherapy. If the first nine years are any indication, the future is bright. Wishing everyone an amazing 2025 filled with love, laughter, and exercise. Much gratitude and love from all of us at Propel Physiotherapy.
Written by
