NEW COVID-POLICIES ARE IN EFFECT. PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT.
Elora, ON
hey there.
My name is Karina Cranston and I am a Registered Physiotherapist with expertise in manual and exercise therapy.
​
I know what it's like to be sidelined by an injury because I've been there myself. After a traumatic knee injury during my own athletic career, I found my calling in physiotherapy. Now, with nearly 20 years of experience, I'm here to help you get back to doing what you love.
A Passion for SpoRT.
Sports have always been a huge part of my life and I always identified as an athlete.
From childhood until grade 10, I had a huge passion for figure skating, baseball and track and field and spent many hours engaging in those sports. Once I entered high school I decided to take a break from skating and joined the track and field team, where I competed in Triple Jump and Running Long jump, and the soccer team. In Grade 11 our soccer team worked hard and our efforts paid off when we made it to the Ontario championships (OFSAA) and won the bronze medal.
​
Midway through high school I joined the basketball team.
During a basketball game in my Grade 12 year, my athletic career was drastically altered by a knee injury.
INJURED.
I had an ACL reconstruction and was sidelined for the rest of the school year.
It was a difficult time, but it taught me the importance of perseverance and resilience. I wasn’t going to let a knee injury stop me from getting back to doing what I loved and the hard work and rehabilitation paid off. In my last year of highschool became captain of the basketball team and won the District 8 AllStar award in soccer. I was ready to head to university and continue my competitive sports journey there!
​
During the FIRST day of soccer tryouts at Redeemer University, I re-injured my knee.
I was hoping I could manage it with conservative treatment but unfortunately the nature of the injury required surgery again. I was hopeful I would recover quickly but the day I got off crutches, I fell and re-injured it.
Back to surgery for the 4th time. It was a frustrating and confusing time, not only because I was back on crutches for the upteenth time, but because my self-identity as an athlete was being challenged. Little did I know that the inspiration to pursue a career in physiotherapy was to be born there. Combining my love for sports, experience with injuries, and always having had a fascination with the human body, I realized that I could use my own experience to help others like me get back on their feet and do what they love.
Physical Therapy.
My days at the University of Western Ontario were filled with lectures, assignments, labs, exams and placements.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that I wanted to work in the field of orthopedics. This meant working with people who were dealing with muscle, joint and/or nerve problems.
Once I graduated I started working in a private clinic in Centre Wellington and that was where I developed my manual therapy, acupuncture and exercise prescription skills.
I learned that I love working with people of all ages who were dealing with all sorts of issues (repetitive strains, low back and shoulder pain, acute injuries, etc). I quickly recognized the importance of developing strong therapeutic relationships with clients. When struggling with an injury or pain, it’s really helpful to have someone on your team that listens to you and guides you through your journey to recovery.
Freedom following injury.
Thankfully my passion for being active and engaging in physical activity continued to grow.
Due to the nature of my injuries and multiple surgical interventions, I developed post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
However, that has not stopped me! I was able to find a new set of sports/activities that I could engage in… even be competitive in.
I started running shortly after I had kids and entered a race or two for fun.
A few years ago, after being inspired while watching a triathlon race that was being held at a campground we were staying at, I jumped head first into training for a race. I started swimming, cycling and kept up with my running.
YES… you can run on an arthritic knee!
I completed my first race, and NO… it was not easy!
I have done a few more races since then and have even won my age category a couple of times. I won’t let my “now-arthritic” knee stop me from engaging in an active lifestyle. My goal is to keep as fit as possible so that I can keep doing the things I love when I’m older… and that’s my goal for my clients as well.
​
At East Mill Physio, I strive to help my clients recover from injury and feel great doing the things they love.
​
I offer customized treatments that are tailored to the individual needs of my clients. My vast set of skills allow me to design a carefully crafted plan to help you reach your physical goals in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Whether you are dealing with an injury or working through discomfort, I am here to support you and help you come up with a plan to get you feeling your best! Ready?