Footprints Therapy

Footprints Therapy Toronto's leading holistic healthcare practice for all ages Osteopathic manual therapy and naturopathy are provided to clients of ALL ages.

WHO WE ARE

Footprints Therapy is a privately owned, multi-disciplinary practice that was founded over 20 years ago. We have evolved from a paediatric physical therapy clinic to one that is more holistic and offers care to both children and adults. We provide physical and occupational therapy and yoga for infants to young adults up to twenty one years of age. Our practitioners are highly trained

in their designated fields and have a wealth of expertise. They are also committed to their own professional and continuing education to ensure they always have state of the art, advanced, knowledge and skills. Footprints philosophy encourages collaboration between therapy specialists to promote an optimal outcome for each client. OUR GOALS AND VISION

Our vision is to offer holistic health care. We tailor our intervention to the current needs of the client and refer within and outside of our clinic if necessary. At Footprints our goal is to maximize the ability and potential of each individual – from infants to seniors.

Did you know paediatric pelvic health physiotherapy is 100% non-invasive? 🧸✨In our latest blog post, team member Sara Ri...
09/01/2026

Did you know paediatric pelvic health physiotherapy is 100% non-invasive? 🧸✨
In our latest blog post, team member Sara Riazi breaks down what parents need to know about paediatric pelvic health physio and how it differs from adult care!
Here’s the scoop:
❌ No internal work. Assessment and treatment are completely external, low-pressure, and often feel like play!
💡 What it focuses on: Breathing patterns, posture, core activation, and bathroom habits.
🌱 What it can help with:
• Constipation & bowel issues
• Daytime urinary leakage
• Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)
• F***l incontinence
These challenges are far more common than families realize, and they’re rarely about a child being “lazy.” In most cases, it comes down to muscle coordination and habits that respond amazingly to targeted, gentle care.
Early intervention helps reduce shame, build body awareness, and support your child’s overall well-being. 💙
📲 Click the link in our bio to read Sara’s full blog post!

When Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy come together, magical things happen in the clinic! 🧩✨Big emotions can feel ...
08/22/2026

When Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy come together, magical things happen in the clinic! 🧩✨
Big emotions can feel overwhelming for little bodies. That’s why at Footprints Therapy, our Occupational Therapists and Psychotherapist team up using play therapy to support children on their journey toward emotional regulation and self-expression.
Here’s how this collaborative approach helps kids thrive:
Whole-Child Support: Combining OT (body, sensory processing, and regulation) with Psychotherapy (emotions, play, and mental well-being) addresses both physical and emotional needs in one safe space.
Regulation Through Play: Play is a child’s natural language. Interactive games and structured play activities help children identify feelings, practice coping strategies, and manage big reactions in real time.
Co-Regulation in Action: With two dedicated professionals guiding the way, children learn how to reset their nervous systems and feel grounded, safe, and heard.
Every small step builds confidence and resilience for the future. 💙👣

The best kind of mentorship is rooted in passion, purpose, and a lot of heart. 💙👩‍👦One of my absolute favorite things to...
08/12/2026

The best kind of mentorship is rooted in passion, purpose, and a lot of heart. 💙👩‍👦
One of my absolute favorite things to do is to co treat with my greatest mentor, my mom, in the multidisciplinary clinic she created. This image perfectly captures the spirit of our work: two generations of osteopathic, manual practitioners, leveraging our combined experience to maximize the potential of every little kid who comes through our doors. ✨
As many of you know, Tema is currently off work for just a little bit, taking care of some back issues. It’s a short break, and don’t worry, she will be back soon enough and good as new to support all the little kids who adore her! 💖
In the meantime, we are missing her hands on presence but still working closely as a team, maintaining the high standard of care she established. Her vision and guidance are always with us, ensuring every child receives the personalized, comprehensive support they need to thrive.
Stay tuned for updates on her return! Until then, we’re keeping the clinic filled with the care, creativity, and commitment she inspired.

🍼 Little Wins in Pediatric Osteopathy!Look at this sweet little guy resting comfortably! 💙This adorable patient came in ...
08/09/2026

🍼 Little Wins in Pediatric Osteopathy!
Look at this sweet little guy resting comfortably! 💙
This adorable patient came in recently with a noticeable neck turning preference (torticollis tendencies), which was starting to cause a slight plagiocephaly (flat spot) on the back of his head.
Through gentle pediatric osteopathic treatment, we worked on releasing tension through his neck, shoulders, and head. After treatment, his mobility significantly improved, allowing him to turn his neck much more freely!
The Midline Challenge
Even as range of motion improves, babies often retain a strong habit or preference for looking toward one specific side—especially during car rides when gravity and motion take over.
To help maintain the progress we made in the clinic, I recommended the benbat pillow for his car seat!
Why We Love Midline Support:
Encourages Symmetry: Helps keep baby’s head resting in midline rather than slumping or turning deeply to one side.
Supports Head Shape: Reduces continuous, focal pressure on one area of the skull to help manage and prevent plagiocephaly.
Complements Treatment: Works hand-in-hand with osteopathy and physiotherapy by reinforcing good alignment during daily routines! Is your little one favoring one side?
Neck preferences and flat spots are extremely common, and addressing them early makes a world of difference. DM us or visit the link in our bio to book a consultation! 👇
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08/07/2026

🦶 Gentle Foot Massage to Regulate Your Baby’s Nervous System & Improve Sleep! 😴✨
Did you know that working on a baby’s feet can do wonders for their overall development, digestion, and sleep?
At Footprints Therapy, our team integrates Osteopathy and Occupational Therapy to address primitive reflexes—like a retained Babinski reflex.
Why Focus on the Babinski Reflex?
When the Babinski reflex is retained past infancy, it can impact:
🚶 Planting feet properly when learning to walk.
🧠 Nervous system regulation (helping baby shift from restless to relaxed).
💤 Sleep quality by soothing body tension before bed.
🍏 Digestive health by helping calm the body.
💡 Try This Simple At-Home Routine!
1. Gentle Pressure: Gently massage and stroke the soles of your baby’s feet.
2. Timing is Key: The best time to do this is right before bedtime to help calm their nervous system.
3. Listen to Their Cues: At first, baby might be a little wiggly! As they relax, their body will calm down. If they start wiggling again or pull away, that’s their sign that they’ve had enough for now. 👶 Looking to support your little one’s development?
Book an session with our expert Osteopathy and Occupational Therapy practitioners today! 🩺👣

✨COLLABORATIVE CARE: AIRWAY DENTISTRY & OSTEOPATHY AT FOOTPRINTS ✨Working on a beautiful collaborative case this month w...
08/04/2026

✨COLLABORATIVE CARE: AIRWAY DENTISTRY & OSTEOPATHY AT FOOTPRINTS ✨
Working on a beautiful collaborative case this month with an Airway Dentist and one very brave young patient! This child is working to correct an underbite using an upper jaw expander, and our role at Footprints Therapy is crucial to making that process successful.
Why do they need us?
An expander is an orthopedic tool, but as it applies force to the facial and cranial bones to create space, it can create tension throughout the head, neck, and entire body.
That’s where we come in! As Osteopathic Manual Practitionerers our focus is on:
1️⃣ Cranial Fluidity: Gentle osteopathic techniques help ensure the cranial bones (like the maxilla being expanded) can move with ease and fluidly adjust to the changes, preventing pain and facilitating healthy bone growth. 2️⃣ Nervous System Regulation: We provide hands on, soothing techniques to calm the nervous system, helping the child stay relaxed, cooperative, and responsive to the expander’s pressures. 3️⃣ Structural Balance: We address any compensatory tension in the neck, jaw muscles, and even posture, ensuring the whole body supports the new jaw position.
This isn’t just about straight teeth; it’s about optimal airway function! Proper expansion (facilitated by osteopathy) opens the nasal and pharyngeal passages, allowing for healthy, silent nose breathing.
Working hand-in-hand with airway focused dentists allows us to treat the whole child, ensuring their growing body can adapt, thrive, and breathe easier. Teamwork makes the dream work! 💙🦷💙

08/01/2026

✨ Calming Nervous Systems & Integrating Reflexes, One Gentle Rock at a Time ✨
Did you know that simple, rhythmic movements can work wonders for a dysregulated baby and help set the foundation for their long term motor development? 👶🏼💤
At Footprints Therapy, our Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and Occupational Therapists are trained in Rhythmic Movement Techniques designed to gently soothe, support, and regulate your little one’s nervous system while integrating retained reflexes.
Watch how quickly this sweet baby transitions from restless and crying to calm and relaxed! By finding the position that feels safest for him gently holding his legs and applying a slow, rhythmic rocking motion on his back his body instantly settles. 🫁✨
Why Rhythmic Movement Works:
    •    Integrates Retained Reflexes: Babies are born with primitive reflexes designed for survival. If these reflexes remain active (retained), they can affect motor skills, balance, and sensory processing later on. Rhythmic movements replicate natural infant motions to help integrate these reflexes naturally.
    •    Nervous System Regulation: Gentle, repetitive motions mimic the soothing environment of the womb, helping lower stress responses and shifting baby into a calm, parasympathetic state.
    •    Tension Release: Helps release subtle physical tightness throughout the spine, hips, and body.
    •    Promotes Restful Sleep: A wonderful routine to quiet the nervous system before naps or bedtime.
Every baby is unique! As seen in the video, reading a baby’s cues is key some love tummy time rocking, while others settle best on their back. Our trained practitioners work with you to discover what your baby’s body needs to feel balanced, relaxed, and supported.
💙 Is your baby struggling to settle, sleep, or meet motor milestones?
We’re here to help guide you and your little one toward balance and smooth development.
📲 Book a consultation with our Osteopathic Manual Practitioners or Occupational Therapists today!

Birth is a intense journey—not just for mom, but for baby, too. 💙When a baby is born with a nuchal cord (the umbilical c...
07/30/2026

Birth is a intense journey—not just for mom, but for baby, too. 💙
When a baby is born with a nuchal cord (the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck) the physical tension and strain on their delicate neck, base of the skull, and nervous system can linger long after delivery.
For this sweet little guy, that subtle tension left his body stuck in a state of high alert making it nearly impossible for him to relax, settle down, and self regulate into deep, restful sleep.
✨ How Paediatric Osteopathy Helps:
Using gentle, precise, and soft hands on techniques, cranial osteopathy helps to:
Release strain: Softens tension around the neck, cranial bones, and spinal tissues.
Calm the nervous system: Shifts baby out of “fight or flight” and into a parasympathetic state where healing and rest happen.
Support self-regulation: Helps their body find balance, making it easier to drift off to sleep and stay settled.
Seeing him finally let go and rest deeply during his treatment is everything. 🕊️
If your little one is struggling with sleep, irritability, or experienced a tricky birth, gentle osteopathic care might be the missing piece.
📩 DM us to learn more or click the link in our bio to book a gentle assessment for your baby.

🎉 EXCITING NEWS AT FOOTPRINTS THERAPY! We are thrilled to welcome two incredible new practitioners to our growing team! ...
07/29/2026

🎉 EXCITING NEWS AT FOOTPRINTS THERAPY!
We are thrilled to welcome two incredible new practitioners to our growing team! Please help us give a warm welcome to Melissa Essue and Sara Riazi! 💙✨
🧠 Meet Melissa Essue – Behavioural Coach
    •    Locations: Toronto & Innisfil
Melissa is a passionate and dedicated kids life coach with a background in Behavior Science and Infant Mental Health. With over 23 years of hands on experience supporting children with special needs and complex life challenges, she brings a warm, child-focused approach to help kids thrive! 🌟

Melissa utilizes a rich toolkit including CBT, ACT, Mindful Coaching, Emotional Regulation, Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP), and more to create engaging, personalized strategies for every child. We are so excited to have her expertise serving families in both Toronto and Innisfil!

👟 Meet Sara Riazi – Registered Physical Therapist
    •    Location: Toronto
Sara holds a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University and brings a creative, play-based approach to pediatric physical therapy! She specializes in pediatric care across neurological rehab, orthopaedics, pelvic health, vestibular care, and concussion management.

Sara loves getting silly, meeting kids where they are, and using creative functional play to help children build confidence, strength, and independence! When she’s not in the clinic, you can find her rock climbing, hiking, exploring new coffee spots, or hanging out with her two cats! 🐱🧗‍♀️☕

Both Melissa and Sara are now accepting new clients! 🗓️
🔗 Link in bio to book an appointment or learn more about our team!

Gentle hands, happy tummies. 👶✨Did you know that tension in a baby’s body can directly impact their digestion and feedin...
07/28/2026

Gentle hands, happy tummies. 👶✨
Did you know that tension in a baby’s body can directly impact their digestion and feeding?
Reflux, fussiness after feeds, or difficulty latching often stem from tightness in the fascia—the connective tissue supporting every nerve, organ, and muscle in the body.
Through gentle, targeted Pediatric Osteopathy, we work with baby’s fascia to:
Release tension around the diaphragm and neck, easing pressure on the stomach and esophagus
Improve digestion to help reduce reflux, gas, and discomfort
Support comfortable feeding, making latching and swallowing smoother for your little one
Because infant feeding and digestion can be complex, we take a multidisciplinary approach at Footprints Therapy! Our osteopathic manual practitioners collaborate closely alongside our IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) and Naturopathic team to address the root causes of reflux and feeding challenges from every angle—giving your family complete, well rounded care. 💙👣

Address

85 Scarsdale Road, Suite 100
Toronto, ON
M3B2R2

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+14164442125

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