You Move Health and Wellness on the move!

Eight years ago, Amy and Geoffrey Irving co-founded You Move Physiotherapy. Eventually Amy – a trained physiotherapist – opened a modest 1000-square-foot clinic in Alberton, Prince Edward Island; within two years, she had outgrown her space. The young entrepreneur relocated and expanded the operation to include administrative support as well as a chiropractor and another physiotherapist.

More recently, the physiotherapist expanded for the third time and operates in a new state-of-the art, 5000-square-foot facility in Bloomfield. She rebranded to You Move Health & Wellness with a staff that includes three physiotherapists, a chiropractor, registered massage therapist, and registered acupuncturist. Aside from more treatment rooms and a large reception area, the facility also features a gymnasium area for conditioning and rehab programming, and a dedicated space used for education and information sessions as well as class-based programming.

Although recruitment of health care professionals in a rural area along with finding accessible space with adequate parking can be challenging, Amy says that being able to offer services to all ages in Western PEI is hugely rewarding. “Whether clients have pre- or post-surgical issues, repetitive strain injuries, workplace injuries, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or various other conditions – their needs can be taken care of.”

Amy is proud of her excellent team of professionals who collaborate, refer, and align to provide the best treatment and outcomes for their clients. “I believe that physiotherapy treatment combined with a focus on each client’s specific goals, evidence-based research, and therapist facilitation results in the best outcomes.” Hence her move to expand and align both physical health and mental health components – and to become a one-stop centre for health and wellness.

You Move Health & Wellness currently offers some mental health services, but Amy’s goal is to focus on growing that aspect of the business by hiring a full-time mental health counsellor. The business is also planning to recruit another physiotherapist and a registered massage therapist (RMT). Staff will also offer various classes and exercise programming such as Yoga and Pilates.

Amy Irving is a board member of the PEI Physiotherapy Association and sits on the Western Hospital Foundation Board. Her husband, Geoffrey Irving, is on the board of the West Prince Chamber of Commerce. Amy also takes part in professional development opportunities whenever possible. To date, these have included Acupuncture, Chronic Pain Management, McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis, Mulligan Concept Training and a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course.

You Move Health & Wellness provides physiotherapy coverage to hospital patients, as well as patient care through contract work to local manors. Amy also offers clinical placements for university students, as well as volunteer placements.

She wishes to acknowledge her support system and says, “The staff at CBDC have provided valuable services and start-up resources. They’ve continued to assist throughout our expansions. I am also blessed to have an amazing support system full of entrepreneurs that have supported me through the development and growth of the clinic.”

Indeed, You Move Health & Wellness is on the move!