Get to know the faces behind Kinnective Health
Cara Racicot: Physiotherapist & Co-Founder
Cara graduated from McGill University with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy, and previously with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa. Prior to pursuing her post-secondary education, Cara was living and dancing full-time on a professional level in Jackson, Mississippi, which then led her to pursue a career in physiotherapy. Cara is a Co-Founder of Kinnective Health, and a sole owner of Cara Racicot Physiotherapy, where she provides specific team rehabilitative services and dance performance coaching.
Since graduating, Cara has taken many continuing education courses in order to further provide a high standard of care to her clients. These include AIM Levels 1&2 Upper and Lower with the National Orthopaedic Division (NOD) of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Dry Needling Level 1 with Acupuncture Canada, BFR Training with Owens Recovery Science, as well as numerous courses in the fields of run coaching/rehabilitation, exercise programming, sports injury recovery, and is currently working on her Sports Physiotherapy Certificate designation with Sports Physiotherapy Canada.
Throughout her career, Cara has worked with a wide variety of athletes, dancers, teams, and the general public to help them identify gaps in their training/lifestyle and create an appropriate course of action to get them to where they aspire to be. Cara roots her practice in the belief that the body functions as an interworking of multiple different systems and how they each influence each other in one’s unique environment. She focuses on stepping back from the microscopic lens of one’s injury in order to look at the full picture to properly understand and treat pain and performance issues. Cara truly loves helping her clients break through barriers, discover untapped potential, achieve personal bests, and being a part of people’s journey to recovery.
Outside of her work at the clinic, Cara is a proud mom to her beautiful one-year-old daughter and loves spending time with her family, friends, and her French bulldog, Reggie. Whether she’s lifting heavy in the gym, hitting the trails for a run or hike, or playing beach volleyball in the summer, she values movement in all forms and adores being outside whenever she can.
Melissa Scissons: Registered Massage Therapist & Co Founder
Melissa graduated from Algonquin College with an Honours Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy, and with an Honours Health Science Certificate. During her time here she played varsity soccer, achieving three provincial championship titles and a national bronze. Prior to pursuing her post-secondary education, Melissa was a multi-sport athlete who experienced hardship amongst her own injuries - breaking her leg in a rugby game, resulting in a personal rehab process that led her to pursue a career in physical therapy. Melissa is a Co-Founder of Kinnective Health, and a Sole Owner of Mel Scissons Sports Massage, where she works directly with athletic teams and events providing sports massage therapy. Formerly, Melissa was a clinician at a multidisciplinary clinic where she also operated as the Culture and Community Director – holding team culture and community connection close to her heart.
Since graduating, Melissa continues to expand her knowledge to provide her clients with high quality care. She has taken many continuing education courses including: Advanced Sports Massage, Sport First Responder, Athletic Movement Assessment, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM–Cupping and Blading), Neurological Reconditioning Level 1, Fundamental Medical Acupuncture with McMaster University and, is currently working towards her Sports Fellow designation with the Canadian Sports Massage Therapy Association (CSMTA). Throughout her career, Melissa has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of athletes from grass roots to Olympic and Professional levels. A few highlights being the Swim Canada Paris Olympic Qualifying Trials, National Track and Field Championships, Ontario Summer Games and, progressively leading her to the opportunities to work with both Atletico Ottawa - Canadian Premier League and, the Ottawa Rapid FC in their inaugural season of the Northern Super League.
Melissa centers her clinical practice on the belief that your recovery is an active process, rather than a passive, quick fix for knots or tension. She strives to work with you to identify gaps in your movement habits and recovery routine. By looking at the big picture, she is able to advise strategies on optimal preparation, proactive recovery and reducing risk of injury to maintain consistency towards your goals - building a stronger, purposeful foundation towards longevity.
Outside of the clinic, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her 4 adorable nieces. She’s eager to get outside for a hike in the summer or fall, play soccer, catch whatever sporting event is in town and as a foodie, try a new restaurant or opt for one of her favorites. A huge pillar in Melissa's life revolves around movement - you can find her in the gym lifting weights, the spin studio, pilates studio or focusing on her recovery in hot yoga.
Alexis Dugas, Physiotherapist
& Pelvic Health
Alexis is an orthopedic and pelvic health physiotherapist with a passion for helping people move and feel their best. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics and her Master of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy from the University of Ottawa.
Her approach to care combines focused manual therapy with movement-based strategies to support healing and restore function. By identifying the root cause of symptoms—whether mobility restrictions, coordination challenges, or strength imbalances—Alexis creates individualized treatment plans that empower clients to feel strong, educated, supported, and informed throughout their rehab goals.
In addition to orthopedic care, Alexis provides pelvic health physiotherapy. This service can benefit people who are pregnant or postpartum, experience bladder control issues (ex: leaking with sneezing or difficulty with urgency), pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, pelvic pain, or pain with intimacy.
As a certified yoga and Pilates instructor, Alexis often integrates her knowledge and principles from these practices into her treatment planning — helping her clients build confidence in their movements, control of their strength and improve body awareness beyond the clinic.
Miriam Priddle, Registered Massage Therapist
Miriam completed her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa before pursuing her passion for Massage Therapy through the Intensive Massage Therapy Program at Algonquin College.
She is passionate in educating her clients about their bodies and empowering them to take an active role in their health. By addressing posture, movement habits, and the underlying sources of pain, Miriam helps her clients manage both acute and chronic conditions while improving their overall quality of life. Her goal is to progress together by providing care that supports her clients both physically and mentally – helping them move, function, and feel their best.
Miriam loves helping her clients improve their ability to continue their activities of daily living, exercise and/or compete in their athletic endeavors. She has experience and enjoyment working with pre and postnatal women, runners, young parents and first responders. Whether you are managing pain, recovering from injury, or simply looking to feel better in your daily activities – she is passionate about helping you reach your goals.
Outside of the clinic, Miriam is an avid soccer player and long distance runner, and has recently taken up cycling. She also enjoys traveling, baking, hiking, and cooking.