Salt Spring island

Aleks Thornton, PT, CGIMS

Physiotherapist

Bio

Aleks Thornton is a Registered Physiotherapist whose work focuses on persistent and chronic pain, nervous system regulation, and restoring a sense of ease in the body.

His approach blends Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS), osteopathic-informed manual therapy, and guided movement. Rather than focusing on isolated symptoms, he considers how patterns of tension, breath, and movement are held throughout the body, working to gently shift these patterns toward greater balance, posture and efficiency.

He works with people experiencing a wide range of concerns including persistent musculoskeletal pain, chronic headaches and migraines, digestive issues (IBS, GERD), and complex pelvic or hormonal conditions such as endometriosis and PMDD.

Many of the people he sees have tried multiple approaches without lasting results. His focus is on understanding why the body has become “stuck,” and working with the nervous system to support deeper, more lasting change.

Treatment often begins by reducing excess muscle tone and sensitivity, creating the conditions for change. From there, Aleks guides clients through simple, targeted movement and breath work to support more coordinated and sustainable patterns of movement and stability.

Aleks’ work is both precise and collaborative, offering a space where clients can better understand their bodies and gradually build resilience, stability, and trust in their movement.

Education

  • Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science (MSc), 2012 (Glasgow Caledonian University)

  • Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc), Honours Human Kinetics, 2007 (University of Guelph)

Proffesional Memberships

  • Registrant in Good Standing (College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC)

  • Registrant in Good Standing (College of Physiotherapists of Ontario)

  • Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) Practitioner

Certifications

  • Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) (Certified, 2016)

additional trainings

  • Osteopathic Manual Training (2016–2020)

Book appointment with Dr. Kate Schertzer

Book appointment with Aleks Thornton, Registered Physiotherapist