27 - Melissa Thompson on Mobile Physio, Myofunctional Therapy, and Building a Flexible Business
In this episode of The Health of Business, Danielle speaks with Melissa Thompson, physiotherapist and founder of Living Grow Physio in Penticton, BC.
Melissa shares her journey from public-sector community rehab to starting her own mobile physiotherapy business while on maternity leave with two young children. Together, they discuss the realities of in-home physiotherapy, safety considerations, referral-based marketing, business boundaries, and Melissa’s growing niche in myofunctional therapy. Melissa also reflects on what it means to build a business that supports family life, client independence, and community connection.
Contact Info
Website: livegrowphysio.ca
Instagram: @livegrowphysio
Facebook: Living Grow Physio
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Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Melissa Thompson and Living Grow Physio
01:47 - The safety incident that changed Melissa’s career direction
03:41 - Starting a business during maternity leave
05:34 - Building early stability through long-term care work
07:01 - Marketing through referral relationships and vehicle branding
10:20 - Melissa’s education path from Montana to Australia
13:08 - Getting stuck in Canada during COVID
20:46 - Moving from public practice into business ownership
23:43 - Combining home visits with myofunctional therapy
25:03 - What myofunctional therapy is and why it matters
28:42 - Discovering tongue ties through her daughter’s care
35:08 - Building referral relationships with dentists and orthodontists
43:08 - Boundaries, admin, and communication as a solo business owner
54:46 - Safety considerations for mobile physiotherapy
01:05:27 - What a healthy business looks like to Melissa
Keywords:
mobile physiotherapy, in-home physiotherapy, community physiotherapy, private practice physiotherapy, physiotherapy business, physiotherapy entrepreneurship, solo practice, home visits, community rehab, long-term care physiotherapy, myofunctional therapy, tongue tie, lip tie, tongue posture, nasal breathing, mouth breathing, swallowing patterns, airway health, dental referrals, orthodontic referrals, business boundaries, mobile practice safety, home visit safety, physiotherapy admin, Jane App, direct billing, clinic marketing, vehicle branding, local referrals, motherhood and business, flexible practice, South Okanagan physiotherapy, Penticton physiotherapy, Living Grow Physio, healthy business, community connection, public practice to private practice