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Shelley Cottle joins our team on January 4th, 2010

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 | Team Interviews | No Comments

Shelley was born and raised in New Zealand.  Growing up on a farm, an appreciation for the outdoors was quickly founded .  Always active in sport, art and learning in youth, she has taken these interests into adulthood.  Shelley decided at the tender age of four that she wanted to be a Physiotherapist, following in the footsteps of an Aunty she admired.   Shelley had a strong interest in Sciences, Art and Physical education at High School, this further strengthened the decision to study Physiotherapy.

Shelley took undergraduate papers in Design, Physiology and Anatomy prior to beginning her study in Physiotherapy. She Graduated from Physiotherapy at Otago University, New Zealand in 2005.  She spent the first 2 years working in a Hospital in a small city called Rotorua, New Zealand, before beginning her world travels in 2007.  Shelley likes a challenge and to be involved in a multitude of sports and activities.

Shelley was drawn to Canada in 2008 for open spaces with a variety of outdoor adventures on the doorstep.  Squamish was a natural choice being the outdoor recreation capital of Canada.  On arrival Squamish immediately felt like home.  She continues to focus mostly on multisport, mountain biking and snowboarding outside of work hours. 

Shelley has worked in Occupational Rehabilitation and private practice over the past year and a half.  Often described as friendly and relaxed, she is also very driven and focused on learning more and excelling in her interests in life.  Shelley is excited to continue with her professional development by taking multiple courses including Acupuncture in the next year.  She is excited to be part of the ‘Reach Physio Solutions’ team and help enable future and current clients towards achieving their goals.

Get in shape in 2010 with Karen Mann

Monday, December 14th, 2009 | Team Interviews | No Comments

Karen Mann’s Fitness Philosophy

I take a goal-oriented approach to fitness and health. While the physiological aspects of fitness are extremely important, they are useless unless our mind and spirit coincide with the physical demands. There are things that motivate each and everyone one of us. My job is to help you find out what motivates you!

Everyone can benefit from a personal trainer: Elite or aspiring athletes trying to gain an edge in competition; Weekend worriers wanting to maintain the ability to shred; People who have let themselves go and want to get back on track; Those recovering from injury and need to start off slow; Those looking for new work out ideas and sport-specific exercises; Even people whose main goal is to simply to keep up with their grandchildren.

Whatever your fitness goals, my job is to help you achieve it! Your job: show up with a positive attitude, make a commitment to yourself, and be ready to work!

Personal Training Package

Introductory Fitness Package:  $165

includes:

-Fitness assessment

-1-Month Fitness Program

-2 Personal Training Sessions at gym/studio of your choice

Offer valid January 4 – February 28th, 2010

Regular Fitness Packages:

Fitness Programs from $65

Personal Training Session:  $45/session

10 pack  $400

Tags: BCRPA, express fitness, goals, personal training

What is Rolfing? An interview with Mike Charuk RMT & Rolfer

Sunday, December 13th, 2009 | Team Interviews | No Comments

Clients often ask “what is Rolfing?” How do you describe difference between massage therapy & Rolfing to clients?

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this question I would not have to work anymore.

Sometimes I encourage people to do some research online about Rolfing. www.rolf.org is a good website. There are links from there were you can watch Dr. Oz on the Ophra Winfry show getting Rolfed.

Rolfing is a more global approach to therapy. An example I often use is the car wreck. Let’s say after the wreck the radiator does not work. You can send that car to a medical doctor who might prescribe chemicals (pain killers or anti inflammatory) to help it. Or to a chiropractor who might adjust it. An acupuncturist might put some needles in it. A massage therapist might rub it etc etc… A Rolfer would not focus on the Radiator but instead would just try and realign the whole car. Sometimes with better alignment things “magically” get better. Maybe the front bumper leaning on the radiator was the problem.

Rolfers focus more on fascia and connective tissue. A massage therapist works more with the muscles themselves.

How could a client identify themselves as a candidate for Rolfing therapy?

Clients quite often have done a full circle and have not had long term results with their injuries or pain.

I often see clients who have seen medical doctors, chiro, physio, acupuncturist, massage therapist etc and are ready to try anything. Coincidently I have seen clients who are getting their house renovated at the same time they are getting their selves renovated.

Sometimes I work with athletes who are looking for a competitive edge. Rolfing helps with their body awareness. Tension distorts movement with less tension they can be faster stronger etc.

You have been an athlete yourself, throughout your life, mostly as an endurance cyclist in the recent years. How does massage therapy support the recreational athlete?

If your goals are to go faster and longer, massage is very effective for a quicker recovery. This enables the athlete to be more consistent with their training

You are a massage therapist for the National Track Cycling Team. What are some of the highlights and challenges of this job?

I have worked a pre Olympic training camp in Pennsylvania and a national camp in Los Angeles. Some of the challenges are that you are giving a lot of massages which is a physical strain on the body. It also demands finding the right balance of being therapeutic and not fatiguing the athlete’s muscles for the next days workout.

The highlights are definitely watching athletes perform well pain free.

You can read more about Mike’s extensive experience on his website at mikecharuk.com

You can book an appointment with him on Mondays & Wednesdays through our online booking calendar accessible on the right hand sidebar.

Tags: Canadian Track Cycling Team, fascia, massage therapy, Rolfing

An interview with physiotherapist Maggie Phillips-Scarlett

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Team Interviews | No Comments

You sustained some knee injuries early on in life while ski racing. How did your experience with these injuries affect how you work as a physiotherapist now?

My knee injuries had a HUGE impact on my life, particularly in my career choice! Now with the experience of surgery(ies) and rehab, I am very empathetic towards my clients because I remember so clearly all of the peaks and valleys associated with the road to recovery. Furthermore,  I am VERY aware of the consequences of poor rehab~ of the factors that can lead to re-injury. Needless to say, am I am keen to ensure my clients do not repeat the same mistakes I made which led to my re-injuries.

You have TWO masters degrees.  Does your advanced schooling in kinesiology (the science of human movement) impact your approach to treatment? If so, how?

Definitely. I worked as a sport physiologist and strength & conditioning coach prior to attending physio school. I decided to advance my career with a clinical approach to sport physiology~ where I could learn about assessment and analysis of movement from a rehab point of view. I believe strongly in proper and efficient movement execution and this is where physio and kinesiology have very common ground~ both are rooted in motor control and both are necessary for performance~ not just in sport but in life too. My approach to treatment is affected greatly by this belief as I take great care to prescribe the best exercises that address an individual’s rehab and health goals.

You are the strength and conditioning coach as well as the physiotherapist for the Canadian Paralympic Alpine team. What have been some of the highlights and the challenges of this position?

The highlights definitely include being involved in a high performance sport that is evolving every year. As well, it is very rewarding to get to know the athletes and their disabilities on a very personal level. I feel as though it has opened my eyes greatly to what it means to be disabled~ and how society can so easily impose limits. However, these athletes are limitless.

Challenges of the position mostly revolve around the travel~ although it is exciting to see parts of Asia, Europe, North and South America, it is tough for me to maintain a caseload and build relationships with clients at home. Furthermore, it is difficult to leave my husband and my Squamish life behind for 3 weeks at a time!

You’ve chosen to join the Reach Physio Solutions team. What lead you to that decision? Where do you see this taking you as a therapist?

Choosing to join the Reach physio solutions teams was simple: the philosophy of the clinic is very similar to my own and I really enjoy the one-on-one treatment approach. I really enjoy the other staff members~ there’s a very good energy and vibe in the clinic that makes me happy to come to work!

Thank-you Maggie!

To find out more about Maggie, please read her bio here.

Tags: Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, master physical therapy, masters kinesiology, strength conditioning coach