Changepain

Body

  • Nutrition
  • Sleep
  • Comfort
  • Strength
  • Movement

Mind

  • Vitality
  • Joy
  • Memory
  • Clarity
  • Inspired

Life

  • Relationships
  • Purpose
  • Navigation
  • Inner Peace
  • Abundance

We are Ambassadors of whole-person care

Why do we think like this?

All are connected.

No person’s health is reduced to one body part, code, or fee item. We believe in whole-person care from prevention to early recovery to build strength for life. One thing leads to another. 

How are we like this?

By being integrated and holistic.

Daily, we cultivate the culture of interconnectivity. We’re obsessed with overcoming barriers within the healthcare system. We harness cutting edge science and technology for holistic pain care breakthroughs.

What are we doing about this?

We are the change we want to see.

After 10 years of catalyzing healthcare change, we are redefining the care experience. Defying all odds, we built a healing home inspired by nature’s power to heal inside and out so we can transform health together.

We’re recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC for our toptier safety and practice standards in providing Procedural Pain Management (PPM), Pain Management Infusion (PMI) therapy, IV Ketamine for the treatment of mood disorders (KET).

By interconnecting driven medical and allied health change makers in a unified setting, we awaken conscious healthcare.

We keep on going.

How do I get started and what can I expect?

Referral

Do you have a referral? A referral from a Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner is needed to access MSP-covered medical services. Download Referral Form. You do not need a referral to access all other services.

After accepting your referral, you will be added to our waitlist. We will contact you to schedule your initial consultation. As part of the intake process, please complete the following:

After accepting your referral, you can access all of our MSP-covered virtual group sessions at any time, even before your initial assessment.

These physician-led groups empower you to change your pain and relationship to it. Sessions offered include introductory sessions, safe movement, active gentle movement, wellness/pain conditions, and brain and mental health.

You can access our non-MSP covered medical services with or without a referral, and these medical services may be covered by third party funding. We help request for coverage from various third parties on your behalf.

If you are interested in our non-MSP covered medical services, contact our Private Pay Services Coordinator:

You can access our Allied Health services with or without a referral, and these services may be covered by third party funding. We offer direct billing to almost all third-party payers including ICBC, VAC, RCMP, Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife Financial, Canada Life, Green Shield, and various third parties under Telus Health. If you are interested in our Allied Health services, contact our Allied Health Coordinator:

You can access our MSP-covered virtual group sessions without a referral. Self-book and complete your first GP-led session as this your entry into all the other sessions.

These physician-led groups empower you to change your pain and relationship to it. Sessions offered include introductory sessions, safe movement, active gentle movement, wellness/pain conditions, and brain and mental health.

You can access our non-MSP covered medical services with or without a referral, and these medical services may be covered by third party funding. We help request for coverage from various third parties on your behalf. If you are interested in our non-MSP covered medical services, contact our Private Pay Services Coordinator:

You can access our MSP-covered virtual group sessions without a referral. Self-book and complete your first GP-led session as this your entry into all the other sessions. These physician-led groups empower you to change your pain and relationship to it. Sessions offered include introductory sessions, safe movement, active gentle movement, wellness/pain conditions, and brain and mental health.

Initial Assessment

We are excited to get to know you and see how we can help. To better assess you, you may be asked to fill out some intake questionnaires online prior to your appointment, or in person if preferred. We will assess your condition and provide recommendations for treatment options inside and outside of changepain’s integrated layered care services.
  • In-person
  • Virtual

During this assessment, your medical and pain history are reviewed. Based on your unique needs, your doctor may recommend pain relieving procedures, medication suggestions, advanced infusion therapy, pain neuroscience MSP group virtual sessions, investigations, and integration with the Allied Health team.

We offer two types of private pay assessments: Private Medical Consultation (PMC) & Multidisciplinary Private Assessment (MDPA). See details and cost below.

During this assessment, your health and pain history are reviewed. Based on your functional movement, mind health and wellness needs, your Allied Health clinician may recommend physical therapies, home-based programs, resources, wellness strategies, and integration with the medical team.

Treatments & Follow-ups

We work closely with you to diagnose the root causes of your pain with examinations, investigations, and your response to treatments recommended. We perform a variety of procedures, including ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided procedures as appropriate. 

We review your progress over time to ensure the effectiveness of the treatments and we will adjust the treatment plan accordingly to support your functional recovery. 

After you meet the criteria, our pain specialists will provide the requested non-MSP medical therapy.  

We work closely with you to diagnose the root causes of your pain with examinations and your response to therapies recommended. These therapies include:

  • Chiropractic
  • Physiotherapy
  • Kinesiology/Active Rehab
  • Somatic Therapy
  • Intramuscular Stimulation
  • Acupuncture
  • Counselling

We adapt your treatment plan over time to meet your health goals.

Review & Plan

  • In-person
  • Virtual
We evaluate your progress and co-create the most suitable path for your continued care. This may include transitioning your care management to other providers, referring you to other services, or maintaining changepain treatments as needed. To continue enhancing your health journey and building pain neuroscience knowledge, you may access our MSP-covered virtual group sessions indefinitely.  

FAQs

We are a multicultural team and growing. The languages spoken at our clinic are Afrikaans, Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, English, French, Hebrew, Mandarin, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Tagalog.  

Yes.  

MSP-Covered Medical Services:  We offer virtual appointments for consultations and video/phone follow-ups.   

Non-MSP Medical Services:  We offer virtual appointments for consultations.  

Allied Health Services:  We offer virtual appointments for Counselling. Virtual appointments can also be arranged for other services, if needed, but in-person treatments are recommended. 

MSP Virtual Group Medical Visits:  We offer virtual group medical appointments.  

No.  

We require you to have an appointment scheduled online or virtually for you to be seen. For some services, same-day scheduling is available.

Yes. For private pay services, we accept insurance coverages from:
  • ICBC 
  • VAC 
  • RCMP – non-work-related injury 
  • Pacific Blue Cross
  • Sun Life 
  • Manulife Financial 
  • Canada Life 
  • Green Shield
  • Telus Health
    • BPA
    • Canadian Construction Workers Union
    • Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
    • CINUP
    • ClaimSecure
    • Cowan Insurance Group
    • D.A. Townley
    • Desjardins Insurance
    • First Canadian
    • GMS Carriers 49 and 50
    • GroupHEALTH
    • GroupSource
    • Industrial Alliance
    • Johnson Inc.
    • Johnston Group
    • LiUna Local 183
    • LiUna Local 506
    • Manion
    • Maximum Benefit
    • People Corporation
    • RWAM
    • Union Benefits

Are you seeking whole-person pain care?

We can help

NEWS / UPDATES

March 2024 GMV Updates

New Classes Mitochondrial Bootcamp – 4-part series Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler This 4-week series is focused on optimizing light/circadian rhythm, supporting…

Your New Healing Home, Away From Home!

Three times the size of our existing home. Immersed in nature. New equipment. Same team, same high quality of care,…

New Counsellor

We are excited to announce that we have a new Clinical Counsellor, Laura Montgomery. She is accepting new patients, including…

Changes to the re-referral process

On July 1, 2023, changes to the MSC Payment Schedule were implemented to improve the re-referral process. In recent years,…

Cost of Initial Assessments - Non-MSP Medical


Private Medical Consultation (PMC) Multidisciplinary Private Assessment (MDPA)
Description Expedited, focused assessment to determine fit for non-MSP covered services requested:
IV Lidocaine Infusion, Ketamine Therapies, Prolotherapy, BOTOX, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Comprehensive functional and medical assessment with a multidisciplinary report addressing the biopsychosocial issues identified.
Care Team Pain Specialist Pain Specialist
Functional Movement Specialist
Duration 30 minutes 2 hours
Cost $450.00 $3,500.00

This will close in 0 seconds

Cost of Initial Assessments - Allied Health


Assessment Duration Cost
Chiropractic Initial 60 minutes $165.00
Physiotherapy Initial 60 minutes $160.00
Kinesiology Initial 45 minutes $90.00 (+ tax)
Counselling Initial 90 minutes $250.00
Acupuncture Initial 45 minutes $140.00
Ketamine Counselling Initial for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy 60 minutes $250.00

This will close in 0 seconds

Tatiana Santini

Counsellor
Tatiana Santini, is a Psychotherapist, Clinical Counselor, Trauma Therapist, and a Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapist. She holds a Bachelor degree in Health Science, and Master’s degree in Adlerian Psychotherapy and Counseling. In addition, Tatiana has a Postgraduate Certificates in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies and Research, MDMA Assisted Therapy, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and she is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.Tatiana has been working extensively with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy as well as other psychedelic assisted therapies in clinical and research context, and as a trainer and an educator. Tatiana has been a faculty at City University in teaching clinical supervision capacity. Tatiana has been working in the public and private sector with patients struggling with trauma, substance and alcohol use disorders, PTSD, veterans, and first responders. She is an experienced clinician who has been working as a group therapist and on individual basis using various therapeutic modalities, from Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Mindfulness Based cognitive therapies, to short term psychodynamic psychotherapy.Tatiana is passionate about assisting her clients on their healing journey, facilitating exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness, and mind-body relationship. Tatiana’s compassionate and non-judgmental approach allows individuals to explore unconscious aspect of their psyche, thoughts, feelings, and urges that are outside their awareness, while allowing clients to gain insights into how those are related to their life, current physical and mental health, as well as their interpersonal relationships.

Prior to psychotherapy, Tatiana worked as a respiratory and anesthesia therapist, for almost two decades in various intensive care and trauma units, ER’s as well as operating rooms. Tatiana is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, member in good standing with British Columbia Association of Clinical Counselors, Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, and a Registered Respiratory Therapist with Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists.

In her spare time, Tatiana enjoys forest bathing, classical music, hiking, and yoga

This will close in 0 seconds

Amy Kiara Ruth

BSc (Kin, Ed)

practicing kinesiologist, certified Pilates method instructor, associate somatic movement professional

Amy brings a grounded presence and a spirit of collaborative inquiry to her sessions. Her philosophy is that movement is an integral part of life and she works to support the emergent expression of health inherent in each individual.

A life-long interest in movement led Amy to become a kinesiologist and somatic movement practitioner. Her movement experience began as a child, studying dance. As a young adult, she was introduced to the Pilates method by Dianne Miller and completed her Pilates method certification training in 1997.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, minor in Education, from Simon Fraser University. In 2008 she completed Foundation and Advanced level training in Self-Regulation Therapy, a gentle, somatic, trauma-resolution modality.

Amy maintains a commitment to continuing education and has extensive experience as a student of Tai chi / Qigong, as well as Continuum / Continuum Montage and other mind-body movement approaches. In her personal life, Amy explores what it means to be an embodied being and how to be in relationship to seasonal rhythms & tides while living & working in an urban setting.

Amy is delighted to be working in an interdisciplinary setting at changepain.

She offers individual kinesiology sessions, as well as group GMV sessions, to support participants in developing increased ease and embodiment in movement and presence.  These sessions may include use of specific movement forms, mindfulness awareness practices, breathwork, assisted stretching & hands-on alignment guidance, trauma resolution, movement explorations, and sensory & perceptual awareness work.

This will close in 0 seconds

Maria Liaskas

Kinesiologist

Maria Liaskas, a UBC trained Masters level Kinesiologist and National level athlete joins the changepain team with a broad and deep range of training expertise.

She has seven years of experience competing at the Canadian national level in rhythmic gymnastics and five years of competing at the provincial and national level in volleyball. These feats are a testament to her passion for movement.

After sustaining multiple injuries and visiting a range of sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists, she became increasingly intrigued by the assessment of human movement, pain, and best practices for implementing a plan for recovery. This interest is what motivated her to pursue and complete her undergraduate and subsequent Masters level degree in Kinesiology at UBC.

As part of her training, she was selected to work at the Massachusetts General Hospital where she was part of the Harvard Medical School research team. Here she witnessed and contributed to work in understanding, treating, and preventing brain metastases, specifically in breast cancer patients. She also contributed to research under the UBC BE-FIT: Breast Cancer & Endocrine Therapy FITness program.

Maria joins the changepain team after most recently working in private kinesiology practice supporting the public as well as continuing to help those with chronic disease reach their functional goals.

Maria brings to her practice a patient centred approach to managing chronic disease. She strives to maintain a professional yet compassionate and understanding relationship with each client she interacts with. She believes this is the first step towards building a trusting client-practitioner relationship and sets the foundation for effective work.

Maria is a Vancouver local who is passionate about movement during and after work. She is a long-time member of the volleyball community. When not helping her clients, you will most likely find her buried in sand at the beach volleyball courts.

This will close in 0 seconds

Laura Montgomery

Counsellor

Laura Montgomery, is a Masters Level Clinical Counsellor, and Registered Social Worker, who brings a passionate belief in each person’s innate wisdom to heal, navigate, and grow from their life experiences. She brings her humanity and lived experience with her own pain journey, as well as her extensive post-graduate training, counselling skills and experience to her work with her clients.

Laura received her Masters of Social Work from the University of British Columbia in 2008; there she completed original research through the British Columbia Cancer Agency on the factors that contribute to post-traumatic growth after a cancer diagnosis. She has trained in trauma-informed somatic therapy with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, attachment-based parenting with the Neufeld Institute and is currently in supervision to complete her certification in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). Laura also currently enjoys helping other clinical counsellors learn new skills through being an assistant with the AEDP Institute. Prior to becoming a clinical counsellor Laura worked as a social worker at Providence Healthcare. She also spent years as a stay and home mother, her most rewarding and challenging position!

In sessions with Laura you can expect warmth, collaboration and understanding; as well as the challenge to together move through stuck places towards resilience and inner resources. Sessions may include slowing down with emotions or sensations as well as discovering tools and knowledge that you can take with you into your life.

Laura enjoys spending time with her family, the ocean, writing, movement, meditation and hanging out with her cat.

This will close in 0 seconds

Dr. Lindsay Rite

BSc(Kin), CSEP-CEP

Director of Integrative Services | Chiropractor, Kinesiologist, Exercise Physiologist | Clinical Facilitator Surgical Patient Optimization Program

Lindsay Rite is the Director of Integrative Health at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic (CPC). She acts to oversee the clinic’s Allied Health and Rehabilitation Team, Pain Programs, and Pain Neuroscience Education Services. Simultaneously she maintains a Chiropractic practice and assists with Physician-led Shared Care pain consultations. She has advanced training in movement and exercise therapy and is a Registered Kinesiologist and CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

Dr. Rite takes an empowering approach to care for her patients. Personalized education and active therapy prescription is a significant part of her practice. She is trained in multiple manual techniques and utilizes a diversity of hands on and instrumented assisted therapies to aid in alleviating pain and suffering in her patients. She is experienced in assessing and treating complex pain with much of her practice focused on those with widespread pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, CRPS, central sensitivity syndromes, or other persistent pain conditions and related comorbidities.

Dr. Rite’s research and professional initiatives extend beyond her work at CPC. She played an integral role in the development of the pain management joint program between the BCCA and Pain BC. Similarly, with Pain BC, she has participated in various collaboratives including the BC ECHO for Chronic Pain, Resource Data Base Initiative, Psychosocial Community of Practice, and was a Reviewer for the Pain Foundations Course. She co-lead the first Military Veterans Alpine Challenge, and continues to contribute to the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE) collaborative. Additionally, she has also contributed to various research publications at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic.

She has previously acted as a Best Practice Collaborator with the CCGI, she was the Vice Chair for the Patients Relation Committee of the CCBC, an Examiner with the CCEB, and an active member of the BC Chiropractic Practice-Based Research Network.

In addition to her work in chronic pain, she is experienced in sport management. She has been part of the Integrated Sports Team for various teams including Athletics at the Pan American Games, Rugby Sevens Fijian championship team, and Canada West Wrestling athletes.

Dr. Rite not only supports her patients in developing an active and wholehearted lifestyle but enjoys living it herself. In her free time, you can find her in the local mountains enjoying our BC trails and nature.

Certifications:
  • Chiropractor
  • Registered Kinesiologist
  • CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist
  • CSEP Certified Personal Trainer
  • Sports First Responder
  • S-FMA Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 1
  • Active Release Techniques® (Lower and Upper Extremity) Provider
  • Functional Anatomical Palpation® Provider (Upper and Lower Limb & Spine)
  • Kinesio Taping Certified Provider
  • M1 Graston Techniques® Provider

This will close in 0 seconds

Conor O'Flaherty

Kinesiologist

Conor is a Kinesiologist in his 3rd year at changepain. He has experience working with a variety of individuals through a range of chronic pain conditions and movement limitations.

Conor believes in a pragmatic approach to promoting movement and a healthy lifestyle. Focusing on the individual and their history, he believes that integrating education and understanding into the patient’s daily life so that they can continue to enjoy what drives them. Guiding people on a journey of self-discovery, Conor empowers his clients to take control of their pain experience.

Conor is Irish and moved to Canada in 2016 and completed his BKin at UBC. Conor completed his Master’s in Kinesiology in May 2023, while working at changepain. Throughout his bachelor’s he coached in the UBC Smith and Laycoe Weightroom coaching athletes from basketball, swimming, rugby, soccer, and football. He maintains his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification and continues to coach rugby and work with athletes.

Growing up in Brussels, Belgium, Conor has played sports his whole life. He has played a variety of field sports, before focusing on rugby union. He played 6 years on the UBC Thunderbirds, winning two Rounsefell Cups, two University National Championships, and was named to the Canadian University First XV in 2022.

When he’s not assisting people to manage their pain, Conor is eating around Vancouver and spending time with his cat.

This will close in 0 seconds

Ashleigh Low

MSc. (PT), HBSc.

Physiotherapist

Ashleigh has received her Bachelor of Science degree from MacMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and completed her Masters in Science of Physical Therapy from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

She provides an individualized and patient-centred approach to acute and chronic injuries. Her goal-oriented mindset was crafted over her years as a competitive slopestyle skier with the first-hand experience of injury. With her unique skills as a high-level athlete,

Ashleigh focuses on both the mental and physical rehabilitation of her patients. Ashleigh also practices preventative care and can apply her high level of knowledge to specific treatment plans aimed at creating a pain-free and holistic approach to her patient care.

Professional Memberships:

College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia.
Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

Credentials:

Active Release Technique- Full Body Certified.
Shift Concussion Management.
MPS (Micropoint Stimulation).
IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)

This will close in 0 seconds

Leroy Ho

MScPT, BScKin 

Physiotherapist

Leroy believes the key to rehabilitation and performance is to first understand the individual -Your goals are his goals. With years of experience empowering people in chronic pain, Leroy uses his diverse skillset of both physical and psychological approaches to show that exercise can be done safely and enjoyably for everyone. He has played competitive hockey with Oxford University and enjoys applying his experience to personal training, athletic rehab and geriatric longevity. Leroy also has a special interest in treating hip and knee osteoarthritis and is also certified by GLA:D Canada. He is passionate about enabling people to live to their healthiest potential no mater what stage of life you’re in.

Leroy has worked in multiple hospital settings with a variety of populations including those with musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular diseases including patients in the Covid ICU. He also has volunteered at many health-related organizations around the Lower Mainland which include the SFU Sports Medicine Clinic, Kids Physio Group, Canucks Autism Network and BC Children's Hospital. During his free time, Leroy is often spotted having a laugh at a local brewery, planning for his next vacation or attempting to revive his career at the ice rink.

This will close in 0 seconds

Noli Catapang

Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac)

Noli received an HBSc. from the University of Guelph, Ontario, and a Diploma for Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Vancouver, BC.  He has been a Registered Acupuncturist since 2006.

He employs the tenets of Chinese Medicine to diagnose and design treatment plans that are holistic and individually tailored.  With any lifestyle medicine, the path must always address, not only the client’s chief concern, but the factors and psycho-emotional landscape that affect it.

Furthermore, Noli recognizes that wellness is most readily achieved by working in partnership with his clients.  These partnerships are built on compassion, education, understanding and choice.  The goal is helping the client to re-establishing balance thereby minimizing the need for treatment.

This will close in 0 seconds