Changepain

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Dr. Brenda Lau

MD, FRCPC, FFPMANZCA, MM, CGIMS, CIPS

Founder & Medical Director | Pain Specialist and Anesthesiologist | FRCPC Founder (Pain Medicine)

dr-brenda-lau

Dr. Brenda Lau is a Pain Specialist and Anesthesiologist practicing in Vancouver and Surrey, BC with over 20 years experience in both.  She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australia & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists after completing a two year Pain Medicine fellowship and Master of Medicine degree in Sydney, Australia subspecializing in interventional pain management and multi-disciplinary team care.

In 2013, she co-founded Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic, a Vancouver based pain centre that provides multi-disciplinary pain care for myofascial, spine, neuropathic, complex regional pain syndrome, headache, pelvic, visceral, post-surgical, post-trauma, chronic diseases, and post-cancer.  She and her team specializes in the prevention and early recovery from injury.

Brenda is passionate about resolving chronic pain through therapies supporting prevention, pre-habilitation and early recovery after injury.  She has led numerous national, provincial and hospital based initiatives to improve understanding of pain, improve pain treatments, and improve pain care training.

After her 3 year pain fellowship and masters degree, she restarted her anesthesiology and pain practice in 2008 at Surrey Memorial Hospital and led the development of the multidisciplinary pain clinic at Surrey’s Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre as its first Medical Director. In 2011, she became the first chair of the Fraser Health Authority region wide pain services division supporting the development of various acute and chronic pain services across 10 FHA hospital sites.

Brenda was a founder and board member of, and continues to contribute to, the Pain BC Society that formed in 2008.  She has also been involved in several province-wide services including the Providence Health Care RACE Pain hotline, co-chaired the Pain Practice Support Program, helped create the BC Women’s Hospital Chronic Pelvic Pain program and was the medical lead on regional pain initiatives in Northern Health Authority and FraserHealth Authority.

To improve training standards and opportunities for physicians, since 2008 she has been working with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada as one of the founding members of the sub-specialty of Pain Medicine which was approved in 2013. In 2015, Brenda became the first Program Director of the newest UBC residency program of Pain Medicine.

She feels deeply fulfilled with spending time with her family, cooking for friends, exploration through travel, winding up and down with music, and immersing in kundalini and power flow yoga, biking, skiing and sailing.

In 2019, her health journey is fueled by #presstostand.

 Credentials
  • Co-founder and Medical Director, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
  • Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
  • Founder and Specialty Committee member, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Sub-specialty of Pain Medicine
  • Co-founder PainBC society
  • Interventional Pain Specialist, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic and False Creek Surgical Centre
  • Anesthesiologist, Surrey Memorial Hospital
Dr. Brenda Lau
Co-founder & Medical Director
Doug-Zabkar Read more about Doug Zabkar
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Doug Zabkar

CA, CBV

Co-founder & Chief Financial Officer

Doug-Zabkar

In 2013,  Doug helped found changepain together with his wife, Dr Lau and partners, Dr. Siren and Judy Pryce.  Doug is Chief Financial Officer of Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic and provides strategy, executive support, financial advisory, and organizational transformation consulting services to changepain.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator. His 20 year consulting practice has a focus on healthcare Effectively working with multi-stakeholder groups in the BC health authorities, the Ministry of Health and other public sector agencies, and he actively consults in both the private and public sectors.   

Recent notable projects:
  • Fraser Health review
  • Closure of Riverview hospital
  • Creation of Health Shared Services BC on behalf of the six Health Authorities
  • Review of Child and Family Research Institute
  • Review of BC Cancer Research Centre
Clinical experience:
  • Completed the Northern Health regional chronic pain strategy for the region
  • Strategic planning for lower mainland multidisciplinary pain clinic
  • Stroke care program enhancements for patient journey
  • Reproductive health

In addition, Doug was a board member for the Homework Club, a not-for-profit society operating in the downtown east side of Vancouver that promotes and enables education for disadvantaged youth.

Doug enjoys skiing, fine wine, cooking, reading and travel.

Doug Zabkar
Co-founder & Chief Financial Officer
chiro-dr-lindsay-rite Read more about Dr. Lindsay Rite
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Dr. Lindsay Rite

BSc(Kin), CSEP-CEP 

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

chiro-dr-lindsay-rite

Dr. 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
Dr. Lindsay Rite
Director of Integrative Health
Read more about Dr. Glauber Melo
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Dr. Glauber Melo

Operations Manager

Glauber is Brazilian International Medical Graduate who has obtained his medical licence in his home country in 2017. He used to work as a Family Physician and at Emergency Rooms before moving to Canada in 2019.

During these jobs, he felt the need to develop skills in the health administration area, so he accepted the challenge of studying overseas, and started a Masters Degree in Administrative Sciences.

He also has a Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences, from which he obtained experience in laboratory techniques. Glauber has always been focused in making every effort to promote well-being of patients, always treating them as a whole.

Outside of work and study, he enjoys cooking, working out, playing the guitar, and hanging out with his friends and his family.

Dr. Glauber Melo
Operations Manager
Dr.micah-burns Read more about Dr. Micah Burns
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Dr. Micah Burns

MD, FAHS

Director of Fellowship and training programs

Dr.micah-burns

Micah Burns is a fellowship-trained, board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician. Originally from St Petersburg, Florida, he completed his medical school at University College of Dublin where he graduated with honors. Micah's anesthesia residency took place at New York Medical College where he was appointed chief resident during his final year.

He was also recognized as Resident of the Year at graduation. He completed three fellowships after residency, including pediatric anesthesia (Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington DE), interventional pain medicine and adult chronic pain (New York University, NY NY) and pediatric complex pain (BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver).

He continues his work at British Columbia Children's Hospital as an anesthesiologist and acute pain physician. Having had a variety of learning environments, Micah brings a unique view to the practice of pain medicine.

Starting with a strong basis in physiology, he approaches his patients from a holistic viewpoint; using interventions as a means to optimize the body's natural rhythms.

When he's not at changepain, Micah is with his wife and young child. He reads voraciously, plays racquetball adequately, exercises regularly, and sleeps 8 hours a night.

Micah’s clinics open in January 2020.

Dr. Micah Burns
Director of Fellowship and training programs

Compassionate Pain Expertise

Our Pain Specialist team consists of medical specialties including pain medicine, anesthesiology, addiction medicine, public health, psychiatry, interventional pain medicine, internal medicine, occupational medicine, integrative medicine, rheumatology, physiatry, and family medicine as well as pain-specialized family medicine.

Interventional Pain Specialists – Anesthesiologist:
Dr.alan-berkman Read more about Dr. Alan Berkman
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Dr. Alan Berkman

MBChB, DA(SA), FRCPC, FIPP, CIPS

Interventional Pain Specialist & Director of Interventional Pain Fellowship Program | UBC Clinical Associate Professor

Dr.alan-berkman

Originally from South Africa and trained in Cape Town and Pretoria, Dr. Berkman moved to Canada in 1990.

Initially he worked as a rural GP Anaesthetist, then completed training at the University of British Columbia.  He obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Anesthesia in 1995.

He moved with his young family to Nanaimo, BC where after 3 years as a staff anesthesiologist with a keen interest in regional anesthesia, he was drawn into helping people with chronic pain.

In 1998 he initiated the Interventional Pain Program at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. In collaboration with other stakeholders in 2004, he also developed a region wide Vancouver Island Multidisciplinary Pain Program.

Dr. Berkman has developed numerous protocols and guidelines for the management of various chronic pain conditions and the management of palliative care patients.  He is a life long learner and teacher and continues to treat every day as another opportunity to learn something new. He recently completed the Fellowship in Interventional Pain Practice as part of that commitment.

Dr. Berkman has  held various leadership positions including Head of Department, Anesthesia NRGH, Regional Chief of Anesthesia, Central Island, Site Director Anesthesia Residency Training and Medical Student Training, NRGH, Director VIHA Pain Program, Nanaimo Site, Site Director Pain Residency Training Program and recently elected as Secretary, Canada Section, World Institute of Pain.

In 2016, Dr. Berkman qualified as a Certified Interventional Pain Sonologist (CIPS) with the World Institute of Pain Board of Examiners, one of the few people in the world with this qualification.

His interests in pain management included optimising treatment for CRPS, promoting interventional treatments for palliative patients, spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation and the use of ultrasound in pain management.

Alan’s outside interests include family time, kayaking, hiking, learning about wine and trying to stay fit.

Dr. Alan Berkman
Interventional Pain Specialist
Dr.micah-burns Read more about Micah Burns
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Micah Burns

MD, FAHS

Interventional Pain Specialist

Dr.micah-burns

Micah Burns is a fellowship-trained, board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician. Originally from St Petersburg, Florida, he completed his medical school at University College of Dublin where he graduated with honors. Micah's anesthesia residency took place at New York Medical College where he was appointed chief resident during his final year.

He was also recognized as Resident of the Year at graduation. He completed three fellowships after residency, including pediatric anesthesia (Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington DE), interventional pain medicine and adult chronic pain (New York University, NY NY) and pediatric complex pain (BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver).

He continues his work at British Columbia Children's Hospital as an anesthesiologist and acute pain physician. Having had a variety of learning environments, Micah brings a unique view to the practice of pain medicine.

Starting with a strong basis in physiology, he approaches his patients from a holistic viewpoint; using interventions as a means to optimize the body's natural rhythms.

When he's not at changepain, Micah is with his wife and young child. He reads voraciously, plays racquetball adequately, exercises regularly, and sleeps 8 hours a night.

Micah’s clinics open in January 2020.

Micah Burns
Interventional Pain Specialist
dr-brenda-lau Read more about Dr. Brenda Lau
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Dr. Brenda Lau

MD, FRCPC, FFPMANZCA, MM, CGIMS, CIPS

Interventional Pain specialist

dr-brenda-lau

Dr. Brenda Lau is a Pain Specialist and Anesthesiologist practicing in Vancouver and Surrey, BC with over 20 years experience in both.  She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australia & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists after completing a two year Pain Medicine fellowship and Master of Medicine degree in Sydney, Australia subspecializing in interventional pain management and multi-disciplinary team care.

In 2013, she co-founded Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic, a Vancouver based pain centre that provides multi-disciplinary pain care for myofascial, spine, neuropathic, complex regional pain syndrome, headache, pelvic, visceral, post-surgical, post-trauma, chronic diseases, and post-cancer.  She and her team specializes in the prevention and early recovery from injury.

Brenda is passionate about resolving chronic pain through therapies supporting prevention, pre-habilitation and early recovery after injury.  She has led numerous national, provincial and hospital based initiatives to improve understanding of pain, improve pain treatments, and improve pain care training.

After her 3 year pain fellowship and masters degree, she restarted her anesthesiology and pain practice in 2008 at Surrey Memorial Hospital and led the development of the multidisciplinary pain clinic at Surrey’s Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre as its first Medical Director. In 2011, she became the first chair of the Fraser Health Authority region wide pain services division supporting the development of various acute and chronic pain services across 10 FHA hospital sites.

Brenda was a founder and board member of, and continues to contribute to, the Pain BC Society that formed in 2008.  She has also been involved in several province-wide services including the Providence Health Care RACE Pain hotline, co-chaired the Pain Practice Support Program, helped create the BC Women’s Hospital Chronic Pelvic Pain program and was the medical lead on regional pain initiatives in Northern Health Authority and FraserHealth Authority.

To improve training standards and opportunities for physicians, since 2008 she has been working with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada as one of the founding members of the sub-specialty of Pain Medicine which was approved in 2013. In 2015, Brenda became the first Program Director of the newest UBC residency program of Pain Medicine.

She feels deeply fulfilled with spending time with her family, cooking for friends, exploration through travel, winding up and down with music, and immersing in kundalini and power flow yoga, biking, skiing and sailing.

In 2019, her health journey is fueled by #presstostand.

Credentials
  • Co-founder and Medical Director, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
  • Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
  • Founder and Specialty Committee member, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Sub-specialty of Pain Medicine
  • Co-founder PainBC society
  • Interventional Pain Specialist, Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic and False Creek Surgical Centre
  • Anesthesiologist, Surrey Memorial Hospital
Dr. Brenda Lau
Interventional Pain specialist
Interventional Pain Specialists – Rheumatologist:
Read more about Dr. Max Sun
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Dr. Max Sun

MD, FRCPC

Director of Ultrasound-Guided Procedures Program | Internal Medicine Specialist & Rheumatologist

Dr. Sun started delivering iSITES and Complex Care Services at Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic in May 2015.

He is a certified Internist and Rheumatologist.

Dr. Sun grew up in Surrey, British Columbia. He finished 3 years of honours in Pharmacology as well as a minor in economics before entering UBC medical school. After he graduated in 2006, he went on to train in the Internal Medicine residency program at UBC from 2010 to 2013 and a Rheumatology fellowship from 2013 to 2015.

He has a special interest in interventional pain procedures and chronic musculoskeletal pain management. Dr. Sun has a full spectrum rheumatology practice near Vancouver General Hospital, as well as practicing at changepain.

Dr. Max Sun
Internal Medicine Specialist
Interventional Pain Specialists – Emergency Medicine:
Read more about Dr. Mario Francispragasam
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Dr. Mario Francispragasam

Interventional Pain Specialist | Pain Medicine FRCPC |Adult Critical Care Medicine FRCPC | Emergency Medicine FRCPC

Dr. Mario Francispragasam grew up in Ontario and finished medical school at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his residency training as an Emergency Medicine Specialist at the University of British Columbia. He then subsequently specialized in Adult Critical Care Medicine and Chronic Pain Medicine with a focus on interventional pain medicine at the University of British Columbia. He has also completed a Master of Adult Education and a Fellowship in Point-of-Care Ultrasound.

Dr. Mario Francispragasam works as an Emergency Physician and Adult Critical Care Physician with the Fraser Health Authority as well as a Trauma Team Leader and a Pediatric Critical Care Transport Physician.

He is a published researcher in ultrasound diagnostics and pain education in Canadian Emergency Rooms.

Dr. Mario Francispragasam is committed to providing the highest quality evidence-based care to his patients and prioritizes kindness and compassion when it comes to patient interactions.

Dr. Mario Francispragasam
Interventional Pain Specialist
Family Medicine
Read more about Dr. Marcus Lem
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Dr. Marcus Lem

MD, MHSc, FRCPC

Clinical Preventive Medicine | Pain & Addiction Medicine | UBC Clinical Associate Professor

Dr. Marcus Lem is a Preventive Medicine specialist and Pain and Addiction Medicine physician based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He graduated from McMaster University Medical School and completed his Master of Health Science and residency in Community Medicine at UBC.

Dr. Lem has worked extensively with Indigenous communities across Canada and held senior medical positions with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada. He was the Director of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program at UBC and Senior Medical Advisor for Addiction and Overdose Prevention at the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Dr. Lem takes a holistic and evidence-based approach to the protection, promotion and maintenance of health and well-being. While attending university in Japan, he trained in Shinshin Toitsu Aikido and has an active interest in integrating techniques which unify the body and mind into clinical preventive medicine practice. Dr. Lem has specific expertise in occupational and environmental health and non-pharmacologic management of chronic pain syndromes. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and a Clinical Associate Professor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Marcus Lem
Public Health, Preventive Medicine
Read more about Dr. Inderveer Mahal
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Dr. Inderveer Mahal

MD, CCFP

Pain Physician

Dr. Inderveer Mahal joined the ChangePain team in October 2018.


After attending medical school and completing her residency at the University of Manitoba, she moved to Vancouver and has been working as a chronic pain physician.


She provides ultrasound guided pain procedures to patients and strives to provide patient-centred care. She is a member of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and the ASRA Women in Pain Medicine Society. She has also completed her fellowship in journalism through the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and is an active member of Doctors of BC. She is also a consultant physician at BC Women’s Hospital.


Outside of the clinic, she enjoys staying active through running, skiing and playing tennis and adores her time with her husband and son. She is very pleased to be a part of a multi-disciplinary, patient-centered team of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Inderveer Mahal
Pain Physician
Fellows and Post-Graduate Trainees:
Read more about Dr. Emmanuel Abreu
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Dr. Emmanuel Abreu

Fellow Physician | Research Director | Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative (SPOC) Program Manager

Emmanuel is an international medical doctor with a Master’s degree in Bioethics. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Public Health with a concentration on Epidemiology. Emmanuel has a vested interest in medical equality for all, and has dedicated his professional career in this pursuit. For the past five years, his work to improve the quality of care to vulnerable populations included the development of clinical campaigns providing assistance to under-serviced areas around Latin-America.

Specifically, he collaborated with a team coordinating multi-centric clinical trials and projects for HIV and Hepatitis B treatment research and development. This work was sponsored by the government of the United States of America and a number of pharmaceutical associates.

In addition, he has been a lecturer of I.T. and Research Methods for a renowned overseas medical school advised by the Harvard School of Medicine. He has consulted for several research institutions in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the United States of America. He maintains his positions on several international institutional review boards as a pro bono contributor. Emmanuel firmly believes that the best medicine is prevention, and the cornerstone of his career goals has always been to make this medical care accessible to all. Having now found his new home in Canada with Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic, he looks forward to working towards their mission as Research Director.

Emmanuel is the project lead for the Doctors of BC Surgical Patients Optimization Collaborative. changepainTM has been chosen as one of 18 multi-disciplinary teams and is the only community based clinic as part of the ambitious 3 year initiative to improve post-op patient outcomes. changepainTM is examining the prehabilitation and early intervention strategies in collaboration with Dr. Kelly Mayson’s team at Vancouver General Hospital.

Outside of work, Emmanuel enjoys running, spending time with his family and his dog, as well as stargazing with friends.

Dr. Emmanuel Abreu
Post-Graduate Trainee
Read more about Dr. Renata Issy
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Dr. Renata Issy

MD

Fellow Physician

Renata is an International Medical Graduate from Brazil. She worked as Family Physician for 2 years before moving to Canada, where she also had the opportunity of providing health care services in a rehab clinic, a local jail and promoted smoke cessation programs in her clinic. During her practise, she realized how chronic pain can impact people’s life, leading them to deal with it in different ways. She joined changepain recently due to her beliefs in patient-centered treatments and how individualized treatments are necessary to make a difference in their life.

She is volunteer in the Association of International Medical Graduates of British Columbia and is pursuing her medical career in Canada, hoping to get back to practice soon.

Outside of work, Renata enjoys travelling and getting to know new people, places, languages and cultures.

Dr. Renata Issy
Post-Graduate Trainee
pain-fellow-Dr.Archilli-miminoshvilli-22 Read more about Dr. Archili Miminoshvili
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Dr. Archili Miminoshvili

MD, PhD, RDCS.

Pain Fellow

pain-fellow-Dr.Archilli-miminoshvilli-22

Dr. Archili Miminoshvili is a highly skilled medical professional with a diverse range of qualifications and experience including General Surgery, Postoperative Pain management, and Ultrasound technique.

Dr. Miminoshvili obtained his Medical Degree in Ukraine and completed specialized training in General Surgery and Oncology.

After completing his medical education, he gained extensive experience in a wide range of surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and complex abdominal surgery.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Archili has also pursued academic and research opportunities.

He obtained a PhD degree in Surgery. His research focused on the effect of electrophysiological techniques on the neuromuscular apparatus of the intestine. Throughout his career, he has published numerous research papers in several prestigious medical journals. Besides, he has been a Reviewer for McMaster University for the past several years.

These roles have allowed him to stay current with the latest advancements in his field and to contribute to the education and training of future medical professionals.

Dr. Miminoshvili has also expanded his medical education beyond his home country, earning a confirmed Spanish medical diploma and, more recently, graduating from the Pharma-Medical Science College of Canada (Toronto). And now he holds two licenses in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography from ARDMS and Sonography Canada.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Miminoshvili is a talented musician who enjoys composing music on the piano.

He also enjoys staying active through hiking and yoga. These hobbies allow him to take a break from his busy schedule and focus on spending time with his family.

Dr. Archili Miminoshvili
Pain Fellow
Read more about Dr. Navid Mohammadi
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Dr. Navid Mohammadi

MD, MPH

Fellow physician | Academic staff

Dr. Navid Mohammadi is an international medical graduate from Iran with a specialization in preventive and community medicine. Throughout his residency program in Tehran, he obtained a Master of Public Health and further expanded his expertise by completing a one-year fellowship in "Simulation in Medical Education" at the esteemed University of Ottawa in Canada.

Commencing his professional journey as a general physician in primary care and private practice, Dr. Mohammadi's dedication and passion led him to specialize in his chosen field. He served as a distinguished faculty member at renowned medical universities in Iran, progressively ascending to the prestigious position of full professor in 2019. Over the course of his career, he has assumed diverse roles as a clinical staff member, an educator, a clinical and epidemiologic researcher, as well as a public health practitioner, all with a central focus on integrating clinical excellence into daily medical practice.

Dr. Mohammadi's particular interest lies in the utilization of simulation in medical education, aimed at ensuring optimal patient safety and minimizing medical errors. He has contributed significantly to this field and has published several research papers on various health-related topics, including pain control and management.

Driven by his unwavering commitment to patient well-being, Dr. Mohammadi's ultimate goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for his patients. To align with this vision, he has chosen pain management medicine, as it perfectly embodies his belief in promoting comprehensive physical, mental, and social well-being, which aligns with the World Health Organization's definition of health.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Navid indulges in various forms of art, including music, cinema, Persian literature, and poetry. He is an avid sports enthusiast and actively follows soccer, swimming, and table tennis. Most importantly, he cherishes spending quality time with his beloved family and derives immense joy from playing and listening to music

Dr. Navid Mohammadi
Post-Graduate Trainee
Read more about Dr. Naser Albrazi
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Dr. Naser Albrazi

Fellow physician

Dr. Albrazi, an International Medical Graduate from Kuwait, completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation board in Kuwait in 2018. Recently, he finished the Neuromuscular and EMG fellowship at UBC, earning the EMG diplomat from the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists.

Dr. Albrazi’s keen interest in interventional pain management led him to join our fellowship program.

Outside of work, Dr. Albrazi’s values time with family, enjoys playing soccer and reading. He also relishes the opportunity to travel, finding inspiration and joy in exploring new places and cultures.

Dr. Naser Albrazi
Fellow physician
Virtual Group Medical Visits Only
Read more about Dr. Rassamee Ling
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Dr. Rassamee Ling

MD

FRCPC (Anesthesiology)

UBC Faculty of Medicine Clinical Instructor, department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 

University of BC Medical School graduate - 1993

University of Toronto, Anesthesia specialty residency graduate – 1998

Staff Anesthesiologist in the Fraser Health Authority at Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgical Centre for over 20 years.  Clinical interest in perioperative optimization and use of ultrasound guided regional anesthesia for optimizing acute pain management.

Dr Ling is a graduate of the Physician Quality Improvement Certificate Program which teaches the tools necessary for implementing improvement ideas in healthcare systems.  Her area of focus is improving pain management after surgery.

Sports enthusiast with 45 years of experience in karate including 10 as international competitor, then over 20 as coach and instructor at Delta Karate School.  Yoga, cycling and kayaking contribute to a lifestyle focus on movement and exercise for maintenance of good health. 

Rassamee believe’s in an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to pain management and enjoys coaching and empowering people to achieve their optimal health.  

Dr. Rassamee Ling
Anesthesiologist
Read more about Dr. Curtis May
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Dr. Curtis May

MD, MPH, CCFP

Family Medicine – Public Health, Preventive Medicine

Dr. Curtis May grew up on his family's small farm near large cranberry bogs in Richmond, BC. To this day, he continues to garden, not only for the delicious produce but also to ground himself in the work to preserve the earth so it will continue to give back.

Professionally, Dr. Curtis May's clinical and research experiences working with chronic pain sparked his passion to address the structural and social determinants of health. Motivated by his personal experience living with chronic pain, he began to research pain early in his career, investigating the association of chronic pain with socioeconomic status such as income, employment, and health insurance. The results confirmed his interest in addressing the health inequities many people (with or without chronic pain) in the world face that lead to poor health. This led him to pursue a career in public and population health, with a special interest in chronic pain.

Dr. Curtis May has acquired his Certification in Family Medicine and continues to train in the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency with the School of Population and Public Health at UBC. He hopes to continue to learn and provide for people in pain during his time at changepain.

Dr. Curtis May
Family Medicine – Public Health, Preventive Medicine
Read more about Dr. Ian Tsang
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Dr. Ian Tsang

MB FRCPC (Rheumatology)

UBC Professor Emeritus, Rheumatology | Clinical Lead Group Medical Visits

Dr. Tsang graduated with a bachelor of medicine degree from the College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, and immigrated to Canada the same year. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Deer Lodge Hospital and Winnipeg General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, After six years in private practice, and a year as Head of the Department of Medicine at Brandon General Hospital, he moved to Vancouver where he completed his fellowship in Rheumatology.  

Dr. Tsang recently retired from his own full time Rheumatology practice where he focused on providing care on patients with low back pain and neck pain.  He is still active in delivering care to patients part time at an osteoporosis clinic as well as at changepain.  

He is Clinical Professor (Emeritus), at the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia.

Dr. Ian Tsang
Rheumatologist
Read more about Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler
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Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler

Internist and Functional Medicine Specialist

Alexandra Perel-Winkler, is an integrative physician with training in Internal Medicine Rheumatology, Functional Medicine and is a student of natural and traditional healing modalities. Originally from Vancouver, Alexandra studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, where she graduated with honors. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Mt. Sinai West, and her Rheumatology training at Columbia University. She completed her Functional Medicine course with Dr. Aviva Romm, a course offering a strong foundation in Functional Medicine, as well as unique training in herbal medicine and women’s health. She has studied with numerous doctors and integrative practitioners including Drs. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, Anne Marie Chiasson, Ric Arseneau and Gabor Mate. 

Alexandra takes a holistic perspective when looking at each patient, considering every aspect of their lives including and beyond their physical, mental and emotional experience; and their connection with themselves, spirit, family and community. She holds the perspective that everyone has a journey towards health and wellness; her role as a physician is to support her patient's unique experience.

Dr. Perel-Winkler’s areas of specialty include:
  • Autoimmunity
  • Pain and Central sensitization (Fibromyalgia, IBS, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity etc)
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Women’s health (PCOS, fertility, perimenopause etc.)
  • Gut health
  • Chronic stress and ‘adrenal fatigue’
  • Endocrine imbalance
  • Mental health
  • Optimizing wellness and healthspan

When Alexandra is not working with patients she can be found spending time with her husband and son. She loves spending time in nature, reading, dancing and being joyful. 

Alexandra’s MSP covered offerings will take into account your life’s story and history of your concerns in your first visit. After your initial visit each follow up will focus on one issue or treatment goal. MSP covered visits will aim to incorporate Dr. Perel-Winkler’s wide breadth of knowledge and experience. This stream will be based on evidence-based medicine and will not include a root-cause, integrative medicine approach.

Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler
Internist and Functional Medicine Specialist
Read more about Dr. Ilana Winrob
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Dr. Ilana Winrob

Family Medicine

Dr. Ilana Winrob, is a family doctor and FP-anesthetist. Born and raised in Vancouver, she obtained her medical degree from the University College of Dublin.

She trained for two years in general surgery and then made the decision to switch to family medicine. She completed her family medicine residency at the University of Western Ontario and her one-year enhanced skills in anesthesia at the University of Toronto.

She then practiced rural family medicine in Hanover, Ontario working in the emergency room, operating room, family practice clinic, and hospital ward. She currently works as a surgical assistant at St. Paul's hospital in the orthopedics department and as a locum in the community.

As a family doctor, she often feels limited in her ability to help her patients with complex and chronic presentations of pain and inflammation. She is really looking forward to working with the amazing multidisciplinary team at changepain.

She recently moved back to Vancouver to be closer to her family. She is happy to be back home and is enjoying the beach, the mountains, the forest, and the parks with her husband and two young kids.

Dr. Ilana Winrob
Family Medicine
Virtual Psychiatrists:
Read more about Dr. Michael Butterfield
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Dr. Michael Butterfield

BSc MSc MD FRCPC

Pain Psychiatrist

Michael Butterfield is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC with appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry and Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics and is the Director of the Pain Medicine Residency Program. He obtained his medical degree at UBC, completed his specialty training in psychiatry at Dalhousie University and was the inaugural resident of the Pain Medicine subspecialty residency program at the UBC. His areas of interest include headache medicine, neuropathic pain, addiction medicine, and interventional pain medicine. He currently works at St. Paul’s Hospital, VGH, the UBC Headache Clinic. He conducts clinical research at the Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies clinic at UBC.

Dr. Michael Butterfield
Pain Psychiatrist
Read more about Dr. Jennifer Pikard
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Dr. Jennifer Pikard

MD, MSc, FRCPC

Psychiatrist

Dr. Jennifer Pikard completed her residency training in psychiatry at Queen’s University and began independent practice in February/March 2020 when she joined the Kingston Orthopedic Pain Institute (KOPI) in Ontario.

She is passionate about innovating mental health therapies for pain patients and to improve the standard of care for ketamine treatment for depression and PTSD. 

She is a member of Disaster Psychiatry Canada as a Rapid Response Physician which allows her to see first responders/healthcare workers who are struggling through disasters (terrorist attacks, shootings, infectious disease outbreaks, burnout etc.).

She also provides coverage at an acute care hospital in Kingston for the emergency department as well as inpatient adult, child & adolescent psychiatric units. 

Finally, she provides shared/collaborative psychiatric care with approximately 40 family physicians within the Napanee and surrounding areas in Ontario.

Her favorite things outside of work are travelling the world, being with animals, experiencing great food, spending time with family and friends and making meaningful connections with others. 

Dr. Jennifer Pikard
Psychiatrist

No wait times for Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology, Counselling, Acupuncture

Our Allied Health team consists of specialties including chiropractic, physiotherapy, kinesiology, somatic movement, intramuscular stimulation, counselling, acupuncture, and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.

Functional Movement - Chiropractic
chiro-dr-lindsay-rite Read more about Dr. Lindsay Rite
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Dr. Lindsay Rite

BSc(Kin), CSEP-CEP

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

chiro-dr-lindsay-rite

Dr. 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
Dr. Lindsay Rite
Chiropractor
Functional Movement - Physiotherapy
Read more about Leroy Ho
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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.

Leroy Ho
Physiotherapist
Read more about Ashleigh Low
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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)

Ashleigh Low
Physiotherapist
Functional Movement - Kinesiology
Read more about Conor O’Flaherty
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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. 

Conor O’Flaherty
Kinesiologist
Amy Read more about Amy Kiara Ruth
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Amy Kiara Ruth

BSc (Kin, Ed)

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

Amy

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.  

Amy Kiara Ruth
Kinesiologist
Read more about Maria Liaskas
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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.

Maria Liaskas
Kinesiologist
Mind & Wellness - Acupuncture
Read more about Noli Catapang
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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.

Noli Catapang
Registered Acupuncturist
Mind & Wellness - Counselling
Read more about Tatiana Santini
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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

Tatiana Santini
Clinical Counsellor, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapist
Read more about Laura Montgomery
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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.

Laura Montgomery
Clinical Counsellor
Read more about Krista Friesen
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Krista Friesen

BA MSc CYT PgCPain

changepain Group Medical Visit Lead, Pain Coach & Pain Navigator

Krista is a highly-qualified yoga and pilates teacher with more than 2000 hours of training and nearly 5 years of experience working with patients who live with chronic pain. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in psychology, with an emphasis on cognitive neuropsychology, and holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Chronic Pain Management from the University of Alberta.

Krista began working with Dr. Greg Siren and The myo Clinic team in September, 2011 after being referred to Dr. Siren for assessment and treatment of her own pain. She has lived with chronic back pain for nearly 20 years and now keeps her pain well-controlled through her own practice of movement and relaxation, along with healthy diet and sleep routines. She is passionate about learning about pain, and sharing her knowledge to help others manage their own chronic pain.

In addition to her work with movement, Krista has been interested in sleep, insomnia, and sleep research for the past 10 years. She also studies and uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, motivational interviewing, non-violent communication, and coaching strategies in her work with chronic pain patients. Krista has a private practice for one-to-one movement and/or coaching sessions.

Krista Friesen
GMV Lead, Pain Coach & Pain Navigator
Read more about Sarah Jamieson
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Sarah Jamieson

BCom, CYT, PgCPain

changepain Group Medical Visit Lead and Pain Coach

When Sarah was 11 years-old, she woke up in the middle of the night with shooting pain through the right-side of her neck and upper back. She passed out on the bathroom floor, her mom called 9-1-1, and that was the beginning of her long and challenging journey with persistent chronic pain.

Over 20 years later, two of the primary things Sarah credits with her reduced and managed experience of pain are practicing yoga and understanding pain. A desire to help other people find relief from persistent pain led Sarah to become a therapeutic yoga instructor specializing in pain relief.  

Sarah completed her initial yoga teacher training through Langara College. She has completed additional training through the Anand Prakash Ashram in Rishikesh, India. She has been fortunate to take multiple trainings with renowned teacher Judith Lasater, including Restorative Yoga and Yoga for Anxiety, Anger & Depression. She has studied yoga anatomy with teachers like Leslie Kaminoff and Susi Hately, and Pain Care Yoga with Neil Pearson. 

Sarah has been teaching programs with changepain since shortly after the clinic opened in 2013. During this time, she has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Chronic Pain Management through the University of Alberta. 

In her work at changepain, Sarah strives to empathize, educate, and empower. She endeavours to make people feel seen, heard, and understood, and provide them with knowledge and skills that will be a source of personal power in their struggles with chronic pain. She’s very good at helping people dealing with persistent pain, and she feels very fortunate to be able to do so. 

Sarah Jamieson
GMV Lead & Pain Coach
Read more about Cheryl Uphill
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Cheryl Uphill

Yoga - GMV facilitator

With Cheryl’s passion for lifelong learning and focus for well-being, she started her yogic journey back in 1992 after a physical way of life in martial arts for 25 years. In search for balance in the daily stresses of life, and managing chronic pain from many injuries, she discovered yoga, mediation and energetic awareness trainings. The melding of these disciplines created a more balanced Mind Body & Spirit approach. With the internal balance & focus that she acquired through karate, her transition to Hatha yoga was a natural progression that led to her into incorporating yoga into her daily life.  Just as Karate was a way of life for Cheryl, then so became yoga and many certifications to follow;

200hr Hatha in Anand Praksh, Rishikesh, India and 500hr Yoga Therapy, Hot, Yin, Restorative, Advanced Chronic Pain Management, Thai Yoga Massage, Dermo Neuromodulation, Marma Therapy, 10-day Human Dissection training, and is a as a Certified Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT).

Cheryl prides herself on being an educator, especially in Yoga Therapy and Chronic Pain Care Management. As a survivor of overcoming severe long-term chronic pain, Cheryl’s love of learning led her to heal her Body and Mind by the power of knowledge and surrender. This led to obtaining her Provincial Instructional Diploma and is currently a Masters student at SFU in Adult Education.

She plans on sharing her creativity in teaching and inspiring healing through her Yoga & Pain Therapist tools. Her energy of infectious enthusiasm and positive light will hopefully shine the way for the changepain participants to learn, grow and heal into the integrated whole person they wish to be. She is honored and humbled to be part of the Education and Lifestyle changepain team.

Cheryl Uphill
Yoga - GMV facilitator
Read more about Klara Kroupa
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Klara Kroupa

Yoga - GMV facilitator

For Klara, as a lifelong athlete, movement is her mantra.

Teaching yoga is a natural extension of her decades long background first as a rhythmic gymnast, and later as a national-level certified coach and choreographer. Along with a Bachelor of Physical Education, she has a precise understanding of the body and movement.

She completed her foundational (200 hour) training at Shambhava Yoga Konalani in Hawaii and her advanced training (300 hour) at Vancouver School of Yoga. She has taken additional training in Yin Yoga, Yoga for Trauma Sensitive Students, Mio-fascial Release, and Functional Anatomy for Yoga.

Klara lives and teaches in Vancouver for Yoga4Stiff People, Just Yoga, and Semperviva as well as Invati Yoga & Wellness in the Okanagan. She facilitates yoga workshops locally and leads a yoga retreat annually in Nicaragua.

My ‘why’ as a Yoga Teacher:

We all come to the yoga mat with our unique body structures, builds, history of injuries, and health challenges. No two people necessarily approach the same movement in the same way. I am constantly refining how to make yoga not only more accessible, but also more practical for ALL ages and levels and body types. It is my mission every time I step onto the mat as a teacher. Regardless of the style – my classes are designed to help build strength, gain flexibility & increase mobility – with the use of props and modifications as necessary - so that each student can simply feel better in their own body. Combining purposeful movement with breath awareness equals better tools for healing, toning and strengthening the body as well as improving focus, enhancing mindfulness, releasing stress and calming the nervous system. I wholeheartedly believe by creating a little more space in our body, we can create a little more space in our minds.

Klara Kroupa
Yoga - GMV facilitator
Read more about Carolynne Millard
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Carolynne Millard

Yoga - GMV facilitator

Carolynne started practicing yoga over 10 years ago and immediately felt that it was not merely a physical practice, but an inward journey, that allowed her to become aware of the intricate connection between body and mind. The practice revealed to her, self-awareness and discovery of the infinite strength and natural gifts, which reside in each one of us.  After first beginning yoga to manage the grief and loss of the sudden passing of a loved one, she quickly discovered the value, and interconnectedness that can be found under the layers of this sacred, age-old practice.

Carolynne completed her training at Semperviva Yoga.  In addition to Kundalini, she is certified in Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Chair Yoga and has taught throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.  Most recently, teaching community yoga classes and workshops at Semperviva Yoga studios, as well as teaching private in-home yoga classes.

Her classes are designed for everyone regardless of age, ability or physicality.  Providing clear and compassionate instructions and accessible variations, while holding space for students to embody their own experience.

With inspiration and joy Carolynne uses her passion for music, dance, reflection, and meditation, to sculpt her classes and to leave you feeling grounded by a deeper connection to self, while at the same time feeling energized, strong and confident.

Carolynne Millard
Yoga - GMV facilitator
faciliator-rafaela-magalhaes-2 Read more about Dr. Rafaela Magalhaes
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Dr. Rafaela Magalhaes

M.D.

Neurologist - GMV facilitator

faciliator-rafaela-magalhaes-2

Rafaela is a Brazilian Neurologist who worked several years in an Emergency Room, Neurology Ward and General Neurology Clinic.

Her love for rehabilitation and chronic pain started when she made her fourth year of medical school at Pellegrin Tastet Girard (Service of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) in Bordeaux, France. Then, when she came back to Brazil, she started a Supervised internship in Neurology at Fundação de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia - Brain Institute (FNNIC) for 2 years, and later continued as a volunteer to maintain contact with her patients suffering from chronic and pain conditions.  Her goal was to provide the best quality of life for her patients, always believing that a multidisciplinary approach plays an important rule in every patient treatment, especially for those in pain. 

In November 2018, she went to Toronto to observe neurological patients in The Movement Disorder Clinic (Toronto Western Hospital), where she started to be interested in the Canadian Health Care System. 

Rafaela participated in several International Medical Congresses to expand her knowledge and share some results of her researches from Brazil.

She loves to play Guitar, a talent she has since she was 8 years old. She enjoys playing sports, hiking, reading, traveling and getting to know different cultures, languages, people and places.

Dr. Rafaela Magalhaes
GMV Facilitator

Want to make a meaningful difference?

We want to meet you.

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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