Physiotherapy
What is a Physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist is a licensed healthcare professional who is registered with the College of physiotherapy.  They have in-depth knowledge of the body and specialized hands-on clinical training to promote health and treat injury, disease, and disability.
changepainTM Physiotherapy is recommended.  Evidence-based, patient-centered care for pain management is provided both on site and virtually.  One-on-one care is provided to allow for comprehensive assessment and treatment.
How much does it cost?
Service
- Physiotherapy Initial Visit
- Physiotherapy Follow-up 60
- Physiotherapy Follow-up 45
- Physiotherapy Follow-up 30
Duration
- 60 minutes
- 60 minutes
- 45 minutes
- 30 minutes
Cost
- $160.00
- $210.00
- $155.00
- $105.00
Ashleigh Low, 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.Â
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,Â
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.Â
Professional Memberships:
College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia.Â
Canadian Physiotherapy Association.Â
Credentials:Â
Active Release Technique- Full Body Certified.Â
Shift Concussion Management.Â
MPS (Micropoint Stimulation).Â
IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation).Â
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)
Leroy Ho, 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. Â
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.Â
Leroy Ho
MScPT, BScKinÂ
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.Â
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.
Doug Zabkar
CA, CBV
Co-founder & Chief Financial Officer
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. Â
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.
Dr. Lindsay Rite
BSc(Kin), CSEP-CEPÂ
Director of Integrative Services | Chiropractor, Kinesiologist, Exercise Physiologist |Â Clinical Facilitator Surgical Patient Optimization Program
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. 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. Micah Burns
MD, FAHS
Director of Fellowship and training programs
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.
PHYSIOTHERAPY FAQs
To restore, maintain and maximize a person’s mobility, function, and quality of life.
The physiotherapists at changepain work collaboratively alongside your physicians and the rest of your healthcare team to provide an integrated holistic approach to care. Our physiotherapists have both specialized training in pain, as well as extensive experience working with people living with pain.  Our physiotherapists collaborate with you to help you maximize your function. The treatment may include hands-on techniques, active rehabilitation exercises, and education on self-management strategies. Â
Initial Assessment: Your physiotherapy initial assessment will be up to 60 minutes in length. During this visit your physiotherapist will provide clarity on your diagnosis. In addition to this you and your therapist will have a shared discussion about what is the best course of care for you. Â
Ongoing Treatment: Treatment plans are personalized and individualized and guided by you and our entire changepain clinical team. Recovering from pain requires improvement in function, quality of life, as well as decreased pain and suffering. Your physiotherapist will address all these areas, with the greatest focus on functional improvements. It is crucial you take an active role in your physiotherapy care by practicing the exercises prescribed to you at home.Â
Allowing 4 to 6 sessions of physiotherapy care is necessary to evaluate your response to care. For those that are responding positively additional sessions may be required after this and can be discussed with your therapist. Sessions are typically booked once a week to once every 2 weeks for the first 4-6 weeks. Please plan accordingly Â
- Wear clothing that you can move in easily and allows easy access to the area of your body to be treated. (shorts or tank tops are often recommended)
- If you are seeing a doctor on the same day try to book your physiotherapy appointment before you see the doctor.
- Arrive 5 minutes early to get checked in and fill out any necessary paperwork.Â
- Fill out any online questionnaires that are sent to you prior to your appointment.Â
- Attend the online GMV classes (MSP covered) through changepain
- Come up with some goals you would like to work on with the physiotherapist Â
Physiotherapy is not covered by MSP, however many people do have some extended benefits that will cover all or some of the cost. In most cases your insurance provider will require you to pay up front and then submit your receipts. However, we do direct billing to ICBC, Pacific Blue Cross and Medavie Blue Cross (only for Veterans).Â