Kinesiology
What is a Kinesiologist (Functional Movement Therapy)?
Private Active Rehabilitation is available with our changepain Kinesiologists. Functional Movement Therapy is appropriate for patients who would like a safe setting to perform supervised, personalized movement programs.
Our changepain Kinesiologists work closely with our Movement Specialists to create and implement individualized movement programs that are tailored to individual goals, functional capacity, and pain presentation.
Our Functional Movement Therapy Team members are an integral part of our interdisciplinary team and are exceptional educators and leaders in the innovative delivery of movement therapy. This service is ideal for individuals desiring to gradually achieve optimal function for return to work, physical activity, desensitizing the nervous system, or other personal and meaningful goals. 
How much does it cost?
Service
- Kinesiology Initial or Follow-up
Duration
- 45 minutes
Cost
- $90.00 + taxes
Amy Kiara Ruth, Kinesiologist
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.
Read more about Amy Kiara Ruth
Amy Kiara Ruth
BSc (Kin, Ed)
practicing kinesiologist, certified Pilates method instructor,  associate somatic movement professionalÂ
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. Â
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. Â
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. Â
Amy is delighted to be working in an interdisciplinary setting at changepain. Â
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. Â
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.
Read more about Conor O’Flaherty
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.Â
Austin Kao, Kinesiologist
Austin holds a Bachelors of Kinesiology degree from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Physiotherapy degree from the University of Sydney. With over a decade of experience in health care, he is passionate about providing 1) quality care, and 2) accessible care, through exercise and education. Austin has recently returned from Sydney, Australia, and is looking forward to serving his community as a kinesiologist while he works towards his physiotherapy registration. He loves a good conversation and has experience working with different musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and injuries across the lifespan.
Read more about Austin Kao
Austin Kao
Kinesiologist
Austin holds a Bachelors of Kinesiology degree from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Physiotherapy degree from the University of Sydney. With over a decade of experience in health care, he is passionate about providing 1) quality care, and 2) accessible care, through exercise and education. Austin has recently returned from Sydney, Australia, and is looking forward to serving his community as a kinesiologist while he works towards his physiotherapy registration. He loves a good conversation and has experience working with different musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and injuries across the lifespan.
In his personal time, Austin loves both the outdoors and indoors. In the winter, he enjoys skiing/snowboarding on the mountains, as well as a nice hot bowl of noodle soup. In the summer, he enjoys cycling and playing baseball, as well as another nice hot bowl of noodle soup! Currently, he is very excited about calisthenic movements and how they can be used in rehabilitation and improving function.
KINESIOLOGY FAQs
The benefits of kinesiology can vary based on individual needs and goals in various contexts, including healthcare, sports, and wellness. Some of the key benefits include injury prevention, improved performance, and enhanced functional movement.Â
Please contact our Allied Health Coordinator:
Call 604-566-9101, ext. 2 or
Email rehab@changepain.ca
GALLERY
