A little bit about me:
My fascination with scoliosis started in the early days of my career as a physiotherapist in the Philippines. I vividly remember a family whose child had scoliosis and was facing surgery. Back then, my knowledge about scoliosis was limited because it wasn’t emphasized in our physiotherapy curriculum. This experience lit a spark in me to delve deeper into scoliosis and seek additional training abroad. Thankfully, our efforts led to a reduced need for surgery.
Coming from a third-world country, I’ve always placed a strong emphasis on making therapy plans cost-effective. I’m dedicated to maximizing every visit while ensuring the family’s satisfaction. I deeply value the time and effort they invest in physiotherapy.
My ultimate goal is to become an exceptionally skilled physiotherapist capable of guiding individuals and families on their scoliosis and spine health journey through exercise-based treatment and conservative management. I’m committed to learning from my clients and applying my experiences to create a holistic approach to health management.
Certifications that support my work:
- Rigo Method/Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, L1 – July 2023
- Rigo Method/ Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, C1– November 2019
- International Schroth 3-dimensional Scoliosis Therapy® According to Asklepios Katharina Schroth Part I – December 2018
- International Schroth 3-dimensional Scoliosis Therapy® According to Asklepios Katharina Schroth Part II – June 2019
- Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) Member – June 2022
- University of the Philippines – Manila, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy – June 2017
A little bit about me:
My fascination with scoliosis started in the early days of my career as a...
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A little about me:
I was born and raised in North Vancouver. At age 13, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. With my curve already quite advanced at the time of diagnosis, I was advised to wait for surgical intervention, with no bracing or other conservative management options offered in the meantime. At age 15, I underwent spinal fusion surgery.
The physiotherapists who guided me through my hospital recovery left a lasting impression on me and sparked my interest in becoming a physiotherapist. However, when I returned home, I found myself struggling with unanswered questions about my changed body, its potential for movement, and what my life would look like going forward.
Years later, I discovered The ScoliClinic, where I experienced first-hand how scoliosis-specific treatment could enhance both my quality of life and my confidence in my own body. Until then, I had believed that fusion surgery marked the end of my scoliosis journey. However, after learning what I did at TSC, I came to realize there was still so much more that I could do to optimize my health and wellbeing. This shift in perspective not only highlighted how I could play an active role in my treatment but also solidified my passion for supporting others with spinal conditions, ultimately inspiring me to join the team!
When not at work, you’ll often find me outside playing sports (volleyball, pickleball, running, swimming, weightlifting), spending time with my dog, going to concerts and movies, or reading a good book. Feel free to ask me how my yearly Goodreads reading challenge is going!
What to expect in a session with me:
Living with scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, and other spinal conditions can impact how we move and feel in our bodies. Although these conditions may share similarities, every person’s experience is unique, which is why I strive to personalize treatment to your specific needs and goals – whether it’s building strength, improving posture and mobility, increasing participation, or reducing pain, we will work together to determine a plan that is best for you.
My goal is to empower you with knowledge and tools needed to better understand and manage your condition, while helping you move with greater confidence. I am committed to creating an inclusive space where clients from all walks of life feel welcome.
I look forward to being a part of your health and wellness journey!
A little about me:
I was born and raised in North Vancouver. At age 13, I was diagnosed with sco...
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Returning from leave October 2023.
Lourielys “Lou” is an RMT and graduate of Langara College’s Registered Massage Therapy Program, a recognized school in the CMTBC bylaws. Langara is also accredited with the national accrediting body for massage therapy education in Canada, the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA).
Lou was a Trauma Informed U.S. Licensed Massage Therapist for ~2 years before moving to Vancouver and completing the Langara RMT Program. Their approach to massage is provided thorough informed consent to care, collaborating with patients so they feel heard, cared for, and empowered with each visit.
Lou aims to create an empathetic, non-judgmental, and safe space within the treatment room tailoring each treatment to each individual seeking to improve their wellness.
They hold a special interest in serving transgender and gender non-conforming clients, as well as, individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, stress, and fatigue among other ailments.
Lou enjoys walking their dogs, hiking, traveling, and reading to stay up to date on the science of massage. Promoting patient education, in efforts to help them understand possible contributing factors to their symptoms, and help patients manage their own symptoms beyond treatments, by encouraging them to participate in active rehabilitation.
Lourielys “Lou” is an RMT and graduate of Langara College’s Registered Massage Therapy Program, a...
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A little bit about me:
I was born in Calgary, AB to a set of caring first-generation Tanzanian immigrant parents. I was raised in a middle-class Ismaili household heavily influenced by South Asian culture, which instilled within me the values of working hard and serving the community. My personal experience managing my mild scoliosis in early adulthood intensified my curiosity in how the body works, and led me to apply to physiotherapy school.
I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults alike. Specifically, I have been fortunate to be able to support people from diverse communities including but not limited to: people preparing for or recovering from surgery, LGBTQ2S+ folks, Indigenous people, and individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. My background in psychology makes me particularly interested in the possible effects of postural conditions on self esteem, body image, and chronic pain.
What you can expect in a treatment session with me:
I am optimistic about the autonomy that each person has in taking their health into their own hands. My role as a therapist is to provide you with meaningful guidance and tools towards developing more body awareness through activity management. As a practitioner, my approach is informed by evidence-based theories prioritizing exercise and education within an empathetic, culturally connected, and trauma-informed context. I believe that learning new movement strategies has the power to influence a person’s relationship to their body through the process of neuroplasticity, whereby connections between the brain and body are re-organized over time. Overall, I would describe my approach as collaborative, creative, and holistic. Throughout my scoliosis journey I developed interests in yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and weight training, which may also influence my treatment perspective.
I am passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment for all people, and inviting a sense of curiosity and empowerment in my clients. I recognize that employing an intersectional lens is essential for welcoming clients to show up authentically in our space. I believe that fostering better physical health is a lifelong discovery process — I look forward to working with you at this point of your journey and supporting you as you progress towards your goals!
Certifications that support my work:
· Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School, Basic Course – 2020
· Orthopedic Advanced Integrated Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Level 1 – 2020
· University of Western Ontario Master of Physical Therapy – 2020
· University of Calgary Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology – 2016
A little bit about me:
I was born in Calgary, AB to a set of caring first-generation Tanzanian i...
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I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age nine. I wore a brace for 3 years until I was told I would require corrective spinal fusion surgery at age 13. After two years on the surgical waitlist, I finally at received the operation at age 15. While I remained active and healthy throughout the course of my treatment, I wasn’t ever aware of options for me to actively participate in my treatment.
I discovered the work of The ScoliClinic while I was completing my Master of Physical Therapy Program at UBC, which completely changed my understanding of scoliosis treatment. I want to help the next generation of teenagers with scoliosis, so joining the team was a natural next step.
I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age nine. I wore a brace for 3 years until I was told I would r...
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