FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to Help You Feel Informed & Confident

Find answers to common questions about treatments, appointments, concussion recovery, insurance, booking and what to expect when working with me.

Manual Osteopathy

Learn how manual osteopathy takes a whole-body approach to care, what treatment may involve, and the types of pain, movement concerns and symptoms it may support.

What is manual osteopathy?

Manual osteopathy is a hands-on therapy that treats the body as a fully connected system. Rather than focusing only on where it hurts, I look at how your joints, muscles, fascia, nervous system, and organs are all working together, because restrictions in one area often drive symptoms somewhere else entirely. It’s gentle, whole-body care that finds the root cause others miss.

How is osteopathy different from massage therapy, physiotherapy and chiropractic care?

RMT targets muscle tension and soft tissue in specific areas.

Physiotherapy rehabilitates specific injuries through exercise and movement retraining.

Chiropractic focuses on spinal alignment and joint manipulation.

Manual Osteopathy looks at all of it together, asking not just what hurts, but why. By treating the body as a fully connected system, osteopathy works with the body, often feeling very gentle in comparison to other treatments.

What conditions or concerns can manual osteopathy support?

Osteopathy is effective for a wide range of conditions, including:

Chronic pain with no clear cause
Headaches and migraines
Neck, back, and hip pain
Jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction
Digestive issues
Post-concussion symptoms
Whiplash and motor vehicle injuries
Post-surgical recovery
Recurring injuries that keep coming back
Fatigue and nervous system dysregulation

What should I expect during a manual osteopathy appointment?

Your first session starts with actually listening to your full story, your history, what you’ve tried, and what your life looks like without pain. From there I do a whole-body assessment, looking at how everything connects, not just where it hurts, but why. Treatment begins in the same session using gentle hands-on techniques. Most people find it deeply relaxing and notice a shift before they leave. You’ll leave with a clear picture of what I found and what your path forward looks like.

Athletic Therapy

Learn what athletic therapy is, how it supports injury recovery and movement, and why you don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from treatment.

What is athletic therapy?

Certified Athletic Therapists specialize in helping people recover from injuries to their muscles, bones, and joints—so you can get back to the activities you love. We use hands-on treatment, guided exercise, and education to restore movement, strength, and confidence. And no, you don’t have to be an athlete! We help anyone with musculoskeletal injuries, from concussion recovery to chronic pain relief.

What is the difference between athletic therapy and physiotherapy?

Athletic Therapy and Physiotherapy have similar skill sets when it comes to the assessment and treatment of orthopaedic injuries. The major differences between both health care professions is reflected in the training, techniques used for treatment and the scope of practice.

I focus on the biomechanics of why an injury occurred, to optimize movement patterns, to restore muscle function for performance and prevention of reinjury.

Do I need to be an athlete to see an athletic therapist?

No, you do not need to be an athlete to benefit from athletic therapy, as long as you want to move more, athletic therapy can help you reach your goals.

What types of injuries or concerns can athletic therapy help with?

Athletic Therapy is effective with:

Sprains, strains, and soft-tissue injuries
Post-injury assessment to identify biomechanical compensations that predispose you to the injury
Sports injuries
overuse / chronic injuries
Post-surgical rehab
Return to play/return to work
Unexplained tension and limitations in movement

Do you work with athletes? What sports?

I work with all athletes, from cheerleading and dance, to hockey and lacrosse. Rugby, youth sports, semi-professional, college, high school levels, national level athletes.

Concussion Recovery

Find answers about concussion treatment, persistent symptoms, when to begin care, and support for returning to work, school, exercise and sport.

How soon after a concussion should I start treatment?

Immediately! The sooner you begin treatment, the better you’ll feel and the quicker your recovery.

Can you help with concussion symptoms that have lasted for months or years?

Yes. I have many clients who’ve suffered for years before finding me. Recovery may take longer depending on how long symptoms have been present, but relief is possible.

What if treatment makes my concussion symptoms worse?

Less than 1% of people feel worse after treatment, most experience relief before leaving the session. In the rare case that happens, please contact me immediately and I’ll correct it in a follow-up session at no charge.

Do I need to be cleared by a doctor before starting concussion treatment?

No, appointments and treatment can start immediately. Doctor clearance is only needed prior to returning to sport and work.

What does concussion treatment involve?

Depends on the individual and the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes very little assessment and nervous system regulation is the focus until symptoms are more manageable. Working on one specific assessment such as eyes or jaw to help reduce symptoms without overwhelming the already taxed nervous system. First session is very basic and dives deeper from there.

Can you help me return to work, school, exercise or sport after a concussion?

Yes, however, only a doctor can provide medical clearance to return to work and sport.

Treatment & Your Appointments

Find out what to expect at your first appointment, how your treatment plan is determined, whether approaches can be combined, and what your care may look like moving forward.

How do I know which type of treatment is right for me?

When in doubt, book any initial assessment. During your assessment, I’ll figure out exactly what you need and can adjust my approach or schedule a free call to discuss your situation first.

Can treatments be combined?

I used the combined knowledge from all of the different disciplines to create a treatment plan. There are a few techniques that are osteopathy only. Really, they just need to book an appointment and then after the assessment I tell them what I am leaning towards and plan.

What should I expect at my first appointment?

A full assessment of the body and its different systems, thorough dive into their history (body’s story), small treatment, and treatment plan for moving forward.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your body’s history, how long you’ve been experiencing pain, and how well you respond to treatment. After your assessment, I’ll give you a clear picture of your treatment plan and recovery timeline.

Will treatment hurt? Is it normal to feel sore afterward?

Most people find treatment very gentle and not painful at all. Some may experience brief tenderness in very sensitive areas, but overall it’s a comfortable experience. Most people feel relief after a session.

I’ve tried other treatments and I’m still experiencing pain or symptoms. Can you help?

It depends on your situation, history, and a variety of other factors. If you are unsure book a free 15 minute call to see if I am the right fit.

This keeps the important intent of the original question while avoiding the absolute wording “I’ve tried everything and nothing worked.”

What should I bring to my first appointment?

List of medication, imaging if you have it, loose clothing that you would wear to a gym.

Booking, Locations & Logistics

Find practical information about booking an appointment, session costs, what to wear, clinic locations in Port Coquitlam and Burnaby, and where to park.

How much does a session cost and how long are appointments?

Treatments range from $48-$145 depending on the type and duration. Costs are displayed in the booking links or are available by reaching out directly.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to book?

No! You can book an appointment directly online.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that allow for gentle movement.

Where are you located?

Burnaby, BC at New Heights Massage Therapy 4341 Hastings St. Port Coquitlam at Balanced health Wellness Centre 2559 Shaughnessy St.

Where do I park?

Port Coquitlam: Street parking on Shaughnessy and side streets, plus 2 spots behind the building (walk through the left alley to reach the front door).

Burnaby: Street parking on Hastings or behind J.J. Bean, plus side streets.

How do I book an appointment?

You can book online for Port Coquitlam here or call 778-373-3368. And Burnaby here or call 604-682-6822.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation policies are on booking confirmations and appointment reminders.

Insurance & Coverage

Find information about extended health benefits, direct billing, referrals and ICBC coverage, including what to confirm with your individual insurance provider before your appointment.

Are treatments covered by extended health benefits?

Many people have Manual Osteopathy and Athletic Therapy coverage through private or employee health benefits. I highly recommend calling your provider to verify before your appointment, as Athletic Therapy isn’t always listed in plan booklets or apps.

Do you direct bill insurance?

Direct billing availability varies by provider, plan, and practitioner. Please verify with your provider before booking.

Are you covered by ICBC?

ICBC has athletic therapy on the pre-approved list under active rehab/kinesiology for 12 sessions. At this time I do not offer direct billing.

Do I need a referral for insurance coverage?

This is different from whether a referral is required to book. Coverage requirements may depend on the client’s individual plan.

Still Have a Question?

If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help you find the information you need and decide on the right next step.