Joanna graduated from the University of Alberta in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. Prior to this she pursued a Kinesiology degree at the University of Calgary. A lifelong learner, continuing education courses have fuelled Joanna’s passion for her profession. She has completed post-graduate courses in manual therapy, Anatomical Acupuncture, GunnIMS, pain science, the McKenzie Method, myofascial release, visceral mobilization, shoulder rehabilitation, running analysis, clinical Pilates and pelvic health.
Joanna grew up in Canmore and you will find her hiking, biking and skiing in the mountains with her family in her spare time. She loves the hot yoga studio and likes to incorporate hot yoga postures into her client’s home programs. Her husband a basketball athlete, her son a competitive swimmer and her daughter a competitive gymnast have all given her first hand experience treating traumatic and repetitive strain sports injuries, as well as growing athletes. Her treatment plans are very exercise-based, as she believes movement is the best medicine.
A functional medicine enthusiast, Joanna believes in a whole body approach in determining the root cause of an injury, including the promotion of physical activity, proper nutrition, sleep hygiene and stress management. This centralized outlook on assessment and treatment has given her extensive experience in managing conditions that are often referred from the neck and the back.
Following a difficult birth of her first child Joanna was driven to take on a women’s health specialty. She sought out post graduate education in pelvic pain, painful intercourse, dysfunctional voiding, bowel and bladder incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, hypopressives, perinatal and post partum care, labour preparation and Diastasis Recti. Joanna is most rewarded by empowering women through education and exercise to achieve their goals of becoming more physically active.
Joanna developed a special interest in Infant Head Shape following a practicum at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and after her own son developed a flat spot at the back of his head. Since then she has brought this niche of Physiotherapy into her own practice and coached many families how to incorporate treatment for Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly and Torticollis into their daily activities.
Follow Joanna on Instagram @jo.the.physio for sneak peaks of her mountain adventures, mom life and all the things she likes to physio!