painPRO Coal Harbour has MOVED!

Please note effective June 24, 2024 painPRO Coal Harbour will be at our brand new, expanded location located just around the corner from our current clinic at 535 Thurlow Street, Unit 100!

Expanding our Services: We now offer Registered Clinical Counselling, Acupuncture, and Naturopathic Doctor services!

We look forward to seeing you soon and should you have any questions or concerns please call us at 604-683-7246.

Michael Desrochers…Founder

Registered Massage Therapy

Registered Massage Therapy Who are they? RMT’s provide evidence-informed, natural, non-invasive intervention for pain and dysfunction in the body’s soft tissue. Massage therapy adds the perfect amount of therapeutic release to compliment and provide a greater opportunity to stretching and strengthening of muscles. How can it help? After a motor vehicle accident it is beneficial to book i... Read More

Registered Massage Therapy

Who are they? RMT’s provide evidence-informed, natural, non-invasive intervention for pain and dysfunction in the body’s soft tissue. Massage therapy adds the perfect amount of therapeutic release to compliment and provide a greater opportunity to stretching and strengthening of muscles.

How can it help? After a motor vehicle accident it is beneficial to book in with your RMT as soon as possible. During this acute phase the intent is to help calm your muscles and prevent them from tightening up into a protective position.

How do I get started? Once you obtain a referral from your doctor we can submit it to ICBC and request RMT sessions for you. After your assessment your RMT will be able to better advise you on the frequency and duration to treatments recommended. Typically shorter durations but more frequently is recommended. As your pain decreases and function improves our goal is to decrease the frequency of passive treatments and increase the frequency of a more active approach.

Did you know? It is common, and at times preffered, to attend a combination of services for example, RMT and physiotherapy or RMT and active rehabilitation. This enables each practitioner to spend the treatment time most effectively and using each other’s strengths to support your recovery.


Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Who are they? Physiotherapists are trained practitioners that are able to assess for musculoskeletal injuries and treat using multiple interventions; manual therapy, shockwave therapy, intramuscular stimulation and exercise prescription. How can it help? With respect to motor vehicle accidents, physiotherapist help relieving pain by returning muscles to their optimal resti... Read More

Physiotherapy

Who are they? Physiotherapists are trained practitioners that are able to assess for musculoskeletal injuries and treat using multiple interventions; manual therapy, shockwave therapy, intramuscular stimulation and exercise prescription.

How can it help? With respect to motor vehicle accidents, physiotherapist help relieving pain by returning muscles to their optimal resting length. They help train your body to re-engaging muscles that have been disinhibited post injury and retrain muscle coordination and balance that may be impaired.

How do I get started? If physiotherapy is a service that may benefit you, you will need to talk to your doctor and obtain a referral for physiotherapy sessions. We can submit that referral to ICBC requesting physiotherapy sessions. ICBC typically approves 20 sessions of physiotherapy and if more sessions are required another referral from your doctor is typically requested.

Did you know? Physiotherapy sessions are often complemented by RMT or chiropractic services. As your pain decreases, and mobility improves it is common to gradually transition into more of an active rehabilitative approach.


Chiropractic

Chiropractic Who are they? Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts who adopt evidence informed treatments to help resolve and prevent biomechanical problems caused by muscular, skeletal, and nervous system dysfunction. How can it help? The forces involved in a motor vehicle accident are often larger than what the body is capable of dealing with. As a result, accident sufferers go into... Read More

Chiropractic

Who are they? Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts who adopt evidence informed treatments to help resolve and prevent biomechanical problems caused by muscular, skeletal, and nervous system dysfunction.

How can it help? The forces involved in a motor vehicle accident are often larger than what the body is capable of dealing with. As a result, accident sufferers go into 'survival mode'; tightening muscles, restricting joints, and limiting range of motion. Chiropractors help restore the body's movement through soft tissue therapy, and targeted adjustments of the joints.

How do I get started? ICBC provides all motor vehicle accident victims with Chiropractic services within the first 8 weeks of your injury. This does not mean that after the first 8 weeks you cannot receive chiropractic services, but rather pre approval will be needed prior to seeing a chiropractor and 100% of your treatment session may not be covered.

Did you know? Chiropractic services are often coupled with RMT, physiotherapy or active rehabilitation. Each service will support your recovery from a slightly different perspective. As your symptoms improve and you require less of a hands on approach it is common to transition into a active rehabilitation program while still receiving chiropractic services.


Kinesiology/ Active Rehab

Kinesiology Who are they? The Kinesiology profession encompasses mental and emotional wellness with an emphasis on physical exercise and skilled movement training. How can it help? Active rehabilitation is a kinesiologist supervised, 1 on 1 rehabilitation program that focuses on active recovery mainly through exercise. After your assessment your Kinesiologist will be able to provide you... Read More

Kinesiology

Who are they? The Kinesiology profession encompasses mental and emotional wellness with an emphasis on physical exercise and skilled movement training.

How can it help? Active rehabilitation is a kinesiologist supervised, 1 on 1 rehabilitation program that focuses on active recovery mainly through exercise. After your assessment your Kinesiologist will be able to provide you with a recommendation for duration and length of the program. Programs generally run 1-2 days per week for 6 to 12 weeks and are designed to support return to regular activities, work demands and an active healthy lifestyle.

These sessions are designed to provide education regarding various pain management strategies, increase mobility, strength and endurance for various movements specific to your needs. Your prescribed exercises will be given to you using an exercise program, Physitrack. You will be able to watch videos of prescribed exercises, track them and leave notes when performing exercises from the comfort of your computer or phone.

How do I get started? If this is something you feel you would benefit from or your therapist feels is appropriate for you they can make the recommendation. Once you obtain a referral from your doctor we can request approval from ICBC. After the assessment is completed your kinesiologist will be able to provide you with a plan going forward.

Did you know? Active Rehabilitation sessions often occurs in conjunction with other services; RMT, PT and/or chiropractic sessions. As function increases the goal is to gradually decrease session frequency and increase the ability to continue independently with support when needed.


Clinical Pilates

Clinical Pilates is a form of exercise therapy designed and directed by our specially-trained clinicians to restore optimal control during movement. Pilates trained therapists approach movement and rehabilitation with a focus on control, precision, concentration, and alignment. The ultimate goal is pain-free movement.


Acupuncture

Shatara is a registered acupuncturist with a patient-centric approach, rooted in empathy and compassion. She firmly believes in the importance of actively listening to her patients’ needs and consistently prioritizing their well-being. Shatara is dedicated to providing personalized care, ensuring that each individual receives the utmost attention and consideration throughout their healing process.

Shatara’s career trajectory was marked by a pivotal internship opportunity with Vancouver Coastal Health, where she assisted in the treatment of mental health and substance abuse within both inpatient and outpatient contexts. This invaluable experience allowed her to gain a profound comprehension of the intricate workings of the human body, and reinforced her conviction in the efficacy of acupuncture as a therapeutic modality for a wide array of health conditions. Shatara places great importance on offering evidence-based treatments and is a zealous advocate for an integrative approach to healthcare.

In January 2023, Shatara graduated with honours, a testament to her commitment to ongoing education and staying up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in her field.

Furthermore, owing to her extensive background as a seasoned competitive equestrian athlete, as well as her experience in dance, gymnastics, and martial arts, Shatara maintains profound appreciation for the critical role of injury rehabilitation. Having personal experience with a variety of injuries, she approaches this aspect of her practice with unwavering seriousness and dedication.

Shatara is a registered acupuncturist with a patient-centric approach, rooted in empathy and comp... Read More

An interest in the human body and a desire to help improve quality of life for people in pain brought Lucas to massage therapy. He is a graduate of the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in New Westminster. He also has insight into the science of pain due to a Psychology degree from UBC. This background has led him to the practice of developing individualized programs specific to the needs of each patient.

An interest in the human body and a desire to help improve quality of life for people in pain bro... Read More

Heather graduated from TWU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, specializing in Kinesiology. She is a passionate Kinesiologist who is determined to help her patients reach their physical health goals. Whether patients are recovering from an accident or seeking to improve their health and fitness, Heather is focused on creating an effective and customized program to support her patients.

Heather’s experience in the field has ranged from working as a patient care coordinator at an orthopedic clinic to volunteering in Cambodia with Operation Smile. Heather has volunteered locally as well with BC Wheelchair Basketball and as a TWU student strength and conditioning coach. She is currently involved in her local community serving in different capacities.

Outside of work and volunteering, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends and engaging in a variety of hobbies such as strength training, cooking and more recently joining the Vancouver cycling scene

Heather graduated from TWU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, specializing in Kinesiology... Read More

Stephen completed his Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) and Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. He holds certifications in IMS/Dry Needling and Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Therapy (Level 1).

Fluent in English, Cantonese, and conversational Mandarin, Stephen’s treatment philosophy is to empower clients to reach their goals and highest functional potential - whether it’s returning to sports, work, or everyday activities. His holistic approach combines manual therapy, targeted exercise prescriptions, and evidence-based modalities to address the root cause of pain and dysfunction.

As an avid sports enthusiast, Stephen draws from his experience in competitive volleyball, tennis, and soccer, as well as his background in hip-hop dance as both a competitor and teacher. Outside the clinic, you’ll find him enjoying these activities or engaging with the local community.

Special Interests Sport injuries, neck, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and achilles injuries.

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or striving to perform at your best, Stephen is here to guide your journey to optimal health and performance.

Stephen completed his Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) and Bachelor of Kinesiology at the Univers... Read More

Brianna, hailing from Coquitlam, has a rich background in various sports and activities, including competitive swimming, water polo, tae kwon do, and dance. Through her active participation in these pursuits, she developed a deep appreciation for health and fitness. Brianna recognized the importance of properly preparing the body before engaging in physical performance and facilitating its recovery afterward to maintain optimal performance levels. Witnessing the resilience of the human body, she felt a strong desire to pursue a career that would enable her to help others achieve their sport and fitness goals.

Massage therapy became Brianna’s chosen path, and she has been practicing for seven years. Knowing that she can make a positive difference in the lives of her clients brings her a sense of fulfillment every day. While she holds a particular interest in treating sports-related injuries and conditions, she is open and enthusiastic about addressing a wide range of other health concerns as well.

During her spare time, Brianna enjoys expanding her culinary skills by learning new recipes to cook. She finds inspiration in reading non-fiction novels that offer motivation and insight. Additionally, she loves to travel to new places, appreciating the opportunities for personal growth and gaining a deeper understanding of life.

Brianna’s diverse athletic background, passion for health and fitness, and commitment to making a positive impact on her clients’ well-being position her as a skilled and compassionate massage therapist.

Brianna, hailing from Coquitlam, has a rich background in various sports and activities, includin... Read More

Anh is a very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic practitioner who takes pride in his thoughtful application of learned massage techniques. Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Anh began to earn bodywork certificates in Thai, Shiatsu, Hong Kong style and Foot Massage from the Ngoc Anh Therapy Massage Company. After moving to Vancouver, he continued fostering his interest in massage by attending the Bodywork Therapy Program at the Vancouver School of Healing Arts. This experience inspired him to pursue further education, and was a proud graduate of the Registered Massage Therapy Program from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in Dec 2022. Anh enjoys offering a variety of treatments including Therapeutic, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Hydrotherapy, Aromatherapy, Prenatal, Sport, and Indian Head Massage.

He is fluent in both English and Vietnamese.

Anh is a very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic practitioner who takes pride in his thoughtful a... Read More

Dr. Anthony McDougall graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.Sc. in Biology, where he played varsity basketball for the Calgary Dinos, before attending Palmer West Chiropractic College in California (USA).

After graduating Chiropractic College, Dr. McDougall practiced for 15 years in Florence, Italy. Dr. McDougall has completed extensive post-graduate education including myofascial release techniques, One-To-Zero (OTZ) Frozen Shoulder Technique, Kinesio Taping, and the International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma (ICSSD), the Sports Chiropractic designation of the Federation Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport.

Dr. McDougall introduced the Functional Movement Systems courses to Italy, becoming certified in both the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). Dr. McDougall has had the pleasure of treating many professional and aspiring professional athletes in rowing, cycling, soccer, track, basketball, tennis, volleyball, water polo, football as well as dancers of all ages.

In 2000, Dr. McDougall attended the Olympic Games in Sydney as the chiropractor for a group of 100 and 200 meter runners representing several countries, including the members of the Gold medal 4 x 100 Men’s and Women’s relay teams. The same group of athletes brought him to the various Golden League Athletics events in several European countries. In 2012, his most prestigious moment as a Sports Chiropractor came when he was awarded full accreditation to be the Italian Rowing Team’s official Chiropractor at the Olympic Games in London.

Dr. McDougall joins our rehabilitation team at painPRO Clinics Fairview West Broadway location with over 15 years experience in treating sports injuries. During his spare time, Dr. McDougall enjoys cycling and watching his three boys play soccer.

Dr. Anthony McDougall graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.Sc. in Biology, where he ... Read More

Dr. Michael Palmer has always been an active outdoorsman. Living close to the mountains cultivated within him a love of nature, and a respect for the health required to appreciate it. Dr. Palmer was introduced to the chiropractic lifestyle as a result of a minor injury while skiing. Tired of spending his nights lying flat on the floor, and needing to focus on his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Calgary, he sought the care of a chiropractor. After seeing first-hand how chiropractic contributes to health and the avoidance of injury, Dr. Palmer enrolled at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. Upon the completion of four years of study, he graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic. He now practices in Vancouver and considers himself lucky to have found his calling helping people to achieve better health through chiropractic care. Dr. Palmer offers manual therapy treatment strategies to address your particular condition including specific muscular release, spinal adjustments, electrical modalities, custom orthotics, and exercise and lifestyle modification. He knows that the human body was designed to move, and that chiropractic care keeps it moving properly; leading to optimal functioning of the nervous system, and greater health for a longer period of time.

Dr. Michael Palmer has always been an active outdoorsman. Living close to the mountains cultivate... Read More

Chelsea has been an RMT since 2015, after completing her training at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy. She had an interest early on in the field of health care when volunteering in a hospital’s extended care unit in her home town on Vancouver Island. After nearly a decade in a desk job, she realized a career change was needed and has been happily working as a massage therapist since. Chelsea has both a relaxing and compassionate presence that allows her patients to feel at ease during treatment. While she has additional training in prenatal massage, she has a wide range of experience in treating many conditions including headaches, TMJ pain, low back pain, sports-related injuries, scar tissue as well as systemic and neurological conditions. Her treatments are a blend of Swedish, myofascial, trigger point release and stretching techniques to name a few, depending on the desired outcomes. Whether the goal is to relax or recover, she takes patient input and combines it with effective and evidence-based massage therapy.

Chelsea has been an RMT since 2015, after completing her training at the West Coast College of Ma... Read More

Shannon grew up with a very athletic and active lifestyle, and still actively participates in dance, baseball, field hockey and yoga to mention a few. This background has provided her with a unique perspective on the function, potential and limitations of the human body. It is what has allowed her to effectively treat athletes at every level of performance, from the NHL, CFL, MLB and Olympians, right through to the weekend warrior. She believes in helping patients return to optimal function as quickly and effectively as possible through a combination of soft tissue work, injury rehabilitation, mobility work, functional assessments and patent education. She graduated in 2009 from the massage therapy program, and has since completed her Bachelor of Health Science, Clinical Pilates Instructor Training, and her Personal Training Specialist certificate.

Shannon grew up with a very athletic and active lifestyle, and still actively participates in dan... Read More

Darek has always been passionate about health, fitness, and movement. Before becoming a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), he spent 6 years teaching and competing in ballroom dance, followed by 5 years as a personal trainer. During his time as a personal trainer, Darek worked with clients who had injuries, which sparked his interest in rehab and manual therapy. This curiosity led him to attend the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy (VCMT), where he graduated with honours.

Darek’s hunger for learning drives him to continually take continuing education courses, ensuring he stays at the forefront of massage therapy. His interest in the lymphatic system during his VCMT studies prompted him to pursue and complete Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) training through the Dr. Vodder School.

Drawing from his diverse experiences and the knowledge gained at VCMT and the Dr. Vodder School, Darek provides highly effective treatments tailored to his patients’ needs and goals.

Since graduating from VCMT, Darek has completed several courses:

o Dermoneuromodulation

o Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

o Dr. Vodder School of MLD:

  • Level 1 – Basic

  • Level 2 – Applied MLD

  • Level 3 – Lymphedema

o Postural Restoration Institute:

  • Postural Respiration

  • Myokinematic Restoration

  • Pelvis Restoration

  • Impingement & Instability

  • Primary Non-Manual Techniques Workshop

o Simply TMJ

Darek has always been passionate about health, fitness, and movement. Before becoming a Registere... Read More

Chris offers a warm and collaborative approach to physiotherapy. Chris holds a Doctorate of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne in Australia and a Bachelor of Kinesiology with an emphasis on exercise science from UBC.

He has additional training in: - Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)/ Dry needling - Shockwave Therapy - RSQ1 [https://www.rsq1.nl/what-is-rsq1/] - Clinical Pilates - Concussion Management (Concussion Rehab Works Level 1 and 2)

Chris enjoys all aspects of Physiotherapy but has a particular interest in clinical Pilates, sports injuries and recovery following motor vehicle accident. He and his colleague Dr. McDougall are the sole providers of RSQ1 in Western Canada and both find it to be a very effective treatment for many conditions.

Outside the clinic Chris can be found surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, playing basketball, or running through the beautiful parks near the city.

Chris offers a warm and collaborative approach to physiotherapy. Chris holds a Doctorate of Physi... Read More

Susan is passionate when it comes to understanding the human body, promoting health, and helping others. Prior to becoming an RMT she completed a Spa Therapy certification in 2009 and now has over 10 years of cumulative massage experience. Susan offers different styles and techniques including: Swedish (Relaxation), Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, PNF Stretching, and Joint Mobilizations.

Susan strives to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for her patients. She places great value on patient-centered care, emphasizing the significance of investing time to comprehend the needs of each individual.

In her free time Susan enjoys various movement based activities such as yoga, dance, hiking, rock climbing, and regular sessions at the gym. She also likes to keep learning. Some current topics of interest for her are anatomy, psychology, interpersonal relationships, personal growth, and all the arts.

Susan is passionate when it comes to understanding the human body, promoting health, and helping ... Read More

Vicky graduated from Vancouver Career College with honours. She became interested in massage after helping her mother relieve headaches with acupressure scalp massage. Her uncle, a Traditional Chinese Medical Massage Therapist, instructed her in acupressure massage. Prior to enrolling as an RMT student. Vicky worked as a body worker for 5 years. This allowed her to experience a diversity of patients and conditions. She treated many elderlies as the clinic she worked is near a senior community. Two expectant women were accompanied by her massage throughout their entire pregnancies. She was also trained in reflexology, which she found to be very beneficial for patients suffering from digestive or sleeping disorders. Fascia techniques and trigger point release were the most intriguing aspects of her Vancouver Career College education. Vicky believes that fascia adhesion is the cause of many dysfunctions. She utilized numerous fascia techniques in both her case study and student clinic. Vicky is highly attuned to trigger points due to her prior experience with acupressure massage. She discovered that many trigger points are acupressure points as well.

Vicky graduated from Vancouver Career College with honours. She became interested in massage afte... Read More

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City Square Vancouver - 12th and Cambie
Located at: Suite 495, West Tower 555 West 12th Ave, Vancouver
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Need Help? 604-683-7246