IMS Dry Needling

IMS Dry Needling

IMS dry needling (intramuscular stimulation) is a specialized technique used by physiotherapists with post graduate training in the use of acupuncture needles to release taut bands of muscles in your body. It was developed by a local physician named Dr Chan Gunn and can be incredibly effective for treating chronic pain and tightness in your body.

 

Envision has numerous physiotherapists trained to use dry needling as an integrated tool in your assessment and treatment.  We have two physiotherapy clinic locations in Vancouver to serve you.

DRY NEEDLING PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

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Tracy Barber
Suzanne Calli
Suzanne Calli
Suzanne Calli
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Taylor DiBrita
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Marcus Dusseault
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Erin Gibb
Brent Stevenson
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Brent Stevenson
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Harry Toor

Suzanne Calli - MScPT

Suzanne obtained her Masters of Physical Therapy from UBC in 2016, after completing her Bachelor of Science (Honors) from Queen’s University. While completing her undergraduate degree she specialized in Neuroscience. Her interest in neurology grew through her continued education, while her interest in rehabilitation was a result of her love of sports and growing up playing volleyball. This passion continues in her practice as a physiotherapist, working with BC Rugby and with local Rugby clubs.

 

Suzanne is currently pursuing her Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Therapy. She has also taken multiple post graduate courses for dry needling, and the treatment of concussions and vestibular disorders. This includes Vestibular Rehabilitation from Emory University. Suzanne is Shift Concussion Management Level 2 provider as well.

 

She has experience treating people of varying ages and injuries from young athletes to those with neurological conditions. Her approach includes a combination of manual therapy, dry needling and exercise, depending on the individual person.

 

In her free time Suzanne enjoys the outdoors whether it be exploring the local mountains, running, cycling or swimming.

Brent Stevenson - MScPT, BHKin, IMS

Brent is the founder and co-owner of Envision Physiotherapy. He has university degrees in both Human Kinetics and Physiotherapy as well as extensive post graduate training. Brent’s primary methods of treatment are IMS, movement training and manual therapy. He integrates Dr Gunn’s dry needling technique with the osteopathic approach of visceral and neural manipulation. Brent spends time teaching people about their bodies so they understand the root cause of their problem and what they need to do to prevent a recurrence. Clients are able to review Brent’s posture advice and exercises at home on his interactive video based website WhyThingsHurt.com.

 

Brent treats people of all ages and abilities at Envision Physiotherapy, but has extensive experience working with golfers and tennis players.  He spent two years working almost exclusively with golfers including specialized training with Body Balance for Performance in the States.  He then moved on to work with world respected physiotherapist Diane Lee for two years where he gained invaluable experience treating resistant pain problems, and pelvic/low back issues.  Brent has had the chance to be the physio for the Cirque De Soleil, top tennis and golf pros, as well as teach workshops for Pilates instructors and UBC medical students. He has been a lifelong athlete in soccer, rugby, water skiing, wakeboarding and any other sport that was available to him at the time.  His sport of choice currently is being a dad to three young kids.

Harry Toor - BScPT, Sport Phys. Dip, FCAMT, IMS

Harry is co-owner of Envision Physiotherapy and, like all Envision physiotherapists, has had extensive post graduate training. He spent three years as the therapist for the Canadian Men’s ski team, and has been a part of the medical team for the 2006 and 2010 winter Olympics. Harry’s primary methods of treatment are manual therapy, IMS and exercise. He has also incorporated the Integrated Systems Model (by Diane Lee & Linda-Joy Lee) into his practice. Through his training and experience traveling with teams, Harry has developed critical assessment and treatment skills worthy of our national and Olympic level athletes. At Envision Physiotherapy he works with clients of all ages and abilities.

Outside of his clinical time, Harry has built a free online exercise database, exer-pedia.com. He has written and illustrated a children’s book, A Robot Called Zip, teaching about some fundamentals of physical health. He is currently an instructor for Sport Physiotherapy Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and an Adjunct Professor in the Gross Anatomy Lab at UBC for the Physiotherapy Masters Program.

Harry grew up doing taekwondo and playing squash. Now, when not in the clinic, Harry’s activities include skiing, muay thai and jiu-jitsu.

Tracy Barber - BScPT, FCAMT, IMS

Tracy has been an active physiotherapist in the Vancouver community for over 25 years.  She helped open and run clinics such as Seva, Salus and Balance Physiotherapy, but has opted to step out of the ownership role and focus on her clinical practice by joining us at Envision Physiotherapy.  Tracy holds a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMT) and trained under Dr. Chan Gunn to be a licensed Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) practitioner.

 

Tracy has worked as a physiotherapist for the National Ballet of Canada, Vancouver rugby teams, the BC Winter games, Vancouver Marathons, multiple Sun Runs and for a number of junior elite golfers.  She also enjoys being involved in education and mentorship and works part-time as a clinical skills assistant and adjunct clinical professor in the Masters’ physiotherapy program at the University of British Columbia. 

 

Tracy has been involved in sports all her life and continues to enjoy a variety of activities, including squash, tennis, golf and running as well as being a regular in the gym.

 

“I strongly believe that maintaining an active lifestyle is a major contributor to our long-term health and happiness. As a keen recreational athlete, and having had my own fair share of significant injuries I can empathize with the pain and the frustration that goes along with this. When injury, pain or illness, limit our ability to move well, our health is compromised. That’s why physiotherapy is an integral part of healthcare and my main goal is to help guide you back to the activities you enjoy and that keep you healthy.”

Taylor DiBrita - MPT, BHKin, IMS

After receiving his Kinesiology degree from Western University, Taylor completed the
Master of Science in Physical Therapy program at the University of Toronto. Since
graduating, Taylor has worked diligently on refining his practice through continuing
education. This includes the completion of up to Level 3 of the Advanced Integrated
Musculoskeletal (AIM) Physiotherapy Program and becoming certified to perform
intramuscular stimulation (IMS).

 

As a patient-centred physiotherapist, Taylor works closely with each of his patients to
provide an individualized approach that will assist them in reaching their goals, whatever
they may be. He incorporates a combination of exercise, patient education, manual
therapy, and IMS into his treatment approach depending on what is best suited for the
person in front of him.

 

From a young age, Taylor loved playing a variety of sports, his primary sport being
basketball, and he has maintained an active lifestyle ever since. His continuous
engagement with sport and movement throughout his life has shown him firsthand the
immense benefit that physical activity has to offer for both physical and mental well-being.
Along the way, he’s also experienced how pain and injury can negatively impact these
things as well. This experience has made Taylor passionate about helping people of all
levels of physical ability be able to participate in the activities that are meaningful to their
own well-being.

 

Outside of the clinic, you might find him outside enjoying nature, playing sports such as
basketball and squash, or just relaxing at home with a good book.

Erin Gibb - MScPT, BScPHPY, IMS

Erin completed a Bachelors degree in Physiology and Pharmacology and a Masters degree in Physiotherapy in her hometown at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds further certification in IMS dry needling, concussion and vestibular rehabilitation, and clinical Pilates.

 

Erin has an appreciation for all sports and has worked as a physiotherapist with various sports teams at both amateur and Olympic levels, including soccer, football, and snowboarding.  Erin is passionate about helping people understand their bodies and getting people back to doing the things they love. She has a special interest in ACL rehabilitation, running injuries, and working with the adolescent population. When not treating patients, you can find Erin outdoors biking, running, hiking, snowboarding, doing triathlons or travelling.