Vancouver-Based Clinical Pilates and Physiotherapy for Pain Management

1. How is Embodied Physiotherapy different from other physiotherapy clinics?

Physiotherapy is a healthcare discipline focused on improving movement, reducing pain, and enhancing the physical function of the body. It involves assessing and diagnosing issues related to muscles, joints, and nerves, as well as evaluating chronic pain conditions, central sensitization, and sensory or body schema changes that may occur with chronic pain.

2. How do you incorporate research into your physiotherapy approach?

We believe in evidence-informed practice, which means we don’t rely on outdated models of treatment or unproven techniques. Instead, we continuously engage with the latest research, applying it in a way that makes sense for each individual. We also understand that research alone doesn’t always capture the complexity of human movement and pain. That’s why we use a mix of scientific literature, clinical reasoning, and real-world application—constantly reassessing our approach and refining it based on how you respond. If something isn’t working, we change course. We also engage with you that you know you can ask us to change directions if there is something you don’t feel comfortable with, or doesn’t feel right for you.

3. Do you collaborate with other healthcare practitioners?

Yes. We believe that physiotherapy doesn’t exist in isolation. If you are working with other healthcare providers—whether that’s a physician, massage therapist, chiropractor, psychologist, or another specialist—we take the time to communicate with them to ensure a cohesive approach to your care. Many of our clients have seen multiple practitioners before coming to us, often with mixed or incomplete results. We help bridge the gaps in care by integrating different perspectives and making sure your treatment plan aligns with the bigger picture of your health and movement goals.

4. Why is movement such a big part of your treatment approach?

Movement is one of the most powerful tools for retraining the body and nervous system. Instead of passive treatment alone, we emphasize movement-based interventions that help you rebuild capacity, adaptability, and resilience. This isn’t just about strengthening muscles—it’s about teaching your nervous system to interpret movement differently, reducing pain sensitivity, and helping you regain confidence in your body. We integrate Clinical Pilates, graded exposure to movement, and pain reprocessing strategies to help you move in a way that feels safe, sustainable, and effective for long-term change.

5. Do you also treat acute pain?

Yes! While we have a strong focus on persistent pain, we also treat acute injuries—whether it’s a recent sprain, strain, post-surgical rehab, or something that just started hurting out of nowhere. Our approach to acute pain isn’t just about symptom relief; it’s about understanding why the injury happened and what we can do to support your recovery while reducing the risk of it happening again. We look beyond the site of pain to assess movement patterns, tissue loading, and overall mechanics to help you heal and get back to what you love doing as efficiently as possible.

6. How do you approach diagnosing and understanding pain differently?

Many traditional physiotherapy models focus on identifying structural causes of pain—looking at bones, joints, and muscles in isolation. While these factors are important, and we do assess them, they don’t always tell the full story. At Embodied, we approach pain as a complex, multi-system experience that involves not just tissues but also the nervous system, immune system, and even past injury history or life stressors.

7. How do I know if this approach is right for me?

If you’ve tried physiotherapy before but still feel stuck, or if you’ve been told conflicting things about your pain and don’t know what to make of the information, you might be our people and we might be yours.

We work best with people who are ready to take an active role in their recovery—who are open to exploring movement, learning about their pain, and working collaboratively to find solutions. If you’re looking for a quick fix or passive-only treatment, this might not be the right clinic for you. But if you’re ready for a more in-depth, analytical approach that adapts as you progress, we’re here to help.