Yes, but not traditional physiotherapy.

It is a whole-person approach to healing that recognizes the connection between the body, nervous system, emotions, stress, movement, and lived experience.

This is physiotherapy through a wider lens.

A lens that recognizes that pain is real, recovery is possible, and healing often requires more than treating tissues alone.

Traditional physiotherapy often focuses on identifying a physical problem and applying treatments designed to reduce symptoms (inflammation, pain, reduced movements) and restore function.

While this approach can be highly effective for many injuries and conditions, it does not always explain why pain sometimes persists long after tissues have healed, why symptoms can fluctuate without obvious cause, or why some people continue to struggle despite doing all the "right" things.

At Soma Physiotherapy, I take a broader view.

Pain is understood not only through the lens of muscles, joints, and biomechanics, but also through the nervous system, stress physiology, emotional processing, life experiences, habits, beliefs, and the body's protective responses.

This integrated approach combines physiotherapy, modern pain science, nervous system regulation, somatic practices, and EMDR-informed techniques to help uncover the factors that may be contributing to ongoing pain and symptoms.

Rather than asking only, "What tissue is causing this pain?" we also explore:

•  How has your nervous system adapted to pain?

•  What protective patterns has your body developed?

•  How are stress and life experiences influencing your symptoms?

•  What might be keeping your system in a state of protection rather than recovery?

For many people, this creates a new understanding of their pain and opens the door to recovery when previous approaches have fallen short.

No, although an excellent choice for long standing pain. This approach can address all sorts of pain, especially ones with no known initial physical cause.  However it is very useful for conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines and chronic fatigue

The word Soma comes from the Greek somatikos that means ‘of the body/living body’ .  Somatics is a field of movement education and therapy that emphasizes the mind-body connection by focusing on internal physical perception rather than external appearance. Physiotherapy classically works with biomechanics, muscular strength, joint mobility, and tissue healing (the physical "hardware"). Somatics focuses on interoception—your internal perception of movement, posture, and how your nervous system controls these functions (the "software"). We also approach somatics as what can be ‘held’ in the body such as past injuries, physical and emotional.

The name SOMA comes from this. The word refers to the body as it is experienced from within.  It reflects a simple truth:

The body carries information.

When we learn how to listen, understand, and respond differently, meaningful change becomes possible.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is a technique used by clinical Counsellors and Therapists to deal with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) officially recognised in the 1980’s.  It involves moving the eyes side to side while visualizing a past experience.  Stimulating alternating sides of the body is called Bilateral Stimulation.  There are other ways to do the bilateral stimulations such as with alternatings sounds in the ears, or holding sensors that buzz in the hands.  As part of somatic EMDR we tend to use a form of self tapping or therapist led tapping (normally on the knees). This is different to the type of ‘tapping’ that is used in a therapy called Emotional freedom Technique (ETF) which uses points similar to acupuncture/acupressure to tap.

No. I am not a registered clinical counsellor.  I have 25 years experience of listening to patients and working with them to work on their goals.  Physiotherapists are well versed in trauma-informed care and biopsychosocial (biological, psychological and social)  impacts on the body.   We have in-depth knowledge of breath work, meditation techniques and often being the one trusted professional that patients feel have the time and space to share their story with.  This unique approach might look a little more talk therapy, but it is done from the basis of a sound anatomical and physiological knowledge that brings a whole new complete and rounded approach to treating pain, embodied emotions and trauma.

Soma Physiotherapy is not traditional physiotherapy and it is not psychotherapy. It is an integrated, body-centred approach to pain recovery that bridges the gap between physical rehabilitation, nervous system regulation, and somatic healing.

I am able to actively work collaboratively with any clinical counsellor you have or help you find one should that be something you choose. If you have more complex mental health issues happening it is strongly suggested that you work with a clinical therapist/counsellor.

No. Physiotherapy is a direct access service

When appropriate.  A full traditional physiotherapy consultation will be used for ‘pain’ patients.  After that the treatment will involve both somatic EMDR and traditional physiotherapy styles that you may be used to such as hands on care, massage, needling, and exercise prescription.

When providing treatment for pain related conditions the service is classed as Physiotherapy as defined by The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and by The Physiotherapy Association of BC. 

If we are doing Somatic EMDR for issues that are not pain and body related they will not be covered by insurance under physiotherapy or counselling and will require out of pocket payment (some health spending plans will accept and pay for this service)

It is suggested that you always check with your insurance provider prior to booking if you are unsure.

The first session will include a regular physio assessment, where we talk through your condition and symptoms and what might have caused the issues.  We will establish a safe and trusting relationship.  We will talk about ‘resources’ that will be needed for the session and how I will teach these to you. I will spend time leading you in a somatic meditation and some grounding techniques to help calm the vagus nerve.  We may not do any ‘EMDR style’ work in session one, but you will leave with a plan of how we hope to work towards your goals

I would suggest about 5-6 sessions initially.  This is a very different approach to pain compared to traditional physiotherapy.  You might have been living with the condition for months or even years, results are not going to be immediate.  It is important to build a collaborative relationship and also to teach you a variety of techniques and resources so that you can self-manage between sessions.  This can’t be done in one or even 2 sessions.  But we will constantly review our goals and collaboratively work towards your ideal outcome.

Chronic pain is still the official diagnosis but many experts now refer to it as Persistent pain.  It is pain you have been experiencing for more than 3 months.

The change in name is because persistent reflects ongoing reality: It accurately describes pain that continues over time without implying it is permanent.

The word "chronic" often carries a heavy, disempowering connotation (e.g., "stuck with this forever"), whereas "persistent" feels more manageable.

Persistent pain can occur from:

• Injury to bone, muscle or tendon, even after the structures have healed

• Cancer-related pain

• Illness or disease

• Fatigue states

• Fibromyalgia

• Trauma and associated grief, depression and anxiety

Persistent pain can be debilitating. Persistent pain, particularly of the musculoskeletal origin, is a leading cause of disability within western society, affecting 1 in 4 adults (25% - https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db518.htm). 

Most chronic/persistent pain programs are run as groups. Groups are very helpful as peer support from others going through a similar situation to you really can add value to your own story.  You learn about why pain doesn’t go away and how the body can become ‘over sensitized’ to pain. Many use a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach to managing your pain.  Using Somatic EMDR combined with physiotherapy is a unique way of helping to release deeply stored responses to pain that you may not even be consciously aware of.

Most programs do now recognise the different elements for addressing ongoing pain.  They are often referred to as the 3 P’s - Physical, Psychological and pharmacological.  SOMA is able to address both the physical and the psychological in one combined session.

There are some amazing free resources on-line provided by the Government of Canada and PainBC which I urge you to try.

The 2 hour free Empowered Relief course that runs most months online is well worth attending

Retrain Pain offers some great free and paid for resources 

In BC there are online and in person workshops run by Self Management BC

Tame the Beast has a simple video to understand persistent pain better

A great podcast you may find helpful is this one by Ologies

This short 5 minute video explains chronic pain 

This Ted Talk is great as well

This is a paid course but very good information by an excellent Chronic Pain Dr, Howard Schubiner

If you experience Migraines this is a great source of information

Pelvic Pain resources

Women experience higher levels of chronic pain. This infographic is a good starting point to see where you can get support for your pain