Shelley Cowcill

Lifestyle and Wellness Health Coach, Physiotherapist

Shelley Cowcill MA, BScPT, BA, FCAMT, CGIMS, NBC-HWC

  • Holistic Nutrition program: Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Ongoing
  • Lifestyle and Wellness Health Coach Certificate: York University, 2024
  • MA Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy 2023
  • BSc Physiotherapy 1996
  • BA Psychology 1994
  • CGIMS: Certified in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation 2005
  • FCAMT: Fellow with the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy 2004
  • Canadian School of Osteopathy 2015-2016
Shelley doing a handstand in front of a large mirror in a gym like studio while listening to music through headphones.

Passionate about movement

Shelley is using a medical machine in a classroom setting to look at a patient's leg muscles.

Committed to learning

Shelley at a sporting event with one of her clients that is an athlete.

Experienced in helping clients find health

About me

My Paradigm:
This is me…

How do you summarize more than a quarter of a century of ongoing education and life experiences into something palatable and worthy of being read. When I first started having to write my biography, it was all about what courses I had done, the type of clients I had treated, the people I had mentored under. It was about what I could offer my clients as a physiotherapist. Basically, it was all about me.

However life has a way of teaching us the lessons we need to learn. There are a few tenants that now guide my practice.

We don’t know what we don’t know. So I approach my clients, my practice and my life with a sense of openness and curiosity. I listen, I question, I seek answers.

The biggest tool for change lies not in the hands of the therapist, but in the mind of the client that sits before us. Unless we are able to understand what our body is telling us and we begin to move differently, we will not be able to elicit and sustain change. The catalyst for health lies in owning our movements and expanding them back into the beautiful orchestrated symphony they originally were.

Life is messy. Our bodies become a road map that reflects our good habits, our bad habits, our victories and our defeats. Mirrored in our tissue can lie our deepest fears, the things we dare not voice aloud. Held within our system lies the keys to surmounting the most difficult of circumstances.



And lastly…….none of the process is about me. My lens is that I am like a flashlight that highlights the things that my clients just cannot see within them. We cannot change what we cannot recognize.

My gift is that I see the complexity of the injury from a holistic perspective and I know how to help my clients understand what their body is telling them and I equip them with tools so that they become the drivers of their own health. We were built to move, and move with freedom and joy. My passion is movement, My passion is health.

What I do

Movement Assessment

Every initial intake involves a video assessment of our basic movements that we do on an ongoing basis. In essence our foundational movements, the building blocks for more complex movements. Sport and life specific movement assessment are tailored to the client. This visual analysis with key points highlighted are shared with the client in a report format after the assessment along with a plan for the steps needed to address the issues found.

Manual Therapy Assessment

A holistic assessment from the feet to the head is performed in order to gain a better insight into the reasons behind why you are feeling and moving the way you are.

Education & Treatment

To me, education is the most important part of what I do. I highlight the pathway that I think you should start on, the tools to start making sense out of what your body has been telling you, and who else might be able to support you in your journey.

Education comes in the form of knowing how to identify faulty movement and what you need to look for. It comes in the form of understanding the “why", that is, why you hurt, why you can’t do certain things. 

Finally, it comes in the form of what exercises you can do to help improve the deficits in strength or mobility or stability. 

Within my scope of practice I use dry needling, manual therapy techniques, manipulation, soft tissue release, passive stretching, neurodynamic mobilizations, pool therapy, and other skills and techniques that I have acquired over the years. 

The aim is that I address the restrictions or barriers that start the process of compensation in order that you can start to move and feel better.

Health & Wellness Coaching & Workshops

Coaching is about helping clients discover what their vision of "health" is, developing measurable client-driven goals, and a strategic plan that will take them there.

Change is always hard so the coach acts as an accountability partner, a cheerleader, and a disseminator of information so that the client is not overwhelmed in the process.

Starting January 2025 a new "one on one" virtual workshop will be offered entitled

"Growing a Wellness Mindset: the art of living intuitively".

This workshop is designed to help people understand how the concepts of movement, nutrition, and attitude are interwoven and how they impact our health.

Through weekly modules and coaching sessions you will learn how to interpret and understand what your body is telling you so that you can start to move away from a life of "shoulds" and grow a wellness mindset that is intuitive and freeing.

Concepts covered will include understanding your own movement patterns, how to build progressive exercise programs, basic food principles to support health, and what it means to have a wellness mindset.

Testimonials

I have been seeing Shelley for over a decade for the various physical ailments that life throws my way. Shelley is the best Physiotherapist I have met (by far). Most important is that she gets results. Also being a physician myself, I am always very impressed with her detailed knowledge. She is engaging in continuing education at all times and thus has many techniques available for differing situations.

-Jeff H.

I highly, highly recommend Shelley for anyone seeking the highest quality of professional care. Shelley is a kind and compassionate practitioner, who clearly aims to understand all the intricacies of your wellbeing. She demonstrates a clear commitment to evidence-based treatment and continual development of her skillset. Her immense knowledge and understanding of the human body from an integrated perspective was incredibly helpful in understanding how to optimize my own health long term.

-Emily R.

Shelley is an exceptional physiotherapist. I had cervical disc herniation symptoms and achilles tendinosis. Shelley was able to diagnose the problem through careful and skillful physical exam and observation. She uses video to help show the patient the problem so that a solution can be reached faster. My son who is a provinically ranked tennis player had issues recently and she was able to identify the problem and create a realistic treatment program. She won't just recommend a few exercises that you will never do; she will make sure you have an understanding of the conditions that may have contributed to your problem and a realistic and effective way on strengthening and rehabilitating the affected area. She is an athlete herself who has been through her own injuries and understands how our bodies are supposed to move and function. She is a true master of her craft and I can't recommend her enough.

-Herman K.

I have been a patient of Shelley's for 20 years. She combines her knowledge of the body with her intuitive nature to help her patients see and address their mind-body connections. She has helped me over the years with various injuries and chronic pain. Shelley is a practitioner like no other. Whenever I see her she is able to tap into my different systems, whether that be nervous, emotional, muscular, joint, etc. From there she is able to decipher the best type of treatment for me that day. I cannot say enough good things about this beautiful human being. I feel so blessed that I found her at such a young age.

-Kelsey K.

Shelley has changed my life! I am a 45 year old female who suffered from hip, back and hamstring pain for 8 years. I couldn’t sleep, stand, sit or excerise much of the time without being in pain. I tried going to multiple physiotherapists and massage therapists, tried different pillows and mattresses and assumed I would live with my pain for the rest of my life. Shelley was referred to me by a friend who told me she was a miracle worker and they couldn’t have been more right! She took the time on the first visit to really get to know me and look at my body, how it moved and studied me. After just two visits, pain that I thought was permanent is almost entirely gone! She helped me understand the mind body connection and what was causing my pain so I can use the toolbox she gave me to fix it as soon as the pain comes back! Thank you Shelley - you really have changed my life!

-Darcie K.

My career and a serious accident have taken its toll on my body. Shelley meets me where I'm at without judgement and with much warmth. Shelley's intuitive touch is healing. She is able to release pain through breathing, manual therapy, and movement. Her holistic approach leaves me feeling safe, connected, and recharged.

-Sasha L.

Shelley has been my physiotherapist for over 2 years, and she has helped me in so many ways. My muscles were extremely tight, and I had terrible headaches for years. I saw numerous practitioners and Shelley has been by far the best to work with and the most effective. She has aligned my body and resolved the headaches. She is upbeat, knowledgeable, and really connects with her clients. She is inspirational, her approach is mindful, big picture and has been life changing, giving me tools for a healthy life.

-Chantelle P, 51 years old

I am an active senior yet in the past couple of years by body has been breaking down causing me pain and impeding on my lifestyle. Shelley has given me hope and provided tools and alternatives to work through my physical ailments. She has such great energy and knowledge and her treatments have helped me very much. Working with Shelley has enabled me to continue to play golf, do Pilates, travel and be active with my grandson.

-Doreen B, 81 Years old

No One Better
After shoulder surgery in 2007 I had full range of motion but suffered from ongoing myofascial trigger point discomfort following physical activities. I found limited relief from various practitioners until I met Shelley and experienced her skills with dry needling (IMS). Finally, she was able to release these trigger points and the result was excellent. Since then I have seen Shelley on a regular basis not only for IMS but for wellness coaching. Shelley is not what I would call a treat and release physiotherapist. She doesn’t just treat the issue during the visit and send you on your way, rather she explains the root cause and deficiency and gives you a series of exercises and stretches so you can improve on your own time. She demonstrates a genuine interest in her client’s physical wellbeing and celebrates every improvement. We all know the aging process is an ongoing battle to stay active and I’m so glad and fortunate to have Shelley in my corner as I navigate what comes next.

-Ken. D.

Who I Treat

I have extensive experience treating athletes: from the weekend warrior to the high-performance, world-class athlete in addition to those who have suffered traumatic injuries. As I have navigated through my own injuries over the years I have adjusted my area of specialty. Now it matters not to me whether I treat an athlete, a mom with young children or someone who is no longer capable of doing everyday activities. Now I look for one thing only, people who are intrinsically motivated to heal and to move.




Sessions: What to expect

  • Initial In Person Assessments

    75 minutes: Before I schedule a new assessment I do a complimentary 15 min phone (or video) interview so that we have a chance to connect and decide if I am the right person to work with you. After our conversation if we feel that I am not the best choice for you I will try and provide you with guidance for what your next steps could be. If we proceed with the initial assessment, a detailed email will be sent to you within 24 hours highlighting the findings, the photos of the movement assessment, current things to work on and an overview of your treatment plan.

  • 60 minutes: in the initial appointment I do a detailed assessment so I get a clear idea of how you are currently moving in your body and how accurate your "mental map" of your movement is. When appropriate I use video to help educate you on how you are moving and to use as an objective measurement for change.

    A detailed manual assessment is done so that I then have a clear idea of where we need to start your treatment plan. When you leave, you will have a better understanding of why you have dysfunction and you will have tools to guide you back to health and function.

    For those requiring an extensive report that summarizes the findings (with footage) and the plan moving forward, please contact me for more information on this process.

  • 60 minutes: Designed for clients who are interested in pursuing support and direction in the form of health and wellness coaching from a holistic perspective. Health and wellness coaching is about helping you gain clarity and direction on how to start implementing changes to improve your holistic health. The ultimate goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to become autonomous in your own health journey.

  • 30 minutes: These sessions are shorter allowing for ongoing support, refining of goals and problem solving.

  • 60 Minutes: Acute Rehabilitation and manual therapy sessions can be provided for those conditions where pain (post surgery, acute injury) limits the ability to tolerate land based training and manual therapy.

  • The wait times for orthopedic surgery have become long and while people wait there is a progressive loss of function due to pain and disability and a concurrent increase in secondary complications. After an initial telehealth interview, I help the client come up with an individualized plan to help maximize their mobility and health through lifestyle modification, exercise, and guidance in nutrition. As surgery approaches, I help prepare them by making sure they know what to expect, they are linked up with the proper healthcare professionals, and understand how to prepare their environment post-surgery. The goal is to help clients regain autonomy of their health and empower them with the tools to enter into the surgery as strong and healthy as possible.

Contact

Whether you have a question, feedback, or just want to say hello, I'm here to help.

Call Us

778 836 9775 | Whatsapp: +1 778 836 9775

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