Registered Physiotherapist
BSc., BHSc.PT., CGIMS, TPI, SFMA
BACKGROUND
Dalen’s family is originally from Manitoba, but he lived his early years in Paraguay, South America. Returning to Canada for middle school, Dalen began his love for all sports, playing hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and track & field. These experiences lead to the opportunity to attend Biola University in Southern California, and competing on the Track & Field / X-Country teams between 1990-1995. It was there that he was introduced to the field of Physical Therapy, first as a patient in the school’s athletic therapy clinic, and then as a volunteer in a community sports medicine clinic, as well as at Long Beach Memorial Children’s Hospital.
After completing his Physiotherapy training in 2001 at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Dalen moved to the beautiful West Coast, completing his final clinical internship there with the plan to remain afterwards. For the last 16 years, Dalen has been working on the North Shore, enjoying the many relationships built over these years, and supporting the wonderful active citizens of that community.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Dalen graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, with a second-degree Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physical Therapy in 2001. He received a Bachelor of Sciences in Sports Physiology from Biola University in 1994. As a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Dalen has completed many courses of post-graduate training including; Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy intermediate exams and Level IV. A significant component of Dalen’s practice includes IMS dry needling, for which he received certification in 2009 from Gunn IMS, and which is currently provided by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. In 2013 he co-presented on the topic with Dr. DB Quirke to the BC College of Physicians Conference. As an avid golfer, Dalen has completed a number of certifications including; FitForeGolf in 2003, and then in 2013 attending two courses in Long Beach California and Seattle with the Titleist Performance Institute.
TREATMENT APPROACH
Dalen’s treatment approach consists of a number of specific emphases. Over the years, his training has evolved by adding new tools and levels of understanding. The first key element is education, believing that improving a person’s own understanding will enable appropriate steps to recovery and better outcomes. In his nearly 20 years of experience, Dalen has observed that many of the conditions he’s seen are related to years of repeated postures and movement patterns. Utilizing a complete understanding of anatomy and the biomechanics of movement, he has sought to help with retraining these movement patterns and postures. Part of taking control of our own recovery includes, therapeutic exercises, given for the purpose of improving or reinforcing these corrected postures and movements. In addition to specific exercises, and as part of improving movements, Dalen has found IMS dry needling to be extremely effective in helping to reset the neuromuscular state of muscles. This method of assessment and treatment has particularly aided those with ongoing, chronic conditions, which have limited their work and recreational pursuits.
