about us

Born and raised in North Bay Ontario, Dawn attended the University of Western Ontario. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Biology, Dawn decided that her love for sports and helping people would lead her toward the perfect career path physiotherapy. Dawn graduated in 1998 from Western and made the choice to head west. Shortly after that she secured a position at a Private practice in Powell River BC, during her time there she was able to build a steady case load and also help with the local Junior A hockey team the Paper Kings.

Knowing that the coastal life was not where she would settle, Dawn took a position with Osoyoos Physiotherapy where she was able to continue her education both as a practitioner and entrepreneur. She continued to complete various courses to become a better physiotherapist.

In 2002 her dream of clinic ownership was realized here in Vernon, with the purchasing of Concept Physiotherapy in the fall of that year. Over the last 20 Years Dawn has built a loyal clientele by providing a comprehensive treatment approach and by working one on one with her clients. She prides herself on developing individual treatment plans based on the specific problems she identifies. Treatment may include manual therapy (joint mobilizations), soft tissue techniques such as trigger point release, massage and stretching, modalities (ultrasound, acupuncture, cryotherapy, etc.) and exercise prescription.

Dawn has a passion for both sports, and helping people, she has a wide range of clientele and her goal is always to work with you to get you back to your maximum function as quickly as possible.

Dawn has completed the following courses and certificates: level 3 manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, level 3 fit fore golf, advanced manual therapy courses involving the neck, back and pelvis, and is certified to perform acupuncture through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada.

I joined the team at Concept Physio in December 2009. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria and completed my Masters of Science degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta. I joined Dawn as a partner in clinic ownership in 2013.

I enjoy working with a variety of people and carry a caseload from kids to seniors. My treatment focuses on manual therapy (i.e. hands on) techniques supplemented with comprehensive exercise programs in order for clients to return to everyday activities, work and/or recreational activities pain free. You will also be provided with the tools to prevent future problems.

I have completed extensive training in ConnectTherapy^TM. This assessment and treatment model is revolutionizing the way we look at, and treat you as a whole person. Click to find out more about ConnectTherapy ^TM  and the Thoracic Ring Approach^TM.

Where does your pain and dysfunction really come from?? A lot of people have multiple issues (i.e. the right shoulder and left knee) that seem unrelated or have issues that always come back. That’s where I come in. We just need to look close enough and we can find out HOW these areas can be impacting each other and WHY these things always seem to come back. I can teach you new strategies to fix up current problems, as well as prevent future ones.

I have completed a number of other courses including Level I and Level II of the Orthopedic Division’s Diploma of Advanced Manual & Manipulative Therapy courses, Mulligan’s Mobilization with Movement, neck and shoulder courses as well as a “Movement Impairment Syndromes”.

I have been certified to do acupuncture through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada. Acupuncture is a great adjunct to the manual therapy and can help manage pain as well as promote healing.

Pre kids (ha ha!) I was involved in community sports throughout the year and have a well rounded knowledge (and personal experience!) with mechanisms of injuries. I understand the physical and mental pain that an injury can cause when it is keeping you away from what you love doing and can show you how a proper rehab program can lead to a speedy recovery and get you moving again!

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I was born and raised in beautiful Vernon BC. I began working at Concept Physiotherapy in the summer of 2016. After finishing my undergrad degree in the Sports and Recreation Department at Mount Royal University in Calgary I went on to complete my Masters of Physiotherapy studies at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. 

 An appointment with me will include an evidence-based approach to hands on manual therapy, soft tissue release, therapeutic exercise, electrical modalities, and/or dry needling. I believe it is important to empower the patient to have the tools available to be independent in their own self care. Each appointment will be patient centered and adapted to your unique signs and symptoms. With a whole body approach to treating patients, I will have you returning to the sports and activities you love as soon as possible.

 I like to play soccer, golf, ski, snowboard and being in the outdoors. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and two young daughters and son.

I am certified to do dry needling which is an effective treatment approach that uses acupuncture needles, to target specific muscles that have contracted and become shortened. These shortened muscles compress and irritate the nerves.This treatment can greatly reduce tightness and pain, while increasing flexibility and range of motion. The treatment involves dry needling of affected areas of the body without injecting any substance

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As a graduate from McMaster University, I made the move back to BC to join the team at Concept in 2016. 

I am an active individual who is passionate about getting people back to activities they enjoy, preventing and treating injury, and improving movement and physical recreation.

I have taken additional courses in soft tissue release, concussion management, and ConnectTherapy(TM) which involves assessing the whole body to determine where a movement problem may originate.  My treatment approach includes hands on manual therapy, soft tissue release, education and providing an individualized exercise program to help you achieve your goals and safely return to your activities. 

I enjoy combining my passion for fitness and lifelong activity with cross-country skiing as an instructor at Sovereign Lake. I love to explore everything the Okanagan has to offer from skiing, biking, and hiking in the mountains, to wine tasting and sun basking in the valley. 

Carmen is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). She has a background in Manual Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation with diplomas in Athletic Therapy and Massage Therapy from the Mount Royal University in Calgary, AB.  She graduated from the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy here in beautiful Vernon, B.C.  

Carmen’s interest in sports began as a child where she competed and coached gymnastics until graduation from high school.  She has also studied and participated in many areas of fitness including yoga and feldenkrais as well as miraculously finishing two half marathons in Kelowna BC.

Carmen has studied a variety of massage and other therapeutic techniques including: Sports massage, Relaxation massage, Pregnancy massage, geriatric massage, Lymphatic Drainage techniques, Myofascial Release therapy, Joint mobilizations techniques, Neuromuscular Therapy, Muscle Energy techniques, Strain counter strain and Hydrotherapy.   She has also studied Traditional Thai Massage as a unique learning opportunity.

As a result, Carmen has many techniques at her disposal to create client centered treatments based on the individual needs of each patient.   This provides patients the treatments they need to help them move free of restrictions in their daily lives.

I joined the team at Concept Physiotherapy in August of 2019! I completed my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Memorial University in Newfoundland and then went on to complete my Masters of Science in Physical Therapy degree at the University of Alberta in 2008.

I've worked in a variety of settings, including acute-care, long-term care and private practice in various locations across Canada and Australia. I have a particular interest in working with athletes and have worked with the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy as team therapist as well as assistant coaching with the Okanagan Athletic Club middle-distance crew. In addition to having my certificate in Sports First Responder, I have also completed pilates pre and post-natal courses with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Association (APPI) whilst working in Australia. I’m certified in Level 1 acupuncture with AFCI as well as additional training in Intramuscular and Trigger Point Dry Needling.

An avid runner, I'm often found outdoors when not in the clinic either running various trails in the Okanagan, skiing or hiking.

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Kait graduated from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in 2020 where she gained an in-depth understanding of human anatomy, physiology and orthopedic pathology. Throughout her studies, she had the opportunity to work with a variety of demographics and conditions including athletes with specific injuries, pre and postnatal women, patients and family members at Children's Hospital, clients suffering from migraines, headaches, frozen shoulder, chronic pain, and much more. She learned how to apply a wide range of techniques such as Swedish massage, myofascial release, joint mobilizations, hydrotherapy and dynamic release. She enjoys finding the root of a problem rather than just treating the symptoms, as oftentimes pain stems from inadequate biomechanics at work or in activities of daily living. Whatever your problem may be, she believes in a well-rounded treatment that blends relaxation with an orthopedic approach.

Having grown up in Vernon Kait enjoys everything the mountains and lakes have to offer. When she’s not at the clinic you can find her hiking, camping, swimming, skiing and spending time in the backcountry.

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"It is important to me that each client is treated in accordance to their own specific needs, be that a new or old physical injury they haven’t recovered from or having had a long and stressful  day. I believe that educating the client and giving them tools to take with them into life is necessary for improving our overall quality of life. When we care for ourselves first, we are better equipped to care for others around us.”

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Self Care in todays world is not a luxury it’s a necessity.

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Before becoming an RMT Sara worked as a paramedic serving Vernon since 2010 and working in Vancouver before hand. She knows first hand how the stress of life can build to a breaking point and in order to serve our families and our community we must take care of ourselves both emotionally and physically.

Massage Therapy can not only aid in the recovery from injury but can be a major player in injury prevention keeping you at your best.

Sara is also an active athlete involved in the back country ski community, an avid mountain biker and child wrangler (aka mom). When we play hard we need our bodies to function at their best and massage therapy can be a part of keeping our physical and emotional bodies functioning at their best.

Sara is very much looking forward to helping you reach your wellness goals.

Jodie graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree. Having spent ten years in Cranbrook where she was practicing Kinesiology, she relocated back to the Okanagan to continue her career in Vernon at Concept.

With over twenty years experience in Kinesiology, she has worked in the capacity of Exercise Therapist, Personal Trainer, Physical Education Teacher and Rehabilitation Assistant. Jodie has worked with a variety of populations from kids to seniors. She has experience working with sports injuries, hip, knee and shoulder replacements, pre/post natal, women’s health and fitness and many other musculoskeletal injuries.

Jodie specializes in aquatic therapy, women’s health, senior’s fitness, osteoarthritis, hypopressive core training post rehabilitation and general fitness programs. She has a new interest in Yoga Therapy which she is currently developing.

Jodie practices a very active lifestyle and enjoys helping others achieve the same. She enjoys strength training, running, biking, kayaking, and cross country skiing.