Our Team
Instructors
Lyndal Solomons PhD
DIRECTOR, UBC CHAN GUNN IMS PROGRAM
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Lyndal graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy and from the University of Western Australia with a Master of Manual Therapy. Lyndal has also completed a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Her research focusses on the neurophysiological characteristics of chronic pain and its management with Gunn IMS. She works clinically as a physiotherapist at UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Clinic in Vancouver. She currently also serves as Chair of the Acupuncture and Dry Needling Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
@lyndal_solomons_gunnims
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Lyndal graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy and from the University of Western Australia with a Master of Manual Therapy. Lyndal has also completed a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Her research focusses on the neurophysiological characteristics of chronic pain and its management with Gunn IMS. She works clinically as a physiotherapist at UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Clinic in Vancouver. She currently also serves as Chair of the Acupuncture and Dry Needling Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
@lyndal_solomons_gunnims
Joanne McBrinn BSc. (Rehab)
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Joanne McBrinn graduated from the Northern Ireland School of Physiotherapy. Following internship, she worked as a Senior Physiotherapist in the Neurosurgical and Trauma Unit at Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. She was the Senior Physiotherapist in Intensive Care at St. Pauls Hospital in Vancouver for seven years during which time she was also a clinical teacher in the UBC School of Rehabilitation. Joanne worked for four years at the Columbia Center for Pain Management and in 1990 opened a private practice in Vancouver. She joined Dr. Chan Gunn in 1996 on the opening of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain (iSTOP) where she worked clinically, as well as with the development and delivery of the Gunn IMS teaching program. At present, she works clinically as a physiotherapist at the UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Clinic in Vancouver and helps to coordinate the UBC Gunn IMS Program. Joanne earned her Bachelor Science (Rehab.) from UBC in 1983, and holds a Certificate of the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. Presently Joanne is a member of Canadian Physiotherapy Association, the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia and Acupuncture Canada.
Joanne McBrinn graduated from the Northern Ireland School of Physiotherapy. Following internship, she worked as a Senior Physiotherapist in the Neurosurgical and Trauma Unit at Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. She was the Senior Physiotherapist in Intensive Care at St. Pauls Hospital in Vancouver for seven years during which time she was also a clinical teacher in the UBC School of Rehabilitation. Joanne worked for four years at the Columbia Center for Pain Management and in 1990 opened a private practice in Vancouver. She joined Dr. Chan Gunn in 1996 on the opening of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain (iSTOP) where she worked clinically, as well as with the development and delivery of the Gunn IMS teaching program. At present, she works clinically as a physiotherapist at the UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Clinic in Vancouver and helps to coordinate the UBC Gunn IMS Program. Joanne earned her Bachelor Science (Rehab.) from UBC in 1983, and holds a Certificate of the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. Presently Joanne is a member of Canadian Physiotherapy Association, the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia and Acupuncture Canada.
Cory Choma BScPT, BSc. (Chem)
BC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Cory has been practising Gunn IMS since 1998 in Edmonton, Canada, where he is a partner in three practices that utilize Gunn IMS as a sole and complete treatment option for neuropathic pain. He currently heads the chronic pain department at CSA Physical Therapy on 51st in Edmonton. He works clinically as a physiotherapist - his practice includes chronic muscular athletic injuries and the treatment of persistent neuropathic conditions using Intramuscular Stimulation. He is certified by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as a Clinical Specialist in Pain Science. Cory has created the Pain Made Easy Certification Course helping medical professionals educate clients about pain in a clear and easily digestible manner. Cory has taught Gunn IMS sessions in South America and Europe and teamed up with Dr. Steve Goodman to contribute a chapter on Gunn IMS for a needling textbook called ‘Trigger Point Dry Needling’ by Dommerholt & Fernández-de-las-Peñas. Cory also coaches pole vault at the University of Alberta. He has taught IMS to physiotherapists and physicians around the world.
@pain_made_easy
Cory has been practising Gunn IMS since 1998 in Edmonton, Canada, where he is a partner in three practices that utilize Gunn IMS as a sole and complete treatment option for neuropathic pain. He currently heads the chronic pain department at CSA Physical Therapy on 51st in Edmonton. He works clinically as a physiotherapist - his practice includes chronic muscular athletic injuries and the treatment of persistent neuropathic conditions using Intramuscular Stimulation. He is certified by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as a Clinical Specialist in Pain Science. Cory has created the Pain Made Easy Certification Course helping medical professionals educate clients about pain in a clear and easily digestible manner. Cory has taught Gunn IMS sessions in South America and Europe and teamed up with Dr. Steve Goodman to contribute a chapter on Gunn IMS for a needling textbook called ‘Trigger Point Dry Needling’ by Dommerholt & Fernández-de-las-Peñas. Cory also coaches pole vault at the University of Alberta. He has taught IMS to physiotherapists and physicians around the world.
@pain_made_easy
Mitchell Davis BHSc. (Physiotherapy), BSc. (Kinesiology)
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Mitchell has worked clinically as a physiotherapist in sports and orthopaedic physiotherapy since graduating from McMaster University in 1997. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists, is certified with the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute, has completed a variety of other manual therapy and exercised based courses and has a BSc. in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. Mitchell has worked in a variety of large and small practice settings and currently owns and operates a small community based practice treating patients of all ages and activity levels. Mitchell coaches youth soccer, enjoys playing a variety of sports and spending time with his family.
Mitchell has been fascinated by Gunn IMS since first incorporating the neuropathic pain model into his practice. He is a Gunn IMS Instructor at UBC in Vancouver and enjoys the ongoing learning and professional development of being involved with such a passionate and experienced group of teachers and students.
Mitchell has worked clinically as a physiotherapist in sports and orthopaedic physiotherapy since graduating from McMaster University in 1997. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists, is certified with the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute, has completed a variety of other manual therapy and exercised based courses and has a BSc. in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. Mitchell has worked in a variety of large and small practice settings and currently owns and operates a small community based practice treating patients of all ages and activity levels. Mitchell coaches youth soccer, enjoys playing a variety of sports and spending time with his family.
Mitchell has been fascinated by Gunn IMS since first incorporating the neuropathic pain model into his practice. He is a Gunn IMS Instructor at UBC in Vancouver and enjoys the ongoing learning and professional development of being involved with such a passionate and experienced group of teachers and students.
Lorrie Maffey MPhty, BMRPT
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Lorrie is a clinical orthopaedic and sport physiotherapist who enjoys assisting and empowering people to reach their maximal physical potential, be that recovery from injury or optimizing athletic performance. Lorrie sees clients in the private community and also consults for the Canadian Sport Center Calgary, seeing our wonderful Canadian athletes. She utilizes manual therapy including manipulation, Gunn IMS, real time ultrasound muscle re-education, yoga and exercises to assist her clients.
Lorrie believes strongly in the role of education for clients and post graduate education for physiotherapists and medical physicians. She acts on this belief by being a physiotherapy mentor, educator and examiner for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Orthopaedic Division. She has been actively involved in international standards of education for physiotherapists by being part of a committee of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Physiotherapists (IFOMPT) which is a subdivision of the World Congress of Physiotherapy (WCPT ) and therefore The World Health Organization (WHO).
Lorrie holds a Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy from the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists. She holds a Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy from Sports Physiotherapy Canada and a Certificate of Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta.
Lorrie is a clinical orthopaedic and sport physiotherapist who enjoys assisting and empowering people to reach their maximal physical potential, be that recovery from injury or optimizing athletic performance. Lorrie sees clients in the private community and also consults for the Canadian Sport Center Calgary, seeing our wonderful Canadian athletes. She utilizes manual therapy including manipulation, Gunn IMS, real time ultrasound muscle re-education, yoga and exercises to assist her clients.
Lorrie believes strongly in the role of education for clients and post graduate education for physiotherapists and medical physicians. She acts on this belief by being a physiotherapy mentor, educator and examiner for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Orthopaedic Division. She has been actively involved in international standards of education for physiotherapists by being part of a committee of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Physiotherapists (IFOMPT) which is a subdivision of the World Congress of Physiotherapy (WCPT ) and therefore The World Health Organization (WHO).
Lorrie holds a Diploma of Advanced Orthopaedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy from the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists. She holds a Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy from Sports Physiotherapy Canada and a Certificate of Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta.
Susan Massitti MPhty
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Susan’s university degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta and a Master of Manipulative Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland. She obtained her Diploma of Manual and Manipulative Therapy from the Canadian Physiotherapy Orthopaedic Division, a Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy from Sports Physiotherapy Canada and a Certificate of Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta. She is a Registered International Sport Physiotherapist, Senior Sport Scientist Canada, and a Classical Pilates Teacher. She works clinically as a physiotherapist in Canmore at Susan Massitti Physio Pilates and in Calgary at Evidence Sport and Spinal North . She currently serves as an executive member of the Acupuncture and Dry Needling Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and is an Examiner in the Sport Physiotherapy Division.
Susan is fascinated by the potential of Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation treatment to open the window of opportunity for clients to be symptom-free and restore optimal function and movement. She is a “student of movement”, a movement educator, an Olympic athlete and has been privileged to support many athletes at Olympic Games and international sporting events.
@susanmassitti.physio.pilates
Susan’s university degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta and a Master of Manipulative Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland. She obtained her Diploma of Manual and Manipulative Therapy from the Canadian Physiotherapy Orthopaedic Division, a Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy from Sports Physiotherapy Canada and a Certificate of Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta. She is a Registered International Sport Physiotherapist, Senior Sport Scientist Canada, and a Classical Pilates Teacher. She works clinically as a physiotherapist in Canmore at Susan Massitti Physio Pilates and in Calgary at Evidence Sport and Spinal North . She currently serves as an executive member of the Acupuncture and Dry Needling Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and is an Examiner in the Sport Physiotherapy Division.
Susan is fascinated by the potential of Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation treatment to open the window of opportunity for clients to be symptom-free and restore optimal function and movement. She is a “student of movement”, a movement educator, an Olympic athlete and has been privileged to support many athletes at Olympic Games and international sporting events.
@susanmassitti.physio.pilates
Linda Warren MManipTher, BScPT
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Linda is a registered physical therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University in 1992 she completed her Master’s Degree in Perth, Western Australia in 2005 specializing in Manipulative Manual Therapy. Linda has extensive work experience across many specialty areas of physical therapy including sports and orthopaedics, neurology, oncology and total joint replacement rehabilitation. Linda is a registered Gunn IMS practitioner. She is also an instructor, teaching in the UBC Gunn IMS postgraduate curriculum. In addition, Linda holds the title of Adjunct Professor and has been actively involved in instructing anatomy at UBC. Linda’s treatment philosophy incorporates manual therapy, exercise and education along with pain management and posture correction strategies. Linda is currently working part time clinical hours as she is enjoying raising her young daughter. Outside of family and work, Linda also competes internationally in surfski racing as well as other paddle sports (former national level dragon boat, outrigger canoe solo and team racing, white water kayak, marathon canoe). Linda also plays coed and woman’s ice hockey.
Linda is a registered physical therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University in 1992 she completed her Master’s Degree in Perth, Western Australia in 2005 specializing in Manipulative Manual Therapy. Linda has extensive work experience across many specialty areas of physical therapy including sports and orthopaedics, neurology, oncology and total joint replacement rehabilitation. Linda is a registered Gunn IMS practitioner. She is also an instructor, teaching in the UBC Gunn IMS postgraduate curriculum. In addition, Linda holds the title of Adjunct Professor and has been actively involved in instructing anatomy at UBC. Linda’s treatment philosophy incorporates manual therapy, exercise and education along with pain management and posture correction strategies. Linda is currently working part time clinical hours as she is enjoying raising her young daughter. Outside of family and work, Linda also competes internationally in surfski racing as well as other paddle sports (former national level dragon boat, outrigger canoe solo and team racing, white water kayak, marathon canoe). Linda also plays coed and woman’s ice hockey.
Dave Zelibka BScPT
Physiotherapist
UBC GUNN IMS INSTRUCTOR
Dave graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of Alberta in 2005. Since that time he has worked extensively with orthopaedic clients. He works clinically as a physiotherapist at Elevate Physiotherapy in London, Ontario. He also works as a performance consultant for many elite athletes. He has worked closely with many of Canada’s top track and field athletes and has provided care during the past three summer olympic games.
He is also passionate about treating adolescent scoliosis. He is one of twelve physiotherapists in Canada trained through the Barcelona Schroth Physical Therapy School and specializes in the management of youth at risk for progression of scoliotic curves. He also holds a Certificate of the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute.
Dave is a self-proclaimed “physio nerd” and has taken thousands of hours of post graduate training in manual therapy, exercise prescription, soft tissue release and biomechanics. His primary passion is focusing on integrating the Gunn IMS model of neuropathic dysfunction with our current understandings of neurology and pain.
@dzelibka
Dave graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of Alberta in 2005. Since that time he has worked extensively with orthopaedic clients. He works clinically as a physiotherapist at Elevate Physiotherapy in London, Ontario. He also works as a performance consultant for many elite athletes. He has worked closely with many of Canada’s top track and field athletes and has provided care during the past three summer olympic games.
He is also passionate about treating adolescent scoliosis. He is one of twelve physiotherapists in Canada trained through the Barcelona Schroth Physical Therapy School and specializes in the management of youth at risk for progression of scoliotic curves. He also holds a Certificate of the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute.
Dave is a self-proclaimed “physio nerd” and has taken thousands of hours of post graduate training in manual therapy, exercise prescription, soft tissue release and biomechanics. His primary passion is focusing on integrating the Gunn IMS model of neuropathic dysfunction with our current understandings of neurology and pain.
@dzelibka
UBC Faculty and Staff
Michael Koehle MD, PhD, Dip. Sport Med. (CASEM)
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SPORT & EXERCISE MEDICINE , UBC - VANCOUVER
Michael Koehle is the Director of Sport & Exercise Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He is a Professor in the both the School of Kinesiology and the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. His research focusses on the interaction between the human body and its environment, specifically how the body is affected by environmental stresses such as high altitude, heat, and air pollution.
Michael graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Science, from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science and Doctor of Medicine and from the Universty of British Columbia with a Certificate of the College of Family Physicians, the UBC Sport & Exercise Medicine Fellowship program and a PhD. He practices Sport and Exercise Medicine at the UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Centre in Vancouver.
His research program combines exercise and environmental physiology ranging from basic mechanistic research to clinical field studies in remote environments and applied research for high-performance sport. Key research areas include high altitude medicine and physiology, and the physiology of exercise in polluted air.
Michael Koehle is the Director of Sport & Exercise Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He is a Professor in the both the School of Kinesiology and the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. His research focusses on the interaction between the human body and its environment, specifically how the body is affected by environmental stresses such as high altitude, heat, and air pollution.
Michael graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Science, from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science and Doctor of Medicine and from the Universty of British Columbia with a Certificate of the College of Family Physicians, the UBC Sport & Exercise Medicine Fellowship program and a PhD. He practices Sport and Exercise Medicine at the UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Centre in Vancouver.
His research program combines exercise and environmental physiology ranging from basic mechanistic research to clinical field studies in remote environments and applied research for high-performance sport. Key research areas include high altitude medicine and physiology, and the physiology of exercise in polluted air.
Anna Scales
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER, UBC CHAN GUNN IMS PROGRAM
Anna has worked at UBC for twenty-three years. Her previous role was Financial Manager before joining the IMS program. Throughout her time at UBC, she has worked closely with faculty members, senior administrators and students. Away from UBC, Anna is also a certified yoga teacher.
Anna has worked at UBC for twenty-three years. Her previous role was Financial Manager before joining the IMS program. Throughout her time at UBC, she has worked closely with faculty members, senior administrators and students. Away from UBC, Anna is also a certified yoga teacher.
Desiree Torrijos B.Sc.
UBC GUNN IMS COURSE COORDINATOR, UBC CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Desiree completed a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from De La Salle University Philippines. She brings her administration experience from the education and non-profit sectors.
Desiree completed a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from De La Salle University Philippines. She brings her administration experience from the education and non-profit sectors.