Kerri is a Certified Athletic Therapist and Head Athletic Therapist at Mount Royal University. She has extensive experience in acute sport concussion clinical assessment and treatment, research data collection and database management, and is proficient with the KINARM robotic assessment technology. Kerri has extensive sideline and clinical experience working with university level football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, soccer, field hockey and rugby teams. Kerri was a member of the Waterpolo Canada Senior Men’s Integrated Service Team from 2011-2017 that included international travel to various training camps and competitions around the world. She is a strong believer in continuing education and has extensive manual therapy training including Muscle Energy Techniques, Strain-Counterstrain, Visceral Manipulation, Craniosacral Therapy and Somato Emotional Release.

Kerri is a Certified Athletic Therapist and Head Athletic Therapist at Mount Royal University. Sh... Read More

Dr. Allison Gross

Chiropractor

Credentials

Doctor of Chiropractic (Summa Cum Laude): Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto

Bachelor of Science (Distinction): University of Alberta, Edmonton

About Allison

Dr. Gross has been in practice since 1997 and at MRU Injury and Prevention Clinic since 2002. She takes considerable pride in the fact that she provides comprehensive care using a variety of techniques in her practice and does not hesitate to refer to her colleagues.

While improving spinal mobility and function is her primary focus, she also uses many different muscle therapy techniques including the following: Kinesio taping Trigger point release Graston soft tissue mobilization to release scar tissue, adhesions, and tightness in muscles Stretching and strengthening programs

She really enjoys the multidisciplinary collaboration amongst practitioners (medical doctors, physical therapists, massage therapists, athletic therapists, and acupuncturists) at the MRU Injury and Prevention Clinic.

Dr. Allison Gross Chiropractor Credentials Doctor of Chiropractic (Summa Cum Laude): Canadian ... Read More

Heather Haywood-Jirka

Physiotherapist

Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (Honours): Queen’s University, Kingston

Member of Spinal Manipulation Roster Of Physiotherapy Alberta

About Heather

Heather started working at Mount Royal University in 2011. She has over 20 years of Physical Therapy experience. Her diverse specialties include treatment of: Sports injuries, Whiplash, Chronic pain, Frozen shoulder, Headaches, Spine disorders, Gait and balance disturbances, and Vestibular dysfunction

She is a member of the Spinal Manipulation Roster of Physiotherapy Alberta. In addition to her work at MRU, Heather also has a mobile Physical Therapy practice to treat seniors in the community. Her approach to Physical Therapy is very hands-on and individualized, with an emphasis on manual therapy, patient education and exercise instruction.

Heather Haywood-Jirka Physiotherapist Credentials Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (Hon... Read More

Registered Massage Therapist

Credentials:

Massage Therapy Certificate: Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta

About Jo-Ella

Jo-Ella has been in practice since 2008 and at MRU since the fall of 2011. Jo-Ella has worked with clients of all ages from children to seniors. Jo-Ella enjoys the challenge of treating different conditions, from the stressed office worker, to the injured athlete to pre- and post-operative clients. After having personal experience in receiving massage during and after four pregnancies, Jo-Ella was trained formally in prenatal massage and enjoys passing that experience and knowledge on to other moms-to-be. Jo-Ella completed training in Thai Mat Massage in December of 2015. A “homework” regime of stretching and strengthening exercises are a very important part of her treatment protocol.

Registered Massage Therapist Credentials: Massage Therapy Certificate: Mount Royal College, Cal... Read More

Registered Massage Therapist

Credentials:

Massage Therapy Certificate: Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta

Bachelor of Science (Cellular and Microbial Biology): University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta

About Nora

Nora graduated in 2001 from the Massage Therapy certificate program at Mount Royal University, and has enjoyed a career of easing peoples’ stress, aches and pains since then.

She brings to massage therapy a love of the biological sciences, especially of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. She states that the intricacies of our musculature, joints and ligaments, and the network of fascia that holds us together continually amazes her. Massage therapy is such a wonderful tool for easing the tight muscles, stiff joints and ligaments, and fascial restrictions that plague us all from time to time.

In massage therapy, her main focus is deep tissue massage, using traditional Swedish massage techniques, trigger point therapy, sports massage techniques and passive stretching.

Registered Massage Therapist Credentials: Massage Therapy Certificate: Mount Royal College, Cal... Read More

Pedorthist and Athletic Therapist

Credentials:

Bachelor of Science: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta

About Lee Lee is the owner of Footjax, and his mission is to help keep people active on their feet. Lee believes that an active lifestyle is not only healthy, but fun and fulfilling.

Two of Lee’s main tools are custom foot orthotics, and the AlterG Anti-gravity treadmill. For more information about either of these visit www.footjax.com

Lee is a Certified Pedorthist with the Pedorthic Association of Canada and a Certified Athletic Therapist with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association. He has a bachelor of science from the University of Calgary with a major in biomechanics and a minor in physical anthropology.

Lee has always had a significant preoccupation with sport and physical activity. This background gives Lee excellent insight into the specific demands of most sports and activities. Whether you walk to work, play field sports, run, bike, ski, hike, etc… Lee knows how to help make sure foot and lower body pain will not stand in your way.

Pedorthist and Athletic Therapist Credentials: Bachelor of Science: University of Calgary, Calg... Read More

Certified Athletic Therapist

Credentials:

Certified Athletic Therapist Canadian Athletic Therapists Association

Master of Science in Kinesiology: University of Calgary

Bachelor of Kinesiology: University of Calgary

About Jenelle Jenelle has been a certified athletic therapist since 2000 and joined the Optimal Therapy team in 2008. Her primary areas of interest are knee injury and the spine but she treats a wide range of injuries in the sedentary patient, weekend warrior, and elite athlete. Jenelle trained as a “non-physician expert” in acute knee injuries with the Acute Knee Injury Clinic in 2014. She also worked extensively with knee osteoarthritis patients for 6 years and now runs a program for individuals with knee osteoarthritis, called knee’d.

Jenelle uses a varied treatment approach involving hands-on therapies, active rehabilitation strategies and patient education. She has completed courses in manual therapy techniques (Mulligan Concept, Graston soft tissue mobilization, osteopathic Muscle Energy), active rehabilitation techniques (McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy; McGill; functional spinal stabilization) and others (Strain-Counterstrain, Neuro-proprioceptive Taping, PowerFlex Taping). She is the only athletic therapist in Canada and one of only 10 health care providers in Alberta who is registered as a Bone Fit™ Trained Clinical Professional, a credential administered by Osteoporosis Canada, to assess/screen and manage people with osteoporosis.

Certified Athletic Therapist Credentials: Certified Athletic Therapist Canadian Athletic Thera... Read More

Dr. David Opresnik

Chiropractor

Credentials

Doctor of Chiropractic (Summa Cum Laude): National College of Chiropractic, Chicago, Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Honours Biochemistry: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario

Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) in Human Biology: National College of Chiropractic

About David

Dr. Opresnik is credentialed in Active Release Techniques and uses soft tissue therapies in combination with joint manipulation. This combination is effective in treating a wide variety of conditions, including:

Sports-related injuries Tendinosis Repetitive strain and postural problems that occur with prolonged computer use

Dr. Opresnik also incorporates the use of kinesiotape and instrument assisted Graston techniques into his treatment as clinically warranted. He especially likes treating shoulder injuries, as the improvements can be rapid and stabilized well with rehabilitative exercises.

Dr. David Opresnik Chiropractor Credentials Doctor of Chiropractic (Summa Cum Laude): National... Read More

Ursula Paikos

Physiotherapist

Credentials

Bachelor’s Degree, Physical Education & Biology: St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia

Registered Massage Therapist: Rocky Mountain Academy, Calgary

Bachelor’s Degree, Physiotherapy: Curtin University, Perth, Australia

About Ursula

Ursula earned her Bachelor of Science at St. Francis Xavier University before attending Curtin University in Perth, Australia. She has been practicing physiotherapy for over 19 years and has extensive experience treating patients with orthopaedic and neurological conditions. Ursula uses manual mobilization and soft tissue techniques including Graston technique as well as Dry Needling to restore functional movement patterns.

She is a compassionate physiotherapist with a hands-on approach to treatment and rehabilitation. As an active person, she understands the impact that immobility and injury can have on a person’s physical and emotional well-being. She finds great satisfaction in helping clients achieve their personal goals and improve their quality of life.

Ursula Paikos Physiotherapist Credentials Bachelor’s Degree, Physical Education & Biology: St ... Read More

Cait is a Certified Athletic Therapist and Assistant Athletic Therapist with the Mount Royal University Cougars Varsity programs. Cait has worked alongside world renowned surgeons specializing in rotator cuff and knee injuries while completing her Master’s thesis on patient-reported outcomes. Cait has extensive sideline and clinical experience working with university level hockey, soccer, and basketball as well as national-level volleyball athletes. She has been fortunate enough to participate in Canada Winter Games as well a Pan-Am games as host medical staff. Cait has extensive manual therapy training including Muscle Energy Techniques, International Cupping Methods, and Advanced Neurodynamics.

Cait is a Certified Athletic Therapist and Assistant Athletic Therapist with the Mount Royal Univ... Read More

Barb Taxbock

Physiotherapist

Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy: University of Alberta (2003)

Bachelor of Kinesiology in Biomechanics (Hon): University of Calgary (2002)

Certified by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute - CAFCI (2003)

Intramuscular Stimulation - IMS (2005)

Member of Spinal Manipulation Roster Of Physiotherapy Alberta (2008)

Pelvic Health Physiotherapist (2016)

About Barb

Barb has been practicing physiotherapy in Calgary since receiving her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2003. She enjoys working with a variety of populations from elite athletes to weekend warriors to desk jockeys. Barb looks for the root cause of a problem by using her biomechanics knowledge to analyze movement and muscle recruitment patterns. She enjoys working with the brain’s role in creating compensation patterns and how to change these patterns in order to optimize function. She uses a combination of hands on manual therapy, IMS, acupuncture and specific exercise prescription. She also works as a pelvic health physiotherapist and uses this knowledge in treating all orthopedic injuries.

Barb Taxbock Physiotherapist Credentials Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy: University o... Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor and Acupuncturist

Credentials:

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Registered Acupuncturist

About Lake Lake is a Registered Acupuncturist and a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has been part of the Optimal Therapy team at MRU Wellness Services since 2013.

Lake diagnoses the root cause of a health issue through the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and treats patterns of disharmony in the related organs and their respective energetic meridians to help with the body’s natural healing process. It is effective for wide range issues from stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, digestive disorders, fertility, headache, migraines, tension, stroke, PTSD, as well as treating any type of pain and injuries. Lake is a strong advocate of using simple, preventative and natural methods to maintain well-being to avoid complex health interventions.

Lake is also passionate about sharing well being with his community, and has been teaching Tai Chi, yoga and meditation with The City of Calgary and MRU Recreation since 2000.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor and Acupuncturist Credentials: Doctor of Traditional Chines... Read More