Diane graduated with distinction from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor degree in the Science of Rehabilitation in 1976.
She has been a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association since 1976 and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapy since 1981 (FCAMT).
She completed her certification in Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) in 2001, her Yoga teacher training in 2012 and received the special designation as a clinical specialist in Women’s Health from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2016. She was an instructor and a chief examiner for the Orthopaedic Division of CPA’s fellowship examinations (CAMT) for over 20 years and has extensive experience in curriculum development both for the CAMT program and her own series of courses. For this, she received the prestigious Golden Hands award in 2008.
She is well published (books, chapters and journal articles) and the innovator of two pelvic support belts for which she holds the patent; The Com-Pressor and the Baby Belly Pelvic Support.
Diane owns, directs and is a practicing physiotherapist at Diane Lee & Associates. She has continued to maintain an on-going clinical practice for over 40 years and while she follows the research evidence closely, she draws from her deep clinical experience to guide her patient centered care.
Diane has had the honour of collaborating with local, national and worldwide authorities to further her own education and integrates this knowledge into courses/models she teaches. Her combined clinical and education experience culminated in the co-development of The Integrated Systems Model for Disability & Pain (ISM), (Lee & Lee 2007 – 2013), the model she continues to teach and now solely evolve under the abbreviated title – the Integrated Systems Model – alongside her senior associates and assistants Cathy Rogers, Calvin Wong and Leigh Fortuna (www.learnwithdianelee.com).
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Related Services
The Integrated Systems Model
This model allows clinicians to be more effective and efficient with their assessment and treatment in order to help patients develop better movement strategies and habits to help reduce symptoms and improve function and performance.
Physiotherapy
Our physiotherapy services include the following: The Integrated Systems Model, Ultrasound Imaging, Manual Therapy, Dry Needling, Acupuncture, Cranial Treatment, Movement Training and Exercise Instruction, Prenatal and Postpartum Screening, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Cancer Rehabilitation, Vestibular Therapy and Clinical Pilates.
Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound imaging is useful as a biofeedback tool for ‘rewiring the brain’ or re-educating the proper timing of muscle contraction during both individual exercises and meaningful task training.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a term that applies to any technique that involves the therapist’s hands and is often used to restore mobility to a joint, muscle or nerve as well as to relax, or activate, muscles. Many different manual techniques are used, often in combination, to help your body begin to move more efficiently.
Dry Needling
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) was developed by Dr. Chan Gunn to treat chronic pain syndromes that affect the musculoskeletal system. IMS is a dry needling technique (dry in that no drugs are injected) that involves the insertion of acupuncture needles into taut muscle bands.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used as the only form of therapy or it may be combined successfully with other forms of medical or physical therapy. The number of treatments will vary with each individual and the condition being treated.
Cranial Treatment
It is not uncommon to find faulty alignment and biomechanics within the cranium or between the cranium and neck/jaw in conditions such as head and neck pain, jaw and orofacial pain, arm/leg pain and/or low back and pelvic floor pain and impairment.
Movement Training and Exercise Instruction
Recent research has changed the way therapists use exercises for both rehabilitation as well as strength and conditioning. For all areas of the body, the evidence supports correcting problems associated with how you use your muscles in a coordinated manner.
Clinical Pilates
Take your treatments to the next level with a personalized rehabilitative Pilates program designed with your injuries in mind.
Prenatal and Postpartum Screening
There are many myths around pregnancy. Physiotherapists who specialize in pre/post natal care can help debunk these myths, playing an important role in the management of physical changes that can occur both during and after these nine months.
Women’s Health
Women’s Health is an umbrella term for addressing a spectrum of issues: reproductive health, sexual health, menstruation, maternal health, child birth (pre/post partum), prolapse, incontinence, sport related issues (i.e. leakage or injuries that lead to pelvic pain or pelvic instability (low back, groin etc.)), female cancers (i.e. breast), and bone health.
Cancer Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy is a largely under-utilized profession within cancer care. Physiotherapists specializing in oncology rehabilitation consider all aspects of a biopsychosocial approach to engage, and empower, patients in their recovery.
Virtual Care
Telerehabilitation is a subdiscipline of telehealth and involves any rehabilitation delivered using telehealth technologies such as videoconferencing, sensors, chat / text, educational portals and more. The most recognizable form of telerehabilitation is the reproduction of the one on one physiotherapy via videoconferencing, most commonly known now as “Virutal Care”.
Vestibular Therapy
Our vestibular system is a complex sensory organisation responsible for balance, equilibrium and telling our bodies where and how fast we are moving relative to gravity. People that have a dysfunction of their vestibular system often report symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, vision changes and reduced balance.
Men’s Health
Men’s health encompasses a wide range of conditions that are specific to men and occur across the lifespan. While physiotherapy has been shown to improve functional outcomes for men’s health (decreased pain and improved continence), it is a specialized area of physiotherapy and additional training is required.
Dance Training
Elite level dancers are required to produce, and control, both the inner and outer ranges of their movement capacity. Alignment, balance, and control (ABC’s) are the foundation of dance movement that can be crafted by the dancer into memorable and moving performances.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy uses hands on communication with the soft tissues of the body to decompress, release and align each person’s unique structural framework. Releasing restricted soft tissue using integrative massage techniques can help to normalize the sensory input to the nervous system (reduce noxious sensations) and thereby facilitate better movement and posture.
Yoga Therapy
Diane Lee & Associates is pleased to offer Yoga therapy in conjunction with their other services. Yoga therapy and all Akasha Yoga therapeutic classes take place in the Akasha Yoga Studio across the hall from Diane Lee & Associates.
Orthotics and Bracing
Diane Lee & Associates is pleased to collaborate with Noëlle Trotter of West Coast Pedorthics. Noëlle is a certified pedorthist who assesses biomechanical and structural function of the lower limb and then dispenses custom foot orthotics when necessary.
