FULL SOLUTION COCHRANE PHYSIOTHERAPY SINCE 2007
About Our Clinic
The therapist will only treat one client at a time and a significant portion of the treatment involves hands-on therapy.
We specialize in effectively treating a variety of injuries and ailments, including acute and chronic conditions as well as sprains and strains. We also work closely with the dental care professionals providing care to clients with TMJ dysfunction.
Our main focus is on helping people reaching the maximum potential and improving the quality of life.
Our Cochrane Physiotherapy Team
Izabella Dzikowski, B.Sc.PT (Distinction), M.C.P.A., GUNN IMS
Clinic Owner
Izabella graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta Physical Therapy Program in 1999. She has worked in the private practice setting her entire career, and has been a clinic owner since 2007. Izabella has completed a number of post graduate courses and strives to provide therapy that is current and best practice. Her treatment approach is unique as it is client-centred, and truly considerate of the client from a holistic perspective.
In her current practice she has successfully completed her training in the following: Manual Therapy, CGunn IMS certification add trained by Dr. Gunn himself, Medical Acupuncture, Mackenzie techniques focusing on lumbar spine, and more recently, in 2015/16 she completed courses in Post-concussion treatment and Vestibular Rehabilitation. Izabella has a special interest in the spine and therefore enjoys working with low backs and neck as well as hips. An additional area of her clinical focus has been working with a large population of clients dealing with Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMJ).
Izabella is passionate for her clients and her treatment approach demonstrates her desire to help her clients reach their highest level of recovery albeit their condition acute or chronic. Izabella has throughout her career worked with clients from all ages and levels of physicality. She is very sports-minded and she has had the privilege to work with high level athletes while working alongside doctors in 2006 at the World Figure Skating Championships and in 2008 at the Canadian Gymnastic Championships.
Izabella welcomes new clients to her practice. She continues to dedicate her time to developing and growing as a ‘cutting edge’ practitioner. As the practice has grown she has also focused on mentoring her associates and cultivating a working culture which is collaborative in the care of all clients in the practice.
Catharine Maxwell-Palmer BScPT, Dip Manip PT, FCAMT, CAFCI, MTY-c
Catharine graduated from McGill University with a BScPT (Great Distinction, 1992) and initially practiced both in hospital and private settings in Sudbury, ON. After moving to Calgary, she certified in Medical Acupuncture training with both Acupuncture Canada (1995) and the University of Alberta (2000). Catharine continues to act as Instructor/Examiner with Acupuncture Canada.
A Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT), Catharine has completed many manual therapy courses, receiving her Diploma of Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy (1999).
Catharine brings 25 years of experience in private practice, treating a wide variety of individuals. She currently incorporates Medical Therapeutic Yoga and Integrative Lifestyle Medicine into her physical therapy treatment approach as she pursues these certifications.
Catharine empowers her patients to understand both the nature of their injuries as well as their vital role in achieving their own optimal health and function. She has a keen interest in helping patients recover from neck, back, hip and SI joint pain. As a mom of three, Catharine has a particular interest in helping women recover from the physical demands of motherhood. To her, success is helping patients return to the activities most important to them with energy to spare.
Maintaining an active life with three teens at home, Catharine understands how challenging it is to be sidelined by injury. She enjoys hiking, cycling, yoga and has a history of competitive dance. She and her husband are happiest when they are in the mountains together as a family.
Amber Unger, MScPT, BSc. Biology, IMS, Level 3 Manual Therapy
Amber grew up outside of Olds, Alberta and obtained her Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Edmonton. She later moved to Calgary to complete her Masters in Physical Therapy through the University of Alberta. She has spent most of her time working in private practice, seeing a wide variety of conditions and injuries with patients of all ages. She also worked part time in acute care for several years at the Rockyview General Hospital.
Amber is passionate about connecting with her patients and working together to help them regain function and reduce pain. She understands first-hand how frustrating it can be to have an injury —whether short term or long term—so she is dedicated to providing a treatment plan that works to educate, empower and target the right physical and mental aspects to enhance recovery. Amber has completed the extensive Advanced Integrative Musculoskeletal (AIM) Manual Therapy Levels 1-3 and is also certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling (IMS). Taking a special interest in vestibular therapy, Amber has also completed vestibular rehab training through Bernard Tonk’s Dizziness and Balance Rehabilitation Clinic. In her practice, Amber believes in combining a hands-on approach—using tools such as cupping, dry needling, instrument assisted soft tissue release, taping, etc—with a focused home exercise program. She truly believes that movement is medicine!
One of Amber’s greatest joys is spending time in the mountains, where you can find her hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing at almost every opportunity. More recently she has started riding horses again, which she spent her entire childhood doing. She loves living in Cochrane and being part of a close-knit community.
Sydney Smith - Massage Therapist
Since graduating in 2019, Sydney’s focus as an RMT has largely become based on myofascial release such as cupping and manual release; postural correction and injury prevention and recovery. Treating fascia as well as muscles allows the body to recover in a more complete way; improving overall mobility of not just the affected area but the body as a whole.
As a former competitive gymnast and now as a coach, Sydney has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the importance of mindful movement and treating the body as a whole system. As such, she believes treatment should encompass this idea and not just focused on the one affected area.
Sydney’s treatment philosophy targets not just the muscles and soft tissue but the Nervous System as well. This allows the body to relax and decrease overall tension in the body; leading to a more relaxed state while still treating deep layers of tissue.
Amanda McNeill - Massage Therapist
Hi, I am Amanda. I have been a 2200hr registered massage therapist for nine years. I graduated from the Alberta Institute of Massage Therapy in Red Deer. I actually lived in Cochrane seven years ago and recently moved back with my 7 year old son as this place has always felt like home to me. I enjoy playing in competitive sports such as baseball, basketball, volleyball. I also love leisurely sports like snowboarding, golfing and hiking. One of my favorite things to do is camping and going on road trips.
I started my career in a spa setting and gradually moved into a therapeutic clinic. I love to build a clientele by making my patients feel welcomed and cared about. I specialize in making a treatment plan for each individual to make sure we can address your issues appropriately. Improving your quality life is my main goal. Whether its a deep tissue massage to alleviate those over-worked muscles and tackle those aggravating knots by increasing blood flow and decreasing inflammation or a relaxation massage to relieve tired, stressed muscle tension that could be the root cause of your headaches or insomnia. I also have worked with many clients with new and old injuries to help regain range of motion and subside acute or chronic pain. I have even maintained regular treatments with sports massage for clients who train hard before a special event such as full iron mans, triathlons and marathon runners. These regular treatments can help improve your performance and prevent injuries before your event. As a mother, I am fully aware of what kind of changes your body may experience during pregnancy not to mention everything that happens after. Prenatal and postnatal massages are not just to address your body physically but mentally as well. I work with all types of bodies and honestly, I love the challenge to figure out what individual needs.
My work does not feel like a job, Biology and physiology have always interested me since high school. Since graduating from AIM I have stayed a member of CMMOTA by keeping up with my continuing education courses such as Reflexology, Dynamic Cupping, Jade Stone, Lymphatic Drainage, Crainosacral. I also did my 300 hr yoga instructing course with Embodied Living in Ucluelet, BC. Some other courses I am interested in are Thai massage, Ashiatsu and RAPID release. I have also been looking into a dietary course to increase my knowledge about the foods we eat about how our bodies process them as many problems such as low back pain can be from inflammation of the stomach and its organs.
It’s never too late to start caring about your body. Thinking about your future and how you can improve your everyday life could be as simple as booking a treatment today. Massage therapy is more than treatment of the muscles. It helps with boosting energy, managing stress, regulating sleep patterns, helps you build awareness of the body to improve the overall health of your wellbeing.
Kathy Geals - Clinic Manager
Kathy Geals is part of the administration team at B-Well Physiotherapy. Kathy is here to help you book your appointments, great you on arrival and process your payments after your treatment. Kathy also assists Izabella in the day to day smooth running of the clinic and the administration team.
Kathy came to the clinic in 2017 after having lived in the UK for 18 ½ years. She started her career as a secretary for a chartered accountant here in Canada and progressed her career in accounting both in public and private practice. She has worked at an opticians/health clinic, tyre retread manufacturer and a manufacturer of test products for the detergent industry.
Upon returning to Canada she looked back at her career and identified that one of the things she really enjoyed doing was helping people. She strives to provide the best patient experience and is a caring and compassionate member of staff.
Holly Murray - Administration
Holly grew up in Kimberley BC, and settled in Cochrane in 2016 after 10 years in Fort McMurray. She was very fortunate to stay at home with her three children for 15 years, then decided to pursue a career in health administration. After receiving a certificate through Bow Valley College, she gained some valuable experience at a local chiropractic office before joining the B-Well team in April of 2024.
In her spare time, Holly loves to hang out with her family, camp and kayak in the mountains, and try new recipes.
Sandy Morisseau - Administration
Sandy Morisseau is part of the front desk reception team at B-Well Physiotherapy. Sandy is always happy to greet you upon arrival, process your payments, book appointments as well as helping you with anything else you may need.
Sandy joined the B-Well team in January 2024, she has lived in Cochrane for over 30 years and owned/managed a successful company in Cochrane with her husband and family for 20 years.
Sandy is semi-retired and enjoys spending time with her large family. Sandy prides herself on providing a positive customer experience and is a very compassionate and caring team member.
Megan Clowe - Administration
Megan, currently studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Calgary, hails originally from the picturesque east coast of Canada, specifically Newfoundland. Following her high school graduation, she moved with her family to Alberta to pursue her educational ambitions.
For the past two years, Megan has found fulfillment as a receptionist at B-Well Physiotherapy, where she holds a deep appreciation for both the clinic and its staff.