Highgate Health - pt Health

Our Clinic Team

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  Gil Yehezkel
  Physiotherapist

  Speaks: English, Hebrew

  Gil completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2001. Since graduating, he has completed further education courses in Vestibular therapy, helping those who experience symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and loss of balance. Gil had also completed his acupuncture and Gunn IMS training, which can assist in restoring dysfunction in patients with chronic issues that do not seem to improve with conventional treatments.

  He has a vast experience in the private orthopedic field, covering a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, including post-operative surgeries, chronic myofascial syndromes, peripheral nerve injuries, motor vehicle related injuries, and workplace injuries. Gil is a strong believer of the “Active Approach” and assigns a specific exercise regime for each client as part of their care plan.

  Gil spends his spare time with his friends and family, cooking and travelling. He remains active by running, working out in the gym, and keeping up with his young one.

  
  
  
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  Shirin Hatami
  Clinical Counselor

  Speaks: English, Farsi

  You may already know Shirin as someone who brings over 17 years of experience as a physiotherapist. Shirin's journey into clinical counseling has been a natural progression, driven by her deep understanding of the integral connection between emotional well-being and physical health. She recognizes firsthand that addressing one aspect of health often necessitates addressing others.

  
  
  
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  Andrew Leijen
  Kinesiologist

  Speaks: English

  Andrew Leijen is a Practicing Kinesiologist and a member of the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK) since 2017. His background is in active rehabilitation for motor vehicle accident clients and older adults.

  
  
  
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  Dylan Baggott
  Physiotherapist

  Speaks: English

  Dylan graduated valedictorian from the Dalhousie University School of Physiotherapy. Since that time he has focused on improving his knowledge and skills in the field of outpatient orthopedic and musculoskeletal patients. Dylan believes the way to get people feeling better is to get them moving better. Treatment starts with in-depth assessment to identify the underlying cause of pain to guide and develop an individualized treatment plan.

  Dylan incorporates soft tissue and joint mobilizations, dry needling, orthopedic taping, progressive exercise prescription, and injury education to help his patients become pain free and achieve their goals. Dylan treats a number of injuries such as whiplash, headaches, strains/sprains, work-related injuries, back pain, shoulder pain, tendonitis and sciatica to name a few. Prior to graduating from physiotherapy school, Dylan also graduated with honors from Northumberland School of massage therapy.

  Growing up in the Comox Valley, Dylan developed a love for all things outdoors at a young age. He loves to swim, padel board, snowboard, hike, and mountain bike as much as he can.. As a result, he has had his fair share of injuries that required physiotherapy treatment. These experiences are what made Dylan decide to become physiotherapist and serve as a constant reminder of the importance of physiotherapy to get people moving again and back to doing the things they love.

  
  
  
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  Vic Edangal
  Physiotherapist

  Speaks: English, Tagalog (Filipino)

  Vic Edangal is a highly trained and skilled physiotherapist with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the Philippines in 2000. He has a wealth of experience having worked in orthopaedic and neurological hospital settings in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Vic is a firm believer in continuing education, having completed postgraduate courses in healthcare management and various advanced courses in Vestibular, Concussion, Intramuscular Stimulations, and arthritis education programs.

  Vic has been working in private practice since 2014. He is passionate about providing hands-on techniques and personalized treatments to his clients. He is always looking for new ways to help his clients and make a positive impact on their movement and well-being. Outside of work, Vic enjoys cycling and spending time with his family, exploring new places and trying new things around the city and local lakes. Vic is grateful for his career as a physiotherapist and the opportunity to interact with amazing people each day.

   

   

  
  
  
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  Shirin Hatami
  Physiotherapist

  Speaks: English, Persian, Farsi

  Shirin has been a Physiotherapist for the past 16 years.
  Her areas of interest are postural and mechanical pain control, active rehabilitation, education, active tissue release, dry needling and acupuncture.
  
  When she's not working, she spends most of her time with her family: she also enjoys reading, hiking, playing table tennis, and experimenting with pottery.

  
  
  
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  Audrey Kim
  Physiotherapist

  Speaks: English, Korean

  Audrey is a Registered Physiotherapist who obtained her Masters of Physical Therapy from Western University in London, Ontario, after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Psychology with Honours at the University of New Brunswick. Audrey has graduated in first-class standing with 4 years of academic scholarship at UNB and was a vice president of fundraising at Western, helping kids with burn injuries. She was born in Korea and raised in New Zealand during her childhood before moving to Canada where she was a professional tennis player. She won the women’s tennis provincial championship in New Brunswick for two years in a row. Audrey is an all-around athlete where she represented her school in various sports including varsity basketball, volleyball, tennis, and golf. Audrey holds a tennis instructor licence and was a tennis instructor in New Brunswick before starting her Physiotherapy journey. Throughout her work, Audrey has extensive experience in treating motor vehicle accidents, sport and work-related injuries, concussion, neurological conditions (stroke, spinal cord injuries, MS, Parkinson’s) as well as chronic pain management. Audrey uses a combination of manual therapy, shockwave therapy, electrotherapy, patient education and exercise prescription to help her patients. Audrey has completed post-graduate education in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Level 1, soft tissue releases and vestibular/concussion rehabilitation. In her free time, Audrey enjoys travelling around BC, especially hiking with her dog and playing golf and tennis. You can find her chomping away at a new restaurant or at a dog park. Audrey emphasizes a patient centered hands on approach to her treatments.

  
  
  
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  Konstantin Kobelev
  Massage Therapist

  Speaks: Russian, Hebrew

  Konstantin is a registered massage therapist at Highgate Physiotherapy. His interests are sports injuries, posture realignment, musculo-skeletal imbalance, headaches, TMJ disorders, craniosacral, MVA injuries, and other treatments.

  
  
  
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  Aaron Man
  Massage Therapist

  Speaks: English, Cantonese

  Aaron is a nurse and massage therapist who strongly believes in maintaining optimal health through a continual balance of physiological and psychological well-being. While he acknowledges the significance of medications, he advocates the conjunction of non-pharmaceutical interventions in the treatment to optimally achieve client goals. Whether pain is subtly noticeable or significantly debilitating, it can impact a person's overall health and daily life.

  Leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience in treating and preventing physical dysfunction and pain associated with soft tissue and joint injuries, Aaron is committed to addressing this issue by implementing evidence-based and holistic patient-centered treatments tailored specifically to each client's needs. Aaron conducts comprehensive head-to-toe assessments and meticulously gathers medical history to tailor the most suitable treatment plan according to the client's requirements. He has a broad array of skills (Neuromuscular and deep tissue techniques, Swedish massage, myofascial interventions) that he utilizes in order to address the client's primary concerns. Additionally, he employs a range of preventive measures, including both active and passive modalities in his treatment, to optimize patient recovery.

  Despite his extensive knowledge, Aaron consistently endeavors to enhance his skills and expand his understanding, all with the goal of continually improving his techniques for the benefit of his clients.

  Aaron speaks English and Cantonese. Beyond his clinical responsibilities, he serves as a community nurse, working with travel vaccinations and geriatric care. In his leisure time, he channels his artistic flair into pursuits like crafting and pottery.

  
  
  
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  Gagandip Parmar
  Chiropractor

  Speaks: English, Punjabi

  Dr. Gagandip Parmar holds a Bachelor of Science in Life Science from The University of British Columbia in Vancouver. She then graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, obtaining her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. She is an evidence based practitioner who has a strong interest in diagnosing and treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions of the spine and extremities.

  While engaging in patient-centered care, Dr. Parmar’s approach in treatment is holistic, in order to achieve optimal health and well-being for all of her patients. Dr. Parmar practices the Diversified Technique, involving manual therapies, therapeutic modalities, rehabilitation and nutrition to restore health and function.

  She constantly collaborates with health care providers and delivers the best possible integrated care to all of her patients. She is also experienced in treating the geriatric, pediatric and pregnant population.

  
  
  
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  Merhaweet Sahlezghi
  Chiropractor

  Speaks: English

  Dr. Merhaweet Sahlezghi was born and raised in Vancouver, BC where she completed her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University in 2019 following her two years of collegiate-level soccer in Oregon. Merhaweet then went on to complete her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic West, where she graduated with honours in 2024.

  Merhaweet has been heavily involved with sports and athletics throughout her life which has enhanced her knowledge of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. Merhaweet is focused on promoting patient health with integrative techniques to achieve full functional capabilities through individualized chiropractic rehabilitation. Merhaweet has had extensive hands-on clinical experience treating the spine, extremities, as well as other areas of the body. With the use of evidence-based techniques, her approach to care includes chiropractic manipulations, mobilizations, soft tissue therapy, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, cupping, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).

  Merhaweet is looking forward to working with a wide range of clients from all backgrounds. In addition, she holds extra coursework training in Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab (FAKTR), as well as being a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association which specializes in pregnancy and pediatrics. Through the ICPA she received her certification in Webster Technique which focuses on treatment to optimize the journey throughout pregnancy including pre and post-natal care.

  In Merhaweet’s spare time out of the office, you can usually find her outdoors playing soccer, cycling, exploring while hiking or simply enjoying a cup of coffee at a local shop.

  
  
  
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  Mei Zhang
  Massage Therapist

  Speaks: English

  Eim Mei Zhang is a highly skilled practitioner of acupuncture and registered massage therapist who is passionate about helping patients achieve optimal health and wellness. Her primary focus is on providing effective pain relief and promoting overall well-being. Mei uses traditional therapies such as acupuncture and cupping to create personalized treatment plans for each patient, as well as massage therapy to provide deep relaxation and relief from muscular tension. 

  Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms. Mei believes in the power of acupuncture to balance the flow of energy or Qi within the body, promoting healing and overall health. She uses this technique to treat a variety of pain conditions such as headaches, back pain, and arthritis, as well as other health issues such as anxiety, depression, and digestive disorders. 

  Mei is also a registered massage therapist who offers massage therapy to provide relief from muscular tension and promote deep relaxation. With her extensive knowledge of a variety of techniques and modalities, Mei creates individualized treatment plans based on each patient's unique needs and concerns. She is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques to provide the most effective care possible. With her gentle touch and compassionate approach, Mei aims to make each acupuncture and massage therapy session a relaxing and rejuvenating experience for her patients. 

   

  
  
  
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  Mei Zhang
  Acupuncturist

  Speaks: English, Mandarin

  Mei Zhang is an experienced acupuncture practitioner and registered massage therapist who is dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal health and wellness. With a passion for providing effective pain relief and promoting overall well-being, Mei creates personalized treatment plans for each patient using acupuncture, cupping, and other traditional therapies, as well as massage therapy to provide deep relaxation and relief from muscular tension.

  With her extensive knowledge of acupuncture, Mei is able to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms and balance the flow of energy, or Qi, within the body. This holistic treatment is commonly used to treat pain conditions such as headaches, back pain, and arthritis, as well as other health issues such as anxiety, depression, and digestive disorders.

  As a registered massage therapist, Mei offers a variety of massage therapy techniques to promote deep relaxation and relieve muscular tension. By creating individualized treatment plans based on each patient's unique needs, Mei provides effective and customized care. With her commitment to ongoing education and training, Mei stays up-to-date with the latest research and techniques to provide the best care possible. Patients can expect a gentle touch and compassionate approach from Mei, making each acupuncture and massage therapy session a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

  
  
  
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  Daeyou Kim
  Acupuncturist

  Speaks: English, Korean

  Dr. Kim is a highly qualified TCM practitioner with a solid background in both western and oriental medicine. He holds a BSc in Microbiology and a MSc in Molecular Biology, as well as a PhD in Biochemistry from Korea. He has published many research papers in prestigious journals and worked as a research fellow at the NIH, the largest medical institute in the US. 

  Recognized as a registered TCM Practitioner (R. TCM P), Dr. Kim adeptly applies acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to alleviate chronic and acute bodily pain. His primary objective lies in harmonizing traditional Oriental medicine with contemporary Western medical expertise for optimal patient care.

  Dr. Kim is also an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and mountaineering. He believes that these activities help him stay healthy and resilient, both physically and mentally. He has learned to overcome various challenges by persisting and reaching his goals.

  
  
  
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  Daniel Linaric
  Massage Therapist

  Speaks: English

  Daniel is a graduate of West Coast College of Massage Therapy. Over the years Dan has gained an appreciation for complementary therapies and saw a good fit in helping others as a massage therapist.

  He employs a variety of techniques to help clients deal with pain and improve function, while being aware of the myriad benefits of both a relaxing Swedish massage and the need to be wrung-out after a stressful week. Dan is diligent in keeping lines of communication open to ensure client comfort and to meet their needs, while understanding that for many this is a much-needed respite from daily rigours.