Optimal Performance Clinic
2025 Willingdon Avenue, 9th Floor V5C 0J3 Burnaby, BC, Canada

What better gift can you give, than the gift of health! Grab an Optimal Performance Gift Card this Holiday Season - and help someone achieve their Optimal self in 2022. Gift Cards can be issued in any domination. ... Contact us to purchase one or pick one up at your next appointment #giftideas #giftcard #healthylifestyle #health #performance #fitness #movement #painfree #optimalperformance #clinic #burnaby #vancouver #tricities #portmoody #solodistrict #brentwood

What better gift can you give, than the gift of health! Grab an Optimal Performance Gift Card this Holiday Season - and help someone achieve their Optimal self in 2022. Gift Cards can be issued in any domination. ... Contact us to purchase one or pick one up at your next appointment #giftideas #giftcard #healthylifestyle #health #performance #fitness #movement #painfree #optimalperformance #clinic #burnaby #vancouver #tricities #portmoody #solodistrict #brentwood

Lest We Forget We are closed in order to reflect on the amazing blessings we have been, given by the sacrifices made for us.

Lest We Forget We are closed in order to reflect on the amazing blessings we have been, given by the sacrifices made for us.

Lest We Forget We are closed in order to reflect on the amazing blessings we have been, given by the sacrifices made for us.

INTRODUCING: Trivia with Optimal! Get to know our team while participating in a fun trivia game for a chance to WIN a prize! Please see below for full details on how to play/enter into the prize draw. Each fun fact will be posted here on our Instagram page (@optimalclinic). The game is to guess which team member the fun fact belongs to! ... HOW TO PLAY: 1. Place your guess in the comments of the fun fact post 2. Tag a friend (both must be following us) 3. Follow us on Instagram @optimalclinic *Answers will be revealed on our Instagram story after 24 hours *Each correct guess = 1 entry into the prize draw *You may only place 1 guess for each fun fact posted. More correct guesses = more entries into the prize draw! PRIZE (1 WINNER): Your choice of a trigger point ball OR foam roller The WINNER of the giveaway will be announced on our story and receive a DM from us. Stay tuned for the first fun fact coming very soon! #optimalperformance #optimalhealth #health #wellness #healthyliving #clinic #vancouver #downtownvancouver #coalharbour #rehabilitation #treatment #injury #recovery #activerelease #sportsmedicine #chiropractic #massage #physio #clinicalpilates #acupuncture #osteopathy #treatment #trivia #giveaway #prize @ Optimal Performance Clinic

We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Aidan Genik has formally joined our Optimal Performance Team! As some of you already know, he has worked closely with both Dr. Elna Johnson and Dr. Rachel Statz over the last few years; therefore, his addition to our team is a seamless one. Please join us in welcoming him to our Team! You can book an appointment with Dr. Aidan by calling us at 604.558.1250 or going online at https://optimal.janeapp.com.

Lest We Forget We are closed in order to reflect on the amazing blessings we have been, given by the sacrifices made for us.

INTRODUCING: Trivia with Optimal! Get to know our team while participating in a fun trivia game for a chance to WIN a prize! Please see below for full details on how to play/enter into the prize draw. Each fun fact will be posted here on our Instagram page (@optimalclinic). The game is to guess which team member the fun fact belongs to! ... HOW TO PLAY: 1. Place your guess in the comments of the fun fact post 2. Tag a friend (both must be following us) 3. Follow us on Instagram @optimalclinic *Answers will be revealed on our Instagram story after 24 hours *Each correct guess = 1 entry into the prize draw *You may only place 1 guess for each fun fact posted. More correct guesses = more entries into the prize draw! PRIZE (1 WINNER): Your choice of a trigger point ball OR foam roller The WINNER of the giveaway will be announced on our story and receive a DM from us. Stay tuned for the first fun fact coming very soon! #optimalperformance #optimalhealth #health #wellness #healthyliving #clinic #vancouver #downtownvancouver #coalharbour #rehabilitation #treatment #injury #recovery #activerelease #sportsmedicine #chiropractic #massage #physio #clinicalpilates #acupuncture #osteopathy #treatment #trivia #giveaway #prize @ Optimal Performance Clinic

We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Aidan Genik has formally joined our Optimal Performance Team! As some of you already know, he has worked closely with both Dr. Elna Johnson and Dr. Rachel Statz over the last few years; therefore, his addition to our team is a seamless one. Please join us in welcoming him to our Team! You can book an appointment with Dr. Aidan by calling us at 604.558.1250 or going online at https://optimal.janeapp.com.

We are happy to announce that Victor Aerden will be joining our Optimal Performance Clinic team on Monday October 1st. We pride ourselves on being some of the best professionals in our respective fields and we are very lucky to have found Victor! Victor has worked closely with Maai Imbrechts to ensure that your care is maintained at the highest level after her departure. Like Maai, Victor has a total of 6 years of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Science education under his ...belt. In this time, Victor interned in private clinics and hospitals, treating athletes and the general public alike. Victor strongly values patient centered, one-on-one care and aims to treat the cause rather than the symptoms to ensure long lasting solutions. With these qualifications, we have the utmost confidence that Victor is able to take on Maai patient base and help them flourish. When not caring for patients, you might see Victor on one of BC's hiking trails or on your local soccer field. Chris Kennedy continues to be available to for all new and existing patients as well. To see Victor, Chris, or any of our other practitioners, please call us at 604-558-1250, or visit https://optimal.janeapp.com/.

Follow this link to read @anatomylinks outstanding piece on chronic IT band pain. https://www.instagram.com/p/BlvrsGWgs1l/

We received a very thoughtful email from the coach of a track and field athlete that Dr. Elna Johnson helped recover from a major knee surgery last year. As health advocates we enter into our professions to help people enhance their quality of life. Receiving this email was extremely rewarding and reflects why we love what we do. We appreciated this message very much, thank you David Douglas. Hi Elna, Just thought I’d share the good news that Julie returned to compete at an... elite level when she was selected to Team BC for the IAAF Pan American Combined Event Championship and National Junior (U20) Track and Field Championships in Ottawa this last week. Competing against athletes from across Canada and a few from South America, Mexico, and New Zealand, Julie finished 2nd in the U20 Heptathlon and in doing so upset two members from Team Canada! Overwhelmed with the emotion of the moment Julie broke down in tears when she accepted her medal. She did manage a big smile afterwards and it is for that smile that Julie, her family, and myself are hugely indebted to you. Thanks again, David Douglas Julie is an example of perseverance, commitment, dedication and fearlessness!! We are so proud of you Julia! Congratulations Julie and Coach David Douglas.

We are very pleased to announce that Jennifer Read, RMT will be joining Optimal Performance Clinic beginning Wednesday, July 25th, 2018. Jennifer will be available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for all your massage therapy needs! Jennifer has had the opportunity to work with a wide array of clients including, but not limited to: the dedicated patients at ICORD spinal cord research facility, the patients and families in transition at St. John Hospice at UBC, professio...nal and pre-professional athletes at Harbour Dance and Ballet BC, the trail runners for the Coast Mountain Trail Series races, and pre and post-natal women. She has also had the unique experience of working with our very own Garfield Crooks over the last year to refine her skills for Sports Massage Therapy. Please note that Garfield Crooks will continue to be available for new and existing patients as well. To book with Jennifer, Garfield, or any of our other practitioners, please call us at 604-558-1250, or visit https://optimal.janeapp.com/.

Oh Canada you are so good to us. Optimal Performance Clinic would like to wish everyone a happy Canada Day! Celebrate this day however you would like to, whether that is with family, friends, pets, or even just by enjoying some quality alone time. As a multidisciplinary clinic we care very much about your well being and if you have any aches or pains that are not stopping you from enjoying this day we would love to help you! We will be closed June 30th to July 2nd but you are welcome to book online at https://optimal.janeapp.com in the meantime!

Today, June 21, 2018 is the longest day of the year! It is the summer solstice of 2018 which marks the first official day of summer. Whether outside or inside, celebrate summer and enjoy your day by doing the things you love! If you are having any nagging pains or anything that is stopping you from doing what you love, our team of experts at Optimal Performance Clinic would love to be of assistance. You can contact us at 604-558-1250 or online at https://optimal.janeapp.com.../ to book an appointment. Happy Summer Solstice! Photo credits: Andrea Cox Tara Nightingale Kristen Lukovich

It’s that time of year again! Dr. Elna is back with the Lions!! This season marks her 10th year working with the BC Lions. The BC Lions’ next game is Friday, June 29th at 7pm versus the Edmonton Eskimos. GO LIONS!

Reverse Your Posture Series #4: Hip Flexor Stretch "The concept of reverse posturing is essentially that we need to reverse the posture that we spend the majority of our in day in to keep our body balanced and prevent overuse. For most of us that position is sitting. Sitting involves a predominantly flexed posture, so doing exercises and stretches that oppose the negative effects of prolonged sitting is a worthy goal. The stretches outlined in this series are appropriate for... most of us: The last area that we’ll target in this series is your hip flexors. These muscles can get quite short and tight while you're sitting at your desk all day. Short hip flexors can cause a wide range of problems so keeping them stretched out will serve you well. To stretch your hip flexors, stand up and place one foot on top of the chair. Keeping your foot on top of the seat of the chair, shift forward onto your standing leg - you should feel a nice stretch through the front of the hip on the back leg. It is very important to keep your lower back as straight as possible, so squeeze your stomach muscles as if you’re about to be punched in the stomach. Hold this for 20-30 seconds, then switch sides and repeat." - Physiotherapist Chris Kennedy from Optimal Performance Clinic

Reverse Your Posture Series #4: Standing Back Extension "The concept of reverse posturing is essentially that we need to reverse the posture that we spend the majority of our in day in to keep our body balanced and prevent overuse. For most of us that position is sitting. Sitting involves a predominantly flexed posture, so doing exercises and stretches that oppose the negative effects of prolonged sitting is a worthy goal. The stretches outlined in this series are appropriat...e for most of us: The standing back extension is a good stretch to do as a break from sitting. Simply stand up, your feet about hip width apart, and place your hands on top of your pelvis on your lower back. Keep your knees straight as you gently bend back don’t force it! Return to the starting position and repeat 5 times. Perform the Standing Back Extension Exercise 3 or 4 times per day or whenever you have been sitting for a while." - Physiotherapist Chris Kennedy from Optimal Performance Clinic

Huge congratulations to the UBC Track and Field team for competing at the 2018 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Alabama this past week. Here are a few great moments that were captured by Jeff Sargeant at the event. Only two points behind, the Thunderbird women placed second in the National Championships and the men third. We are very proud of them! You can also check out UBC’s stats at https://www.gothunderbirds.ca/?path=track . The Optimal Performance... team has been honoured to have been able to assist the UBC track and field team with track-side therapy during their on and off seasons. UBC Track & Field and Cross Country nuun hydration Play NAIA

Are you a Sports Physiotherapist looking to work one-on-one with patients in a collaborative team environment? If so, we'd like to hear from you!

On behalf of Dr. Elna Johnson, the owner of Optimal Performance Clinic, we would like to give a big thanks to nuun hydration for helping the UBC Track and Field team stay hydrated at the NAIA championships in Alabama this past week! Play NAIA UBC Track & Field and Cross Country nuun hydration

Dr. Elna Johnson is thrilled to be assisting the UBC track team at the 67th annual NAIA track and field championships in Alabama! GO THUNDERBIRDS!!

Reverse Your Posture Series #3: Wall Stand Exercise "The concept of reverse posturing is essentially that we need to reverse the posture that we spend the majority of our in day in to keep our body balanced and prevent overuse. For most of us that position is sitting. Sitting involves a predominantly flexed posture, so doing exercises and stretches that oppose the negative effects of prolonged sitting is a worthy goal. The stretches outlined in this series are appropriate fo...r most of us: Restore your ideal alignment with this any wall, anywhere exercise. Holding this posture for 1-2 minutes is like hitting the reset button on your posture. Stand with your back against a wall or door frame. Your glutes should be just touching the wall and your heels should in either touching the wall or within 2 inches. Feet shoulder width apart and toes pointing straight forward. Soften your knees - they should be neither hyperextended (locked) or bent too much. Pull your shoulders back by squeezing your shoulder blades together. Be careful not to arch through the lower back and try not to increase the amount of space between your rib cage and pubic bone.The back of your head should touch the wall. Keep your chin tucked in." - Physiotherapist Chris Kennedy from Optimal Performance Clinic

Optimal Performance Clinic would like to wish all of the mothers, or soon to be mothers, a beautiful day!

Maai Imbrechts, our physiotherapist, participated in part 4 of the Connect TherapyTM course this month. This new treatment model is developed by Linda-Joy Lee and is an innovative whole body approach. The approach considers how different regions and systems of the body are connected, how the body and mind are connected and even how we, humans are connected with each other. Through the multiple links and mechanisms, one region of the body can drive pain or problems elsewhere in the body. And you might not be aware of it. For example a shoulder can cause knee problems or a long forgotten ankle injury can be the reason why your lower back pain doesn’t go away even though you tried all kinds of exercises and treatments.

Reverse Your Posture Series #2: Chin Tuck "The concept of reverse posturing is essentially that we need to reverse the posture that we spend the majority of our in day in to keep our body balanced and prevent overuse. For most of us that position is sitting. Sitting involves a predominantly flexed posture, so doing exercises and stretches that oppose the negative effects of prolonged sitting is a worthy goal. The stretches outlined in this series are appropriate for most of u...s: When the neck and upper back muscles become weakened, the head sags forward and increased stress is placed on the cervical spine, which can lead to several issues including neck pain. One of the most simple and effective postural exercises for combating this is the chin tuck exercise. This exercise helps strengthen the muscles that pull the head back into alignment over the shoulders and also stretches some of the muscles on the back of neck. Sit in a chair with your back firmly supported by the back of the chair. Make sure you are looking straight ahead and the underside of your chin is level with the floor. Slowly move your chin back and slightly down so your ears are in line with your shoulders and you feel a stretch in the back of your neck. Hold for 5 seconds and release. Aim to do 5 sets of 5 second holds each day." - Physiotherapist Chris Kennedy from Optimal Performance Clinic

Get your sweat on this weekend at the annual BMO Vancouver Marathon! If you are a resident or planning on traveling via Vancouver this Sunday, make sure to check out the link below which lists the road closures due to this event. http://bmovanmarathon.ca/road-closures Don’t let your legs hurt! Come see us at Optimal Performance Clinic after your race so we can get you back to training as soon as possible! You can reach us at 604-558-1250 or book online at https://optimal.janeapp.com .

Reverse Your Posture Series #1: Thoracic Extension Over Chair "The concept of reverse posturing is essentially that we need to reverse the posture that we spend the majority of our in day in to keep our body balanced and prevent overuse. For most of us that position is sitting. Sitting involves a predominantly flexed posture, so doing exercises and stretches that oppose the negative effects of prolonged sitting is a worthy goal. The stretches outlined in this series are appro...priate for most of us: Your thoracic spine starts just below your neck and continues to the level just above your belly button. Although I never want to only focus on a single area of the body, movement here is crucial for a variety of reasons. Here’s an exercise to improve thoracic spine mobility. Place your hands behind your neck and lengthen your spine. Keeping you feel planted, inhale and stretch your upper back over the back of the chair. Exhale and return to tall sitting posture. Repeat 5-6x. You can do this multiple times throughout your day." - Physiotherapist Chris Kennedy from Optimal Performance Clinic