We understand your need to return to work, sports, recreational activities and/or daily activities unrestricted and without pain. We will provide you with the highest level of rehabilitation care possible with our primary goal being to return you to your lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible. We at Cochrane Sport Physio strive to achieve this in a way that fits into your busy schedule.
Physiotherapists
Serge Tessier BSc.P.T., CFDN, CAFCI
Clinic Director/Owner/Senior Physiotherapist
A University of Alberta graduate, having earned an honors with distinction degree in Physical Therapy, from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Serge has worked as Senior therapist and clinic director in Cochrane since 2001. As Clinic Director and Senior Therapist his role has focused on balancing direct client care and the growth of our rehabilitation team to include the multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers that currently work in both of our two locations.
As a Physical Therapist, Serge has developed his treatment approach through a variety of professional experiences, which include his post-graduate training in; manual therapy techniques, acupuncture, dry needling and exercise prescription. Work experience as physical therapist and trainer for the NAIT men’s hockey program and Edmonton rugby union, as well as personal experience as a Boston Marathon qualifier, Ironman and World Championship Half Ironman Triathlete. Serge believes that only through patient education and a thorough client centered rehabilitation program can an individual achieve their goals; be that return to sport or simply to be pain free for life. He strives to have clients truly understand the nature of their condition and how both hands-on treatment combined with an individualized home based program can facilitate the change their body needs to overcome their injury or impairment.
With nearly 20 years of experience working closely with the Physicians, Surgeons, Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, Nurses, Pharmacists and Dentists serving Cochrane and it’s surrounding area Serge is very proud of our teams role in providing Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Bracing and Orthotic services to this towns health care needs.
“As a long standing resident of Cochrane, raising two active boys and having experienced all of what this town has to offer, I can confidently say there is nowhere else I would want to raise my family or work as a Physical Therapist.”
Lisa Tennant BSc. Kin, MSc. PT, CAFCI, CGIMS
Physical Therapist
Lisa graduated from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia with her Masters of Physiotherapy Studies in 2009. Previously, Lisa attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary in 2007. Over the years, she has refined her physiotherapy skills through additional courses including Diagnostic Imaging in Physical Therapy Practice (University of Alberta), Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (University of British Columbia CGIMS), Acupuncture (Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute), Graston Technique, and Level 1 and Level 2 Upper Manual Therapy courses (Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association).
Lisa is a compassionate therapist who is enthusiastic to share her knowledge and assist her clients with achieving their rehabilitation goals, big or small. She uses an array of treatment options to personalize the treatment, depending on her clients’ needs. She believes that long-term success is achieved through addressing the source of the problem, as well as engaging her clients in the recovery process, through exercise and self-management strategies. Lisa enjoys many sports, including snowboarding and mountain biking, and she has a keen interest in outdoor activities, as well as spending time in the mountains with her family and friends.
Madeliene Collins MPhty, BAppSc (Ex&SpSc)
Madeliene graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise and Sports Science from The University of Sydney, and continued on to complete her Masters of Physiotherapy Studies atThe University of Queensland in 2011. Her training in Clinical Pilates at The Pilates Institute of Queensland in 2011 and combines these principles into her clinical practice with most of her clients.
Madeliene’s interest in this field began while she was playing soccer for her home state of New South Wales, Australia, where she dealt with a number of niggling injuries herself. She’s passionate now about returning the favour to her patients that seek to return to the physical activity pursuits they love. Madeliene particularly enjoys analyzing movement patterns in an effort to enhance their efficiency, assist with injury repair, and prevent recurrence of injury in the future.
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving” – Albert Einstein.
Away from the clinic, I live with my partner in Canmore where we spend our leisure time playing in the mountains.
Tyler Kowalchuk BSc Kin. MSc PT
Tyler graduated from the University of Alberta with his Master of Science in Physical Therapy. Prior to this, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta. His interest the profession began during his recovery from a broken arm when he was 16. He was amazed by the difference that his physical therapist made in his life and decided that he wanted to make that same difference in the lives of others!
He is an energetic therapist with a keen interest in shoulder injuries,who cares deeply about providing quality patient care. Tyler enjoys treating a broad patient population ranging from young athletes and weekend warriors, to seniors. His treatment style places emphasis on addressing client concerns, providing concise education and prescribing evidence based therapeutic exercise. Tyler’s continuing education courses include Complete Concussion Management, Acupuncture Canada Functional DryNeedling Level 1 & 2, Canadian Physical Therapy Association's Orthopaedic Division Level 2 Lower Quadrant Manual Therapy.
Tyler is new to Cochrane and enjoys being active and spending time in the mountains with his wife. In the summer months he enjoys golfing, playing slow-pitch,mountain biking and hiking. In the winter months he enjoys snowboarding, playing hockey, weight lifting and cross-country skiing.
Rebecca Parkin BScPT
Rebecca joins us from Australia where she graduated BSc Physiotherapy from the University of Notre Dame. She is also a qualified Pilates instructor and her further education includes strength and conditioning for physiotherapists, and dry needling.
Rebecca enjoys problem-solving and working closely with clients to develop individualized, achievable treatment plans. She takes an evidence-based approach to treatment and aims to guide and empower people of all abilities to achieve their goals. She believes the right education and exercises are vital to rehabilitate and avoid re-injury, for long lasting results.
Prior to becoming a physiotherapist, Rebecca spent the best part of a decade working as a geologist in Australias mining industry. It was her love of all things outdoors that brought her and her partner to the mountains.
Acupuncture
Althea Lacasse BSc., RAc., R.M.T.
Acupuncturist
Althea's training and experience spans many disciplines. As a result, she is able to offer various techniques and perspectives to treat and guide her clients towards a more balanced and pain-free life.
Althea has been a Registered Acupuncturist for over 20 years and a Registered Massage Therapist for over 15 years. With her Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) training and her continuous education with emerging acupuncture theories and techniques she can help to address many issues.
These issues can include, but are not limited to: pain, stress, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, depression, brain-fog, cough, high blood pressure, poor circulation, menstrual and fertility issues, digestive complaints, and help with smoking cessation.
Some of the techniques that Althea may use during a treatment may include: TCM Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cupping, Tuina (Chinese massage), Moxibustion, Gua Sha, Auricular (ear) Acupuncture, Korean Hand Acupuncture, and Chinese Dietary Therapy.
In addition to a gentle traditional needling technique, Althea also uses motor point and trigger point needling similar to those used by physiotherapists to address musculoskeletal issues.
Althea's massage therapy training includes: Deep Tissue, Myofascial Decompression, and Relaxation techniques. If she feels that any of these massage techniques would be beneficial for you at that time, she may implement them into your treatment.
If you are wondering if Althea can help you with any of your issues, please feel free to contact our office.
Massage Therapists
Ashley Huolt R.M.T.
Iwas raised in the Okanagan and move to Cochrane 6+ years ago. I have beeninterested in movement and the human body since I was young and completed theMassage program at Mount Royal University in the summer of 2020.
I am working hard to put my new knowledge andskills in to practice and I am very excited to work with clients and help themto feel their best
Anne Garrido
I graduated Massage Therapy 2200 hours program in 2013. My first interest was sports injuries and general therapeutic massage. In 2016 I became more focused on the nervous system and its relation to pain. I was trained in DNM (DermoNeuroModulation) which addresses the nervous system via the skin, to change the focus of the Central Nervous System (fancy name for brain) and desensitize it from pain. It’s a great treatment for chronic pain, pain associated with trauma like MVA or traumatic injuries, PTSD and other forms of chronic pain. During my years of practice I met a few people with cancer and I started learning more about lymphedema, which is one condition that can happen after lymph nodes have been removed due to cancer treatments. I am now very proud to add to my skills Lymphedema Therapy from the Vodder International School which I believe will help many people in Cochrane.