about Christene

Christene graduated from the University of Kings College with a Biology degree in 1986 and then completed her Physiotherapy Program at Dalhousie University in 1989. Christene worked in the hospital setting in Intensive Care Units, General Medicine, Acute Neurology and Geriatrics. She then went into Private Practice to do Neurology and Orthopedics. She took her first acupuncture course in 1994 and completed the examination process for certification in 1997. She became an Instructor with Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute in 2001 and has been Instructing since. She recently became an Examiner of the Certification process in 2016. Christene completed with distinction the Advanced Manual and Manipulative Therapy program through the Orthopedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 1999. Please see further info on CAMPT here. She was a demonstrator for Dalhousie University Physiotherapy School in 2003 and taught Post Graduate Orthopedic course to Physiotherapists from 2003 to 2010. She is a Clinical Mentor for students of Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy, the Masters Program at the University of Western Ontario and undergraduate students who are entering the Physiotherapy program.

Christene volunteered on the Nova Scotia Orthopedic Division committee as Secretary for 4 years, was the Chair of the Nova Scotia Branch and the Nova Scotia Board Representative of the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute for 4 years, and was on the National Orthopedic Division Committee as Special Projects Chair and the CPA National Congress Planning Committee for 2 years.

Christene’s practice focuses on patients with complicated musculoskeletal disorders in the spine and extremities. She uses her Neurological, Manual Therapy, and training of Functional Movement Patterns to find the root cause of ongoing, chronic problems that can cause pains that are not explained by any injury or obvious trauma. Often the areas of pain are “victims” of abnormal movement mechanics elsewhere. She also treats acute injuries caused by sport, daily living or work and can evaluate abnormal movements or postures that may be creating the painful problems. She has worked with local Orthopedic Surgeon’s pre and post operatively to rehabilitate both surgical and non surgical conditions. She has treated all ages and members of the community including high caliber athletes, the “weekend warriors” and non-athletic hard working people.

Christene sees patients one on one and focuses heavily on education and hands on manual therapy to retrain movement patterns. Acupuncture is used for treating pain and inflammation and dry needling or acupuncture can be used to help retrain the muscle patterning or muscle imbalances. A home exercise program of specifically tailored active exercises are predominant in the treatment approach. She likes to educate her patients on how to best manage their conditions and prevent flare ups from occurring. She believes in a positive working environment. She also believes that an active program is a must with any other passive treatments that a patient may be receiving.