Dalen Friesen

Background:

Dalen’s family is originally from Manitoba, but he lived his early years in

Paraguay, South America. Returning to Canada, Dalen began his love for all

sports, playing hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and track & field.

These experiences lead to the opportunity to attend Biola University in

Southern California, and competing on the Track & Field / X-Country teams

between 1990-1995. It was there that he was introduced to the field of

Physical Therapy.

After completing his Physiotherapy training in 2001 at McMaster University in

Hamilton, Ontario, Dalen moved to the beautiful West Coast.  For the last 20

years, Dalen has been working on the North Shore and North Burnaby,

enjoying the many relationships built over these years, and supporting the

active citizens of this community.

Professional Training:

Dalen graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, with a

second-degree Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physical Therapy in 2001.  He

received a Bachelor of Sciences in Sports Physiology from Biola University in

1994.  As a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Dalen has

completed many courses of post-graduate training including; Canadian

Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy intermediate exams and Level IV.  A

significant component of Dalen’s practice includes IMS dry needling, for which

he received certification in 2009 from Gunn IMS (currently at UBC Faculty of

Medicine). In 2013 he co-presented on the topic with Dr. DB Quirke at the BC

College of Physicians Conference.  As an avid golfer, Dalen has completed a

number of certifications including; FitForeGolf in 2003, and then in 2013

attending two certification courses in Long Beach, California and Seattle with

the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI).

Treatment Approach:

Over the years, Dalen’s training has evolved by adding new tools and levels of

understanding.  One key element is education, believing that improving a

person’s own understanding will enable appropriate steps to recovery and

better outcomes.  In his over 20 years of experience, Dalen has observed

that, in addition to specific injuries, many of the conditions he’s seen are

related to years of repeated postures and movement patterns. Utilizing an

understanding of anatomy and the biomechanics of movement, he has sought

to assist in retraining these patterns and postures. In addition to specific

therapeutic exercises, Dalen has found IMS dry needling to be extremely

effective in helping to reset the neuromuscular state of muscles.  This method

of assessment and treatment has particularly aided those with ongoing,

chronic conditions, which have limited work and recreational pursuits.