We are pleased to announce new collaborations that will improve your experience with Breathe Well Physio!
Beginning January 1, 2023, Breathe Well Physio will be joining forces with Elevate Movement in Calgary, AB. Elevate will handle all of our administrative needs such as answering calls, booking appointments and managing billing for people living in Alberta. In addition we will be using their clinical space and multi-disciplinary team to provide a more balanced approach to your care. This means that when you are booked with Breathe Well Physio (in Alberta), you will be booked with Elevate. Breathe Well Physio = Elevate!
In British Columbia, Breathe Well Physio will continue to operate virtually for residents of BC, but in-person appointments will be managed by Kokanee Physiotherapy. For more information on Breathe Well Physio's support of BC residents, please email us here.
In British Columbia, Breathe Well Physio will continue to operate virtually for residents of BC, but in-person appointments will be managed by Kokanee Physiotherapy. For more information on Breathe Well Physio's support of BC residents, please email us here.
Jessica DeMars, PT
Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (with distinction) and is the owner of Breathe Well Physio. She continued her education with numerous post-graduate courses in manual therapy, myofascial release, and acupuncture. In 2006, after attending a physiotherapy symposium, she discovered the missing element in her practice - breathing. After attending her first course in breathing biofeedback, she began to integrate breathing retraining into her practice. In 2010, she traveled to New Zealand to become certified in the BradCliff Method® of breathing retraining. In 2016 she completed further certificates with the Graduate School of Behavioural Health Sciences under Peter Litchfield, which allows her to focus on the behavioural aspects of dysfunctional breathing. In 2015 she was awarded a grant through the Clinical Research Innovation Fund and investigated the link between dysfunctional breathing and asthma in children (turns out many children with asthma breathe poorly). Jessica is also the 2016 recipient of the Pinnacle Award of Excellence from Physiotherapy Alberta.
The Canadian Instructor for the New Zealand-based BradCliff Method®, Jessica has also traveled across Canada presenting and lecturing on the impacts of dysfunctional breathing on health, with recent keynote speeches at the Saskatchewan Lung Association Conference and the 2019 International Association for Dance Medicine & Science Conference.
Clinically, her interests lie in working with individuals with chronic disease and complex needs. After noting the number of individuals she has worked with that had a history of cancer, Jessica pursued certification as a PINC physiotherapist through the PINC & STEEL Certification program. This enables her to appropriately address issues pertaining to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica quickly recognized the implications of Long COVID on the population and has pivoted to creating programming that delivers the best available evidence for both those living with Long COVID and health care professionals working with this population. She has become an ally and and advocate, taking on the role of Co-Director of Advocacy for the Long COVID Physio executive board. She has developed several courses and webinars to help with knowledge translation.
Jessica believes strongly in working with other health care providers and communicating with them to ensure the end result is a happy and healthy individual.
Jessica graduated from the University of Alberta in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (with distinction) and is the owner of Breathe Well Physio. She continued her education with numerous post-graduate courses in manual therapy, myofascial release, and acupuncture. In 2006, after attending a physiotherapy symposium, she discovered the missing element in her practice - breathing. After attending her first course in breathing biofeedback, she began to integrate breathing retraining into her practice. In 2010, she traveled to New Zealand to become certified in the BradCliff Method® of breathing retraining. In 2016 she completed further certificates with the Graduate School of Behavioural Health Sciences under Peter Litchfield, which allows her to focus on the behavioural aspects of dysfunctional breathing. In 2015 she was awarded a grant through the Clinical Research Innovation Fund and investigated the link between dysfunctional breathing and asthma in children (turns out many children with asthma breathe poorly). Jessica is also the 2016 recipient of the Pinnacle Award of Excellence from Physiotherapy Alberta.
The Canadian Instructor for the New Zealand-based BradCliff Method®, Jessica has also traveled across Canada presenting and lecturing on the impacts of dysfunctional breathing on health, with recent keynote speeches at the Saskatchewan Lung Association Conference and the 2019 International Association for Dance Medicine & Science Conference.
Clinically, her interests lie in working with individuals with chronic disease and complex needs. After noting the number of individuals she has worked with that had a history of cancer, Jessica pursued certification as a PINC physiotherapist through the PINC & STEEL Certification program. This enables her to appropriately address issues pertaining to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica quickly recognized the implications of Long COVID on the population and has pivoted to creating programming that delivers the best available evidence for both those living with Long COVID and health care professionals working with this population. She has become an ally and and advocate, taking on the role of Co-Director of Advocacy for the Long COVID Physio executive board. She has developed several courses and webinars to help with knowledge translation.
Jessica believes strongly in working with other health care providers and communicating with them to ensure the end result is a happy and healthy individual.
Simone Hunter, PT
Simone graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy. She also holds a Bachelors of Public Affairs and Policy Management (High Honours) from Carleton University. Simone brings a tremendous breadth of experience and expertise to her patient's care. She believes a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation to getting her patient’s back to what matters most — whether that is work, family or recreation.
During her career she has practiced in orthopaedic private practices, long-term, acute and critical care settings in the Calgary and Ottawa areas. She has practiced at Foothills Medical Center since 2012 on burns/plastics, orthopaedic and medicine units.
Always curious and seeking to learn, Simone has taken numerous post-graduate courses including functional dry needling (aka. IMS), western acupuncture, manual therapy, post-partum exercise, BradCliff Method breath retraining and Long COVID management.
Simone is the past-President of Physiotherapy Alberta College + Association and has served numerous terms on Council. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Pinnacle Award of Excellence from Physiotherapy Alberta for her contributions and leadership in the profession. She has been a guest lecturer with the University of Alberta MScPT program teaching Long COVID, burns and wounds modules to physiotherapy students. She has also been an NCCP certified Triathlon coach and an Ironman Canada finisher. Simone is currently involved in two Alberta-based research projects looking at rehabilitation in Long COVID.
During her years working with burn survivors, Simone developed a passion for working with patients recovering from major and complex illness, including post-ICU and Long COVID conditions. Using the best available evidence, Simone employs a personalized approach of education, breathing techniques, strength/conditioning and/or pacing strategies to improve her patient's function -- no matter the chronicity, complexity, or severity.
Simone works with clients in-clinic, in-home and virtually.
Simone graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy. She also holds a Bachelors of Public Affairs and Policy Management (High Honours) from Carleton University. Simone brings a tremendous breadth of experience and expertise to her patient's care. She believes a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation to getting her patient’s back to what matters most — whether that is work, family or recreation.
During her career she has practiced in orthopaedic private practices, long-term, acute and critical care settings in the Calgary and Ottawa areas. She has practiced at Foothills Medical Center since 2012 on burns/plastics, orthopaedic and medicine units.
Always curious and seeking to learn, Simone has taken numerous post-graduate courses including functional dry needling (aka. IMS), western acupuncture, manual therapy, post-partum exercise, BradCliff Method breath retraining and Long COVID management.
Simone is the past-President of Physiotherapy Alberta College + Association and has served numerous terms on Council. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Pinnacle Award of Excellence from Physiotherapy Alberta for her contributions and leadership in the profession. She has been a guest lecturer with the University of Alberta MScPT program teaching Long COVID, burns and wounds modules to physiotherapy students. She has also been an NCCP certified Triathlon coach and an Ironman Canada finisher. Simone is currently involved in two Alberta-based research projects looking at rehabilitation in Long COVID.
During her years working with burn survivors, Simone developed a passion for working with patients recovering from major and complex illness, including post-ICU and Long COVID conditions. Using the best available evidence, Simone employs a personalized approach of education, breathing techniques, strength/conditioning and/or pacing strategies to improve her patient's function -- no matter the chronicity, complexity, or severity.
Simone works with clients in-clinic, in-home and virtually.