5 Best Sports Physicians in Vancouver
Sports injuries are no walk in the park. Not only that, they can have long-lasting effects on an athlete’s physical and mental well-being. So where do you go when you need help recovering from a sports injury?
We’re glad you asked. Here are some of the best sports physicians in Vancouver who can totally help you get back on your A-game.
Vancouver’s Best Sports Physicians
Finding a reputable sports physician that offers various treatment options is a crucial step in ensuring optimal recovery and performance for athletes.
Not only should the physician have a strong background in sports medicine, but they should also show empathy for their patients’ unique needs and goals. Check out the criteria we used to assess these sports physicians below:
1. Dr. Kaila Holtz of Triumph Health
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Medical Qualification | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Treatment Options | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Pricing | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Patient Approach | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Empathy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Preventive Care | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
There are lots to say about Dr. Kaila Holtz, but what impressed us the most is the fact that she used to compete for the Canadian National Softball Team, winning silver at the 2003 Pan-Am Games and fifth at the Athens Olympics.
For us, her firsthand experience in sports makes her an exceptional choice for anyone looking for a knowledgeable sports physician. Today, she remarkably holds the title of Medical Director of Triumph Health.
Dr. Holtz’s medical qualifications are quite impressive. From what we’ve seen, she was focused solely on movement from the start, taking up a master of science in kinesiology before going to medical school to continue her focus on sports medicine.
She specializes in the non-operative management of joint, muscle, and tendon disorders. This means she’s able to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions related to joints, muscles, and tendons.
At her clinic, they offer a wide range of treatment options, including cortisone, prolotherapy, shockwave therapy, hyaluronic acid injections, and platelet rich plasma injections.
We’re just a bit iffy that they don’t have emergency services. But we did like that they provide virtual consultation. Ultimately, we think Dr. Holtz is one of the best sports physicians in Vancouver.
Pros
- Award-winning national athlete
- Wide range of treatment options
Cons
- No emergency services
Patient Reviews
Professional and caring doctor
“I’ve been seeing Dr. Holtz for some time now and I am always impressed with her professionalism, care, and empathy…”
-Sara B.
Willing to listen to patient concerns
“Professional. Empathetic, willing to listen and provides excellent service.”
-Susan N.
2. Edmund Gu of North Shore Sports Medicine
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Medical Qualification | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Treatment Options | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Pricing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Patient Approach | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Empathy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Preventive Care | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Edmund Gu takes an active rehabilitation approach to restoring movement, and we specifically liked that his treatments focus on a personalized exercise plan and other manual therapy techniques.
In our opinion, this strategy makes it possible to effectively manage and treat a wide range of patient conditions by employing a wide variety of specialized approaches.
One example of his many methods is pilates. Edmund actually runs the clinical pilates program at North Shore Sports Medicine, as he believes that the best way to recover is to restore body movement.
Now, it caught our attention that Edmund’s particular focus is dance and shoulder related injuries. We were fascinated to know that he’s actually a ballroom dancer and served on the Board of Directors of Dance Sport BC.
Another thing we liked is that he has developed his own advanced training for shoulder conditions and injuries and cervical spine treatments. So if you’re seeking a physician who specializes in such conditions, we think Edmund is a great choice.
It’s also very convenient that at this clinic, they’re able to do direct billing for almost all insurance companies.
However, they’re unable to tell you how many appointments your insurance covers, so make sure to discuss this with your provider.
All in all, we believe Edmund Gu is one of the best sports physicians in Vancouver for dance and shoulder related injuries.
Pros
- Provides a personalized exercise plan
- Direct billing available
Cons
- No virtual consultations
Patient Reviews
Professional and patient
“Edmund is professional, welcoming, patient and supportive. He creates a very inviting atmosphere…”
-Cheryl J.
Provides excellent service
“Edmund Gu is the best physiotherapist ever. He provides excellent service and attitude, and he understands individual needs…”
-Laura R.
3. Jen Doan of the Vancouver Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Experience | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Medical Qualification | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Treatment Options | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Pricing | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Patient Approach | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Empathy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Preventive Care | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
One thing that makes Jen Doan of the Vancouver Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic stand out is that she’s able to offer her services to patients of all ages.
You see, we learned that in addition to being a physiotherapist, Jen has a strong pediatric background and focuses on treating children aged zero to five. We think this makes her the ideal choice for families.
Moreover, we were glad to know that she uses a well-rounded approach to physical therapy, where she uses manual therapy alongside other modalities such as exercise prescription and education.
We think that by combining these techniques, she’s able to provide comprehensive and effective treatment plans for her patients. Plus, she also offers pelvic floor physiotherapy, which was good to know.
We also value the fact that patients can contact the Vancouver Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic via a number of different channels (website, email, and phone) to schedule their appointments.
In addition, most of the patients we’ve spoken with shared with us how patient and understanding Jen was during their sessions.
With all this in mind, we highly recommend Jen as we believe she’s one of the best sports physicians in Vancouver.
Pros
- Can accommodate patients of all ages
- Offers pelvic floor physiotherapy
- Easy to book appointments with
Cons
- No financing options
Patient Reviews
Patient and understanding
“I had Jen and she is for sure the best physiotherapist ever!! she’s so so patient and understanding with everyone especially her patients…”
-Arissa M.
Very thorough
“I’ve been going to see Jen Doan at the Vancouver clinic and she has been absolutely amazing. She was very thorough and professional…”
-Jesse H.
4. Alex Carrod of the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Medical Qualification | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Treatment Options | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Pricing | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Patient Approach | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Empathy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Preventive Care | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Alex Carrod began his journey into the world of sports medicine in 2008, when he became a personal trainer and sports therapist. Since then, Alex has specialized in treating sports injuries with a pretty impressive medical background.
First and foremost, he holds a BSc in exercise and health as well as an MSc in physiotherapy. We thought it was impressive that he was a chartered physiotherapist who worked for the National Health Service (NHS).
We believe his time working in the NHS has provided him with valuable hands-on experience in treating a wide range of sports injuries.
It’s also worth mentioning that Alex also has an extensive personal training portfolio, where he trained a wide array of professionals to help them achieve their fitness goals.
Alex specializes in running injuries, including ACL rehabilitation, marathon training, and gait analysis. He utilizes a hands on and exercise prescription for his treatments, which we really liked because it is tailored to each patient.
All in all, we’re pretty happy with what we’ve seen. The clinic has a great appointment system in place, and just in case Alex isn’t available, they’ve got tons of other sports physicians on call.
Pros
- Has worked for the National Health Service
- Extensive personal training portfolio
Cons
- Some complaints about staff efficiency
Patient Reviews
Excellent physiotherapist
“Alex Carrod is an excellent physiotherapist. He has helped me with several sports injuries thus far…”
-Jay
Amazing service
“I’ve been going to see Alex Carrod for the past 6 months after I tore my calf and damaged some lower limb tendons. He’s been absolutely amazing in helping me rehab the injury…”
-Violet P.
5. Carl Petersen of City Sports + Physio Clinic
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Reputation | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Experience | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Medical Qualification | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Treatment Options | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Availability | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Pricing | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Patient Approach | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Empathy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Preventive Care | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Carl Petersen has treated, trained, and devised programs for Olympic and national level athletes during his physiotherapy career. He has been practicing at the City Sports & Physiotherapy Clinic for over 28 years now.
To assist in restoring and improving normal joint and tissue mobility, Carl employs a combination of manual therapy, modality treatment, and dynamic exercise techniques.
In our opinion, his multiple methods of treatment make him a highly effective physiotherapist.
What makes him unique is that he has actually written a book and other resources, including DVDs, that discuss his innovative approach to physiotherapy and provide guidance for both athletes and fellow practitioners.
It’s also worth mentioning that Carl Petersen was awarded the Physiotherapy Association of BC’s “Award of Excellence for Clinical Contribution” in 2007. which establishes his expertise in his field of work.
We also appreciate that after each treatment, Carl educates his patients on his “Rules of Recovery” to protect them against injury.
In fact, many of his patients that we interviewed told us how much they appreciate Carl’s advice, as this makes them feel truly cared for.
If you’re looking for one of the best sports physicians in Vancouver, we have no doubt that Carl Petersen is a great choice.
Pros
- Utilizes a combination of treatments
- Award of Excellence for Clinical Contribution 2007 winner
Cons
- Some complaints about responsiveness
Patient Reviews
Best physiotherapist
“Carl Peterson is the best physiotherapist I’ve ever been to, hands down…”
-Diana S.
Superior service
“Had 1 hour Physio with Carl Peterson after calling and getting in the same day! Superior service in every way!.”
-Bernard L.
FAQs about Best Sports Doctors in Vancouver
Well there you go, we hope our article has put the best sports physicians in Vancouver on your radar.
If you’re ever curious as to how much physiotherapy costs, we invite you to explore our article on how much it costs to see a physiotherapist in Vancouver.