Neurological Sequelae in Long COVID - What we're Seeing & How we can Manage it

Welcome to the Neurosciences Division (NSD), a not-for-profit division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA).

We are a national organization operated by volunteers with a passion for neurological physiotherapy. We connect physiotherapists working in neurological settings to learning opportunities and a community of colleagues across the country.

The Neurosciences Division (NSD) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA).

Our Aim is to assist neuroscience physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants in enabling their clients to reach their full potential and participation in their communities through assessment, treatment, assistance, consultation, education, and research.

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.

As the vital partner for the profession, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) leads, advocates, and inspires excellence and innovation to promote health. CPA’s goal is to provide exceptional service, valuable information and connections to the profession of physiotherapy, across Canada and around the world.