this sporty nerd has got game
training
- Bachelors of Science in Physiotherapy, University of Alberta – 1999
- Certification in Spinal Manipulation – 2006
- CAFCI (acupuncture certification) – 2007
- SMARTERehab Curriculum – 2005-present day
personality
Dave Holmes’ path to becoming a physiotherapist began when he was young. His mother opened the first private practice orthopedic clinic in alberta shortly after he was born and he was raised around physiotherapists. As a young person he spent his summers working as an aide in physio clinics but it wasn’t until he sustained a fracture in his low back that he experienced the profession as a patient. There two young physiotherapists inspired him to pursue physiotherapy as a career. From the time he sustained his fracture, however, until he was in his mid twenties, he dealt with daily pain in his back. Out of self interest he became very interested in complex pain presentations and came across the work of Sean Gibbons, a physiotherapy instructor from Newfoundland. His approach would blend novel neuro-rehabilitation techniques with traditional orthopedic therapies and was so effective on his pain that he returned to one of the sports he loved, cycling. He spent a decade racing road bikes and even picked up a Masters A provincial title in 2016. He has hosted dozens of courses with Sean since 2005 and remains passionate about spreading the impact this type of therapy can produce. He is thrilled to be working with a team like Leading Edge who share his vision of excellence in physiotherapy and changing people’s lives for the better.
- Favorite books – Catch 22
- Favorite Music – He’d have to say punk music considering he has been playing in a punk band for 30 years.
- Movies he loves – Blade Runner (old and new versions)
- Favorite sports/activities – Mountain biking, road biking, skiing, fly fishing and mountain climbing.
- Physio nickname – The “oogity boogity” black magic guy.
- What her physio assistants say about him – “He talks too much”
- Clinical Pet Peeve – When he talks too much and starts running behind (refer to above).
- Something you may not know about him. – He loves classical music and would be a composer if he had any Mozart vibe.
- Superhuman Talent– He absolutely adores public speaking and would do more if he could (refer to above).
- Community connections – He used to run and race with a semi-professional road biking team. They raised over 20K which helped provide bikes to aspiring young cyclists.
edge
Dave Graduated from the University of Alberta in 1999 with his Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy Degree. He also had been a touring musician throughout his time at school and things were starting to look up. So, he spent the next 5 years splitting his time between physiotherapy and being a professional punk rocker. He has toured with his band all over North America (including Hawaii) as well as Japan and most of western Europe. He still plays with his band and is looking forward to getting back to Europe again and playing the festival circuit (Slovenia was his favorite, for the record). His early touring days led to him working at many different clinics throughout Calgary and the surrounding area. He had worked at more than 10 different clinics by the time he started to wind down his music career and focus on physiotherapy. This was also the time where he began training and specializing in his unique blend of neuro and orthopedic physiotherapy. He added acupuncture and spinal manipulation to his bag of tricks and these days his passion is mentoring young physiotherapists to help them learn the unique integrated model that he practices.
