ABOUT JENNIFER DENYS

Get to know me better.

At a very young age, I fell in love with the art of dance and body movement.

I became a Physiotherapist to share that love with others by helping them continue to enjoy their movement too. 

Shortly after graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Human Kinetics from Trinity Western University and a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University, I joined Canada's National Ballet School as a Physiotherapist. There, I spent 15 years helping dancers improve their technique, prevent injuries and restore their full function after an injury.

My entire career has also included private orthopaedic practice, helping local dancers and people from diverse walks of life, most recently through ellephysio in Oakville, ON. With a passion for lifelong learning, I’ve pursued extensive post-graduate training in dance therapy, manual therapy, neurofunctional acupuncture, pelvic health external techniques, movement analysis, custom exercise prescription, and therapeutic taping.

In 2014, I co-created the BE CALM protocol and co-authored the document "Reasons to Think Twice Before Icing and What to Do Instead," along with Rebecca Dietzel, Biochemist.

In 2020, I launched my private practice, working in-person and virtually with dancers, athletes and people from all across the province of Ontario through Jennifer Denys Physio — living out my mission to empower people to enjoy their full physical freedom.

During my free time these days, I enjoy dancing and singing as well as exploring the outdoors with my family; hiking, swimming, skiing, skating, running, kayaking and gardening.

My love of dance and movement began at a young age and I started dance lessons at the age of three. I also enjoyed various other physical activities throughout my childhood and adolescence: swimming, figure skating, gymnastics, cross-country running, track and field, soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball. 

With a love of movement, an awe of the human body’s anatomy and physiology, and a passion for helping people, physiotherapy emerged as my vocation, as it is an incredible fusion of these. 

I continued dancing, performing and choreographing throughout my undergraduate and master’s degrees on my journey to become a Physiotherapist. I then moved to Calgary, Alberta, in 2004 to dance with Corps Bara Dance Theatre (contemporary and modern dance) while starting my physio career at Canadian Sports Rehabilitation.

My Life-Long Love of Movement

I developed my dance physio skills over 15 years in the elite collaborative environment of Canada's National Ballet School (NBS). The invaluable skills I learned there translate to anyone needing help with their posture, flexibility, turnout, pointed feet, alignment, jumping, leaping, turning and more.

Over the years, I have participated in many performances as an amateur dancer, including with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the multimedia events in Langley and Vancouver known as “A Maze of Grace,” “Project Dance” in New York, “Seussical the Musical” at Meadowvale Theatre, as well as various weddings, funerals, film projects, church performances, and benefit concerts.

I even met my husband while performing at a benefit concert!

Today, I continue to train in the RAD Advanced 2 level of ballet. I also have years of training and performance experience in lyrical, modern, contemporary, tap, swing dance, and jazz. I hold my RAD Advanced 1 Certification and Cecchetti Intermediate Certifications in ballet. Dance brings me so much joy that I intend to keep dancing in some form for the rest of my life!

Throughout my movement journey, the expressive and storytelling nature of dance captivated me the most, yet the broad exposure to physical activity enables me to empathize with a wide range of clients. 

It is a joy to take my lifelong love of dance and movement and merge it with my passion for helping others through physiotherapy! 

Mission

Empower others to enjoy full physical freedom.

Vision

I see…

  • People of all ages moving and dancing freely

  • People’s bodies healing faster from physical injuries

  • Fewer people developing chronic pain from acute injuries

  • Dancers experiencing less, easily-preventable injuries

  • Dancers improving their technique strategies

  • My clients feeling understood by their physiotherapist

  • People feeling in sync with their bodies’ healing and improvement potential

  • People feeling in control of their recovery and/or physical improvement process.

Values

Be empathetic.

  • Journey with kindness and compassion through the emotions caused by physical symptoms

  • Be a safe space for feeling devastated, frustrated or anxious, while transitioning to accept the journey ahead

Be empowering.

  • Help people achieve their personal goals by understanding their own body’s anatomy, its workings, and how to overcome current struggles

  • Guide people to know how to help themselves outside of each appointment

Be optimistic.

  • Bring tangible hope and supportive strength to those suffering from physical pain or other bodily frustrations

  • Inspire the awe of the body's improvement potential and celebrate each little victory along the journey together

Be artful.

  • Work with the art and power of human-to-human relationships to help the science of the body be optimized for healing and strengthening

  • Use art and creativity in the space to heal, and in the customized creativity for each individual’s therapy to be as unique to them and their goals

Post-Grad Physio Certifications

CERTIFICATIONS

Manual Therapy

Level 4, Orthopedic Division, Canadian Physiotherapy Association

Contemporary Acupuncture

McMaster University

Pelvic Health External Techniques

Pelvic Floor Fitness, Level 2, with Julie Wiebe, PT and Holly Herman, external techniques

Pelvic Floor Pilates via Dr. Bruce Crawford

Advanced Movement Therapist

Dance Physio Mentorship

Joanna Speller, Physiotherapist and Irene Dowd

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)

Standard First Aid and CPR

Ongoing re-certification

I am a Proud Member of the Following Organizations…

ASSOCIATIONS

My Commitment

Finding the right physiotherapist can sometimes feel overwhelming — especially if it’s your first time — but it doesn’t have to be.

My goal is to empower you to enjoy full physical freedom, so you can get back to what you love most. 

Here is what you can expect:

A great fit.

Physiotherapy is a journey, and finding the right professional to guide you is important. I offer a free 15-minute consultation for us to get to know each other and to answer any questions you might have about starting a physiotherapy journey with me. 

You will feel heard.

You know your body best. Before giving you a diagnosis or prescribing treatment, I will take the time to listen and ask questions that will lead us to understand the underlying condition. 

You will get an honest, professional opinion.

The human body is complex, but understanding it doesn’t have to be. That’s why I use plain language when explaining complicated medical concepts. I will also be honest about what success looks like in your case and how to get you there.

We will work together.

You are not alone. I will develop a plan that is as unique as you are and, with your consent, connect with your doctor or teachers so we can work closely together to get you back to what you love the most.

THE BE CALM PROTOCOL

Recently injured?

Optimize the healing capacity of your body from the onset of an injury with a protocol developed by Jennifer Denys, Physiotherapist and Rebecca Dietzel, Biochemist.

Begin Your Journey Towards Physical Freedom

Sign up for a free 15-minute consultation to get to know each other and answer any questions you may have about starting a physiotherapy journey with me.