Anna DiMarco has been a physiotherapist for over 30 years. She initially entered into the profession because of her fascination with the human body, physical movement and the body’s innate ability to heal itself. The human body, although absolutely magnificent in its own realm, however, may not have been enough to sustain her interest for 3 decades. What really captured her attention very early in her career and what has become her passion professionally is the potential and magnificence of the human being in full expression....mind, body and spirit. The question that fuels her passion these days is ultimately “How can we achieve our full potential regardless of the particular circumstances we find ourselves in?”
Anna’s professional practice has focused primarily on musculoskeletal injuries (bones, muscles, joints) across the lifespan and across a wide spectrum of physical capacities. She has worked with people with children as young as 3 and seniors as old as 100. She has worked with clients who will never leave a wheelchair and with clients who have become world-class athletes. Through it all, Anna has marvelled at the levels of self-compassion, self-love and resilience her clients have demonstrated. Anna fully appreciates that although we may be physically programmed to survive, our souls can push us to thrive and flourish regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
Anna has continually worked on professional and personal development with a list of courses too numerous to outline. Her professional development interests lay in manual therapy, joint movement and soft tissue mobilization, Functional Movement Testing and Functional Strength Training across the lifespan. She also has an interest in and a growing field of knowledge in the area of Chronic Pain Management. Anna is certified in Acupuncture, Pilates, Yoga and Management of the Chronic Pain Client and she utilizes all these certifications professionally. Currently, Anna is working on another 200 hour yoga certification through the Vancouver Island based Heart and Bones Yoga Program.
Over the last 2 years, Anna has found she has a strong passion for advocating for the future of the profession to ensure high quality patient centred care and evidence informed practice while maintaining a pandemic proof, equitable and accessible professional licensing system. This passion was sparked when the pandemic interrupted Canada’s national physiotherapy licensing program and it became increasingly evident that newer Canadian graduates and internationally trained physiotherapy professionals did not have a strong voice. Anna joined forces with other fully licensed, passionate physios throughout Canada and together, they are the founding members of the grassroots organization The Physiotherapy Advocates of Canada.
As well, Anna has just recently moved into the role as President of the Manitoba Physiotherapy Association. She hopes that by working with other branch presidents across Canada, she can build a unified voice leading the profession towards greater sustainability while championing excellence and innovation in an ever evolving and highly competitive Canadian healthcare system.
Outside of her work, Anna enjoys time with her husband and their growing blended family and extended families. She loves the outdoors and can be found in a local forest almost any day of the week either on foot, on bike or on snowshoes. She enjoys spending time with her husband and family in the mountains of Whistler for downhill skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Anna also remains committed to a daily practice of solitude, journalling, stillness and mindful movement.