Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) believes every person with Parkinson’s disease (PD) should have access to a physiotherapist – in particular, one who is experienced in treating movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Physiotherapists (PTs) play an important role in holistic care as they utilize evidence-based approaches to movement and exercise that support people with Parkinson’s in managing symptoms and maintaining wellbeing.

Unfortunately, physiotherapy is inaccessible to many British Columbians living with Parkinson's due to financial and/or geographic barriers. The province’s Medical Services Plan only covers physiotherapy for those who are hospitalized, post-operatively, or utilizing the service at one of BC’s movement disorder clinics. In-home or outpatient physiotherapy requires private pay or extended healthcare. For those residing in rural communities, Parkinson’s-specific physiotherapy care may be difficult to secure.

To increase access to Parkinson’s-specific therapies, Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual physiotherapy service on Monday, September 13, 2021. PSBC's own neuro physiotherapist, Shelly Yu, will be accepting people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) for phone or video-conferencing sessions. For people meeting certain criteria, this service will be available free of charge. Sessions will be available one day per week, on Mondays (8:30am – 4:30pm).

This service is for people with Parkinson’s disease in BC who:

• live in rural areas of the province without adequate physiotherapy services
• have limited finances and are unable to pay for physiotherapy services
• are home-bound and unable to access in-home physiotherapy services due to geographical or financial limitations
• need specialized advice to prevent hospital admission and/or to maintain in-home safety

We also welcome carepartners in need of physiotherapy advice to safely mobilize, transfer, and/or physically assist their loved one with PD without injuring themselves.

To sign-up or learn more, please contact us at 1-800-668-3330 or info@parkinson.bc.ca.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This service is not intended to provide emergency support. In case of emergency, such as fall or injury, please call 9-1-1. Please speak to your doctor or primary care provider for advice on urgent matters.

Meet the Physiotherapist

My name is Shelly Yu, and I am a neuro physiotherapist based in Vancouver. I began my journey working with the Parkinson’s community in the UK, at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery. There, I was fortunate to work with some of the most brilliant minds in the Parkinson’s field. I have worked in spasticity and dystonia, facial rehab, hand, vestibular, and movement disorder clinics, with the final leading me to become trained in PD Warrior and Dance for PD.

You may recognize me from some of Parkinson Society BC’s exercise programs! Alongside my work at PSBC, I am the lead physiotherapist at a private neurology clinic in the Lower Mainland. I am also the Advocacy Officer at the Global Health Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, working on health equity issues within Canada – specifically, access to care. Outside of my clinical practice, I am a dancer in a modern dance company and an amateur knitter!