About Cathy
Is this you? You start a running program and developed knee pain. Then you try weight training and your low back hurts. You rest for a while but then your whole body starts to ache. It has been especially bad ever since having kids and now you have even less time to exercise than before. This was my exact story.
I get it, you use to feel so fit but lately it has just been one injury after another.
But what if I told you I could teach you how to enjoy your hobbies again, without getting injured, and feel strong?
Hey, I’m Cathy Walker.
My mission is to help people with hypermobile bodies be able to live active lives no matter the stage of life they are in.
Growing up as a dancer, I never worried about injuries. However, once I stopped dancing it felt like injuries started coming fast and furious. I was a passenger in a car accident and developed chronic low back pain and a concussion. My body never felt the same after that car accident. Whether it was knee plica from falling down the stairs, plantar fasciitis with running, reoccurring nerve pain down my leg from sitting too long, or a dislocated shoulder from starting a weight training program. I experienced it all firsthand. If I tried a new hobby or sport, I got injured and would be back to square one again.
However, one day I finally had enough so I started a once-a-week full-body weight training program. That decision changed my life. I was suddenly able to run without pain. In fact, I ran so far that I completed my first marathon. I felt strong and confident in my body again. I no longer felt fragile or like I couldn’t try a new sport because I would be worried about reinjury. Instead, I discovered something new, resilience.
After having my son, I felt anxious and exhausted. All of my hypermobility symptoms worsened to the point at which I ended up in a neurologist’s office. Despite the severity of my symptoms, I was told “you are just stressed.” I felt so outraged! Not for myself, but for all the other patients out there who felt they were not being heard and being told their symptoms are “just stress” with no plan of how to move forward. This experience showed me the importance of taking charge of my own health and my hypermobility. I learned how to take care of myself in a way that is efficient for the little time that I have as a mother. I learned how to address my fatigue, nausea, and anxiety with practical tips. I went from only being allowed to walk to getting back into dancing, running, weight training, and hiking. I went from surviving to thriving and I want you to too.
Services
Education
Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of British Columbia
Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University
Active Release Techniques
Acupuncture from Acupuncture Canada
Neurokinetic Therapy
Rost Therapy for Pelvic Girdle Pain Syndrome
Diaphragm/Pelvic Floor Piston for Adult Populations by Julie Wiebe
Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist by Core Exercise Solutions Ltd.
EDS ECHO for Allied Health Professionals
Movement Rev Locator Test Assessment Protocol Level 1 (LTAP)
Publications
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - “Reliability and Validity of Cervical Range of Motion and Muscle Strength Testing.”
Athletic Achievements
Growing up as a competitive dancer from ages 5 through 18, our public performances included venues such as the Vancouver Ravens Lacrosse Team and Disneyland. I still can be found taking dance classes throughout the Lower Mainland.
After retiring from competitive dancing for about 10 years, I took up running. The races I have completed to date include:
Seattle Rock N Roll Full Marathon
Vancouver Half Marathon
BMO Half Marathon (twice)
Vancouver Rock N Roll Half Marathon
Surrey International World Music Half Marathon
Vancouver Sun Run (twice)
Vancouver Underwear Affair 10km
Kind Words