Kayla Gitzel

Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Kayla is elated to be working in her home town to provide services as a physiotherapist. At a young age, Kayla saw the impact physiotherapy had on improving her grandma’s quality of life, and from then on she couldn’t think of a more rewarding career to pursue. She also grew up as a gymnast and gymnastics coach, and this is where she discovered her love of helping others achieve their athletic goals. Today, Kayla stays active with cycling, HIIT classes, and pilates. 

Kayla graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta. Prior to her Masters, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Psychology, with Distinction.  During her time at the University of Alberta, she participated as a research student at Alberta Hospital North. Here, she served as the lead author for a published journal article, making research and evidence-based practice a strong suit of Kayla’s.

Kayla’s passion for physiotherapy is exemplified by her love of hosting physiotherapy students for clinical placements. In recognition of this, Kayla was appointed by the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine as an Affiliated Clinical Educator. She’s also served as a continence preceptor for the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Canada nursing education program. Additionally, she’s been approached by CAREERS: The Next Generation to speak as the physiotherapy representative for province-wide student presentations. Kayla has also enjoyed her time volunteering with various local organizations including PARDS, the QEII Hospital, You Can Ride 2 Adaptive Bicycles, Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton, Alberta Hospital Edmonton North, and the GP Public Library. In her spare time, you can find Kayla sewing, playing with her nieces, and camping with her husband, Dylan.

Kayla has worked with pelvic health conditions since taking her post-graduate training in 2019, and has a special interest in pre- and post-natal care, including the treatment of incontinence, caesarean-section recovery, and pelvic pain. She also has a keen interest in the impacts cancer and cancer treatments have on the pelvic floor.

Following is a list of post graduate education Kayla has taken to help serve you better:

• Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation - Bernard Tonks

• Labour and Delivery: Maternal Support Through Comfort Measures and Pelvic Biomechanics

• Oncology and the Pelvic Floor

• Pediatric Incontinence and Bowel/Bladder Dysfunction Dawn Sandalcidi

• Trauma and the Pelvic Floor: Treating Survivors of Birth Trauma, Childhood Sexual Abuse, and Sexual Assault with Lisa Aldworth

• The Physical Therapy Approach to Female and Male Urinary Incontinence Pelvic Health Solutions: Level 1

• Female and Male Pelvic Pain Pelvic Health Solutions: Level 2/3

• The Diploma of Advanced Orthopedic Manual and Manipulative Physiotherapy Level 1: Canadian Physiotherapy Association - Orthopedic Division

• Cesarean Birth: The Role of Physiotherapy in Preparation & Recovery

• Diane Lee's Diastasis Rectus Abdominis & The Implications for Low Back & Pelvic Health

• IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) Therapy - On Point Dry Needling

• Men’s Health Physiotherapy with Gerard Greene

• Pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain & The Pelvic Floor

• Cervical Spine Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Guild

• Anorectal Evaluation and Management for Physiotherapists

• Torticollis Assessment and Treatment of Infants and Children

• Men's Sexual Health Rehabilitation with Dr. Jo Milios

• The Triplets of Female Pelvic Pain

• Vulvar Health Changes and Conditions throughout the Lifespan