AAP Member
Michael Westaway PT FCAMPT MSc DSc APP
Ascent Physiotherapy and Performance Lab
Phone: 403 678 8855 Fax: 403 678 8799
#102, 1040 Railway Ave Canmore AB T1W1P4
Specialist in Clinical Orthopaedic Physiotherapy
Advanced Practice Practitioner
BACKGROUND:
To be clear, Dr Mike Westaway is not a medical physician. He is a licensed Physiotherapist and Certified Clinical Specialist in musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy. He has been practicing for 38 years. He is one of 40 Physical Therapists in Canada to attain a “Specialist” designation. He is also an APP- Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (similar to Nurse Practitioner). He has been granted the ability to order x-rays, MRI’s and ultrasound diagnostic tests. In addition, he is able to perform, under a Medical Directive, trigger point and Prolotherapy injections.
EDUCATION:
Michael graduated in 1984 from the University of Toronto (St. Michael’s College) with a degree in biochemistry and biology. He was then accepted into the Faculty of Health Sciences (Physiotherapy) at McMaster University and graduated Silver medalist and summa cum laude distinction in 1987.
In 1993, Dr Westaway passed his Residency and Fellowship examinations in manual therapy through the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists. He then went on to teach Orthopaedics at McMaster University as an adjunct clinical professor. He was a surgical assistant in Thunder Bay Ontario with an Orthopaedic surgeon for 4 years.
Dr Westaway has a medical directive to perform trigger point injections and Prolotherapy injections (American College of Osteopathic Medicine) in an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP) role. Michael has completed his APP training and passed his examinations to practice in MSK- related clinical settings. He is one of a few Physical Therapists in Western Canada to have obtained this role. He works in tandem with Dr Louie Coetzee MD at Beam Radiology in Canmore and Dr Martin Breton at Infini Health in Calgary.
He held an adjunct clinical professorship at the University of Alberta teaching the Clinical Radiology course to Alberta Physiotherapists. He has diagnostic imaging privileges in Alberta. He is an adjunct clinical professor at McMaster University in Ontario teaching cervical spine modules. He remains active in clinical research with 18 peer-reviewed publications with a recent publication in 2025. Michael has two research projects currently on the go.
Michael was a founding member of the Caleo Health Spinal Triage Clinic in Calgary. In addition, he was one of the first clinicians to practice at the EFW Advanced Spinal Care Center at the Holy Cross Hospital. He also practiced at Infini Health in Calgary in an advanced practice role performing Prolotherapy and Trigger point injections as well as having Round table discussions on a daily basis with other specialists.
He was recently awarded the CPA Medal of Distinction for the top 100 Physiotherapists in 100 years of CPA service.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY:
He works closely with Dr Craig Loucks MD FRCS, a hip and knee surgeon from Denver Colorado and with Dr N. Heran MD FRCS, a spine neurosurgeon, from Westminster B.C. as well as numerous orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons from Calgary and Canmore.
He held an adjunct clinical professorship at the University of Alberta teaching the Clinical Radiology course to Alberta Physiotherapists. He has diagnostic imaging privileges in Alberta. He is an adjunct clinical professor at McMaster University in Ontario. He remains active in clinical research with 18 peer-reviewed publications with a recent publication in 2025.
He presently practices at Ascent Physiotherapy and Performance Centre with Shane Munro PT FCAMPT in Canmore, Alberta.
Michael built a home in Canmore 25 years ago, sold it, moved to YYC and has recently returned to the mountains. He lives with his wife Myra of 35 years and they both enjoy the outdoor life. They have two grown children; son, age 28 and a daughter, age 31.
MICHAEL’S MANTRA:
If you are happy with treatment, tell your friends
If you are not happy with treatment, tell Michael
If you’re not sure of treatment, ask Michael
In Health,
Michael Westaway
#102 1040 Railway Ave T1W1P4