Shambhu (Sam) Adhikari

Vital Life Physiotherapy Clinic

A154 - 2099 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam, BC, V3B 1A8

Shambhu Adhikari is a Registered Physiotherapist and clinical researcher with extensive experience in patient care, rehabilitation, teaching, and research. He is dedicated to helping people recover from injury, manage pain, improve function, and achieve their personal health goals through individualized, evidence-based care. After completing his Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2008, Shambhu earned a PhD in Physical Therapy in 2017. He then completed five years of postdoctoral research training at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. He currently serves as a Research Associate at UBC, where his work focuses on concussion, traumatic brain injury, vestibular rehabilitation, sports injuries, and evidence-based physiotherapy. As an active researcher, Shambhu has published more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications and continues to contribute to the development of innovative diagnostic and rehabilitation approaches for people with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. His research profile can be viewed on Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=xhqtz7UAAAAJ&hl=en). Before joining UBC, Shambhu spent more than 12 years working as a physiotherapist, educator, and University faculty member. During this time, he provided care in both hospital and outpatient settings while teaching and mentoring over 100 physiotherapy students from around the world in clinical practice and research. Shambhu is a strong advocate for evidence-based healthcare and developed the FIT-CORRECT Principle of Exercise Prescription, a framework designed to support more comprehensive and personalized exercise planning. He is passionate about bridging the gap between research and clinical practice through his "Research-to-Routine" and "Routine-to-Research" approach, ensuring that patients benefit from the latest scientific evidence while also helping inform future research. In clinical practice, Shambhu is committed to providing individualized care using a wide range of evidence-based treatment approaches. He believes that successful outcomes begin with in-depth assessment and goal setting, allowing treatment plans to be tailored to each person's unique needs and goals. His focus is on delivering holistic care through the use of pain management techniques, manual therapy, customized exercise prescriptions, and comprehensive home exercise programs to support long-term recovery and help prevent recurrences. His greatest professional satisfaction comes from helping patients regain confidence, improve function, and return to the activities that matter most to them. Shambhu is an active member of the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia (PABC) and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and volleyball, travelling, and spending quality time with his wife and son.