Staff Bios

KAREN MARIE
RCRT, LCIC, RAC CERTIFIED TEACHER OF REFLEXOLOGY, past RAC BOARD MEMBER

Karen has always had a passion for helping others and after working for the Diabetes Association (Foothills) for close to 18 years she decided to pursue a career in Reflexology.  Karen trained and became certified through the Reflexology Association of Canada but this was only the beginning. She then went on to train with TouchpointDK, Dien Chen Facial Reflexology and is currently studying to become a Master Reflexologist with the Universal College of Reflexology.  Working directly with the London Centre of Indian Champissage, Karen is also certified in Champissage™, Ayurvedic Foot Massage, and Natural Face Lift Massage.

Opening a center where Therapeutic and Holistic Practitioners can come together has always been Karen’s dream and hence the creation of the Body Therapy Wellness Centre.  The center will focus on Therapeutic Modalities as well as offer holistic education and seminars.  In honor of Marjorie Snaith (Karen’s mom) and her lifetime of giving back to the community, Body Therapy will donate $1.00 from every service and use the funds to offer free Therapeutic services to those who cannot afford them.  Karen is a mother of three amazing young men and in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Most recently Karen became a RAC certified teacher of Reflexology and has been elected to the board of RAC.

BRYAN MANSFIELD
LCIC

Originally from the United Kingdom, Bryan first worked as a lawyer before spending time with the Metropolitan Police. After immigrating to Canada some twenty years ago he then was employed as the chief operating officer of a manufacturing company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Whilst there he experienced many of the “alternative” and more holistic based therapeutic treatments that were commonly available. Notably, the massage therapy offered by students of the massage school for the blind. He found the touch and benefits given by these practitioners to be superior to any offered by sighted massage therapists.

After returning to Canada he was not able to experience that same degree of treatment but then by chance happened across Champissage. After receiving this type of massage he investigated further and found out that the originator of the system, Nahendra Mehta, was himself blind. He decided to explore the therapy more seriously and undertook the course offered by the London School of International Champissage. After successfully completing that he went on to complete other courses offered by the school in Natural Face-lift Massage and Ayurvedic foot massage. Recently he also completed the Dien Chan facial reflexology course offered by the International School of Multireflexology that is based in Barcelona. He takes much pleasure and satisfaction from seeing the clear, beneficial effect that his therapies have on his clients and counts it as a special bonus when they have to be woken up at the end of a session! He looks forward to taking the time to explain these benefits to his clients, as well as having them directly experience the effects themselves, and snoring is permissible.

LAURIE GRAMS
OFFICE MANAGER

Laurie was welcomed into the Body Therapy Wellness family in June 2016. Having had 30 plus years in customer service and acquiring excellent management skills along the way, it is nonetheless the interaction with people that she enjoys the most. She finds it very rewarding to be part of a team dedicated to health and wellness.

A native Calgarian, her family enjoys back country camping and OHV recreation. She loves the sound of a crackling campfire! Being a passionate animal lover and the pet mom to several fur and feathered family members she and her family use their spare time to volunteer at area animal rescue centres.

Callie Eagleton
RECEPTION

Callie started with Body Therapy Wellness Centre in March of 2023; she has 8+ years of experience working and volunteering in customer service.

She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Calgary while playing for the Dino’s Women’s Rugby Team. While playing rugby for 9 years, Callie has developed a strong mindset in keeping up a healthy lifestyle and encourages everyone she meets to stay active!

In her free time, you can find Callie coaching rugby or spending time with her friends and family.

HANNAH CLAWSON
RECEPTION

Hannah joined the Body Therapy Wellness team in August of 2021 she has worked in many industries but has always enjoyed customer service. She likes to get to know each client and watch their progress towards their therapy goals.

When not at work Hannah can be found at home with her daughter or heading out camping, spending time with friends and family.

HEATHER FREY
RECEPTION

Heather started with Body Therapy Wellness Centre in October of 2017, she has worked in different industries and has 15 years of experience working in customer service. She has a strong interest in health and wellness, which guided her to change her career from banking and hopes to broaden her knowledge while assisting her team and the clients in any way she can. Heather was born and raised in Calgary. She is an animal lover and enjoys spending her free time with her pets, friends and family.

Ramnik Dhillon
Reception

Ramnik has been with Body Therapy since March 2022. She is working towards attaining her Masters in Counselling Psychology! Ramnik is a big advocate for mental health wellness and enjoys working at Body Therapy and seeing the clients progressively getting better or coming in and getting some self-care and taking time for themselves! Ramnik has 7+ years of customer service experience and enjoys getting to meet new faces as well as catching up with the regulars!

Valeriia Kondrashenko
Reception

Valerie joined the Body Therapy Wellness team in March of 2023. She has experience in customer service as well as in working with kids as she has her degree in Education. She has recently moved from Europe.

In her free time she enjoys traveling and learning new cultures, reading and watching her favorite TV shows.

Zarina Dervisheva
Reception

Zarina has been working at BTWC since June 2023. Originally from Ukraine, she continues to work in customer service in Canada. Her favorite part of the job is meeting and communicating with new people, as well as watching how their emotions and condition change after treatment.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring new places, taking photographs and creating memories.

DR. Tingting (Ava) Zhang
Deerfoot City Location

Dr. Tingting (Ava) Zhang is a graduate of the Canadian Institute of Chinese Medicine. She is a Licensed and certified acupuncturist from by the college of Acupuncturist of Alberta (CAA), she is also an active member of Alberta Association of Traditional Chinese Medical Doctors (AAATCMD). She has also completed courses in TCM cupping therapy, Facial Acupuncture and other traditional forms of healing. This has allowed her to expand her knowledge base and offer more comprehensive treatments to her clients.

“As an acupuncturist, I believe the most important aspect of my job is providing a safe and effective treatment for my patients. Additionally, I think it’s important to create a comfortable environment for my patients where they feel heard and understood. Finally, I strive to ensure that my patients are getting the best care possible.”

Dr. Tingting (Ava) is passionate about helping people improve their health through holistic treatments such as acupuncture. She uses acupuncture to safely and effectively help alleviate pain and discomfort for her patients. She understands that each patient’s needs are unique, and she has the ability to listen to their concerns and develop a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. Her goal is always to relief pain and improve overall wellbeing.

DR. CLAIRE J. EDWARDS
R.AC, TCMD
Creekside Location

Dr. Edwards trained at the Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and is registered and licensed through the College & Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta. Growing up Claire was always sensitive to other people’s energy. Her wish to better understand this phenomenon and how to deal with it has led her on a magnificent journey. She is passionate about “Energetic Health” and how it affects our lives and well-being. She loves to learn is continually upgrading her skills and tool box. Dr. Edwards combines ancient wisdom with cutting edge technology. In her treatments she uses her state of the art AcuGraph diagnostic tool to assist in showing you how your energy (Qi) is running in your body and how this correlates to what you are experiencing. It will also be used to track your successful progress.

A typical acupuncture session with Dr. Edwards is far from typical. In addition to the use of acupuncture needles (if you even want to go there), you could also experience the use of the following:

• AcuGraph Digital Meridian Imaging
• Rapid Release System – high speed vibration therapy (helps breakdown scar tissue & knots)
• TCM Fire Cupping
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Stim Plus Pro – micro-current treatment

When all is said and done, Dr. Edward’s most common comment is, “Wow I’m so relaxed, I didn’t know I could be so relaxed.” We’ve all heard how STRESS negatively impacts our health. So regardless of how this is manifesting itself for you (headaches, neck/shoulder tension, back pain, insomnia, anxiety/depression, digestive issues, weight issues, menstrual issues, menopausal issues) she can help. Dr. Edwards, due to all her non needle techniques is also very good with children. She looks forward to serving you and helping you achieve your health goals to live your best life.

Ka Keung Sze (KK)
Acupuncturist
Deerfoot City Location

KK received a bachelors and master’s degree studying acupuncture and Chinese medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University, and is licensed through the Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta. He began practicing in 2008 and has over 10 years of experience in both acupuncture and TCM cupping.

KK believes in helping the body heal naturally, through the use of acupuncture, Tui-Na, TCM cupping, and Gua-Sha. He likes to balance the energy of the whole body by adjusting meridians and using Tui-Na to relax the muscles.

Andriy Varekha
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Andriy is a licensed massage therapist with many years of experience working in Europe. Andriy is knowledgeable in clinical assessment to help treat chronic muscle tension and all common conditions. He is passionate about helping each patient by developing a customized treatment plan based on their needs. His expertise involves all areas of treatment such as Therapeutic, Orthopaedic assessment, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage and Relaxation Swedish technique.

BRANDY MARTIN
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

For as long as Brandy  can recall, massage has been an integral part of her life. Massage was a common means of bonding while growing up and this cultivated a deep respect for the form of touch as a mode of communication and as a healing art. Brandy is a graduate of the 2200 hour WE (Western / Eastern) massage program developed by the Calgary based Canadian Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as a graduate of the 4 year intensive acupuncture and herbal medicine program taught at the same institution. Two years ago, she started down the path of an exciting new adventure after being accepted into the 5 year Osteopathic Manual Therapy course offered by Escuela Osteopatia Madrid, based out of Spain.

Depending on the individual needs of each client, a typical treatment can include general relaxation massage as well as incorporate techniques from different modalities such as deep tissue, therapeutic, tui na, thai massage, acupressure, hot stone, cupping, gua sha, heat and essential oils. Many of these treatments are great for pre- and post- natal clients and children. Brandy is working towards acquiring a predominantly female focused skill set in order to master in an array of women’s issues. With the integrative belief that all components of the human are equally important as well as intricately connected, Brandy is a strong believer that physical therapy can be used to attain wholeness on all levels.

Fatna Omer
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Fatna is a Registered Massage Therapist in Calgary with an enthusiastic and kind approach to massage sessions. She specializes in various modalities such as Swedish Relaxation Massage, Deep Tissue, Sport Massage, Cupping, Hot Stone, Prenatal Massage, Treatment Massage with assessments. Fatna studied Massage Therapy in Calgary and is grateful to receive new knowledge and skills. Constantly she educates herself and has a big interest in the human muscular system and human anatomy.

First contact with massage Therapy was, when her mom was giving massages to neighbors with pain and sore muscles. She loved the smile of people leaving after sessions. There wasn’t a possibility to study massage in her hometown, so she went to study Electrician College. Her dream to contribute to people’s well being was fulfilled after she managed to move to Canada.

Although Fatna has grown up in a very specific environment, she loves to explore other cultures, learn new things, meals, and learn from other people from diverse backgrounds.

Fatna speaks various languages, such as English, Arabic, Tigrinya, Tigre and Turkish. She has a big passion for Turkish movies and TV shows – that`s how she learned Turkish language, her first movie she watched was with almost no knowledge of Turkish vocabulary; now she enjoys conversation in Turkish with her friends.

Fatna also likes to cook with friends from other countries and share cuisine experiences. Her specialty is a combination of East African meals and Arabic flavours.

Frederick Narooz
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Frederick grew up in Jordan, his family brought him to Calgary two decades ago where he became a Registered Massage Therapist in 2018, graduating from a 3000hr advanced clinical massage therapy program. Sports Massage, Injury Rehab, Mayofacial Cupping, Joint mobilization and trigger point release are just a few modalities he incorporates with a specific treatment made personally for each clinet.

Thus far, Frederick has gained extensive knowledge in treating many clients with different conditions such as general muscle tension caused by anxiety and stress, muscle strains, tendinitis, postural deviations, athletic injuries, chronic whiplash, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis/golfers elbow, arthritis, fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis. He has worked closely with Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Vestibular Physical Therapists , Nerve Conduction Doctors, Orthopaedic surgeons as well as other RMTs. Such learning experience has given him a unique way of assessing a case and finding the proper treatment for each client. Frederick also values mindfulness and believes that providing a relaxation treatment can go a long way in helping you cope with life’s stressors.

When Frederick is not helping you feel better, he can almost always be found in the studio producing and recording music. He is working hard to maintain a good daily physical and mental care routine and enjoys stimulating his brain with reading and studying, or playing backgammon with his friends and family.

Ivonne Ocampo Pereira
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside and Deerfoot City Location

Ivonne is a Registered Massage Therapist with 3000 hours in advanced massage techniques.

She cares about people, and has a passion for working with clients. Ivonne likes helping them by reducing stress and pain. She is always looking to provide maximum relaxation and improve my clients’ health and experience with every treatment.

Ivonne has experience in different modalities such as relaxation-swedish, deep tissue, cupping, lymphatic drainage, hot stone etc. She likes to combine different techniques from different modalities to accomplish the best treatment that better fits each client’s needs.

She is always trying to learn about the body and other new techniques to incorporate into treatments and help clients feel great.

Ivonne is interested in esotericism and holisticism, believes in the power of the touch, and is currently learning acupressure.

In her spare time Ivonne loves art, crafts, animation, nature and travelling.

JANELLE HARMS
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Janelle is passionate about the art + science of massage therapy and its value in helping people live happier, healthier lives.

Her massage style is a blend of Swedish, therapeutic, and myofascial techniques, applied in concert with stretching & joint movement.

She’s also trained in Prenatal/Pregnancy massage, Thai Yoga Table Massage, and Hot Stone Therapy.

Janelle obtained her 2200-hour RMT diploma in 2015 from Vicars School of Massage Therapy.

She has experience treating a diverse clientele in a variety of settings, including health clinics, high-end spas, and palliative care.

JANETTE JOHNSON
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Janette graduated from Northwestern School of Massage Therapy and Orthopaedic Institute here in Calgary in 1994. During her 27 year practice Janette has worked along side fellow massage therapists, chiropractors and physiotherapists. Most recently Janette had her own practice from home, but is happy to be part of the team at Body Therapy.

Janette offers her best abilities to help others achieve good health through relaxation and therapeutic massage, dynamic cupping, hot & cold stone therapy, pre/post natal massage, and gau shau. The pressure Janette applies is based on each individual’s needs from feather light to deep tissue. In her own time, Janette loves spending time with her kids, reading and needlework.

JEIMY CASTELLANOS
3000 HOUR ADVANCED CLINICAL MASSAGE THERAPY DIPLOMA
Creekside Location

Jeimy is originally from Mexico. She likes to incorporate relaxation massage in with myofascial release and deep tissue work. Combining these different techniques makes for a relaxing, yet effective massage in relieving tight muscles from every day use or injuries from overuse. It can also assist with repetitive strain injury (RSI) and Motor vehicle accident rehabilitation (MVA). She can also provide: cupping therapy, pre/post-natal massage & Swedish massage. Jeimy believes massage therapy plays a key role in dealing with many of life’s stress, and is essential for long-term health and wellness. She believes fervently that welfare depends on the balance of mind and body. In her spare time she enjoys meditation, photography, being a foodie, and spending time with loved ones.

Jessica Zhang
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Upon immigrating to Canada in 2007, Jessica found that her first profession in Television editing was not in high demand and so so she went back to school, earning her 2200 hour RMT in Toronto , Ontario.

Jessica moved to Calgary in 2012, where she has been practicing ever since as an RMT. Certified through the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta, MTAA, she is passionate about her chosen field and has developed a high level of proficiency. Her many clients will be happy to tell you that her caring and professional touch has brought them relaxation and relief. In addition to therapeutic massage, Jessica has mastered many special techniques, including hot stone, cupping and scraping. She is also is a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has received certificates in Scraping(GuaSha)and Moxa-moxibustion.

When she is not busy with her career, Jessica enjoys spending time with her daughter and soon-to-be son in law, and always finds quiet time to practice yoga, TaiChi, meditation or to simply go for walks. When the Covid-19 pandemic fades into our memories, Jessica’s first wish is to once again travel.

Jianzeng Zhang
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Jianzeng Zhang was born in China.  He uses a variety of approaches to help his clients, depending on individual needs.  He is a trained Internal Family Systems therapist and use Chinese acupuncture acupressure and reflexology therapy.

His greatest reward as a therapist is helping his clients explore ways to make the changes in their lives that will allow them to look forward to the future with hope. He provides his clients with that comfortable, nonjudgmental environment—a safe place to explore the issues that may be preventing you from living the life you want.

He believes positive energy for one’s mind, body & spirit makes a happy balanced person.

Josie Carlson
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside and Deerfoot City Location

Juan Torres
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Juan is a Registered Massage Therapist with over six years of experience who has worked in different Physiotherapy and multi-disciplinary clinics as well as wellness centers. Juan has good techniques that allow clients to not only relax and relieve their stress but also he firmly believes that Massage Therapy can truly help to treat and alleviate their injuries and pain. He uses a variety of techniques in order to meet the needs of his clients, including relaxation (Swedish), Deep Tissue, Cupping and a combination of different Therapeutic Massages with techniques like Myofascial Release, Trigger Points among others.

Juan is also certified in Advanced Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries (Cyriax Frictions) which help to treat and enhance treatments results and has obtained valuable experience and good outcomes working on MVA cases. Likewise, Juan can adjust the treatments with the main goal of achieving the well-being of his clients and having the gratification of reach their expectations.

In his spare time, he likes to go to the movies, photography, work out, read and enjoy a good company to walk around and talk.

Julie Kundrik
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Julie believes taking care of your body is the cornerstone to living a healthy, balanced life. She has seen how Massage Therapy can benefit her clients since completing her 2200hr Massage Therapy Diploma in 2014 (Mount Royal University, Calgary).

Julie uses a client centered approach in the treatment and prevention of injury. This helps her clients get back to living their lives and pursuing their passions. Julie also has experience with Lymphatic Drainage, CranioSacral therapy, cupping, pregnancy massage and deep tissue massage and works with clients on a per case basis to establish goals and develop effective treatment plans to meet them.

When Julie is not at work she loves to get out and play. In the winter it is all things skiing – backcountry, downhill and cross-country. In the summer it is on her mountain bike, camping or hiking with friends. When the time comes for a much needed rest you’ll most likely find her curled up with a good book.

Whether today is your first massage ever or you have already included it in your wellness routine, Julie is excited to meet you as part of the Body Therapy team

Julijana Jovonovic
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Julijana has been practicing the healing art of massage therapy for over 15 years. She understands the connection between human touch and healing is very important. Through many years she gained international experience from high end spas to clinical practices. Accruing skills such as Hot stone, Bamboo, Thai Herbal massage..ect. During this this time she was featured in articles and magazines such as Calgary Herald for her work in this field. With her vast experience she has realized that her passion in life was helping others that are suffering from chronic pain or acute injuries.

Her style is a combination of relaxation massage with the benefit of therapeutic techniques, such as trigger point release. Julijana continues to expand her knowledge and has added Cupping, Orthopaedic massage and will soon be registered in Lymphatic Drainage massage. She has the ability to customize each treatment based on her patient needs to get maximum healing benefit.

Kayla Headdress
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Kayla, a proud graduate of Mount Royal University in Registered Massage Therapy, is on a mission to spread joy, positivity, and well-being. Her goal is to empower her clients to embrace the best version of themselves through the magic of preventative care. Her approach might involve refining your gait, posture, or supercharging your confidence at the gym. With her skillful massage treatments, you’ll not only feel a surge of contentment and flexibility but also significantly reduce the likelihood of injuries.

Kayla’s passion knows no bounds. Whether you’re battling stress, wrestling with chronic pain, dealing with muscle tension, or simply seeking an enhanced you, she’s here to guide you. She harnesses the power of specialized therapeutic, deep tissue, or relaxation massages, alongside innovative techniques like myofascial cupping and kinetic massage. This kinetic massage technique blends joint movement with precise pressure to unlock your body’s full potential.

In the wise words of Kayla Headdress, “You were blessed with one incredible body, so nurture it! Unleash the finest version of yourself.”

Leslie Sabturani
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Leslie specializes in therapeutic massage techniques, including Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and RAPID NFR. With her passion for helping others achieve optimal wellness and keen understanding of the human body, Leslie is committed to providing personalized care to each client, tailoring treatments to address specific concerns, and promoting relaxation and healing. With her warm and compassionate demeanour, Leslie creates a comfortable and rejuvenating experience for all those who seek her expertise.

Lisa Li
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Lisa graduated with the 2200 hour massage therapy diploma and she’s a member with NHPC in good standing.

She likes to see her clients with reduced pain and have more energy after the treatments. Her techniques include prenatal, relaxation, therapeutic, cupping and hot stone.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and bike riding. She also likes cooking and reading, and is always looking for opportunities to learn new things. She spends a lot of free time in her new garden this year, and believes exercise and healthy food can keep her and her family in good mind and body.

Martha Aquino
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Martha decided to become a Massage Therapist because she is passionate about the positive healing effects massage therapy has on people. She has seen the huge impact Massage Therapy can have on someone’s overall mental health and physical wellbeing. She graduated with the 3000 hours Advanced Program and specializes in Swedish or relaxing massage, Deep Tissue massage, cupping therapy, trigger point and Myofascial release.

She also has experience working with a wide variety of patients who range from having complex conditions, to those who just want to relax.

Through her holistic approach and listening skills, she can work and blend he therapeutic knowledge to create the most effective treatment with the natural healing power of the human body and its needs. Martha’s treatment style is calming and grounding using light to moderate pressure.

Martha enjoys hanging out with her family, hiking, trying different types of food, dancing and music.

Meriah Scott
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Meriah is a Registered Massage Therapist, having graduated from Makami after completing the 3000 hour advanced clinical massage therapy program.

Meriah is a born and raised Calgarian. She is trained in Swedish, Relaxation, Deep Tissue, and Cupping. She became interested in massage after it was used to treat horrible migraines and after a motor vehicle accident she was involved in.

She aims to leave each person who comes to see her for treatment, leaving better than when they walked through the door. In her spare time Meriah enjoys watching sports and when time permits plays various sports as well. She enjoys reading various genre of books, and loves writing poetry and short stories.

Mwende Kamba
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Mwende is a Registered Massage Therapist with 2200 hours of school training. She graduated in 2013 and is a member of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC). She has worked in spa and clinical settings providing Swedish, Relaxation, Therapeutic, Cupping and Hot Stone massages.

Mwende’s treatments include a variety of techniques that combine both a relaxation and therapeutic approach. With 10 years of experience in Massage Therapy she uses techniques such as Myofascial release and Trigger Point Therapy to increase circulation and improve overall function of muscles, fascia and other supporting tissues of the body.

She believes in the benefits of Massage Therapy whether seeking it for mental, emotional and/or physical reasons. In her spare time she enjoys drawing/painting, reading, playing badminton and spending time with her family.

Patricia Pereira
Registered Massage Therapist
Creekside Location

Patricia has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2015 with 3000 hours experience in advanced clinical.

Patricia likes to help clients with techniques to reduce pain and stress, specializing in techniques such as Cupping, Bamboo,Hot and Cold stones, prenatal massages (pre/post), sport massage, deep tissue, lymphatic drainage, relaxation, baby massage , advanced orthopedist massages lower body.

Patricia is also a certified Skin Care Specialist.

Samira Ayari
Registered Massage Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Samira R.M.T comes from a long line of therapists. She first learned massage from her grandmother which is a family tradition, Samira’s grandmother passed this wonderful gift to her, and she then combined tradition and modern massage together. Samira plans on expanding her knowledge in massage though currently she specialises in deep tissue, relaxation ,cupping, joint play prenatal, postnatal, hot stone and much more, including RAPID NeuroFascial reset. Samira believes that with massage and maintaining your health you will keep energized and pain free. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, cooking, walking and meditating. Samira is fluent in English French and Arabic

Abnoan Dos Santos
Manual Osteopathic Therapist
Deerfoot City Location

Abnoan dos Santos graduated as a Physiotherapist in 2008 and later completed his Osteopathy training at the Madrid School of Osteopathy. After 6 years of studying and training, he received his Diploma in Osteopathy at the Instituto Brasileiro de Osteopatia in Porto Alegre. He has been practicing manual therapy for 13 years.

He was an Osteopathic Therapist in his own clinic in Brazil specialising in addressing issues with back pain, disc herniation, headaches, and chronic acid reflux. Abnoan uses a variety of techniques and skills that he has perfected to promote and improve his client’s health and well being.

ALEXANDRE FREIRE
OSTEOPATHIC MANUAL THERAPIST, AAOMT
Creekside Location

Alexandre Freire has over twenty years of experience in treating a wide range of injuries and impingement conditions, as well as treating people of all ages. Working and teaching in both the public and private health care systems in Brazil, Europe, U.S.A and now Canada his experience is extremely broad both culturally and professionally. He graduated from Physiotherapy in 1994 and from Osteopathy in 2004, with a total of 11 years of training to become an Osteopathic Manual Therapist He holds specializations in Functional Orthopedics, Traumatology, in Posture known as “RPG”. Alex is also certified by BTL to perform treatment with Shockwave Therapy for chronic conditions such as shoulder impingement, heelspurs/plantar fasciitis and more.

For over twelve years he has been working with the Madrid school of Osteopathy, as a professor and educator. Alex is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. He has attended Kirksville-College of Osteopathic Medicine- KCOM (the home of Osteopathy) and Andrew Taylor Still University-ATSU where he was invited to lecture. He was member of the board of the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths (CFO) between 2016 and 2018. He was also the CFO vice-president from 2016 to 2017. Since 2016, he is member of the Alberta Association of Osteopathic Manual Therapists (AAOMT), and recently became the president of AAOMT. Now a resident in Canada, he seeks to encourage others to discover and be encouraged to expand their knowledge of “the Osteopathic View” of treatment. Alex’s interests outside of Osteopathy and Physiotherapy include: spending time with his children (13, 4 and 2 years old), traveling and working out. He is a black belt in Karate and has learned about its philosophy, culture, and physical benefits which became part of his life.

MAXI SCHÖNTEICH
Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Creekside and Deerfoot City Location

My body and I have not always been friends. I was brought to this line of work from a place you may find yourself in now, out of touch with myself. I’ve lived with chronic anxiety my entire life, ignoring exhaustion, dizziness and pain. Unsure what I really wanted or who I really was I put my needs last and prioritized leading my life with my brain.

It took me until my late twenties to understand that all along my body was trying to guide me towards freedom and health. I just didn’t know how to listen.

Stepping into Mind-Body and Functional Medicine, I became passionate about embodied healing work. Over the years, what I’ve come to know is that our bodies are brilliant and no matter where you are on your path, you are not broken. Whatever you are experiencing makes sense, and all you need is a sense of direction and a roadmap to healing.

Anuja Wanave
Physiotherapist
Deerfoot City Location

Anuja received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from India.

She has over 11 years of experience in treating a variety of Orthopaedic conditions and was a part of Multidisciplinary Spine rehabilitation team for 2 years with a reputed spine super specialist surgeon, where she gained extensive hands-on experience in treating spinal disorders, low back pain and various types of Sacroiliac joint dysfunctions which was also part of her research during her Master’s programme.

She enjoys combining her passion for the Physiotherapy profession and rehabilitation with her love for research. She strongly believes in evidence-based practice and has published 1 research paper in an International journal with 3 other research papers still under review in reputed journals.

She is passionate about educating her clients about their condition and firmly believes in finding the root cause of the injury. She includes clients as active participants in their recovery process in order to achieve sustainable success in rehabilitation.

She has considerable experience in the assessment and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. She has hands on skills for treating SI joint pain, pelvic girdle pain, male and female pelvic floor dysfunctions, bowel and urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pregnancy related pelvic girdle dysfunction and pain.

Through evidence-based practice, Anuja uses a combination of Education, Manual therapy and Exercise Prescription to ensure clients receive the best available care and reach their full potential.

Patients describe her as a caring, motivating and goal-driven therapist.

Certifications:

1) Level 1: The Physical Therapy Approach To Female & Male Urinary Incontinence.

2) Level 2/3A: Female & Male Pelvic Pain.

3) ROST Therapy: Evidence based management of Pregnancy-related Pelvic girdle, Sacro-iliac and Pubic pain.

3) Neuro Myoskeletal Dry Needling techniques (Basic & Advance Level

4) The Dry Needling Program- Level 1 and Level 2 (Acupuncture Canada)

Marcela Jaimes
Physiotherapist
Deerfoot City Location

Marcela completed her Master’s degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Over the years, she has worked with multidisciplinary teams in hospital, clinics and schools which has further developed her skills as a physiotherapist.

From a young age, Marcela recognized her passion and desire to help others.  As a physiotherapist now, she has been able to touch many peoples lives, from children to seniors by helping them to overcome physical impairments and improving their quality of life.  Marcela continually seeks new opportunities and challenges to refine her skills and knowledge, striving to provide the highest level of care to her patients.

Overall, she is an outstanding physiotherapist who is deeply committed and enthusiastic about serving others. Her dedication and compassionate nature, has made her an invaluable assist to the healthcare community and a role model to those who know her.

Rashi Sharma
Physiotherapist
Deerfoot City Location

Rashi received her education from India and has around 4 years of experience which includes in patient, outpatient, musculoskeletal, neurological, post surgical, post fracture and sports rehabilitation. She used to run two clinics in India alongside working in a multi-speciality hospital where she learnt a lot about appreciating the individuality of every client/ patient.

Rashi firmly believes that the treatment plan should always be focused around the patient’s goals and outcomes of their expectations from the rehab. She uses evidence-based support for structuring a tailored rehab programme designed as per the patient’s objectives. Rashi understands patient’s pain and disability from their perspective first and then hers which gives an insight into their strengths and weaknesses.

She robustly supports exercise and strength over rest and feels that active participation of a patient is a must in their rehab which adds value and meaning to the treatment. Rashi practices manual techniques such as stretching, mobilisations, strengthening, kinesiology taping, cupping and combinations of different movements to make her patients able to live their life painlessly to the fullest

Waqar Hamdulay
Physiotherapist
Deerfoot City Location

Waqar has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Community Physiotherapy from India.

He has accumulated about 12 years of working experience in Physiotherapy, working right from Outpatient care to ICU and in private clinics to multidisciplinary Tertiary Care Hospitals handling patients from all walks of life.

Waqar calls Calgary home and continues to seek further professional growth with an inclusive attitude towards different aspects of health & wellness.

Waqar enjoys treating a variety of conditions. He has considerable experience in treating patients having injuries to shoulder, neck, back, knee and ankle as well as those suffering from dizziness, vertigo and even with TMJ (jaw) pain and stiffness.

He has hands-on skills to perform numerous joint mobilization techniques that aid mobility of joints and various soft tissues techniques that are evidence based and assist in effective treatment outcomes.

A thorough assessment and patient education form the foundation for his treatment plan, empowering clients to attain maximum knowledge about their condition and to get back to doing what they love the most.

Certifications:

1) Dry needling -Acupuncture Canada,

2) Manual therapy in Mulligan’s concept,

3) Neurodynamic Solutions Shacklock’s concept (NDS) and

4) Manual Therapy (CMT)

Logan Bandy
BSci Kinesiology, CSEP- Certified Personal Trainer
Deerfoot City Location

Logan has a passion for personal fitness as well as strength and conditioning. After graduating from the University of Calgary, Logan played 2 seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League. While playing professional football he became a CSEP-Certified Personal Trainer. Logan loves to work with many different populations, ranging from high-performance athletes to seniors looking to gain strength and mobility

Cindy Royale
Reflexologist
Deerfoot City Location

Cindy has always enjoyed helping others and when she discovered reflexology in 2003 Cindy felt like she had found her true passion in life. Cindy became certified in foot reflexology in 2018 followed by certification in hand reflexology in 2019. She is also certified in Indian Head Massage, and a level 1 Reiki.

Cindy believes in the therapeutic effects of reflexology and holistic therapy as well as the power of the body to heal itself.

She enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing card or board games, working out, reading and listening to music as she believes it’s good for the soul.