Massage Therapy is the practice of:

• Assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body.
• Treatment/Prevention of physical dysfunction, pain of soft tissue and joints of the body.
• Maintenance, rehabilitation or augmentation of tissue health and physical function

The training & education of all massage therapists is regulated by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Students complete 2200 hours of intensive anatomical, physiological and clinical studies, including extensive practical instruction, at a government approved massage therapy school. Graduation is a prerequisite to taking provincial examinations; successful candidates then become licensed and registered under the Regulated Health Professions Act. Registered massage therapists have photo ID cards, with a registration number issued by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.

On you first visit, you will be asked for a confidential medical history, which will help your therapist form an assessment and treatment plan. Massage therapy takes place in an atmosphere of safety and confidence. It is a partnership between you and your therapist, who will help you understand the processes behind your condition and how you can work together, with your registered massage therapist to improve your overall health. You may need to undress for therapy, but massage therapists are required to drape you with a sheet so that they expose only that portion of your body on which they are working. 

You will relax on a padded table designed for stability and comfort. The room will be warm and quiet, often with soft music to set a relaxing mood. For many techniques, your massage therapist will use a light oil or lotion, which is good for your skin and absorbs well. For some kind of bodywork, no oil is used. 

A massage session usually begins with relatively gentle pressure to calm your nervous system and begin releasing superficial tension. Gradually, your therapist works more deeply to address specific areas.

Massage Therapy is not covered by the Ministry of Health, there are ways you can receive help with funding your treatments. Many private insurance companies provide full or partial coverage under extended health care plan

A custom foot orthotic is a custom-made three-dimensional insert that is placed in your shoe to reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort of your foot, ankle, leg or low back. This custom orthotic will replace the rudimentary factory insoles that came with your shoes. Orthotics work by decreasing high-pressure areas while re-aligning and thus stabilizing the foot. Orthotics will not permanently change your foot anatomy and therefore function only when you are standing or walking on them.

Orthotics are commonly used to relieve symptoms of pes planus (flat feet) such as plantar fasciitis and prevent the development of medial knee arthritis in these individuals. Orthotics are also prescribed to relieve forefoot pain of metatarsalgia, shin splints, scoliosis, back pain, neuromas, ankle tendon injuries, as well as helping individuals with diabetes or arthritis.

There are many different casting techniques used to obtain a 3-D image of a foot. There are 3 main methods: plaster slipper, foam box and computer generated. Plaster slipper casting involves applying plaster directly to the foot and captures the contours and shape of your foot in a cast. Foam box involves pushing your foot into a foam box using a semi-weight bearing technique. Each casting method has advantages and disadvantages but a foot care specialist will choose the best option for your condition that gives a good foot impression.

After the negative impression (plaster cast or foam box) of your foot is taken, it will be scanned by a 3- dimensional laser which converts it to a digital file. Specialized equipment uses the digital file to produce a positive mold which is hard and feels like ceramic. High density polypropylene material is heated and placed over the positive mold. A vacuum press then pulls the material tight to the contours of the mold creating the hard plastic orthotic shell. Once the shell is produced, the lab will finish the orthotic by adding a cover and any other modifications ordered based on the assessment of your health care provider.

Most Extended Health Care plans provided by your employer or an individual plan usually include coverage for some if not all of the cost. OHIP unfortunately does not cover the cost of orthotics but some special Provincial plans sometimes provide coverage. If you are uncertain, please visit our office and we will call your insurance company on your behalf.

Naturopathic medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness.  It is based on the healing power of nature and it supports and stimulates the body’s ability to heal itself.  It uses a combination of natural medicines and gentle hands-on techniques.

Like a conventional doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, the naturopathic doctor first completes pre-medical studies at University.  The naturopathic student then moves on to a four year, full-time program at an accredited naturopathic college (The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is one of four such colleges in North America).  The first two years of study focus on basic medical sciences and diagnosis.  The last two years concentrated on naturopathic principles and therapeutics, including extensive clinical practice in a supervised teaching clinic.

The safety record for naturopathic medicine is excellent. This makes sense given the emphasis on non-toxic, natural source medicines and gentle, non-invasive treatments. Side effects are rare and NDs are knowledgeable about contraindications between naturopathic remedies and conventional medicines.

Yes, the naturopathic profession is regulated in Ontario under the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO).

At this time naturopathic medicine is not covered by OHIP, however most insurance providers do cover naturopathic medicine.  Insured patients can contact their employer or insurance agents to see if they are covered.  If not, such coverage can often be included at nominal rates.

The basic therapies are clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, Asian medicine (acupuncture and eastern botanicals), physical treatments and health counseling.  The range of modalities allows Naturopaths to develop treatment plans that address not only the physical aspect of a person, but also the mental and emotional aspects.  The naturopathic therapies are all based on the same principles: they all assist the body’s healing response, and they are often more effective when combined.

Naturopathic care can be helpful with many conditions such as chronic fatigue, allergies, arthritis, fibromyalgia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, digestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, skin conditions, headaches, ear and throat infections, menopause, PMS, menstrual disorders, infertility, endometriosis, fibroids, stress anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADD and many more. Preventative health care such as yearly gynecological exams and paps, prostate exams and regular health physicals are also conducted by Naturopaths.

The first appointment with the Naturopath is about 1-1 ½ hours and subsequent appointments will be about ½ hour. During the initial visit, the Naturopath will get an in-depth understanding of their patient's concerns, do relevant physical exams, review any test results they may have or discuss any tests they may need, review any medication or supplements they are currently taking, and will educate their patients about their concerns/conditions, test results, develop an individual treatment plan to manage their concerns and discuss the prevention of future concerns as well.

Acupuncture is a treatment based on the Traditional  Chinese Medicine theory and performed by inserting fine sterile disposable needles at acupoints (holes that provide gateways that connect body’s energy channels to universal energy). This serves to stimulate, disperse, regulate and restore flow of chi (vital energy or life force).

Contrary to common believe, acupuncture does not hurt.

An electric current (from the electronic acupuncture device) which is almost as weak as the body’s bioelectric current is supplied to the needles inserted into the acupoints to strengthen the stimulation of the acupoints and enhance the effect of needling.

Cupping, scraping, Far Infrared Lamp, acupressure, and tui-na massage.

This therapy utilizes jars attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material. 

Common indications of cupping:

• Muscle tension, wandering pain
• Common cold, cough, chest congestion
• Acute sprain, blood stasis
• Diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Skin numbness, paralysis or deficiency syndromes

This therapy utilizes a smooth instrument (commonly a buffalo horn) and lubricant or herbal oil to briskly, facilely and repeatedly scrape on skin until purplish red subcutaneous ecchymosis appears.

Main functions of scraping:

• Relieve pain
• Balance yin & yang
• Eliminate toxins & increase circulation
• Expel exogenous pathogens: wind, cold, heat or dampness.
• Activate chi & blood; remove stasis

Used to replace traditional moxibustion (burning of Ai-ye) to affect movement of chi.

It releases heat (similar to sunlight) to increase blood flow and oxygen level in cells; regulate hormone activity; enhance immunity; and provide mental stability.

It also releases 33 essential minerals to speed healing damaged soft tissues, and ease painful conditions that are difficult to heal on a permanent basis using drugs and surgery.

It is FDA approved for the use by general public in treating pain.

The Chinese have used it for several decades on millions of people in over a hundred diseases and health problems.

In Chinese hospitals, it is popularly used by acupuncturists, surgical physicians, and physical therapists.

Other benefits of F.I.R. Mineral Lamp:

• Decrease inflammation & edema
• Pain relief
• Reduce stress/negative emotions
• Removal of toxins
• Regulate physiological deficiencies
• Energizing
• Promote metabolism
• Prevent overuse injuries

Not yet, but Ontario has started the regulation process for acupuncture.  The regulatory body normally takes three to five years to complete a regulation process for a health profession.

Acupuncture is not covered by OHIP.  Yet, the majority of workplace health plans have partial or full coverage for acupuncture.  We provide detailed receipts for reimbursement, and we are happy to answer any questions that patients or insurance companies have.

All therapists of health professions are required by law to obtain informed consent to treatments from their patients prior to the treatments.  This is to ensure that patients receive adequate information related to their health concerns, knowing treatment procedure, benefits, side effects, risks, and options before they agree to be treated.

Acupuncturists do not require a medical prescription in order to offer you treatments.  However, your insurance or extended health carrier may require an original prescription from your medical doctor for our treatments to be reimbursed.