Burlington Proactive Wellness is very proud to have the following people as part of our team to service your health care needs:
– 13 Registered Massage Therapists
– 5 Osteopaths
– 2 Athletic Therapist
– 2 Registered Acupuncturist
– 2 Chinese Medicine Practitioners
Andy de Souza, BAHSc – AT, CAT(C), RMT
Certified Athletic Therapist & Registered Massage Therapist
**Andy offers Direct Insurance Billing**
Andy graduated from Sheridan College with an Honours Bachelor in Applied Health Sciences – Athletic Therapy and from the Ontario College of Health and Technology with a diploma in Massage Therapy.
In the clinic, Andy uses his skills in assessment to work with clients to determine the root causes of their musculoskeletal conditions. He uses a wide variety of evidence-informed manual therapy practices and movement-based exercise progressions to help people overcome their conditions, reduce their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and improve their performance in sport.
On the field, Andy has worked as an Athletic Therapist in many sports including hockey, soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse, cheerleading, and volleyball. He has worked with athletes in many levels including youth, high school, varsity, and professional levels and has worked in provincial, national, and international levels of competition.
Andy is passionate about the sport of roller derby as a coach, skater and volunteer. In 2023, he was the athletic therapist for the Team Canada Junior Roller Derby team during the Junior World Cup in Valence, France. He is a coach of the women’s national team and was a skater on the men’s national team in 2018 and 2020. He continues to skate, coach, and volunteer locally and around the world.
See Andy’s Availability and Book Online:
Sydney Buckland B.Sc., RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Sydney has an affinity for learning Kinaesthetically and has a mindful and sensitive touch, able to perform thorough assessments and address key issues.
As a graduate from the University of Guelph, she continued her studies and has recently graduated from the Accelerated Massage Therapy Program at Ontario College of Health and Technology. Currently, she is in her third year of study at the Canadian College of Osteopathy. This is where she has developed her intuitive touch and appreciation for the interrelationships within the body.
She has had experience working with diverse populations including specific joint complaints, arthritis, IBS, pregnancy, anxiety, and athletes.
She is also a casual athlete herself and has enjoyed playing recreational hockey for the past 18 years. When she is not treating, she likes watching Gordon Ramsay criticize chefs while her own cookbooks collect dust!
See Sydney’s Availability and Book Online:
YongFang (Christina), RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Christina graduated from Oxford College as a Registered Massage Therapist. Her previous experience, along with an enthusiastic and hard work ethic, allowed her to graduate at the top of her class. Before becoming a Registered Massage Therapist, Christina was the owner of a successful business providing many health and beauty-related services. Her experience started in China and she continued this line of work when she arrived in Canada. She has worked as a Massage Therapist for many years and has a long list of happy clients. When COVID happened, work stopped, so she decided to get her Registered Massage Therapist diploma.
She has a deep understanding of how Massage Therapy can benefit a client, especially in the area of soft tissue discomfort and joint pain. She specializes in baby massage, maternity and postpartum massage. Years of practice have proven that massage can improve the body immunity of infants, promote gastrointestinal motility, smooth muscle development has a good effect. Pregnant women, and postpartum massage, can improve resistance and can relieve various discomfort can also improve sleep quality, eliminate tension, and reduce stress.
In her spare time, she participates in Badminton at a competitive level
See Christina’s Availability and Book Online:
Julian Gottschalk, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
*Direct Insurance Billing offered*
Julian has always been an avid athlete and proponent of movement as medicine and a belief that our bodies are happiest when we move. Being a Registered Massage Therapist for 3 years, as well as adding Active Release Technique and Acupuncture to his clinical practice allows Julian to help clients get their best health results with a focused approach.
See Julian’s Availability and Book Online:
Brianna Veerman, M.OMSc., OOA(C) Manual Osteopathic Practitioner, B.Sc.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Brianna Veerman is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner and a member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association. In 2022 she graduated from the 4 year Osteopathic program at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, with a Master in Practice Diploma in Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc). In her last year at the school, she worked alongside the principal and fellow classmates to help create a set of workbooks and resources that current students are using in the classrooms now.
Prior to her osteopathic studies, Brianna completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology & Society from Cornell University in 2018. During her 5 years there she played on the women’s varsity hockey team, where she balanced a vigorous school and athletic workload as a NCAA Division 1 student athlete. Throughout her competitive hockey career she has seen her fair share of aches & pains, and battled through injuries and surgeries, leading her to experience first hand the benefits osteopathy can provide. Utilizing her knowledge and experience, she will continue to be as dedicated and determined in assisting you with your osteopathic care and health journey, and will work relentlessly to provide a safe and effective osteopathic treatment.
In her free time Brianna is an avid sports lover, as she continues to enjoy watching and playing hockey, golf and tennis.
See Brianna’s Availability and Book Online:
Lauren Pailley, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Lauren completed her undergraduate studies at McMaster University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. From there she went to the Ontario College of Health and Technology to obtain her Massage Therapist certificate
Growing up, Lauren played very few sports because she stuck with the ones she really liked. In particular, Lauren practiced Taekwondo because she enjoyed learning self-defense and discipline. Later on, she fell in love with rock climbing and continues with it to this day. You can find her climbing at Mount Nemo or the Niagara Glen on beautiful sunny weekends!
As with most athletes, Lauren suffered her own injuries that she needed to rehab. With one particular injury, she had to take a step back from climbing temporarily. It was during this time that she fell in love with bodybuilding.
Lauren is a firm believer that exercise plays a huge role in all physical rehab. She uses it alongside all of her treatments to help bring you back to doing what you love.
See Lauren’s Availability and Book Online:
Lily Spengemann, BBA, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist and Reiki Master
After graduating with Bachelor of Business Administration from Lakehead University and well on her way to becoming a Certified General Accountant, Lily came to the realization that health and wellness was her passion. She graduated top of her class from Kikkawa College in Toronto in 1997 as a Massage Therapist.
She specializes in deep tissue massage, sports and motor vehicle accident injuries and lymphatic drainage. She also developed a passion for labour support for mothers in the early stages of delivery and postpartum.
Lily has collaborated with Naturopathic Doctors on numerous client care programs and accumulated knowledge in the area nutrition, and the link between emotional trauma, physical illness and energetic blocks in the healing process. This understanding led her to become a Reiki Master. Lily offers Reiki treatments and also teaches all levels of Reiki.
See Lily’s Availability and Book Online:
Andrés Landoni, M.OMSc.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Andres is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner and is a member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association.
His goal is to give his clients the safest, effective and efficient Osteopathic treatment possible.
Andres’ interest in manual therapy started as a student athlete where various health professionals were instrumental in helping him reach his athletic goals. His interest grew as he worked in a multidisciplinary clinic as a massage therapist along side physiotherapists and athletic therapists who introduced him to Osteopathy. Striving to give his clients the most effective treatments possible led him to take several Osteopathic courses over the years. Andres’ passion for lifelong learning was the driving force in his completing an intensive 4 year Osteopathic program at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton. With over 15 years clinical manual therapy experience, Andres is looking forward to joining the Osteopathic team at Burlington Proactive Wellness.
He also holds diplomas in both Sports Injury Therapy and Massage Therapy and is a graduate of the McMaster Medical Acupuncture Program.
For more information about Andres or to book a online, please visit: www.QualityOsteopath.ca
Ashleigh Worley, R.Ac
Registered Acupuncturist
Ashleigh Worley is a Registered Acupuncturist, who decided to study Chinese Acupuncture at Eight Branches Academy of Eastern Medicine. She enrolled in the program after seeing the positive impact cosmetic acupuncture has on the skin. Through this protocol she is able to diminish fine lines, wrinkles, address droopy eye lids, tighten jewels, even skin tone, and boost your own collagen in the most natural way to address loss of volume in the cheeks.
After starting her studies, cosmetic acupuncture was just the tip of the iceberg. Ashleigh has been able to help a variety of people on their healing journey whether they are looking for treatment to help with any imbalances with the skin such as, acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and scars. She has also helped people with digestive issues, sleep disorders, emotional disorders, stress, addiction, pre and post surgery preparation and pain management including headaches, migraines, painful periods, and muscular skeletal related complications.
Quite often in the area of managing pain, Ashleigh also likes to include fire cupping in her treatments. Fire cupping is an ancient modality used to treat Qi and Blood stagnation which can be caused by trauma, surgery and repetitive movement. It feels great, and is a great way promote free flow of Qi and blood, and if you would like to include it in your treatment for balance, just let her know.
Follow Ashleigh on Instagram: @acu_with_ashleigh
See Ashleigh’s Availability and Book Online:
Caryn Sherman BA, B ED, R AC, R TCMP
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Caryn Sherman is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, and the owner of Taking Care of Me: Acupuncture, Health and Wellness Taking Care of Me Website
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to share the beautiful healing art of Traditional Chinese Medicine with you. Through many years of study and practise, I have witnessed the profound healing effect of Chinese Medicine on mind, body and spirit. May the gift of TCM bring optimal health to you and your family.”
Caryn taught Special Education with the Halton District School Board, when she first had the opportunity to try Chinese Medicine. The results were so impressive, they inspired an enthusiastic fascination of Eastern Healing, and an eventual change of careers.
CARYN’S EDUCATION
Caryn studied Chinese Medicine at Eight Branches Academy of Eastern Medicine in Toronto, and Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in China.
She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and an Honours B.A. in Psychology from McMaster University.
CLOSE AND PERSONAL
When Caryn is not working, teaching, or studying, you might find her with a good book, a cup of tea, hiking her favourite trails, doing taiji, or relaxing with family and friends.
See Caryn’s Availability and Book Online:
Madeleine Hunter, B. A., CAT(C), RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Madeleine graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Recreation and Psychology, Sheridan College with a diploma in Sports Injury Management, Canadian Therapeutic College with a diploma in Massage Therapy, and the College of International Holistic Studies with diplomas in Acupuncture and Advanced Acupuncture.
She has traveled extensively with junior national soccer teams and was the head therapist of the provincial soccer training facility. She worked at McMaster University in the sports injuries clinic, treating varsity athletes, and returning them to the competition.
Since 2001, she has been self-employed, using her Athletic Therapy, Massage Therapy, and Acupuncture skills to help both athletes and non-athletes recover from their pain and injuries, and maintain an optimal level of health.
Madeleine uses a wide variety of treatment options tailored to each individual client, including Myofascial Release, Cranio-sacral Therapy, Muscle Energy, Soft Tissue Release, cupping, as well as extensive strengthening, stretching and sport-specific exercises to enable clients to return to sport or to their activities of daily living.
She has continued to travel to athletic events, being selected for the medical team at World University Games, the Canada Winter Games, and the under-20 World Cup of soccer.
Madeleine was at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, where she worked in the clinic in the athletes’ village in Whistler. Most recently she was on the medical team for the 2015 PanAm Games where she helped cover the men’s and women’s soccer competitions.
See Madeleine’s Availability and Book Online:
Rachel Hughes, M.OMSc.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Rachel is a classically trained Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. She has graduated from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, with a Master in Practice Diploma in Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc). This intensive program includes an in-depth academic study of functional anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, osteopathic theory, as well as, 1000 hours of supervised clinical training.
Osteopathy is both an art and science. It is a whole body approach to treatment that is gentle and non-invasive. It helps improve health and balance within the body. It restores structural function by releasing restrictions that allow nerves and blood vessels to flow freely. This facilitates the body’s natural ability to self heal.
She has 17+ years of clinical experience providing manual therapy as a Registered Massage Therapist. She has now completely transitioned her practice and is dedicated to providing her patients with the benefits of Osteopathic care.
She is an active member in good standing with the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OOA), which is recognized by the Canadian health care insurance industry.
See Rachel’s Availability and Book Online:
Ivory Garland, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Ivory Garland is a Registered Massage Therapist with 9 years of experience. She is a 2011 graduate from Trillium College with a passion for continued learning and expanding her knowledge and skills.
She incorporates evidence-based techniques into her massage practice and empowers patients through the education of their own bodies. Every treatment is approached with compassion and empathy for the individual needs and comfort of the patient. Ivory’s delivery of massage incorporates the use of forearms and elbows to apply deep pressure when needed.
Ivory is experienced working with patients of all ages, including children recovering from athletic injuries, and looks forward to helping you on your journey toward greater well-being.
See Ivory’s Availability and Book Online:
Caroline Kupka, B.Kin. M.OMSc.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Caroline Kupka is a graduate from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, Ontario with a Masters Diploma in Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences. She is a member in good standing of the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OOA).
Prior to becoming an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner she completed an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology at Brock University. With an educational background specializing in kinesiology, Caroline will be a detail oriented and enthusiastic asset in helping enrich your restorative exercises between treatments. Her practice is strongly rooted in functional anatomy, physiology, and human mechanics which allows her to tailor and individualize her treatment to the specific needs of her patients.
Follow Caroline on Instagram: @carolinekupkaosteopathy
See Caroline’s Availability and Book Online:
Laura Smith, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
I am a Registered Massage Therapist and have been practicing in Burlington since 2007. I have taken extra studies in prenatal care and have had treated several prenatal clients with great results. I am also attending the Southern Ontario School of Osteopathy. My aim is to provide my clients with a quiet, caring atmosphere and to construct an effective treatment plan that addresses each client’s individual needs.
If you are wanting to learn more about Laura please visit, www.laurasmithrmt.com
See Laura’s Availability and Book Online
Sarah Mulaner, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Sarah Mulaner is an RMT with over 25 yeras experience in the fitness and health industry. She teaches Yoga and is a Grief Recovery Specialist helping people heal pain from life events such as death, divorce, financial change and more. Sarah strives to educate her patients to use tools that suit their lifestyle to improve their vitality, mobility and enjoyment of life.
Sarah is passionate about using innovative methods to help patients achieve optimal results through treatment as well as lifestyle adjustments. Modalities used include Swedish Massage Techniques, Trigger Point Therapy, Fascial Release using Cupping Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Reflexology.
Check out Sarah’s Website to learn more about her and her practice www.imaginewellness.ca or call/text her at
905-483-1024 or email direct: info@imaginewellness.ca
Sarah has been active in the Wellness Field as a Personal Trainer since 1993. She has run 7 half dash marathons, loves weight training and Pilates and is a Yoga Instructor.
See Sarah’s Availability and Book Online:
Teresa Ellis, B.Sc., RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Teresa graduated from University of Western Ontario in 1998 and went on to study Massage Therapy at Sutherland & Chan Massage Therapy School in 2000. She furthered her studies in Acupuncture Certification through McMaster University in 2007 and completed her Cupping Therapy Certification in 2014.
Teresa likes to bring balance to her clients everyday busy lives by empowering clients with the knowledge to treat and prevent reoccurring injuries.
See Teresa’s Availability and Book Online