Whole Health Therapies
OUR TEAM
A runner, a yoga enthusiast, hiker, an Ironman – this is who we are when we are not your therapists, so yah, we totally get it!
Stephanie Nogueira, Clinic Director/Physiotherapist
When Stephanie was training for, and competing in her first Ironman triathlon, she focused her strength, endurance and commitment on a few simple words…
I CAN. I WILL. I AM.
Stephanie still trains by, and lives by, both personally and professionally, these words because to Stephanie they are they are a mindset – an attitude – a way of living.
Stephanie has always had a passion for the human body and its amazing capabilities – she began challenging her own body to learn and develop new skills, ways to move and what it was capable of at a very young age.
As a young gymnast Stephanie discovered that strength came in different forms. She found a love in the elegance of movement and transitioned into studying the art of ballet, which she studied for 15 years. Through Cecchetti ballet, Stephanie furthered her understanding and passion for the anatomy of the human body and movement.
Stephanie studied Applied Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph and was Captain of the Cheerleading team. After finishing her degree, Stephanie worked in the field of Clinic Nutrition and began training for an Ironman.
At 23, Stephanie completed her first Ironman. This experience further intensified her desire to learn more about human anatomy and biomechanics, leading her to return to school to where Stephanie completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a specialized focus in neurophysiology at York University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University.
Stephanie has now completed eight Ironman triathlons, numerous half Ironman triathlons, marathons, half marathons and short course triathlons. She is a Boston Marathon qualified runner and has recently ventured into ultra distance running with a goal of joining the Canadian 100k Trail Team. Stephanie is also a member of the Milton Running Group and can be found running local trails on weekends.
She believes in a movement-based approach to rehabilitation. She is also a Certified Functional Dry Needling practitioner and utilizes Active Release Technique® and exercise prescription as the bases for her treatment plans.
Stephanie is also professionally and personally vested in assessment and treatment of concussions. Having sustained a concussion after a cycling accident in 2018 – her injury, therapy and recovery process has provided Stephanie with a rare, unique and valuable perspective of concussion management that she uses in her practice. She is a Complete Concussion Management Certified Practitioner and takes the treatment and management of a concussion very seriously.
Bringing her I CAN. WILL. I AM. mindset to every session, every race and every activity, Stephanie inspires as she dedicates herself to helping her patients achieve their best.
Christine Bessette, Pelvic Physiotherapy
Christine knows that every person has a unique need, which she uses to create a specific tailored approach to her patient’s therapy. She treats a wide variety of pelvic health conditions and concerns including, incontinence, prolapse, urinary urgency/frequency, constipation, painful intercourse, prostatitis, and persistent pain conditions. Through education, soft tissue techniques, manual therapy, and exercise, Christine works with her patients to help them achieve their treatment goals.
Christine graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University in 2003 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her passion for pelvic health has led her to continue her education in areas like male and female incontinence, male and female pelvic pain, as well as courses to help her in understanding how to leverage the brain to treat persistent pain.
Samantha Manovich, Registered Massage Therapist & Acupuncturist
As a graduate from the Canadian Collage of Massage and Hydrotherapy, Samantha has been a Registered Massage Therapist for over five years and enjoys treating a variety of different types of patients ranging from deep tissue for back pain, shoulder injuries to a lighter touch for relaxation massages.
In addition to more traditional massage therapy techniques, Samantha is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist.
Samantha is committed to continuing her education in how to best heal the body and has added acupuncture and cupping to her patient offering.
As a healthcare professional she believes that every aspect of a person’s health is important and is dedicated to helping her clients get back to their regular activities!
Samantha loves living a fit and healthy lifestyle and is an avid hiker, plays several different sports and encourages all of her patients to be active as well.
Nicole Stibbe, Reiki Therapy
Nicole hasn’t always worked with alternative therapies. In fact, her science background always had her challenging anything that even sounded non-scientific or too ‘airy-fairy’. Through working in the corporate world as a Certified Disability Management professional – developing and managing comprehensive disability and corporate health strategies, Nicole became concerned with the high rates of disease, and high incidence of declining mental health, as well as the increasing usage of drug therapies that seemed to have limited impact. She came to realize that we all have a role to play in our own health journey.
Through personal circumstances, Nicole was led to Reiki therapy, which proved to be an emotional journey of healing, discovering her true self, and letting go of everything that no longer served her. Throughout her training, Nicole continued to discover new aspects of who she was every day through meditation and Reiki.
This process led Nicole to deep compassion and empathy for all and a need to help individuals find their way to well being.
Reiki is about mind-body-spirit balance, and when paired with healthy habit changes – it is empowering and very powerful!
Marissa Sylvester, Certified Holistic Nutritionist
After graduating with several academic achievement awards, as well as receiving Honours in her Culinary Nutrition program, Marissa is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Culinary Nutrition Expert.
A long-time fitness and wellness enthusiast, Marissa is passionate about eating for optimal health and exercises regularly for her physical and mental health. Marissa cultivates a balanced lifestyle that centers on mindfulness, eating whole/natural foods, exercising daily, getting amply sleep and enjoying life with her young family.
Marissa’s passion for health and fitness began at the age of 5, when she became a National Level Competitive dancer. Spending more than 15 years in the dance world, she developed a deep commitment to physical fitness and learned about the benefits of healthy eating.
This led Marissa to the fitness industry where she developed a passion for helping others achieve their wellness goals. Marissa spent 15 years in the fitness industry, leading and instructing fitness with clients and is a registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance.
Through her journey, Marissa began using the mindfulness and self-care teachings she learned within the Yoga program with her clients and has developed a desire for teaching others, both one on one and in group settings.
Marissa conducts education sessions on a broad range of topics including specific conditions (hormone health, support for fertility and women’s health) and eating for general wellness.
Marissa’s goals as a Nutritionist include leading others to the benefits of whole foods for optimal health and finding sustainable dietary lifestyles for each of her clients. She teaches these principals by leading by example, educating her clients on the “why’s” behind eating specific foods and ensuring her clients have all the support they need to make necessary and sustainable lifestyle changes.
Dr. Alex Petrov, Chiropractor
Dr. Alex Peplow has been working as a chiropractor in the GTA for six years with a focus on helping people move better. Whether you’re coming in to recover from an injury, alleviate pain, or advance your game, Dr. Peplow can help.
Driven to help you meet your goals, Dr. Peplow designs programs that result in better movement. This improvement is attained through active rehabilitation, specific manual therapy and patient education. Dr Peplow makes sure each patient understands their unique body mechanics and how this may be contributing to their injury. Dr. Peplow has certification in Active Release Techniques (ART), Graston techniques, and Mulligan mobilizations, as well as certification from the Titleist Performance Institute to alleviate golfers pain and help them recover.
He’s worked with everyone from weekend warriors and elite athletes to people who simply want to increase their activity levels. Dr. Peplow has worked with myriad of athletes working including having been the team doctor for the Oakville Blades Junior A hockey team, and the Oakville Buzz Junior B lacrosse team.
Dr. Peplow firmly believes that if you have the right information and motivation, you can improve.
Footer
