What influenced your decision to become a Massage Therapist?
I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare and what pushed me to choose massage therapy was the opportunity to create and build on client relationships and having the chance to really make a positive difference to someone’s health and lifestyle. I love being able to communicate with my clients about their goals and their progress.

What are the top three most common issues you help clients address?
 The top 3 most common issues that I help clients address are postural awareness, common tension areas, and the importance of movement and exercise.

What types of conditions/injuries do you enjoy treating?
 I can’t name a particular condition or injury that I enjoy treating the most but I can say that of all the areas of the body I do enjoy treating the neck and shoulders the most. I feel that most – if not all – people carry tension and stress in the neck, and some don’t even know how severe the tension really is until they get a massage.

What types of treatment methods/approaches do you use?
 Aside from general Swedish techniques I incorporate Fascial Stretch Therapy into my treatments if I find it necessary and I feel it can benefit my clients. I’m thankful to have been certified with Fascial Stretch because it really helps clients let go if I find that they are really tense and having a difficult time relaxing on the table. Fascial Stretch also provides a deeper stretch in certain areas that client’s may not be able to feel if they were to stretch on their own. I will also be taking an acupuncture course this fall which I am very excited about and I cannot wait to provide this treatment for my clients

What is a common question patients ask you?
Patients always ask me, “Don’t you get tired from massaging?” The truth is, after a long day it can get tiring. However, being mindful of my body mechanics and my posture when I treat really helps to prevent any heavy strain on my own body and I think that incorporating fitness and activity into my own lifestyle has helped with my endurance and longevity as a health practitioner.

If you could give everyone one piece of advice this summer what would it be?
 My advice would be: make the most of all of your days, not just for the summer but all year round! The hot weather is always nice, but don’t just wait for summer in order to go out and experience things. I find that it’s tough sometimes to find that work-life balance. I myself am guilty for working too much sometimes but this year, I have made sure to make time for things and people that make me happy.

What do you like to do for fun/or tell us something most people don't know about you
I love anything to do with the outdoors like hiking, camping, kayaking to name a few! In my free time I enjoy going to the gym. It is the BEST outlet for me to distress, recharge, and I just feel absolutely amazing after a good workout. I don’t talk about it often but I l also love to dance. I did Filipino cultural dance for about 10 years and I did competitive hip-hop dance in University. Don’t be surprised if you see me and I’m dancing to no music but the one playing in my head!

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH CHARISSE > > >

What are the top three most common issues you help clients address?

1. Acute neck or low back pain- patients who have injured themselves, with a sudden onset of pain
2. Headaches and Migraines -I often see people suffering from headaches and migraines, research strongly supports the fact that chiropractic care can reduce the frequency and severity of many different kinds of headaches
3. Shoulder pain – Being located in a gym probably makes this a more common issue with our patients, many people don’t realize that I can treat all areas including your shoulders (and knees, and wrists, etc!). Acupuncture is a fantastic option for these issues.

 
What approaches or techniques do you use as a chiropractor use to treat issues of the musculoskeletal system?
Depending on the issue someone presents with, I use an individualized approach based on current evidence, and clinical experience. This means that I do not follow a cookie cutter approach for everyone. I have a variety of techniques in my “toolbox” as a chiropractor, depending on the area of concern. Treatments often include some soft tissue therapy (muscle release), joint mobilizations to improve motion and decrease pain, and other techniques which include medical acupuncture, instrumented soft tissue treatment, and taping. I also work with my patients to address their ergonomics, sleep positioning, exercise routines, and I provide stretching and strengthening advice when needed.

If you could give everyone one piece of advice this summer what would it be?
Listen to your body! If you are sore and achy during work, take a break- get up and stretch, go for a walk, and stop eating your lunch at your desk! When gardening or exercising, if you feel a strain consider what you are doing before it’s too late.

What is new and exciting on the Chiropractic horizon for this summer?
Chiropractors in Ontario are working harder than ever before to become an integral part of your primary health care team. As musculoskeletal experts, we continue to collaborate with medical doctors, and work to improve patient outcomes in reducing chronic pain.

How is a chiropractor different than a physiotherapist?
Chiropractors and physiotherapists work towards the same goals of improving your function and mobility, while decreasing pain. Chiropractors study conditions and diseases of the musculoskeletal system extensively, and as a result are legislated with the right to diagnose and communicate a diagnosis and are legally permitted the term Doctor. Chiropractors are allowed to provide more forceful mobilizations to the spine known as adjustments; physiotherapists with extra certifications can also do this as well. Both chiropractors and physiotherapists often have a focus on rehabilitation to decrease the possibility of your condition returning. Physiotherapists tend to work more hands on with their clients to complete their rehabilitation exercises.

What can someone expect an initial appointment with you to look like?
An initial assessment includes a thorough health history, and an orthopedic examination. After discussing your current concern, I will examine the area at issue, using a variety of orthopedic tests to determine the root cause. If it is something I can treat, we will discuss my recommended treatment plan, and I start off with some treatment and recommendations. If needed, I will refer you to another appropriate practitioner such as your family doctor, or for an x ray for further assessment.

Dr Hamilton provides free 15 minute consultations to discuss treatment options, and to learn more about chiropractic (please note no health advice is given during these sessions). Click here to book online >>

By Dr Suzanne Bartolini, Naturopathic Doctor

As the warmer weather falls upon us, many people begin to experience the discomforts of allergies. Symptoms can range from runny nose and sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, recurring ear and sinus congestion or infections, headaches, skin rashes, hives, general fatigue, and the list goes on… Allergies are brought on by a hyper-sensitive immune response to several substances, whether they are inside our homes or in the environment. This includes pollens, mold spores, dust, dander from household pets, dust mites, certain foods in our diets, etc. So what can we do?

Here are a few tips to stop allergies from taking over this summer:
   
• Rinse your nasal passageways daily – Studies have shown that nasal irrigation is effective for adults as well as children. Allergen irritants can be rinsed out of your nasal passages using a simple warm saline solution with a netti pot or squeeze bottle. 

• Try self-acupressure  – There is an acupressure point on either side of your nostrils where your cheeks and nose meet. Apply moderate pressure and massage this area with your fingers for 2-3 minutes.

• Eat foods that strengthen your immune system – Foods rich in antioxidants such as leafy green vegetables improve immunity, which in turn improves allergies. A large part of our immune system lies in our gastrointestinal tract so good probiotics are also beneficial.

• Incorporate anti-inflammatory fruits into your diet – Fruits such as papaya, kiwi, and pineapple contain bromelain, which is an anti-inflammatory enzyme.

• Avoid foods that irritate the immune system and produce excessive mucous - This includes refined and packaged foods, sugars, caffeine, dairy products, and certain grains to name a few.

• Drink green tea – Some teas contain natural antihistamines.  Since histamines are released during an allergic reaction, incorporating natural antihistamines will help the immune system.

• Stay well-hydrated - Water is important to keep the sinuses hydrated and is essential for proper lymphatic drainage. Adequate water intake will flush excess mucous and clear toxins. 

• Don’t forget simple things like washing hands after working or playing outside and bathing in the evening to keep pollens out of your bedding.

*Each person is unique.  The above suggestions are simply the beginning steps for eliminating allergies.  If you have been suffering from allergies, you may want to consider a Naturopathic approach, which strengthens the body and immune system through proper diet strategies, cleansing, acupuncture, and balanced supplementation. Book in with Dr Suzanne Bartolini to learn more about how a Naturopathic Doctor can help. Dr Bartolini is in clinic on Wednesdays