What influenced your decision to become a Massage Therapist?

I've always wanted to work in the healthcare industry. I find that helping individuals with their issues make me feel accomplished like no other job has. It wasn't until when my grandfather was sick that triggered my interested in massage specifically. I kneaded his hands and feet mimicking what he did back when he got sick. And to my surprise he got better. I had a realization that I was great working hands-on, so I pursued the career. It's been two and a half years now and I'm still loving every minute. 

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

Number one would have to be low back pain, either from disk herniation or muscle strain. Second, shoulder injuries like rotator cuff tears and third, is knee pain from degeneration. 

What types of conditions/injuries do you enjoy treating?

There is always something to treat. Even when patients only come for relaxation- stress creates tension, and tension builds knots in your muscles. A lot of people don't realize how much tension builds up throughout the week and they come in surprised at how sore their back & shoulders are. That said, I very much enjoy treating stress related tension and teaching patients proper posture and work ergonomics. 

What types of treatment methods/approaches do you use?

I start out with an assessment to see where the patient is physically, or in some cases mentally. After ruling out any red flags I then set reasonable and achievable short-term goals for them. I would then give the patient a few remedial exercises after a treatment as we work together to achieve their goal. I provide deep tissue, or Swedish massage, and am certified in cupping therapy.

What is your treatment philosophy?

Don't make things more complicated than they need to be.

What is a common question patients ask you?

Do your hands get tired?... lol

If you could give everyone one piece of advice this winter what would it be?

When walking on snow or ice , look to the experts. Walk like a penguin. Center your gravity on your whole foot instead of your heels. You'll look a bit silly but at least you'll avoid injury. 

What do you like to do for fun/or tell us something most people don't know about you?

On my free time you'll often find me playing my guitar or rocking the drums. I enjoy jammin' out with friends and occasionally singing karaoke after a few drinks. To stay healthy I try and squeeze in a workout between patients or during my lunch break. So if you see me around the gym, come say hi. I'd be glad to answer any questions or even spot you on your next heavy set. 

Here are some great tips from the Ontario Chiropractic Association!

Winter weather can pack a punch and, with the season’s heavy snowfalls, injuries often result. Improper snow shovelling is often to blame.
But shovelling out after a storm doesn’t have to leave you stiff and sore. With a little know-how, you can clear your driveway without the all-too-common back, neck and shoulder pain cramping your style. Here’s how:
Before You Start

• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in the winter months as it is in the summer.
• Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as you get warm.
• Wear proper footwear. Shoes and boots with solid treads on the soles can help to minimize the risk of slips and falls.
• Pick the right shovel. Use a lightweight, non-stick, push-style shovel. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body. An ergonomically correct model (curved handle) will help prevent injury and fatigue. Also, if you spray the blade with a silicone-based lubricant, the snow will slide off more easily.
• Before beginning any snow removal, warm up for five to 10 minutes to get your joints moving and increase blood circulation. A brisk walk will do it.

All Set to GoPUSH, DON’T THROW.Push the snow to one side and avoid throwing it. If you must throw it, avoid twisting and turning — position yourself to throw straight at the snow pile.
BEND YOUR KNEES.Use your knees, leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting while keeping your back straight.
WATCH FOR ICE.Be careful on icy walkways and slippery surfaces. Intermittent thaws and subsequent freezing can lead to ice building up underfoot, resulting in nasty slips and falls. Throw down some salt or sand to ensure you have a good footing.
Once you’ve mastered safe snow shovelling techniques, you’ll be free to have fun and stay fit all winter.

What influenced your decision to become a Massage Therapist/Osteopath?
I have always been interested in studying natural ways to heal the human body. I had lots of experience growing up getting treatment from a naturopath, chiropractor, massage, physio etc to keep me healthy for playing sports.  My athletic therapist at the time was undergoing their osteopathic studies and wanted to practice techniques on me. My first treatment was something I never had experienced before it was deeply relaxing and therapeutic. I felt a deep connection to that approach to healing and wanted to learn more.

What are the top three most common issues you help clients address?
1) Back Pain 2) Neck Pain 3) Stress & Anxiety

What types of conditions/injuries do you enjoy treating?
1) Back pain 2) Headaches 3) Foot problems

What types of treatment methods/approaches do you use?
I use a lot of trigger point therapy, fascial techniques, muscles stripping.

What is your treatment philosophy?
To help patients heal themselves and work with them in a relaxed setting. Educating them or guiding them so they are more aware of their own body.

What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a hands on manual therapy aiming to remove any barriers to health by treating the causes of pain and imbalances.

Who would likely benefit from an Osteopathic appointment?
Most office workers would benefit but anyone can experience an improvement from an Osteopathic appointment. Similar to a massage it can also promote relaxation and stress relief as well as relieve muscle tension.

If you could give everyone one piece of advice this winter what would it be?
Bundle up and get some fresh air. 

What do you like to do for fun?
Hiking, reading yoga!

There are many different types of detoxification programs which cleanse the body of toxins, and each type has its own specific purpose and benefits. For instance, Heavy metal cleanses focus on removing accumulations of heavy metals from the body, such as mercury and aluminum. Organism cleanses work to eliminate specific organisms, such as parasites or candida yeast. Organ cleanses detoxify the liver and gall bladder, lungs, kidneys, and colon.

One of the main organs involved in cleansing is the liver, which filters all impurities and toxins from the blood. The liver filters these substances and reduces them into compounds that the body can then eliminate through the kidneys (as urine), the skin (as sweat), the lungs (as expelled air), and the bowels (as feces). It is important for overall health to make sure that each organ system is functioning optimally.
By improving the efficiency of these systems you will notice that you have more energy, sleep better, are more mentally alert, and have enhanced well-being that is especially visible in better skin and shiny hair. You may even notice that you suffer less from colds and flus because of an improvement in your immune system. 

Health concerns that can benefit from a personalized cleansing program include:
• Constipation and digestion problems such as bloating— poor bowel movements encourage harmful bacteria and toxins to accumulate over time.
• High cholesterol and high blood pressure— detoxification diets help to establish lifestyle changes that are important in both treatment and prevention of strokes and heart disease.
• Colds and flus – This is a clear reflection of a much weaker immune function and the body’s inability to fight bacteria and viruses well. 
• Also— headaches and migraines, allergies and sensitivities, joint pain, smokers, those with high alcohol consumption, and those who generally feel fatigue and tired.

A Naturopathic doctor can find the best cleanse program for you personally. Under guided supervision, a total health plan can be created for you that rejuvenates your energy and restores your health to an optimal level. 
​
Dr Bartolini is at Rebound Health + Wellness on Wednesdays. Interested in jump starting your health naturally? Book an Initial Assessment with Dr Bartolini  >>> Book Online

​What influenced your decision to become a physiotherapist? 
From my childhood I was more interested in health issues and my back ground also gives me more experiences with natural medicines and traditional martial arts and their use in healing various health related problems. I was also interested in a system where there are fewer side effects. After my college studies I was trying to get into the medical field, from where I ended up in Physiotherapy, which I learned to be non-invasive and with less side effects and it also involves all population from paediatrics to geriatrics. Later when I completed my course I was more clear about my path and how I can utilize my ability for many of the health-related problems which opened up for me a door in to the world of different practice.

What are the top three most common issues you help clients address?
It is very difficult to pin point 3 common issues, because there are a lot of issues that can be made better with physiotherapy. Common issues I come across is shoulder and neck pain/stiffness, low back pain, sports injuries and neurological conditions which include stroke and Parkinson’s. 

What types of conditions/injuries do you enjoy treating?
All sports injuries, neck, shoulder, back and leg pain/ injuries, Post concussion symptoms (mTBI, MVA), stroke, Parkinson’s. 

What types of treatment methods/approaches do you use?
I prefer to use more manual techniques, but I use therapeutic modalities such as IFC, ultrasound to help the initial healing process, followed with more with exercises and postural corrections. I do more hands on work with most of the conditions, which gives long lasting relief and prevention of symptoms. Exercises are one of the major compounds I insist for my patients.

What is your treatment philosophy?
Understanding the condition is the first priority, because I believe that if your diagnosis is right, 90% of your treatment is done. Experience counts- with more than 15 years in this field, I have been exposed to almost all types of clinical conditions and their physiotherapy management. Understanding the root cause and eliminating it rather than beating around the bush is important. I use modalities wisely to help overcome the present situation not solely relying only on them. I rely on active approach rather than to a passive one.

What might a typical appointment with you look like?
I listen to what the client wants to say, asking questions relating to the condition, physical assessment, various orthopaedic and neurological physical testing. I then discuss the findings with the client, explain the condition- from an anatomical perspective, then I use various treatment approaches.

If you could give everyone one piece of advice this winter what would it be?
Winter is the worst time for people with arthritis, those more susceptible to fall injuries and MVAs (Motor Vehicle Accidents). Those with arthritis should not expose their joints to cold, always cover up and keep warm. If you have a fall do not hesitate to see health care provider to check that nothing is wrong, because from a small fall you may later end up with some major issues.

What can someone expect an initial appointment with you to look like?
During an initial appointment we discuss the present situation, history of the complaint, work on finding out the cause, explain the condition- making you understand how and why it happened with anatomical explanation, possible treatments and a small treatment session depending on the available time and of course a home exercises programme for you to continue the exercises at home.

What do you like to do for fun?
I love gardening in summer (grow your own) fishing, biking, GYM, cooking, spend time with my kids, watching movies with my family.