Dr. Michael Poschar is clinic director and proud owner of Active Health Centre. He is a doctor of chiropractic with an honours degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario. He is a graduate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Dr. Poschar has been involved in a wide variety of recreational and competitive sports for most of his life and has special area of interest in treating sports related injury. He has worked with athletes from a variety of sports and proudly serves as team doctor for the Markham Waxers provincial junior “A” hockey club.

Dr. Poschar has completed post-graduate training in paediatric chiropractic, orthopaedics, rehab, sport specific training and numerous adjustive therapies. He has completed specialized courses in Trigenics® neurological treatment system,  is a fully certified Active Release®, and acupuncture provider. Dr. Poschar has a keen interest in treating golfers and is a certified Titleist® Golf Medical professional. Dr. Poschar is also on faculty at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

Dr. Poschar is an experienced outdoors man, marathon runner and enjoys skiing, playing slow-pitch and hockey.

Dr. John De Finney is a bilingual chiropractor with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and a Specialty in Sports Chiropractic. He graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 1976. He is also one of the founding members of the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences and one of its first three Fellows. Dr. De Finney is also still involved in a variety of recreational sports and has won national titles as an age class runner. He has lectured at the undergraduate and post graduate level in sports injuries and published articles on the topic of running. “The Running Chiropractor” has recently completed a course in a new soft tissue therapy, Trigenics®, and has joined the Trigenics Institute and serves as its research consultant with specific interest in running and sport injuries and rehabilitation.

Dr. Natalie Labelle is a bilingual doctor of chiropractic and a certified kinesiologist. She graduated with an honours degree in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario and received her degree in Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2000.

She has a special interest in athletic injuries and enjoys treating athletes of all levels and abilities. She has been part of the volunteer medical staff at Ironman Lake Placid, and she recently travelled to Barbados as Team Doctor with the Canadian Fury Masters Soccer Team.

She has completed post-graduate training in adjustive techniques, rehabilitation, orthotics prescription, and paediatric chiropractic. She has also completed courses in Trigenics® and Active Release Techniques®; specialized forms of soft tissue therapy. She recently received her International Chiropractic Sports Science Diploma (ICSSD), which qualifies her to treat at international events including the Olympic Games. Her philosophy of care is simple; find the cause of the condition, treat it effectively and efficiently, then rehabilitate the area so that it does not recur.

In her spare time, Dr. Labelle is a committed, lifelong athlete and runner. She has completed 3 marathons to date, and looks forward to many more new and exciting challenges.

Dr. Robert Garofalo is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a proud member of the Active Health Centre team. He graduated with clinic honours as a Doctor of Chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and has a Specialized Honours degree in Kinesiology from York University. Dr. Garofalo was a proud recipient of the Orthotic Group Excellence in Biomechanics Scholarship Award during his second year of study at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Dr. Garofalo is a certified Active Release Technique® provider, a certified Medical Acupuncture provider, a certified Functional Release Provider, and a certified Personal Trainer.  During his final year at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Dr. Garofalo was the on-site athletic therapist for the Markham Waxers Junior “A” hockey club. Dr. Garofalo has always been involved in a variety of sports which fuels his passion for treating athletic-related injuries.

Dr. Garofalo was selectively chosen to participate in an elite mentorship program where he had the opportunity to observe sport-specific assessments and treatments of professional NHL hockey players during their off-season training/treatment sessions.  This course consisted of hands-on instructional coaching and participation in an open analytical, case-specific discussions.

Dr. Garofalo continues to strive for excellence by constantly remaining up-to-date on evidence-based research through reading journal articles and various texts.   Also, participating in post-graduate studies such as soft tissue techniques, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sport-specific training ensures that Dr. Garofalo continues to provide the utmost care and service to his patients.

Dr. Garofalo spends his spare time weight lifting, jogging, and playing sports such as hockey and baseball.

Dr. Caitlin McAlpine is a recent graduate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. While completing her four-year doctorate program, she furthered her studies at McMaster University and is also a certified Contemporary Medical Acupuncture provider. Prior to her CMCC education, Dr. McAlpine attended the University of Western Ontario and graduated in 2009 with an honours specialization degree in Kinesiology.

Dr. McAlpine has always been passionate about helping others achieve their maximum potential in health and fitness. As a former professionally trained ballet dancer, Dr. McAlpine takes great pride in helping individuals of all ages to achieve their personal health goals and live active balanced lifestyles. She is a certified Group Fitness Instructor, as well as a certified Senior Fitness Class Instructor. Additionally, she recently travelled to Barbados as the team chiropractor for the Canadian players competing in the Barbados International Masters Football Tournament.

By incorporating lifestyle and nutritional advice, as well as personalized home-based rehabilitation programs, into each chiropractic visit, Dr. McAlpine has ensured that her patient’s leave with the tools necessary in order to become active participants in their own health.

Suzanne’s passion for health and fitness came from her 15 year career as a competitive swimmer. She pursued her interests by completing a Bachelor of Kinesiology at York University and graduated with Honours in 2003. While at York, Suzanne developed further interest for the treatment and prevention of injuries, as well as a passion for hands-on, precise care, hence guiding her to massage therapy. Suzanne attended Kikkawa College in Toronto and earned a degree in Massage Therapy-becoming registered in 2005.

Many modalities have been added to Suzanne’s career to further help her clients, such as: Therapeutic Ultrasound & Electrotherapy and a Medical Acupuncture diploma from McMaster University. She was also the proud owner of York Region Massage Therapy & Wellness Centre in Markham for 5 years, and now in 2014, her and her team are happy to join Active Health Centre!

Suzanne truly enjoys the challenges brought with every new client and is constantly learning.With our lives getting busier, and less time left for ourselves, Suzanne believes Massage Therapy plays a significant role not only in prevention, but in sustaining mental and physical health; it is a key component to a healthy lifestyle

Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Mary graduated from the Canadian College of Health, Science and Technology in April, 2006. Through this comprehensive program she received training in numerous massage techniques including Myofascial Release, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Trigger Point Therapy and Joint Mobilization. Since graduating she had been practicing in the GTA and enjoying every minute of it!

Mary continues to take courses to keep up to date with the every-changing healthcare field. She is certified as a Labour Support Provider, also known as a Doula. She believes it is important for a woman to feel confident and comfortable during her child-birthing experience.

Mary takes pride in helping every client with their individual needs to help them find balance in their lives.

Dr. Jessica Cardona is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto, and holds an Honors Bachelors degree in Biomedical Biology from Laurentian University. While she has developed an eclectic practice, she has cultivated particular expertise in women’s health (including Bio-identical Hormone Therapy), digestive wellness, weight loss, preventative health care and anti-aging medicine. With treatment grounded in Naturopathic philosophy and evidence-based research, she uses a wide array of modalities ranging from Acupuncture and Botanical Medicine to Nutraceuticals, Diet and Lifestyle Counseling. She is also an active professional member of both the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).

Dr. Cardona believes that Naturopathic Medicine is both an art and science; a belief influenced by her background as a former professionally trained ballet dancer and piano teacher. Her vision is to promote the health of her patients through a natural, individualized and comprehensive approach.

Dr. Cardona is passionate about helping others and in 2008, she took part in a medical brigade volunteering her time in Nicaragua servicing the medical needs of under-privileged communities.  She continues to pursue her passion through her involvement as an active speaker and guest lecturer in Northeastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, promoting awareness, as well as educating and empowering individuals to better understand their health and its role in providing a superior quality of life.

Ellen Bradley is a Therapist who graduated from York University with an Honors Degree in Psychology.  She is also a part-time Professor at Durham College in the Counseling Program. Ellen specializes in healing emotional pain caused by a variety of factors such as grief, loss, physical pain, addiction and trauma.

Ellen uses an outcome measure/feedback-informed approach to ensure successful treatment outcomes with her clients. She offers counseling services to individuals, couples, families and parents.

Ellen has worked in the field of counseling for 20 years. Her personal interests include dancing, fitness and music.

Ellen’s professional interest lies in helping individuals overcome suffering by the use of a variety of methods from relaxation exercises, grounding techniques, mindfulness practices to talk therapy.

Ellen’s specialty lies in helping individuals heal from pain by promoting present moment awareness through conscious living.

Gerald is a very versatile therapist with experience in sports injuries, rehabilitation, pre and post athletic event treatments as well as relaxation and pre-natal massage. Swedish Massage, Trigger Point Release, Myofacial Release and Manual Lymph Drainage are just a few techniques acquired through training and clinical practice. Since Registration, Gerald has completed further training in cranial sacral osteopathy.

Gerald’s clients enjoy a calm, methodical approach to their treatment and consistently experience positive results whether it be preventative or restorative in nature. He also has a broad base of treatment experience having provided care to post-surgery, sports injury, compromised immune diseases, and violent trauma victims. In addition to his clinical background and focus, he is also a Reiki Master, with experience in this field since 2001 and believes strongly in incorporating the mind-body connection to treatments.

Gerald has recently relocated from downtown Toronto to Markham with his young family and is looking forward to expanding his client base and care in the local community.

Kris completed his Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto and his Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University. Kris has extensive experience with treating a variety of sports injuries and chronic conditions, returning people to their optimal level of function and improving their fitness levels. His treatment approach is based on thorough assessments, evidence-based hands-on treatments and personalized functional exercises. Treatment sessions incorporate techniques from post-graduate level courses including Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT), Mulligan Techniques, and Neuro-proprioceptive Taping. Kris focuses on empowering his patients through education of their condition and a long-term plan to prevent further injury or reoccurrences.

Kris is a certified Sport Physiotherapy Canada First Responder and was part of the Medical Team at the 2015 Toronto PanAm Games.

Mindy is a graduate of the Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic’s massage therapy program, and has completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at York University. She is a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and has been practicing massage since 2015. Her undergraduate education provides additional knowledge and understanding of the human body from an anatomical, physiological, and biological perspective. Throughout her studies at Sutherland-Chan Mindy has worked with high risk pregnancy and breast cancer patients as well as patients with neurological disorders. She uses a combination of myofascial release, swedish massage and trigger point therapy to decrease stress and reduce muscular tension throughout the body. Additionally, she has been trained in Cupping and Hot Stone massage therapy techniques. Mindy believes that massage is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through preventative measures. She looks forward to connecting with her clients and improving their health on a physical and psychological level.

Dr. Adam Murphy is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a proud member of the Active Health Centre team. He recently graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Dr. Murphy previously attended Wilfrid Laurier University and Brock University. Dr. Murphy is a certified Active Release Technique® provider, a certified Medical Acupuncture provider, and is certified in Integrated Therapeutics®, full body. During the last 2 years, Dr. Murphy was the athletic trainer for the Markham Waxers Midget “AAA” hockey club.

Dr. Murphy has played a number of sports growing up, and wants to help others do so with preventive and rehabilitation care. He is looking to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® allowing him to work with athletes and everyday gym goers to obtain their health goals. Dr. Murphy’s clinical focus is facilitating care to help people obtain optimal health and wellness.

He is passionate about the management of injuries through manual therapy and functional rehabilitation during the patient’s road to recovery. Dr. Murphy spends his leisure time running, and playing sports such as hockey and soccer.

Dr. Alison has competed at the national level for synchronized figure skating in her teenage years, later making the varsity team at Wilfrid Laurier University.  Also a runner, she completed the 42km Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2014.  Dr. Alison earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University, followed by her degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is an active member of both the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).

Dr. Alison has a special interest in digestive health, and how it relates to immune and neurological health.  Concerns of interest include, but not limited to, weight loss and management, IBS/IBD, allergies, autoimmunity and immune health, hormonal imbalances, mental health including both depression and anxiety, as well as general paediatric health.

Don’t have a particular area of concern?  Naturopathic medicine is great for not only achieving optimal health, but providing ways in which we can maintain our health as we age.