Want an edge over this Pandemic? Try adding Holistic Therapies to the mix

by Heather B.

February 19, 2021
Wellness Advice
Pandemic | Therapies | Wellness

As we navigate our way through these unprecedented times, one thing is for certain… no one has the handbook on how to handle our increasingly rising stress levels or the mental, emotional and physical toll Covid-19 is taking on all of us. 

We do however, have tools. Now, more than ever, people are making choices to lean into their health and wellness in an effort to moderate their stress levels, bolster their immunity and amp up their vitality. In combination with conventional medicine, adding in holistic therapies to the mix allows you to explore your health and wellness from a broader perspective utilizing therapies such as: 

  • Acupuncture 
  • Psychology/ Talk Therapy 
  • Holistic Nutrition 
  • Massage Therapy 
  • Cupping 
  • Herbal Medicine 
  • Reiki 
  • Naturopathy 
  • Physiotherapy 

What are the possible benefits of taking a “Wholistic Approach” To your Health? 

  • Reduced anxiety and lowered stress levels 
  • Enhance Immunity
  • Improved Sleep 
  • Balancing of Hormones 
  • Treats Chronic and Acute Pain 
  • Easing of Depression 
  • Treats inflammatory conditions such as INS, Endometriosis, Arthritis, etc… 
  • Improved Digestion 
  • Calms Skin Conditions such as Eczema, Acne and Psoriasis 
  • Processing of grief and sadness 

Can I use my Insurance Benefits for this? 

—You bet! Most insurance providers offer coverage for allied health professionals, giving individuals and their families an opportunity to access treatment. Some offices even provide Direct Billing for easy processing of your payment. 

Heather Bracken, H.H.P., R. Ac.

Heather it the owner of The Garden Holistic as well as Acupuncturist, Holistic Health & Reiki Practitioner. Specializing in mental health, women’s health & chakra-based Acupuncture and Reiki exploration.

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Hannah Zabolotniuk R.Ac, RMT

Email: Hannah.z@outlook.com | Instagram 

About Hannah:

Hannah graduated from the Acupuncture program at MacEwan and an advanced massage therapy program in Edmonton. She is trained in Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, fire cupping, and Gua Sha. She loves to offer both modalities in her treatments to help you on your path to better health and wellness. She believes that regular Massage Therapy and Acupuncture appointments can keep the body working at its optimal level and prevent Disease in the body. She has a particular interest in anything holistic health.

Outside of work Hannah enjoys spending time with her dog, working out at the gym, and anything selfcare related.

 

Services:

Massage + Acu Combo 60 min and 90 min
  • A combination of Massage Therapy, Acupuncture and Cupping for optimal healing results from pain, injury, tension and stress. Can be billed under either Massage Therapy or Acupuncture.
Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage 60 mins
  • Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage helps to detoxify the body, reduce swelling, improves the appearance of cellulite, boosts immunity , eliminates toxins and improves blood circulation.
Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage + Acupuncture 90 min
  • Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage helps to detoxify the body, reduce swelling, improves the appearance of cellulite, boosts immunity , eliminates toxins and improves blood circulation. Add Acupuncture to improve the effects of cleaning out your lymphatic system!

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McKenzie Kim

About McKenzie:

Kenzie is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant through the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. She aims to meet you where you are on your wellness journey and help you reach your personal goals. She does this by addressing the mind, body, and spirit with nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset. Kenzie commits to educating you so that you can make your own choices regarding nutrition and health. Whether you're years into your wellness journey or starting out, Kenzie is here to support you!

Kenzie is our Holistic Nutritional Consultant, but her love for wellness goes far beyond nutrition. She embarked on her yoga journey over 10 years ago and discovered the profound impact that mindful movement and breath awareness could have on my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This personal transformation sparked a deep passion for yoga, leading me to start her 200hr YTT at Your Yoga Flow. Kenzie enjoys somatic movement, pranayama, meditation, mantras and trying new and exciting things in classes.

Kenzie emphasizes the power of embodied awareness, encouraging students to listen to the wisdom of their bodies while cultivating inner stillness through breath and mantra. Whether you’re looking to release physical tension, elevate your energy, or quiet the mind, her goal is to provide a supportive, nurturing environment where you can explore and grow at your own pace while having fun!

Megan McManus RMT

About Megan:

Mission Statement:
" I believe healing comes from integrating the whole human experience; the physical, energetic, and somatic bodies. It is an honor to be invited into your healing journey, in whatever form that may take."

Megan has been practicing since graduating from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Victoria in 2019. Her journey as a manual therapist began with more of a focus on athletics and high level sports teams. Throughout her own healing, which was focused in nervous system regulation and somatics, she found her way back to mindful body movement practices, deeper connection with her body and cycle, and a new desire for wanting to be of support to women in their different stages of life, as well as those wanting to connect with their bodies as a whole woven system.
Megan has a strong belief that when we are providing manual therapy, we are in direct communication with the nervous and energetic systems, not just the physical body. You can expect her treatments to be slow, rhythmic, and blended with breathwork and energy movement.

Outside of her work you can find her travelling anywhere, and everywhere (especially if it involves music and the opportunity to wear a sparkly costume), finding new trails to run, or deepening her love for learning about the Wheel of the Year, the cyclical nature of our world and how it relates to our human existence.

Leanne Keyko R.Ac

Registered Acupuncturist, RN (non-practicing), Reiki Master/ Energy work practitioner

About Leanne:

"I believe that deeper understanding and connection to self allows us to maintain a more balanced state and ultimately be more engaged in life. Through developing relationships with my patients, I am able to offer uniquely designed treatments to facilitate deep rest and relaxation, alleviate stress, restore balance and support the body’s innate capacity for healing." Leanne has an extensive background within health and wellness spanning nearly two decades. Fueled by a deep curiosity to understand people, the body and this human experience, her career has been an ever-evolving journey. Beginning with Kinesiology and then Nursing, she gained experience within metabolic and neurological disorders, obstetrics and women’s health, as well as adult and pediatric mental health. Although Nursing afforded her many valuable skills and opportunities, there was always a deep sense that something was missing. For years Leanne felt drawn to Eastern philosophy and energy-based healing modalities. It was ultimately within this realm that she experienced the greatest success within her own health and wellbeing. Inspired by personal experiences and wanting to share these practices with others, she completed the Diploma in Acupuncture, including a 700-hour residency, at the Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Two deeply held beliefs guide Leanne’s approach in the treatment room: The first being that our internal world and personal experience is deeply connected to and impacted by the external world, and that the influence of each upon the other cannot be separated. The second is belief in the innate power of the body to heal itself. Understanding and embodying these principles have been some of her most powerful learnings. Supporting patients to explore this and build capacity to prevent or minimize health concerns is a key goal within her treatment plans. Through building meaningful relationships and applying a multi-facetted approach, Leanne provides deeply restorative treatments to rebalance the body, mind and spirit. Treatment plans not only alleviate symptoms but also uncover and address the root of imbalance. She aspires to empowers others with knowledge and tools to create lasting change and support their health and wellbeing far beyond the treatment room. Leanne’s unique background and expertise support her in addressing a variety of concerns including: -Mental and emotional health -Digestive Health/Gut-Brain Health -Women’s Health -Energy Work/ Reiki -Facial Rejuvenation. She also has a keen ability to work with adolescent patients to support menstrual cycle regulation and emotional wellbeing. To find out more about Leanne and her approach visit www.dovetailwellnessco.com

Kristie Bennett, Registered Provisional Psychologist

About Kristie:

As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, Kristie specializes in grief and loss, women’s mental health and relationship issues. She brings a compassionate, emotion-focused approach to her sessions, rooted in evidence-based practices tailored to address her client’s unique circumstances. Kristie has additional training in mindfulness, positive psychology practices, and goal setting to help her clients increase life meaning and happiness. Her goal is to not only help her clients overcome painful internal struggles, but empower them to create their best life.

The loss of her mother in 2015 was a pivotal moment in her life. Struggling with the pain and devastation of grief, Kristie became certified as a Grief Recovery Specialist and Funeral Celebrant, to support others experiencing loss. Through her own experience and her work, Kristie developed a deep respect of heartbreak and pain. Her deepest desire is that your story will be heard and truly honoured in your time together.

Kristie is also trained in the Gottman Method and Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). Both provide a roadmap for helping couples compassionately manage conflict, deepen friendship and intimacy, and share their life purpose and dreams. Additionally, Kristie specializes in helping couples navigate the mental load of running a household and family.

Away from the therapy room, Kristie loves to spend time with her husband, three adult daughters, and extended family. She likes nature walks with her dogs and exploring the city’s coffee shops. Kristie is a lifelong learner, and is often found reading a book, listening to a podcast, or taking an online course.

Currently Offering:

  • Adult Therapy: $185.00/ 50 mins
  • Couples Therapy: $200/ 50 mins
  • Family Therapy: $200.00/ 50 mins

Mina Michalowska, RMT, Rapid NFR Specialist, Energy Work practitioner 

About Mina:

Mina’s background includes a Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy and a diploma in Massage Therapy. After years of treatment focusing on her clients’ physical bodies and listening to their stories, she’s realized that addressing the energetic body and re-connecting the body and mind is crucial in order for true healing to happen. Physical symptoms are messages from our bodies to our conscious mind and Mina’s goal is to try to help her clients find that communication line.

Her treatments combine elements of nervous system regulation, somatic release, RAPID NFR and energy work. Addressing both the physical and energetic body is what allows the body to regain a sense of safety within itself, and allows release of stagnant energy and emotions that lead to physical symptoms. Mina strives to provide a truly safe and judgment-free space that allows her clients to meet themselves with grace and curiosity.

When not working with clients, Mina is often expanding her knowledge in all things nervous system regulation, somatic work, Rapid NFR, holistic health and spirituality related. She’ll talk your ear off about the incredible engineering feat that is your body, as well as geek out over oracle cards, messages from spirit and all things witchy. She is an urban homesteader and loves making all things from soap to sauerkraut, so ask her if you need any good recipes.

Rapid NFR and Energy Clearing is a combination of somatic meditation, Rapid NFR fascial techniques and energy work that addresses any physical pain, energetic blocks and helps you re-establish a connection with your body. The nature of fascial work provides quick and long-lasting pain relief, and combining that with nervous system regulation and energetic clearing lets your body let go of anything that doesn’t serve anymore.

Denae Dobko, Registered Provisional Psychologist

About Denae:

As a Registered Provisional Psychologist, Denae is present to walk alongside your pains and joys towards a more authentic and empowered you. She wants to hear your reason for seeking therapy, bear witness to your experience, and work together in achieving your desired future. Her therapeutic space is grounded in values of love, respect, truth, joy, and health. Her therapeutic practice is holistic and she believes that healing the mind, body, and heart happens together. She works from a humanistic and bio-psycho-social-spiritual orientation and pulls from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems, Solution- Focused, Narrative Therapy, Nature-based Therapy, and Art Therapy. Denae welcomes the opportunity to work with people from all identities and backgrounds, in- person, on-line, or walking in nature. She lived in Mexico as teenager and continues to hold Latino culture in her heart and can work in Spanish upon request. She values self-actualization and living a good life, helping others, and living in harmony with nature. In her free time, Denae is practicing yoga, camping, hiking, gardening, painting, and spending time with family and friends.

Anya Nykolaychuk, RMT

About Anya:

Anya has been practicing massage therapy since graduating from MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy in 2016. While her technique as a massage therapist is best described as a combination of relaxation and therapeutic techniques, her overall approach with clients is collaborative and trauma-informed to ensure that clients are receiving care that reflects their needs.

In addition to traditional massage techniques, Anya is also certified in Rapid Neurofascial Reset and has taken additional training in Trauma-Informed Coaching and ADHD Coaching, which informs her ability to provide a safe and inclusive environment.

Outside of the clinic, you can find Anya on a hiking trail, learning a new skill on a whim (like cooking, or photography, or improv, or….!!), and spending time with her friends and family

Lisa Wheeler, RMT

About Lisa:

As a Graduate from M.H. Vicars, Lisa works closely with her patients to support them in reaching their personal health and wellness goals. In utilizing her growing list of massage techniques and various treatment modalities, Lisa offers her patients a therapeutic approach paired with continuing assessment and homecare practices, which work towards helping her clients achieve pain relief in and outside of the treatment room.

Lisa has also been a trained esthetician for over a decade, having graduated from the European Institute of Esthetics in 2011. Lisa’s education then brought her to work with the world-renowned skincare brand Aveda for 6 years, eventually working as the Team Lead at the Edmonton Aveda Academy on Whyte Avenue.

Along with offering Therapeutic Massage, Lisa has also customized specialized skincare services through our clinic using the all-natural, all-organic brand Communion Botanicals, based out of Nelson, B.C. Not only does Lisa offer luxurious facials through The Garden, but she has also created a unique and highly coveted blend of Therapeutic Massage and Skincare Combinations, bringing a relaxed and spa-like vibe to our clinic space.

Away from a therapeutic setting, Lisa can often be found camping, hiking, taking online history/paleontology courses and taking continuing education courses to remain a dedicated therapist.

Samantha Mertler, RMT

About Samantha:

Samantha completed 2200hrs of training from MH Vicars in 2016. After training in both Therapeutic and Swedish techniques, Samantha then expanded her practice to include Fire Cupping and Chi Nei Tsang.

Treatments are crafted with an open mind and a holistic style that reflects your needs. Whether it is soothing your nervous system using Relaxation Massage, tackling old injuries, or working with chronic tension through the use of Therapeutic Massage and Fire Cupping, Samantha’s diverse skill set has got you covered. Samantha also specializes in Chi Nei Tsang, an abdominal-base massage that deepens internal awareness and addresses issues related to the abdomen such as digestive disorders, endometriosis, scarring, etc.

Samantha is most interested in the interplay between stress, emotions, posture habits, energy and pain within our bodies, getting curious around aspects in which her clients numb out, or when they have a habit of staying entirely in their mind during the day.

Reading and learning about trauma, somatics, focused awareness practices, Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and energy work is what constantly evolves her practice.

Out of the clinic you can find Samantha with her four kids, gardening/earthing or reading.

Selina Streahorn RMT

Email: selinasrmt@yahoo.com | Instagram 

About Selina:

Selina graduated from Medix college in 2014 in Ontario before moving out to Alberta. She has been in practice since, honing her skills and focusing around fire cupping, deep tissue therapy and learning Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal massage). Her practice is more focused on intentional release work, and working with the client to be more mindful of how they use their body throughout the day and the impact this has on their well-being long term.

Dr. Laura Meadwell

Email: meadwellacupuncture@gmail.com | Instagram 

About Dr. Laura:

Laura recently graduated from the Acupuncture program at MacEwan University, and is excited to dive into her career here at The Garden Acupuncture and Holistic Centre. She has a background of biological sciences before finding her passion in acupuncture and traditional
Chinese medicine. 

Laura believes in working on all facets of health in order to become the best possible version of oneself. She has taken an interest in women’s health, digestive health and musculoskeletal pain. Laura has a passion for helping others, and loves to see her patient’s thrive with the help of acupuncture, but believes that healing must come from within. She is a proponent for collaboration when it comes to acupuncture treatments, as the patient knows their own body best.

Kiera Gadallah, R. Ac

About Kiera:

Kiera recently graduated from the Acupuncture Program at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, AB. Throughout studying Traditional Chinese Medicine for the past three years, she has taken a special interest in women’s health, mental health, and digestive disorders.

Kiera supports individuals in connecting with their mind, body, and spirit. She is passionate about helping patients navigate the ever-changing aspects of their lives while maintaining harmony and balance within.

Outside of the clinic, Kiera can be found with her nose in a book, camping and kayaking, and exploring the outdoors with her dog Freddy.

Heather Bracken, H.H.P., R. Ac.

About Heather:

By promoting an attitude of internal awareness, personal discovery and self-care, it is her ambition to support others in achieving their goals and reach their highest potential on all levels.

With over 6 years of combined educational studies at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta and two diploma programs under her belt, Heather is certified as a Registered Acupuncturist, Holistic Health Practitioner (specializing in Western Herbology) and Reiki Master. Having practiced in the alternative healthcare field for over 15 consecutive years, Heather works in combining her modalities to create unique and specialized treatment sessions for each one of her patients.

With over 6 years of combined educational studies at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta and two diploma programs under her belt, Heather is certified as a Registered Acupuncturist, Holistic Health Practitioner (specializing in Western Herbology) and Reiki Master. Having practiced in the alternative healthcare field for over 15 consecutive years, Heather works in combining her modalities to create unique and specialized treatment sessions for each one of her patients.

Heather’s mantra serves as her life’s purpose; to encourage, support and empower individuals along their chosen path towards better health and well-being by facilitating the body’s natural ability to heal. By promoting an attitude of internal awareness, personal discovery and self-care, it is her ambition to support others in achieving their goals and reach their highest potential on all levels. Heather believes that disease is not to be viewed as a conditional life sentence, but rather as an imbalance within the mind, body and Spirit that can be corrected and brought back into a state of balance and harmony.

One of the foundational components of Heather’s practice is the study of neuroscience and neuroplasticity aka: the inner workings of the nervous system and the inherent ability of neurons (or nerve cells in the brain) to adapt to injury, disease or disharmony such as chronic stress, addiction, anxiety, depression, etc… by restructuring and rewiring themselves to stimulate healing and recovery. With enough willingness, perseverance and dedication, it is Heather’s unwavering belief that the ability to heal is always possible.

Heather’s areas of specialization include Mental Health, Metabolic Disorders, Gynecology/ Obstetrics and Esoteric (Chakra-Based and Spirituality-Minded) Acupuncture.