Cultivating Wellness, Nurturing Resilience
Find balance through personalized care, right here in Courtenay, BC.
Aurélie Gagnon
RMT
Registered Massage Therapy
Aurélie is a passionate and skilled massage therapist known for her intuitive touch and deep understanding of the body-mind connection. With a certificate from The Canadian College Of Massage and Hydrotherapy and 5 years of experience, Aurélie has perfected her practice in a wide range of modalities including Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, Swedish and prenatal massage. She takes a holistic approach to her practice, considering not only the physical, but also the emotional and energetic aspects of her patient’s well- being to provide deeper releases. Aurélie creates a serene and nurturing environment where her clients can relax and get in touch with their well being.
Chen-Yu Hung
R.TCM.P
Community Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Acupuncture
Hello! My name is Chen-yu Hung.
I moved to the Valley in 2015 with my wife. Finishing the 4 year TCMP program in 2022 in Victoria at Oshio School. As a registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioner(R.TCMP), I am passionate about helping people relieve pain, regain movement balance, and achieve physical alignment.
My needling style focus on Japanese-style acupuncture, particularly the Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS), which features:
Systematic Palpatory Method: KMS uses a structured, tactile method providing immediate feedback. The practitioner follows a specific sequence of palpation to diagnose and suggest effective treatment options.
Holistic Approach: KMS addresses health issues by examining deeper structural and constitutional imbalances underlying symptoms. This broad perspective helps tackle complex health issues and achieve lasting healing.
On the herbal medicine side, I focus on ancient clinical books such as: Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders) Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) These texts provide valuable insights for treating illnesses from the root and addressing constitutional aspects.
I offer direct billing with: E-telus Pacific Blue Cross Medavie Blue Cross Sun Life Green Shield It is my pleasure and honor to serve the people of Comox Valley. For same-day appointments, please call 250-650-7259.
Christopher Sherman
RMT
Registered Massage Therapy
I’m a fortunate guy in that I’m happy with my life, my wife and family, and my work. I try my best to spread that positivity and find massage therapy is a great outlet. Throughout my career, starting with graduation of the 3000hr RMT program in 2003 at WCCMT Victoria, I have gained valuable experience and insight working in both clinics as well as luxury spas. My clients will find me well rounded with a handy skillset. I love working with expecting moms and can accommodate both side-lying massage and face down using pregnancy pillows (depending on the grandness of your baby bump). I am also happy to work with athletes, the unfortunately injured, relaxation seekers, and those that are just generally wound tight from the rigours of work and life and in need of a thorough working over.
My style of massage varies with the therapeutic goals of my clients. I generally incorporate a variety of deep tissue, Swedish, range of motion, stretching, and fascial techniques (such as the CoAT method). To coax stress and tension from the body I will blend these into a strong, yet relaxing flow for a good full body overhaul. For more injury based treatments we will utilize whichever combination of techniques is appropriate. All treatments will be tailored to my client’s needs with a focus on educating and empowering them with exercises and home care to allow them to take better charge of their own health and wellness. As a bonus, my clients will also find me a great listener and conversationalist with a sense of humour, but also aware of the value of silence when they just want to zone out and relax. I see massage as a valuable tool for allowing one to get back in touch with their body and enter that blissfully healing state between sleep and consciousness - did you know you can actually snore face down while still being partially awake?? Indeed it is true…
Come visit and I’ll get you ironed out and on the right track :)
For more information and client reviews, visit christophershermanrmt.ca
Erica Latta
R.Ac.
Community Acupuncture
Hi there! My name is Erica, and I am a Registered Acupuncturist with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. I received my Diploma of Acupuncture with the highest distinction from Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC.
From multi-sport athlete to backpack-travelling seeker, I am a dynamic, heart-led human who is curious about others and listens with sincerity and an open mind.
As an enthusiastic student of life and lover of the natural world, my interest in nature-based and holistic healing helped guide my decision to study Chinese Medicine. I humbly give thanks for the opportunity to study and practice this ancient Eastern medicine which has been shared with the West.
My intention is to help folks move through a variety of processes with greater ease - may they be physical, mental-emotional, or energetic in nature - by implementing acupuncture, breath, and presence.
Acupuncture treatment offers us an opportunity to turn our attention inward, inviting us to get quiet and still enough to be present with what is ready to be integrated. With awareness and presence, we come back home to our selves, feeling more connected and attuned to our inner wisdom.
I am an empathic and caring practitioner who trusts in the body’s innate intelligence which naturally orients toward health, healing, and wholeness. It would be my honour and pleasure to support you in this process.
With respect, I give thanks for the opportunity to offer my services within the unceded and traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.
Jude Torchuk
RMT
Registered Massage Therapy
My desire to help others began with studying psychology and sociology, but it was after experiencing severe whiplash when I was 17 that I discovered the physical and emotional benefits of holistic health and massage therapy. After graduating from West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 1997, I deepened my knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and related structures by taking Neuromuscular Therapy, providing deeper and more specific work to the muscles and tendons.
While continuing with my post-graduate training and exploring other therapies for my own healing, I pursued my interests in Craniosacral Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, learning the very techniques that contributed to my own healing.
My techniques and treatments include CranioSacral Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Unwinding & Positional Release.
I completed my Advanced Craniosacral Therapy with Upledger Institute in 2011. I have experience working with head trauma (concussion), neck injuries, whiplash, insomnia and an overstimulated nervous system, fatigue, anxiety, stress, headaches, and general overuse, pain and tension within the body. Providing a safe and compassionate space for my clients, I incorporate massage therapy skills with other techniques that enhance the body’s innate wisdom and natural ability to heal itself.
Max Naftulyev
Registered Massage Therapy
Max graduated from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy’s 3-year program. He has extensive clinical experience treating a wide range of conditions, including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and both postural and sports-related injuries.
Max employs a variety of advanced treatment techniques, such as myofascial release, joint mobilization, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point release, muscle energy techniques, and cranio-mandibular therapy. His approach is comprehensive and tailored to address each patient’s unique needs.
Through ongoing education, Max has gained expertise in Hot/Cold Stones Hydrotherapy, which effectively reduces trigger points and muscle soreness while enhancing blood flow. The hot stones also offer a sedative effect, helping to alleviate chronic pain, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation.
Currently, Max is specializing in the Neuro-Relaxation Technique, a sophisticated tool for managing various orthopedic conditions.
Max is dedicated to helping his patients achieve their recovery goals through targeted techniques and collaborative care, ensuring a thorough and effective healing process.
Mina Michalowska
RAPID NFR Specialist, Reiki Practitioner
Anima Soma, RAPID Neurofascial Reset, Reiki, Rise and Shine!, Studio Classes
Mina recently moved to Courtenay from Edmonton, but is originally from Poland. She has a Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy from Warsaw, and a 2200h Massage Therapy diploma from ACMT in Edmonton. She is a RAPID Neurofascial Reset Specialist and is also in the process of completing a Reiki Practitioner certification.
Mina has a deep interest in all things holistic health. Throughout the years of working with people as a practitioner, she has realized that her clients were not just the physical symptoms they came in with. Their internal and external life had a huge impact on their general wellbeing. This sparked an interest in expanding her knowledge into the world of somatic therapies, energy work and nervous system regulation. During her sessions Mina combines different modalities between the physical to address any pain lingering in the body through RAPID NFR and fascial release, to nervous system regulation through guided meditation and relaxation techniques, and energy work. She believes that addressing all three of these aspects leads to true healing.
Mina also believes that every person has the capacity to heal themselves and she just provides assistance along the way. Her goal is to help every person she works with feel empowered and sovereign in their body. The modern world encourages a disconnect from our bodies and Mina’s goal is to help her clients regain that connection and sense of safety within ourselves.
She also offers group workshops that combine guided meditation, affirmation work and sound bath elements to further the connection to our bodies.
In her personal life Mina is a tinkerer and creator. She has an interest in herbalism and flower essences, enjoys homesteading practices and creating all sorts of things ranging from homemade sauerkraut to cold process soap, energy clearing sprays and jewelry. Her main reason for moving to Comox Valley was wanting to be closer to nature, so if you have any secret trails or natural gems to share, she’s all ears!
Nikolay Nikolaev
Registered Massage Therapy
Nik finds that his passion towards massage grows with every happy patient that leaves his treatment room. His lifestyle and beliefs coincide closely with the core values of massage therapy and he gets fulfillment being able to promote those attributes of wellness in the community, even more so now that he’s a new father :) A big fan of all sports, Nik is always eager to try himself in something new. Snowboarding, mountain and road biking, running, climbing, gymnastics and yoga are a few of his current favourites. Nik is adept at combining the therapeutic benefits of neuromuscular as well as deep myofascial techniques, including Graston Technique, to help you attain your desired clinical outcome. However, Nik is also skilled and well practiced in the art of relaxation massage, realizing the vast health value in helping people just unwind and shed themselves of stressors. So whatever your therapeutic goals are, Nik is confident in creating a custom treatment to suit your needs!
Olena Naftulyev
Registered Massage Therapy
Olena is a passionate massage therapy professional with an open mind towards patients’ needs. She studied and graduated with honors from the 3000 hour program at the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy.
She enjoys using various techniques, including Hydrotherapy (Hot/ Cold stones), trigger point release, myofascial release, Swedish massage, Muscle Energy Technique, Craniosacral therapy (CST) and joint mobilizations to help her patients to increase their range of motion and decrease chronic pain.
Olena enjoys working with a wide variety of conditions and people of all ages, by educating her clients about their bodies, helping them improve the underlying causes of postural imbalance and returning the body to its normal state.
Sasha Shamriy
Registered Massage Therapy
After an active childhood with 10 years of figure skating and ballet, Sasha has always been a fan of the benefits of massage therapy.
Sasha moved to Canada from Russia 12 years ago and loves immersing herself in all the readily available nature found here. She is now excited to be a member of the Comox Valley community and is appreciative to have found such an amazing place to raise her family and be of service helping the community stay healthy and fit!
Expect a calm and relaxing environment when you get a treatment with Sasha. She incorporates a combination of Swedish, myofascial, and neuromuscular techniques to achieve your treatment goals, and is also trained in Graston Technique. You can feel confident in Sasha’s ability to aid in your transformation from where you are to where you want to be :)
Your Well-being, Our Priority
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