Magdalen Farley has an active approach to her practice, involving her patients in their own care and rehabilitation. She brings a thoroughness and attention to detail to every case she treats, working with and understanding tissue at all levels. She says, “I count it an honour for a patient to entrust the treatment of their body to me, and I am passionate about constantly improving my skills in order to help my patients to a better quality of life.”

Magdalen’s formative experience includes her extensive work with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) and with the MS society’s inreach during her practicum. She also has a great interest in women’s health issues and perinatal care, doing her graduating case study on the effects of myofascial release and trigger point therapy for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. She continues to pursue a keen interest in women’s and pediatric health issues. Several practicum rotations at the high risk pregnancy ward of BC Women’s hospital contributed to her training in the area of infant and perinatal massage, and she is working towards certification as a doula.

Experience as a camp counsellor and youth worker help Magdalen establish a comfortable rapport with pediatric patients.

Away from the workplace, Magdalen has a longtime interest in film and literature, and can quote her favorites at the drop of a hat. She has also studied music, and both sings and assistant directs her a cappella church choir in both Byzantine chant and Slavic four-part harmony.

Academics:

• 2008  West Coast College of Massage Therapy Graduate
• 2009 CMTBC Registered Massage Therapist
• Member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC 
• Member of the College of Massage Therapists of BC 
• 2009 Proformance Lecture Series: The Shoulder Girdle 
• 2011 MyoFascial Release
• 2011 Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique: Upper Body and Upper Extremity

 

Dr. Jennifer Cham enters the practice with extensive medical experience. She earned her BA and BSN at the University of British Columbia, becoming a student member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. She then began work as a registered nurse in 1999 at Vancouver General Hospital. After several years in acute medicine, intensive care, and IV therapy, Dr. Jen received appointments as a clinical instructor with the UBC School of Nursing and Vancouver Coastal Health.

In 2005, she took an extended leave from teaching to pursue studies in naturopathic medicine. She found her passion in this field, thriving at the perpetual challenge of identifying and treating the underlying causes of illness naturally, and teaching patients how this perspective helps them experience optimal health.

Since graduation, Dr. Jen has pursued specialized training in modalities focused on treatment of pain and athletic injury. She is passionate about providing evidence-based treatments that support the body’s natural healing potential. At the Performax Health Group clinic in Burnaby, Dr. Jen works in collaboration with a full range of health care specialists to ensure that each patient receives a comprehensive, customized treatment plan to achieve their optimal health and performance goals.

Elizabeth received her Masters in Physical Therapy and Bachelors in Human Kinetics with a specialization in Exercise Science from UBC. She has experience in the health and fitness industry working as a certified personal trainer and weight trainer prior to obtaining her physiotherapy degree. Currently she is working toward obtaining an anatomical acupuncture certification with the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute, and plans to further her skills by obtaining her Graduate Certificate in Clinical Physiotherapy (Manipulative Therapy) and intramuscular stimulation certifications. Elizabeth focuses on manual therapy, exercise, postural alignment, and pain management in her practice. She also has a keen interest in sports rehab and enjoys working with recreational or competitive athletes.

Elizabeth enjoys biking, hiking, running, weight training and snowboarding on her free time, and participates in various recreational activities such as volleyball and dodgeball.

Dr. Victor Chan graduated in 2003 from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario, where he was awared the President's Award of
Excellence for his contributions. Prior to this, he obtained a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Pharmacology and a Masters of Business Administration degree in
Health Administration from the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta).

His general practice has a holistic approach that identifies and treats the areas of nutritional deficiency, structural dysfunction, toxicity, mental/emotional integration. In addition to this, Dr. Chan has an interest in the treatment of pain and sports medicine and has specific training in prolotherapy, neural therapy and IV nutritional therapy.

Dr. Chan is a registrant of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia and a member of the British Columbia Naturopathic Association, Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and the Naturopathic Academy of Therapeutic Injections.  For more information about Dr. Chan, please visit www.drvictorchan.com.

Academics:

• 1996 Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Pharmacology - University Of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
• 1998 Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Administration - University Of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
• 2003 Doctor Of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) - Canadian College Of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, ON
• 2003 Basic Intravenous Therapy - Marcella Percy, Windfield, BC
• 2004 Musculoskeletal Medicine Below The Waist (Prolotherapy) - American Academy Of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Denver, CO
• 2004 Musculoskeletal Medicine Above The Waist (Prolotherapy) - American Academy Of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Denver, CO
• 2005 Chelation Therapy Certification (written portion) - International Society Of Chelation Technicians, Oklahoma City, OK
• 2005 Acupuncture Certification - College Of Naturopathic Physicians Of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
• 2006 Neural Therapy and Mesotherapy - Institute Of Neurobiology, Bellevue, WA
• 2007 NATI Module I (myofascial trigger point injection, neural therapy, mesotherapy) - Naturopathic Academy Of Therapeutic Injection, Vancouver, BC
• 2007 NATI Module II (appendicular skeleton prolotherapy) - Naturopathic Academy Of Therapeutic Injection, Vancouver, BC
• 2008 NATI Module III (axial skeleton, lumbar spine, pelvis, TMJ prolotherapy) - Naturopathic Academy Of Therapeutic Injection, Vancouver, BC
• 2009 NATI Module IV (cervical, thoracic, costochondral prolotherapy) - Naturopathic Academy Of Therapeutic Injection, Portland, OR

Accomplishments:

• 2003 - President's Award Of Excellence, Canadian College Of Naturopathic Medicine
• 2003 - Registrant, Alberta Association Of Naturopathic Physicians
• 2003 - Board Member, Canadian Association Of Naturopatic Doctors
• 2004 to 2005 - TV expert panelist, help!TV
• 2004 to 2005 - Wrestler, University Of Alberta Golden Bears Wrestling Club
• 2009 - Runner, BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon
• 2009 - Runner, Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon
• 2003 to present - Member, Canadian Association Of Naturopathic Doctors
• 2005 to present - Registrant, College Of Naturopathic Physicians Of British Columbia
• 2005 to present - Member, British Columbia Naturopathic Association
• 2007 to present - Member, Naturopathic Academy Of Therapeutic Injection
• 2010 to present - Contributing writer, VanFighter.com

 A 17yr veteran in the profession, Robert graduated from the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy in 1994. He is registered in both British Columbia and Ontario.

Robert has completed over 300 hours of cadaver dissection at the University of Saskatoon. This gives him great insight to the human body and the vast connections that exist with-in the body.

His treatments have intense focus searching for elusive sources of pain. He is especially interested in creating balance in his patient’s body. Once balance has been obtained, the body can then function more mechanically efficient and the patient’s quality of life improves. Robert uses corrective alignment orthopedic treatments relying on fascial, craniosacral, ligamentous release and visceral techniques.

“The best compliment I receive from my Patients is when they tell me they no longer need to see me because they have returned to their normal lifestyle.”

Academics:

• 1994 CCMH Graduate
• 1994 CMTBC Registered Massage Therapist
• 2008 WCCMT Upgraded to the current 3000 hour Diploma CMTBC requirements
• Currently enrolled in the Provincial Instructor Diploma Course

Accomplishments:

• 2002-2009  Instructor Orthopedic & Neurological Departments WCCMT
• 2002-2009 Clinical Supervisor WCCMT
• Amateur Triathlete since 1995 competing in Sprint, Olympic and ½ Ironman distance
• 2008 World Congress on Neck Pain (Los Angeles)
• 2009 ITU World Championships with Canadian National Triathalon Team (Gold Coast, Australia)

 Always bouncing around the clinic with a smile, Alison takes a fresh integrative approach toward massage therapy treatment. Being a recent graduate, she has had the benefit of receiving the most current and cutting edge training offered in the field.

In her spare time, Alison competes as an amateur triathlete. She particularly enjoys working with athletes from all sporting areas and as she has some common ground, she relates well to their specific injuries and rigorous training regimes.

Although athletic treatment is a main focus, Alison also has a dedicated group of patients who require regular “non sports - like” treatment. She is great at providing firm yet gentle treatments for those patients suffering from anything ranging from a headache to more serious pathology such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Alison uses a "whole body" approach with the goal of achieving optimal performance and comfort for her patients.

Academics:

• 1997 UBC BSc. Forestry
• 2008 West Coast College of Massage Therapy Graduate
• 2008 CMTBC Registered Massage Therapist
• Member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC
• Member of the College of Massage Therapist of BC

Accomplishments:

• Amateur triathlete
• Competitive swimmer

 You can always hear Tara laughing with her patients in the office! She’s always in a great mood and lifts her patient’s spirits with every treatment.She has great empathy and sincerity in helping her patients through their various injuries.

Tara was voted by her class as “Valedictorian!” Even then she was recognized for her dedication to her profession and for providing excellence in the treatment of her patients.

Her post-graduate interests have included pregnancy and post-natal massage treatment. She’s great with expecting mothers and thoroughly enjoys hearing of all their ups and downs. Tara also has a keen interest in orthopedic assessment, myofascial treatment and studying human anatomy pro-sections.

Academics:

• 2005 West Coast College of Massage Therapy Graduate
• 2005 CMTBC Registered Massage Therapist
• Currently completing her Bachelor Health Science degree
• Member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC
• Member of the College of Massage Therapist of BC

Accomplishments:

• Valedictorian and the recipient of the “Joe Kosack Memorial Award.”
• Teaching Assistant WCCMT (Orthopedic and Neurological Assessment Departments)

 Always positive and laughing, Cory is one of those people who live life to the fullest.

Deceivingly calm and mild mannered, Cory has done everything from rock and mountain climbing, 4x4 off roading, gymnastics, competitive swimming, triathlons, wind surfing, sailing and more!

He brings his passion for life into all of his treatments and his patients are the ones that benefit from it.

Always eager to learn more about his patient’s injuries, he looks to see how he can make the most improvement in their quality of life with every treatment. Recognizing that patient benefit more from receiving multiple forms of therapy for their injuries, Cory chose to work with us at Performax Health Group, and we are better for it.

Cory utilizes spinal and regional orthopedic assessment, muscle energy techniques, PNF stretching and fascial release as some of the various manual modalities to help his patients return to a better quality of life.

Academics:

• Diploma Human Kinetics from College of The Rockies in Cranbrook
• 2008 West Coast College of Massage Therapy Graduate
• 2008 CMTBC Registered Massage Therapist
• Member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC
• Member of the College of Massage Therapist of BC

Accomplishments:

• rock and mountain climbing
• 4x4 off roading, gymnastics
• Has competed in swimming, triathlons
• wind surfing, sailing and more!

As a student, Taunya always asked the most challenging questions. Always wanting to know more information about an injury or pathology, her keen interest has benefited the patients who receive some of the most current information and manual treatment techniques that comprise her treatment.

Taunya's fascination with the human body made her an eager student, a passionate and enthusiastic tutor for massage students and a well rounded teaching assistant at the Boucher Naturopathic Institute. She has studied many post-graduate treatments, two of which are manual lymphatic drainage and systemic deep tissue massage. Taunya’s “tool box” of techniques, ranging from the lightest pressure to some that require deep comfortable pressure, ensures her patients receive the most safe and effective treatments.

Outside of the clinic Taunya has a “green thumb” as an avid gardener.

Academics:

• 2009 West Coast College of Massage Therapy Graduate
• 2009 CMTBC Registered Massage Therapist
• 2009 Manual Lympatic Drainage-Basic Course
• Systemic Deep Tissue technique educated
• Six-Day Intensive Hands-On Human Dissection Workshop
• Member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC
• Member of the College of Massage Therapist of BC

Accomplishments:

• Received an Honorary Letter of Congratulations from the CMTBC for an Outstanding Performance on the registration examinations.
• Tutor services to RMT students of all semesters at WCCMT
• Teaching Assistant Boucher Naturopathic Institute (Orthopedic and Anatomy departments)

Quiet and mild mannered, Steven believes in an approach to treating injuries by combining both adjustments and multiple soft tissue techniques. He enjoys focusing on diagnosing and treating postural misalignment and muscular and structural imbalances.

He has an interest in sports medicine and has treated at various sporting events including the Vancouver Marathon and numerous triathlon events.

In his free time Steven enjoys volleyball, skim-boarding and playing his bass guitar player.

Steven has a passion for public speaking and looks forward to speaking to companies, schools, and sporting clubs on health related topics such as back injury prevention, workplace ergonomics and other musculoskeletal conditions that chiropractic care can relieve and prevent.

Academics:

• 2006 Doctor of Chiropractic at Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon.
• Trained in Active Release Techniques (ART) Full Body
• Kinesio-Tape (Whole Body)
• Member of the BC College of Chiropractors
• Member of the BC Chiropractic Association
• Member of the Canadian Chiropractic Association.

Accomplishments:

• Steven has enjoyed providing Chiropractic treatments at the following events and locations:
• Vancouver Marathon
• Sugar Ray's Boxing Gym
• Blue Lake Triathlon
• Haag Lake Triathlon
• Hood to Coast Relay 

Lydia comes to the Performax Health Group with over 20 years of experience as a Clinical Psychologist. She has previously worked with student counseling services, contributed to the first women's health collective in Canada offering psychotherapy, and has provided services to Employee Assistance Program organizations.Her training is mostly in cognitive behavioral therapeutic techniques (CBT) and she also has experience working with a neuro-scientific approach to psychotherapy.

 

Lydia is experienced in working with adults using mind-body integration approaches for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, pain management and interpersonal conflicts. In addition to being part of the team at Performax Health Group in Burnaby, she runs a private practice in Vancouver.

 

If you would like more information about any services that Lydia provides, please contact her at the following web site: 
http://lydiakwa.psychologists.bc.ca/

 

Academics:

• BSc. (Honors) University of Toronto
• 1990 PhD Clinical Psychology Queens University Kingston, Ontario

Accomplishments:

• Lydia has published one book of poetry and three novels
• She teaches a creative writing course at SFU's Writing and Publishing Program

Jacob McGill believes that a healthy, vibrant approach to living does not need to be complex. He has 15 years of training in a variety of healing systems and has practised Ortho-Bionomy and Pilates professionally for over a decade.

Following a serious motor vehicle accident that left Jacob hospitalized, he began a quest to rid himself of the chronic pain and lack of mobility from which he suffered. This eventually led him to combine the practices of Pilates and Ortho-Bionomy.

Jacob found the mixture of osteopathic and martial arts techniques in Ortho-Bionomy combined with his knowledge of Aikido and the skills he learned while studying with Canadian Rehabilitative Pilates pioneer Dianne Miller provided the most effective methods for healing himself.

Jacob has also trained with Ron Fletcher and Mary Bowen, Master Teachers who trained with Joseph Pilates. Jacob's clients benefit from the full range of his experience including his quest for mastery of Aikido.

Jacob has spent the past ten years working on this combination of health and training techniques. Using Pilates and Ortho-Bionomy as his primary methods, he has created systems that allow him to address accidents, injuries, trauma and deeply patterned structural issues (bulging discs, back pain, whiplash, post surgery, scoliosis), and in a series of sessions, facilitate positive permanent change in structural alignment and soft tissues.

This total body approach can take anywhere from 5 to 15 sessions during which a body/mind connection is identified and re-patterned. The patient is empowered to hold the new postural enabling more effective movement.

This process involves active participation during sessions and homework in the form of individual home programs. Jacob draws upon many forms of body work, movement therapies, nutrition, psychological and spiritual practices. He custom designs every program for the unique needs of individual clients.