Our team of practitioners is trained in various modalities. Each practitioner stays up-to-date with the latest research and treatment practices going well beyond provincial requirements. Whether it is chronic pain, PTSD, scoliosis, or managing high-stress, Island Integrative Health practitioners work with each client to create a comprehensive management program to aid in reaching their therapeutic goal.
Priya has worked with a variety of conditions, throughout school and her practice, and found herself particularly drawn towards working with patients with chronic pain, PTSD, athlete development, scoliosis and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Priya has been in the fitness industry for over a decade and understands there is a physical and mental aspect to training. She loves working with health and wellness enthusiasts to aid in their performance and recovery.
She also has dealt with chronic pain for over 8 years and attributes her remission to the wonderful massage therapists she has worked with over the years. One of her primary goals is to help clients feel a sense of relief and she is dedicated to creating treatment/management plans to best suit each clients needs.
She uses a combination of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Myofascial Release, Swedish massage, Trigger Point Release and Hydrotherapy.
Priya is constantly learning and implementing more evidenced-based treatments to maximize therapeutic outcomes.
She is also extremely passionate about the human body and wants all her clients to reap the benefits of each treatment. After each appointment she will provide home care suggestions that will help to maintain and increase the benefits.
Since she was young, Shelby has always led an active life. She enjoys hiking, weight lifting and is passionate about working with like-minded individuals.
She uses a variety of techniques during each treatment to reach each client's specific concerns. Shelby uses the following techniques but is not limited to, Trigger Point Release, Myofascial Release, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and Swedish Massage.
Upon request, home care can be provided to help maintain and increase the benefits of each treatment.
Nico would also like to emphasize that creating a safe space for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals is a priority in her practice.
After this experience she realized the impact she could have working in an industry helping people feel their best as well as overcome their injuries. She returned to school to become a massage therapist. Kati graduated from WCCMT in 2015 and has been growing her knowledge and skills in the industry ever since.
With her previous background working alongside some of the best Physiotherapists in Vancouver and years of playing competitive, high level sports Kati brings a unique skill set to the industry. She believes it’s important to listen first, then provide a unique treatment to each of her patients. Kati uses a number of different techniques in her sessions. From movement, deep tissue massage to myofascial release. She tailors her sessions based on the needs of her patients. Her extensive knowledge of the body and movement allows her to provide pain relieving solutions at home or at work.
Her philosophy is simple, “Change is essential. Change the way you think and you change the way you move. Change the way you move and you change the way you feel.”
She looks forward to working with you and wishes you the very best on your healing journey.
Wenda’s interest in rehabilitation therapy started at Sheridan University where she studied Sports Injury Therapy (athletic therapy). She graduated from the Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy in 2001. She has completed the 5th year of education and examinations in osteopathic manual therapy at the Canadian College of Osteopathy. Her Cranial-Therapy education is based on her Osteopathic studies as well as studies from the Upledger Institute.
Wenda’s offers an osteopathic-based approach to massage therapy. This includes a variety of treatment approaches such as fascial release, joint decompaction and mobilization, cranial-sacral, face bone and visceral techniques. Conditions such as GERD/acid reflux, breathing issues, indigestion, postural imbalance and stress may be helped with the osteopathic-manual-therapy-based techniques.
Her commitment is to provide safe and effective treatment approaches for each individual and their health goals.
She graduated from Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in Vernon, BC in 2020 and is excited to continue her practice in Nanaimo. She uses a variety of techniques that include IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization), TMJ work, and fascial techniques. She is interested in working with and learning more about pre/post-natal, pediatric, infant massage, and sports injuries. She has taken continuing education courses in labor birth and delivery techniques, post-Cesarean section treatment, and IASTM. In the near future, she is interested in expanding her knowledge even more in such areas.
She believes that Massage Therapy can be a tool that helps with your mind-body
connection and injury prevention in day to day life. She is a friendly and supportive therapist and
loves to get to know the patient at hand and uses massage as a tool to help you thrive.
Continuing Education Courses taken:
-Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Principles Lower Body (7hr) (Back, hip, thigh, gastrosoleus, plantar fascia)(July 2021)
-Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Principles Upper Body (7hr) (Back, neck, shoulder, forearm, carpal tunnel) (July 2021)
-Labour, Birth and Postpartum (14PE) With Paula Jaspar (Oct 2021)
(topics of labour preparation, labour, delivery. As well as the common complaints, drug usage, positioning and attending a birth. Assessment and treatment of common presentations in the postpartum period. Contraindications and precautions also addressed during this course. )
- Post Cesarean Section with Paula Jaspar (14PE) (May 2022)
(how to work with cesarean sections scars specifically, helping the body move with less restriction)
I enjoy helping clients feel good in their own bodies and will often give homecare exercises for their specific concerns to help them feel empowered and an active participant in their healing journey.
The style of massage I have developed has a meditative flowing quality to it with the intention to make the transition from one treatment technique to the next feel as seamless as possible. I enjoy the ability of being creative with my treatments as I see massage therapy as an artform. I incorporate myofascial release, trigger point release work when necessary, joint play and gentle joint mobilizations when indicated, assisted and passive stretching, static pressure techniques and of course, Swedish massage techniques into a relaxing and effective treatment.
Outside of work, my passion has always been for world travel. My adventurous spirit has taken me to many beautiful places such as Central and South America, India, Asia and Scandinavia. At home, I love being in nature, gardening, swimming in the ocean, hiking in the forest, yoga and spending time with my 2 beautiful daughters and my three legged black cat named Erik Odin.
Perhaps you’re (like me) and you’re a Highly Sensitive Person or empath feeling EVERYTHING?
Maybe you’re in utter overwhelm, burned out? Numb? Stuck or simply surviving? Goodness, don’t we know these are crazy times!
Many of my clients are undergoing or about to make massive changes and transitions of all sorts!
By reconnecting to and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, you’ll create a healthier, freer, more joyfully expressed version of amazing YOU and the precious life you crave.
Consider the quality of your current state of holistic health, life and fulfillment, your creativity and sense of purpose? What yearnings tug at you in this time of life?
Ask yourself these questions; “Who am I now?” “What’s not in alignment or missing? What do I want and need, now and ahead?” “How do I bring ME, my health and creative passions into priority again?” “What dreams did I put away and would regret if were my life soon ending?” “And, what am I super proud of myself for too?” (Celebrating is vital too!)
You’ve lived, loved, worked, possibly married and divorced, maybe raised a family and cared for aging parents, surely succeeded in your unique ways and also dealt with life’s natural challenges and losses too.
If a helper-type, other’s needs have likely come before your own.
Life happens, and often not how we planned. Whether anxious and stressed, have a heavy heart or upset emotions, stuck in unhealthy patterns of thought or behaviors, experiencing loss and natural life transitions, unhappy in relationships, we ALL need support to gain new perspectives, heal, shift and grow… me too! (I so benefit from my Coach.)
In transparency, I have lived experience as a gifted and bullied, anxious Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), been married and divorced, taken bold moves, bravely furthered my education at 57, creative in businesses and careers, also cared for elders and grieved losses. These experiences (now in my mid-60’s), combined with my love of learning, devotion to personal growth and training make me an even strong counsellor.
I want to assist you to live your precious life more fully and freer, healthier and in alignment with your authentic heart and soul … rather than fearful and unfulfilled. As both a Life Coach and decades-long Registered Counsellor (#3876 with CPCA), certified in EFT Tapping, NLP, Re-Write Your Life Mastery and Infinite Possibilities too,
I’ve supported thousands in their personal growth through 1:1 private work, workshops, women’s circles (for 50+), retreats and speaking.
Our counseling will be focused on YOU and your needs, first understanding where you are now. Then together reduce the anxiety and stress, clear old emotions, explore your core values and beliefs, align mindset and actions toward “coming home” to your Self.
You’ll build a toolkit of simple but potent practices to easily integrate into your daily self-care routine for wholehearted empowerment. Your creative passions will quicken and your specific goals for THRIVING will become realized in health, wellness, relationships, purpose, adventure and truly living!
Carolyn Clarke Programs® believes that each person has the absolute ability to choose, and take steps toward creating a deliberately fulfilling life. Let me help you to re-awaken into your beautiful life.
Since then, she has enjoyed helping clients from all walks of life achieve their physical wellness goals. Charlotte is passionate about learning and has done courses in acupuncture, functional dry needling, manual therapy, Neurokinetic Therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, ultrasound biofeedback, and persistent pain. She has a keen interest in Women's health, in particular, the treatment of incontinence, pelvic pain, and pelvic floor dysfunction. More recently, she has learned how to look at persistent pain or recurring injuries through a functional neurology lens, with the goal of addressing the underlying cause of dysfunction. Her treatment approach combines manual therapy, needling techniques, education, movement re-training, and exercise prescription.
One of Charlotte's favourite things about living in Nanaimo is how easy it is to access the many amazing trails, beaches, climbing crags, and nearby islands. As a physiotherapist, she is most excited about getting to know her clients and supporting them in getting back to the things that they love!
Reflexology is a natural, healing art, based on the principles of reflexes in the feet, hand and ears, which correspond to every area, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes, Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas in the body. Reflexology is like a “tune-up” for the body. What is a cold laser?
The QuantumWave cold laser is a certified medical device approved by Health Canada and the FDA for pain relief, inflammation, arthritis, circulation, and the relaxation of tissue. The lasers have ScalarWave technology built into them, which provides unique features that assist with one’s healing. Cold lasers are also known as low level or soft laser. These lasers do not produce heat and therefor are used safely and painlessly.
With a strong background in nutrition, Dr. Cooper works with patients to build a
foundation for health, complementing dietary and lifestyle approaches with additional
naturopathic treatments including herbal medicine, acupuncture, IV therapy and
homeopathy. Dr. Cooper enjoys working with all patients who are interested in improving
their health; in her clinical practice she has particular interest in women's health, children’s
health , digestive conditions, hormone balance, and stress management.
Growing up on Saltspring Island in a family with an appreciation for wholesome diet and
natural medicine inspired Dr. Cooper to study Nutritional Science at the University of
British Columbia . When health concerns encouraged her to seek naturopathic treatment
and addressing the root cause resulted in a true cure, she felt motivated by her doctor's
holistic approach. After earning a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nutritional Science
at UBC, she went on to graduate from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in
Toronto, Ontario and returned home to the West Coast to pursue a rewarding career in
naturopathic medicine. Presently, Dr. Cooper has a clinical practice at Island Integrative
Health in Nanaimo, BC. She also offers virtual appointments where suitable for
convenience and to serve patients in more remote areas of British Columbia.
While at CCNM, Dr. Cooper completed her clinical internship at the Robert Schad
Naturopathic Clinic in Toronto, including the Pediatrics Specialty Shift ; an externship at the
Oakville Naturopathic Clinic ; and a naturopathic medical brigade with Natural Doctors
International in Ometepe, Nicaragua. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to provide
naturopathic care to these communities while gaining invaluable experience which informs
her ongoing practice.
Dr. Cooper has always been passionate about the academic aspect of naturopathic
medicine. She has frequently taught Nutrition and supervised in the teaching clinic at the
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine , as she finds it incredibly rewarding to work
with students while contributing to her profession. Dr. Cooper has also appeared as a guest
on The Lynda Steele Show on CKNW News Talk 980 AM , discussing topics that are relevant
to naturopathic medicine and the general public.
Dr. Cooper is a member in good standing of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of
British Columbia , the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors , and BC Naturopathic
Doctors . She is also board certified in Acupuncture, IV Therapy, and Pharmacy.
Born and raised on the West Coast, Dr. Cooper nourishes her roots with as much time spent
outdoors as the rain will allow. As part of her own self-care, Dr. Cooper has maintained a
lifelong personal yoga practice, and earned her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate
from Semperviva Yoga in Vancouver, BC. She is also an avid long distance trail runner, and
enjoys mountain biking, hiking, dancing, yoga, spending time with her husband and young
son, and having endless adventures in the kitchen.