Optimum Wellness Centres: Alberta Back & Neck Rehab Southport & Macleod

Dr. Drew Oliphant is the Clinic Director of Alberta Back and Neck Rehab and Sports Injuries Clinic. Dr. Oliphant graduated from The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1987, after undergraduate studies at Selkirk College, University Of Victoria, and University Of British Columbia. In 1997, he became a Fellow of the College of Chiropractic Orthopedics (Canada) (FCCO(C)), a designation awarded to specialists in Orthopedics.

Dr. Oliphant has been a practicing chiropractor in Calgary for over 27 years. He is an authorized WCB provider and has testified as an expert witness at Court of Queen’s Bench in personal injury cases. Dr. Oliphant himself suffered chronic low back pain and sciatica for many years following a motor vehicle accident in which he herniated his L5 disc, eventually necessitating 1 ½ years off of work. He finally got long-term relief of his low back pain and sciatica with the DRX 9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy Machine and brought the DRX 9000 and DRX 9000C to Calgary, being the first clinic in Western Canada to provide this treatment. Since then his clinic, Alberta Back and Neck Rehab and Sports Injuries Clinic, has performed over 20,000 decompression treatments. As well, Alberta Back and Neck Rehab and Sports Injuries Clinic is a pioneer in the use of other advanced technologies including MedX Medical Lumbar Rehab Machine, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, and the BTE Multi-Cervical Neck Rehab Machine, to speed the healing of common injuries, including chronic back pain, whiplash, spinal disc injuries, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions

Dr. Ron Toma is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West and has been in practice in Calgary since 2003. He has completed the Canadian National Chiropractic board examinations, and the American National Chiropractic board examinations level I, II, and III.

Dr. Toma is a member of the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors, the Canadian Chiropractic Association, the Palmer Alumni Association, and the Gonstead Clinical Studies Society.

Dr. Toma is passionate about chiropractic and the body’s natural ability to heal and express itself. Dr. Toma enjoys teaching the principles of healthy living to all of his patients, and loves working with people of all ages.

If you’d like to know more, please visit: https://drrontoma.com/

Dr. Mahdi Ghazanfari, ND is an international medical graduate and licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Alberta who graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto, Ontario. He also holds a Doctor of Medicine degree* with a medical residency in anesthesiology from Iran. He practiced conventional medicine for more than 18 years before becoming a Naturopathic Doctor.

He has a general naturopathic practice with a special interest in heart and hormones health, and support to patients with a diagnosis of cancer. He utilizes Naturopathic treatments such as herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle counselling among others to support the treatment of a variety of conditions such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, gut issues, weight management and others.

He is truly passionate about integrative natural treatments where his skills and experience allow him to combine Western and Eastern approaches to provide options to his patients.

*Disclaimer: Dr. Mahdi Ghazanfari, ND doesn’t practice conventional medicine in Canada.

Simson is an experienced therapist with extensive training in neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy for more than 13 years. He draws on a broad skill set, including soft tissue release, joint mobilization, needling, taping, and exercise therapy prescription to create efficient and effective treatment programs for his patients. He has worked on complex neuromusculoskeletal injuries in various age groups. Simson completed a professional postgraduate degree and certificate programs. He strongly believes combining experience, evidence-based practice, and patient values to promote excellent clinical outcomes.

Simson enjoys fishing and driving; otherwise, his daughters keep him busy.

Jency Henry is an experienced physiotherapist with significant experience in treating clients with musculoskeletal problems of all age groups. She has a particular interest in treating clients with neck, back, shoulder and knee injuries. Jency has extensive experience treating neurological conditions, including stroke and brain injury clients, and working with clients post-cardiac and thoracic surgery.

She believes finding and treating the real cause of the problem will have an excellent outcome. Her physiotherapy practice focuses on a holistic approach, including manual therapy, soft tissue release, therapeutic exercise prescription, shockwave therapy, client education, and more.

She believes in continuous learning, evidence-based practice and self-learning through reflection is essential in the advancement in the physiotherapy field. She is passionate about her work and strives to provide the best quality of care. She says she “became a physiotherapist to make a difference in someone’s life by changing their functional ability to the most independent level they can achieve.”

Born and raised in Alberta, Alisha Shivji holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and works as a Registered Psychologist in Calgary.

Amid her professional journey, she has volunteered as a victim support worker with the Calgary Police Service and has provided counselling services to clients from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Understanding that no 2 people are the same, Alisha is inspired to provide a client-centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs.

Mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural, and solution-focused techniques are some of the more common strategies that she uses to help individuals achieve a sense of growth and improve their quality of life. She also possesses training in clinical trauma therapy, pain management, and CBT-I.

An avid Calgary Flames and Manchester United fan, Alisha enjoys a variety of activities in her spare time that include travelling, photography, reading, and watching sports and movies.

Jacqueline is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Calgary, Alberta.

Jacqueline is passionate about helping others achieve their counselling goals and strives to support each individual’s sense of autonomy and well being. Jacqueline’s past education, training, and experience have prepared her to make healthier lifelong changes. More importantly, helping clients’ live meaningful and purposeful lives that better align with their values.

Counselling is exploratory; any needs you bring forward will focus on integrity, sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and compassion. As a client-centred therapist, Jacqueline believes you possess all the resources needed to overcome life’s difficulties. She will help you resolve anxiety, stress, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, motivation, work conflict, autonomy, assertiveness, self-awareness, relationships, separation and divorce, trauma, grief and loss, and substance abuse.

Other modalities she works with include solution-focused therapy, strength-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Shea Karczewski is a new graduate from the Mount Royal 2200 hour Massage Therapy program. She is an enthusiastic practitioner who loves working with her clients to restore their well being. Shea uses a mixed method of therapeutic massage and home-based stretching programs to assist her clients in restoring range of motion and tissue mobility in post-injury rehabilitation or long term chronic pain conditions. She also utilizes techniques such as deep tissue work, relaxation and myofascial release in her massage treatments. She believes stretching and strengthening exercises at home can be vital in restoring postural dysfunctions caused by muscle imbalance, which can be very common with general pain conditions.

In her spare time, she likes to write short stories. Shea also enjoys activities such as painting, drawing, and using watercolours.

Paul graduated in 2006 from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy (2280 hours) in Halifax with certification in a comprehensive sports outreach program, and has been practicing as a Registered Massage Therapist ever since. Prior to becoming an RMT, he obtained a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from the University of Saskatchewan and certification as a personal fitness trainer. Since 2006, Paul has worked at ski resorts, golf resorts, spas, clinics, and on the sports playing field treating various types of conditions including sports related injuries, overuse and chronic injuries, and postural and joint dysfunctions, just to name a few. While enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, he was a member of the varsity cross country and track and field teams, competing at the CIS National championships three times.

Presently, he trains for triathlons/Ironman and has competed in multiple competitions. Paul’s knowledge as a massage therapist, stems not only from his education and work experience but also from his own athletic experience. Paul is very passionate about helping people in their rehabilitation from injury and everyday aches and pains. He is also very dedicated to meeting the treatment goals of his patients through very specific and thorough treatment plans.

Paul is a member in good standing registered with the National Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC).

Petr’s passion for massage therapy developed from his desire to help others. Petr sees his clients as individuals, recognizing that each body is unique; because of this, he uses a variety of therapeutic techniques such as: Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Release, Myofascial Release, Rapid Neurofascial Reset and Active Release to treat soft tissue injuries and dysfunctions. 

Petr also likes to use Hot Stones and Dynamic Cupping through his treatments to address fascial restrictions created by poor posture, chronic injuries, and dysfunctions. 
 
Petr was always interested in human Physiology, Anatomy and Biomechanics. Since early childhood his passion has always been sports and outdoor activities. This led him to choose to study and graduate with Masters degree in Kinesiology/Sport Science from University in the Czech Republic. 

Stanley has been treating patients in the medical profession for 30 years and started in the custom foot orthotic field 20 years ago. His passion for pedorthics drives his ability to find helpful solutions and to share educational information with his patients. He strives to provide the best possible experience in foot care. His patients regularly comment on his thoroughness and attention to detail in his assessments which include an analysis of posture, biomechanical gait movement patterns and lower extremity musculoskeletal function. Video gait analysis provides the ability to visually show patient exactly when and where their imbalances occur. He encourages his patients to participate in their own recovery by taking the time to educate them about their medical condition, footwear selection, orthotics and home rehabilitation programs.

Stanley graduated with a Diploma in Sports Injury Management (Athletic Therapy) from Sheridan College in 1991 after completing a Bachelor of Physical Education from Brock University. He subsequently became a Certified Athletic Therapist in 1992, a Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder Instructor in 2000, a Certified Pedorthic Technician in 2002 and a Certified Pedorthist in 2003. Stanley has been a member of the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association since 1990, a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner since 2000 and a member of the College of Pedorthics of Canada / Pedorthic Association of Canada since 2002.

Stanley recharges his energy by engaging in outdoor pursuits, especially on a sunny, warm Alberta day. To keep active, Stanley currently participates in camping, white water river kayaking, alpine skiing, mountain biking, jogging, martial arts as well as weight and cardio training. Stanley also enjoys riding his motorcycle in the mountains during the warmer months of the year.

Nathalia Durate graduated in 2019 after completing the 3000-hour diploma.

Her goal is to treat and relieve muscular pain and dysfunction from postural ailments and injury, and in return, help to reduce emotional stress and physical discomforts. She likes to integrate a variety of modalities into her treatments specific to each client such as deep tissue, therapeutic, cupping, myofascial release, trigger point work, and stretching. She is also trained in relaxation, prenatal massage, and hot stone.