Feeling anxious or dealing with depression?
One out of three people deal with anxiety or depression at any time in their life. From dealing with everyday concerns to trauma to loss, anxiety and then depression can negatively affect your quality of life. And medication is not always the answer. The first...
How often should you get a massage?
When it comes to massage therapy, we often only think to book an appointment when we’re injured or are experiencing pain or stress. Then we might schedule another session (or maybe a few) until we start feeling better and forget about it again. But is there a better...
Understanding Whiplash
Whiplash is a term that describes a specific type of injury to the neck resulting from an intense, rapid force, typically from a motor vehicle accident. Damage to the muscles, joints and connective tissues in the neck occur when the head...
Gardening and lower back pain
Its that time of year again when the temperature starts to warm, the birds begin to chirp and the flowers arise from the soil. Spring is here, and with it comes the nurturing of your plants and gardens after a long cold winter. Its important to take advantage of warm...
Hop to it!!!
Spring break is here, which means I will be watching my nephew and niece for a couple of days. Time to get creative and prepare for the wiggles and giggles. Lots of activities geared to kids can also be be used to help common trouble spots for adults, so here are a...
Self-compassion: What is it, why do I need it, and how can I do it?
What is self-compassion? Self-compassion is having the same compassion towards yourself that you have towards others. Compassion for others is when you notice that someone is suffering and you are moved by their experience. Your heart feels for the suffering that they...
The Effect of the Emotions on the Mind and Spirit
Emotions are mental stimuli which influence our effective life. Under normal circumstances, they are not a cause of disease. Hardly any human being can avoid being angry, sad, aggrieved, worried, of afraid at some time in his of her life. For example, the death of...
Foam Rolling
Everyone has heard of it, but how many people are doing it the right way? I don’t claim to be an expert, but with just a small bit of research there are A LOT of opinions and ideas of the best way to roll out those nasty trigger points. Here is a list of tips...
HEAT VS. ICE: A Guide of When to Use Each
Heat and ice can both be used to treat pain, and can be a very effective addition to any treatment plan. However, it can be terribly confusing to establish when to use either therapies. Here are few simple rules to help you determine when to use heat or ice –...
How is NIS different from Acupuncture or Neurofeedback?
I often get asked “how is NIS different from Acupuncture and/or Neurofeedback therapy?” However, to answer this question let’s first look at how each modality works. Acupuncture can be explained as “a technique for balancing the flow of energy — known as qi or chi...
10 Benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy
Fascial Stretch Therapy (or FST), is a type of stretching that targets not only the muscles, but the fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and joints and connects the body as a whole. FST also targets the joints and joint capsules,...
Following the Clues
Many clients come in for a massage and wonder why we ask so many questions, or give a brief assessment before we begin treatment. As health professionals, we are trained sleuths. Our first priority is to figure out what underlying health conditions may be present. We...
Can you induce labor with Massage?
Can you induce labor with massage? I get asked this question pretty frequently. My answer? If I could I would be a millionaire! I know you can google a lot of ways to naturally induce Labor, and I’ve tried lots! (None of them worked until baby was ready!) I have...
How to Make Your Own ‘Bucket List’
How to Make Your Own ‘Bucket List’ In the hit movie The Bucket List, two terminally ill patients decide to go out in style after discovering they have only six months to live. To make the most of their remaining time, each patient creates a “bucket list” of things he...
Stretching: When, Why and How
Stretching: When, Why and How. Are you still doing static stretching before activity? Stop. Chances are this idea was drilled into you in childhood sports teams or through your highschool PE class. Although the intentions are well, research suggests this to be an...
The Healthy Way to Wear a Backpack
We all know that there is no school shopping trip that is complete without a new 🎒 however many kids are using and wearing their backpacks incorrectly. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make sure their 🎒 are right: Encourage light packing: Decide with...
Lisa Fershau, RMT and Owner
The owner of New Leaf Wellness Centre, Lisa is passionate about helping her clients heal through a wide range of massage techniques as well as seeking out talented therapists to complement her team.
Dr. Rav Nagra, Chiropractor
Born and raised in Abbotsford BC, Dr. Nagra supports a patient-centered approach and has experience in the latest treatment methods including Graston Technique and Active Release Technique. Dr. Nagra is dedicated to providing gentle, thorough, and effective chiropractic care for the whole family.
Dr. Nicole Cerf, B.Sc., ND
Dr. Cerf is a member of the British Columbia Naturopathic Association, Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors and is in good standing with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia. Dr. Cerf has received further training in acupuncture, bio-identical hormone therapy, chelation therapy and is licensed to prescribe pharmaceutical drugs.
Richard Zhang, RAc
Richard practices TCM and offers Acupuncture, Cupping, Acupressure and Massage. He holds his Acupuncture and Herbology Diplomas from the Traditional Chinese Medicine College of Vancouver. He has also studied in China at PengShang Hospital in GaungXi. TCM can help our awareness of balance and change, in order to achieve and sustain harmony, vitality and longevity.
Alicia Willems RMT
Alicia graduated from West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2014 and is excited to begin her practice as a Registered Massage Therapist. Growing up in athletics, Alicia always had a fascination with the body and it’s complexities. This influenced her in her decision to become an RMT and is now able to apply her knowledge by using a combination of techniques to address patient’s individual needs.
Dave H. Reichelt, RMT/AT (dip.)
In his twenty years working as an Athletic Therapist, Dave has always emphasized that Massage Therapy should be an integral part of a treatment program. He has worked as an Athletic Therapist with professional football teams, as well as semi-professional hockey and university level teams and athletes.
Sheree Kima
Sheree graduated with a diploma in Registered Massage Therapy from Vancouver Career College in 2014. Under their 2750 hour program, she learned therapeutic massage skills such as orthopedic, myofascial release, sports, and Swedish relaxation techniques. Sheree has...
Dr. Yafa Elseri, Chiropractor
Dr. Elseri commenced her path to becoming a chiropractor by graduating from the University of Alberta in 2006 with a Bachelors of Science degree. Following graduation she moved to San Jose, California where she obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic degree (Cum Laude)...
Kristin Stewart, RMT
Kristin Stewart has recently graduated from the 3000 hour program at WCCMT, and is excited to start her career with New Leaf. As well as being knowledgeable in a variety of orthopaedic conditions, Kristin has worked with UBC varsity sports teams, Multiple Sclerosis...
Haley Perechy, RMT
Haley received her education from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and graduated in 2010. For the past four years in practice she has been not only providing attentive care for her patients, but forming important professional relationships so that her patients can feel as comfortable as possible.
Brock Anderson, RMT
Brock brings a focused approach to both his treatments and home care, and believes communication plays an imperative role in treatment success. Brock’s interests include spending time in the BC Mountains as a mountain biker and photographer.
Tara Ottosen, RMT
Growing up in an active lifestyle, Tara initially became aware of the benefits of massage therapy after sustaining injuries to her shoulder and leg in an accident. She was so impressed by the benefits of massage therapy to her healing process that she decided to enroll at WCCMT. There she discovered an inner passion to help others reach their optimal health.
Brittany Rolleman, RMT
Brittany Rolleman graduated from the 3000 hour program at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and has been practicing in Abbotsford since 2009. She uses a wide range of knowledge and techniques to treat a variety of conditions. Treatments are very specific and focused, taking time to let the body release itself.