Affiliates

As part of our continuing process to help our clients become pain free and improve performance we have aligned ourselves with exceptional allied health professionals that can help with that support.

Each professional is at the peak of his or her chosen discipline and we feel fortunate to have them as part of our affiliate team.

• Mr Dan Plev MD FANCH Consultant Neurosurgeon
  
• Dr Heidi Grant MSc (A), DC NUCCA Chiropractor
  
• Dr Jeremy Unwin DTCM, MBAcC, Lic.Ac, MRk Specialist in Oriental and Natural Medicine
  
• James Pinkney Chartered Physiotherapist, Gunn IMS Practitioner
  
• Dr. Elaine Tickle MRCGP, DFFP General Practitioner
  
• Angela Caine AGSM, LRAM Specialist in training of the voice
  
• Dr Jeremy Slaughter D. Clin Psychol, MSc, BSc, BA Psychologist
  
• Mark Bradley BSc Hons, P.G.C.Psych, MSc Psych Psychotherapist
  
• Lara Stapleton Yoga Teacher and Aromatherapist
  
• Anna Hamer BSc, MA Psychotherapist
  
• Emma Lane CHEK IV, HLC III, CHEK Golf Biomechanic CHEK Practitioner
  
• Dr. Nigma Talib ND Naturopathic Physician
  
• Dr Andre Hedger BSc Dental Practitioner
  
• Joanne Avison KMI, CTK, IASI, IPTI Structural Integration Therapist
  
• Dr Justin Glaister Neuromuscular Dentist
  

International Affiliates

• Jason D. Peringer ATC, CSC, LMT Massag Therapist, New York City, USA
  
• Dan Hellman CHEK IV CHEK Practitioner and Physical Therapist, Florida, USA
  
• Chas Barclay BASpSc (Hons), C.H.E.K. III, HLC II, C.H.E.K. Golf Bio CHEK Practitioner, Sydney, Australia
  
• Edward Mancini, PT,MS,CFMT,OCS Physical Therapist, New York
  
• Janet Alexander Dip. P.E., Dip. Tchg, Master C.H.E.K Practitioner, Encinitas, California
  
• Chris Maund Bsc. Hons, Master C.H.E.K Practitioner Encinitas, California
  

Mr Dan Plev MD FANCH

Consultant Neurosurgeon
www.londonspineclinic.com

Dan V. Plev, MD is a neurosurgeon with a considerable experience in spinal assessment, treatment and surgery. He is a graduate of Mainz University, trained in Phoenix, AZ, USA and Munich, Germany where he completed his German Neurosurgical training.

He was awarded a MD for his experimental immunohistological work on proliferation markers in gliomas and meningiomas.

During his training he gained considerable experience in treating spinal disorders, ranging from degenerative conditions through to tumour work.

After moving to London he worked as the spinal research fellow at the London Spine Clinic for 1.5 years, greatly increasing his exposure to and experience of treating spinal conditions. He has adopted the philosophy of the London Spine Clinic, managing patients in an holistic manner, utilizing the least invasive therapeutic measures when possible, to improve the patients’ symptoms.

Clinical Interests
Assessment of patients with low back pain or neck pain
Non-surgical treatment of degenerative spinal conditions
Non-surgical and surgical treatment of osteoporotic conditions
Surgical treatment of disc pathology with special emphasis on non-fusion techniques
Spinal tumours
Spinal trauma

Memberships
North American Spine Society

Current Research Interests
Disc replacement surgery – cervical and lumbar spine
Motion preservation and dynamic stabilisation of the lumbar spine
Disc replacement surgery – adjacent level syndrome in the cervical spine
Anterior versus posterior disc pathology - assessment and treatment

Dr Heidi Grant MSc (A), DC

NUCCA Chiropractor
Specialist in the Upper Cervical Spine
www.nucca.co.uk

Dr. Grant is an active member of the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) and is fully trained in the NUCCA upper cervical technique. She is the only chiropractor in the UK and the European Union who practices NUCCA. She treats patients from all over the UK and the world who regularly travel to her for NUCCA care.

Dr. Grant initially sought the care of a chiropractor to address her neck and low back pain that resulted after a road traffic accident. After experiencing incredible pain relief, increased flexibility and well-being, she decided to switch careers and become a chiropractor herself.

Dr. Grant graduated Summa Cum Laude from Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, California with her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. She was Salutatorian of her graduating class and is also listed in the “Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities”. Dr. Grant also holds a Master of Applied Science degree in industrial toxicology from the prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Canada. As a chiropractic student, Dr. Grant had the opportunity to treat patients in Central America; she volunteered several weeks of her time in Managua and surrounding areas. She was also a volunteer participant with Youth Challenge International, the Canadian version of Britain’s Operation Raleigh, and worked in Central America for several months on various international development projects.

Dr. Grant is a registered Chiropractor with the UK General Chiropractic Council and is also a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic in the State of California. She travels regularly to the USA to undergo further professional development and training in the NUCCA system. She is actively involved in NUCCA’s rigorous certification process and is currently part I certified.

Professional Associations
Registered Chiropractor, General Chiropractic Council
Licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, California Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Member, British Chiropractic Association
Member, National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association
Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine

Dr Jeremy Unwin DTCM, MBAcC, Lic.Ac, MRk

Specialist in Oriental and Natural Medicine
www.metropolitanhealthservices.com

Jeremy R. Unwin has worked in the complementary medicine field as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Reiki Master, and has traveled and practiced around the four corners of the globe. He specialises in assisting people in understanding the emotional, psychological, and physical reasons why their bodies develop illness, and is recognised for his ability to work within the models of the ancient Buddhist, Chinese and Japanese medical traditions.

The therapies he practices include acupuncture, cupping, diet recommendations, ancient and modern forms of physical therapy such as sports massage, energetic work, meditation and visualisations. A complete treatment may combine any or all of the above methods based on the needs of the individual.

Jeremy is a central point of care and diagnosis, with an intuitive understanding of body, mind and spiritual issues. He helps to show you that you possess the inner strength to turn your situation around, if only you will utilise it. This includes the instigation of healing chronic pain, acute conditions, and mental blocks to your overall well-being.

Removing pain, fatigue, and other energetic and physical blocks in the body, uplifting the energy and the spirit, strengthening the body and mind, and re-establishing your connection with universal energy and your internal sun, are all encompassed in Jeremy's work.

James Pinkney

Chartered Physiotherapist
Gunn IMS Practitioner
www.jamespinkney.co.uk

James Pinkney is a Chartered Physiotherapist and a practitioner and international instructor in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (Gunn IMS), a highly effective treatment for myofascial pain. He qualified as a physiotherapist in 1993 at St Mary’s Hospital, London, having first taken a degree in Business Studies and worked as an investment banker.

He worked at St George’s Hosptial, London from 1993 to1996 concentrating on Musculo-skeletal problems before moving to King’s College Hospital, London. In 2000 he became King’s first Clinincal Specialist Physiotherapist, working alongside the Neurosurgical team. This is a team of clinical excellence and covers London and the South East of England.

During the last eight years James has been running King’s College Hospital’s Spinal Assessment Service which triages GP referrals from the South East of England for patients with spinal conditions. He has also set up a Back Assessment Clinic at the hospital which manages direct local GP referrals. James is part of the Spinal Multi-disciplinary team, which triages all other specialist spinal referrals into King’s.

In 1998 James attended one of the first Gunn IMS courses to be run in the UK and was hugely impressed by the approach. He has since trained at the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain in Vancouver with Professor Gunn and colleagues. In 2004 he was made an International Instructor in Gunn IMS and an Honourary Fellow of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain. James has organised and taught Gunn IMS courses in the UK since 2001.

Gunn IMS has become James’ main intervention in the management of both acute and chronic conditions as it is a comprehensive approach to all musculo-skeletal conditions. James has also used IMS to treat other conditions including infertility, recurrent miscarriage, irritable bowel syndrome and eczema.

Gunn IMS relies heavily on a thorough physical examination of the patient to identify the physical signs of neuropathic pain. This physical examination is indispensable since chronic pain is often neurological as opposed to structural, and therefore, invisible to expensive imaging. Failure to recognize these signs will result in an inaccurate diagnosis, and thus, a poor starting point for treatment. It is grounded in Western Medical Science, and has a solid foundation in its radiculopathic model of pain, which is now supported by many experts in the field.

The treatment involves dry needling of affected areas of the body without injecting any substance. It uses acupuncture needles because they are the thinnest implements available that are designed to penetrate deep within muscle tissue, specifically targets injured muscles that have contracted and become shortened from distress. The needle sites can be at the epicentre of taut, tender muscle bands, or they can be near the spine where the nerve root may have become irritated and supersensitive.

Penetration of a normal muscle is painless; however, a shortened, supersensitive muscle will ‘grasp’ the needle in what can be described as a cramping sensation. The result is threefold. One, a stretch receptor in the muscle is stimulated, producing a reflex relaxation (lengthening). Two, the needle also causes a small injury that draws blood to the area, initiating the natural healing process. Three, the treatment creates an electrical potential in the muscle to make the nerve function normally again. The needle used in IMS, by stimulating muscle spindles, essentially becomes a specific and unique tool for the diagnosis of Neuropathic Muscle Pain.

The goal of treatment is to release muscle shortening, which presses on and irritates the nerve. Supersensitive areas can be desensitized, and the persistent pull of shortened muscles can be released. Gunn IMS is very effective for releasing shortened muscles under contracture, thereby causing mechanical pain from muscle pull. Gunn IMS, in effect, treats the underlying neuropathic condition that causes the pain. When competently performed, Gunn IMS has a remarkable success rate, as proven by the resolution of symptoms and signs, even for chronic back pain with root signs.

The result is restoration of normal neuro-musclular function. In the majority of cases, full rehabilitation can only be achieved once contracted muscles, and in particular the stabilising muscles, have been fully released.

Dr. Elaine Tickle MRCGP, DFFP

General Practitioner
elaine.tickle@92harleystreet.com

Dr Elaine Tickle trained at the University of Liverpool qualifying as a doctor in 1996. She served as a Medical Officer in the Royal Navy for 2 years, before completing General Practice training in beautiful North West Wales. As well as General Practice, her training concentrated on Care of the Elderly Medicine, Trauma, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

After qualifying as a General Practitioner, attaining membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2002, Dr Tickle moved to Bristol where she worked as an NHS General Practitioner. During this time, she specialised in stress related illnesses and sexual health medicine, completing the Diploma in Family Planning and running several community sexual health clinics.

Dr Tickle moved to London to work in the independent sector in April 2007. She has a particular interest in practicing patient centred holistic medicine with an overview of patients’ physical, psychological and emotional needs governing her approach to each individual. She is committed to staying fully up to date with the latest advances in medical care and often uses individual and novel approaches to difficult problems as well as providing health and lifestyle screening and preventative strategies wherever possible.

Angela Caine AGSM, LRAM

Specialist in physical exercise in the development and training of the voice
www.voicegym.co.uk

Angela directs The Voice and Body Centre in Southampton, the aim of which is to teach a simple, effective and practical approach to the development and maintenance of the whole voice. Over the last 15 years she has developed VoiceGym, a complete voice and body exercise system that is now used extensively for the development and maintenance of professional voices (www.voicegym.co.uk).

Angela’s work crosses the barriers of many different disciplines. She has established a multidisciplinary network, involving cranial chiropractors, osteopaths, orthodontists and dentists who are voice–aware, so as to provide answers and support for singers and other professional voice users. Professional instrumentalists are increasingly using the programme to provide the understanding of the mechanics and physiology of performance not acquired in their traditional training. She is a member of The British Society for the Study of Cranio-mandibular Disorders (www.jawache.com), a study group promoting the multidisciplinary treatment of dental and structural problems, a member of Cranio Group (www.craniogroup.com) and the International Functional Association (www.ifuna.info .

She has now added Early VoiceGym to her publications, which revisits and revitalizes early reflex patterns in children.

Dr Jeremy Slaughter D. Clin Psychol, MSc, BSc, BA

Psychologist

Dr Jeremy Slaughter is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and an Occupational Psychologist who offers integrative Psychological Therapy and Executive Coaching. Integration is a passion for Jeremy: he joins up several maps of the mind to show his clients where they are and to help them get to where they want to go. Working as a clinician, he aims to blend the common sense of the cognitive-behavioural approach, the genuineness of the humanistic approach, the rigour of the existential approach, and the vision of the transpersonal approach. Working as a coach, he aims to improve clients’ performance at every stage of employment by developing such skills as self-confidence, time-management, creativity, strategic thinking, stress-management, negotiation, teamwork and leadership.

Jeremy’s commitment to integrating life and work began with his own search for the job where he could both give and get the most value in life. After getting a degree in Economics and Politics in 1983, he spent years in Accountancy, Market Research, and Antiques Auctioneering, before deciding to pursue Psychology because it both encompasses and aims to improve human life. He completed an evening Degree in Psychology and Masters in Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck College University of London while working in commercial firms and careers guidance during the day. This made him realise that he wanted most to help individuals grow, so he tried his hand at lecturing and at working for an Occupational Psychology consultancy. Finding that he needed to work with people more personally, he turned to Clinical Psychology, where he worked in the NHS as a researcher and trainee counsellor, before completing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at UCL in 2000. Since qualifying he has since seen people with every type and level of difficulty, in the NHS until January 2008, and independently in Harley Street since 2007.

Jeremy’s inner journey has matched the outer one: it began in his teens with keeping a journal to examine life in the hope of living it better. This led him to read about psychology and recognise psychotherapy as a path for personal growth. Over the next 20 years he sampled and learned in turn about Transactional Analysis, Jungian Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Personal Construct Therapy, Psychoanalysis, NLP, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, and Philosophical Counselling. But each of these approaches maps only part of the mind. So Jeremy now integrates different approaches into his own framework (PsycNav) which describes people as travellers in the landscape of their experience. He’s a guide who has thoroughly explored the world of the mind both personally and professionally, and he sees people’s difficulties as obstacles to be overcome on the way to a more fulfilled life.

Mark Bradley BSc Hons, P.G.C.Psych, MSc Psych

Psychotherapist

Mark took a roundabout route to becoming a Psychotherapist; in 1993 he went to Carnegie College at Leeds Metropolitan University to pursue Human Movement Studies and discovered an abiding interest in Health Psychology. After assisting final year students’ research he completed his own thesis into ‘Eating disorders in elite male athletes’. He then spent a year at Sheffield University completing a Post Grad Certificate in Group Psychotherapy.

In1997 he went to work for a charitable foundation specializing in outward bound breaks for children with various levels of emotional and personal difficulties. Whilst at Lineham Farm it was suggested that he applied to work for VisionQuest, a US company, which offers rehabilitation programs for troubled and delinquent youths, in wilderness areas across the USA. He spent a year training in the VisionQuest therapeutic approach which was developed in conjunction with the Crow Nation, with whom it closely works.

The therapeutic approach borrows from the American Indian concept of a “medicine wheel” in which effective treatment requires a balance of strategies from several different directions. In its treatment milieu, it draws on four fundamental modalities, Guided Centring – relationships and support, Extraordinary Experiences – healing and growth, The Path of Honour – ethics and pro-social values, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/Functional Family Therapy – behavioural control and problem-solving. Mark specialised in working with violent youths and spent six months on a wagon train travelling through the USA from Pennsylvania to New Mexico.

On returning to the UK Mark worked for Mulberry Bush School, the foremost therapeutic residential school for severely emotionally disturbed children in the UK. Encouraged by his work there he went to train at the Anna Freud Centre, London and received his MSc in 2001. Whilst at the centre Mark worked closely with Drs Miriam and Howard Steele on the Conran report and started to develop his understanding of the role of shame as a master emotion and how it influences our everyday lives.

Mark then worked in various NHS posts developing professionally and academically as a therapist, including a period back in the US training with Dr Dan Hughes in Attachment theory, a man who he considers the guiding light in his present development as a therapist.

In 2004 in response to the Tsunami Mark went to Banda Ache in Indonesia with Medicines Sans Frontiers. Banda Ache was the closest point to the Tsunami and the top of Sumatra was destroyed when it hit. Mark spent six months as part of a small team training and setting up Psychological clinics in towns and rural areas – rural enough to involve riding elephants! On completion the work was described as ‘’the best example of mental health response in Tsunami effected Indonesia’’ by the World Health Organisation. Mark is currently a listed trainer for MSF’s initiation week for new volunteers.

His recent work has been in international trauma response, providing crisis interventions to road/rail/air accidents, violent attacks/bombings and other traumatic events. He also provides one to one and group work sessions dealing with stress, anxiety and depression with particular focus on the work environment. Throughout he has continued his interest in the role shame plays in concepts of self; physically, spiritually and emotionally and applies this to his work with children, families and individuals who suffer emotional distress in their everyday lives.

Lara Stapleton

Yoga Teacher and Aromatherapist

Lara had been practising yoga for 10 years and teaching for 7 years. She was originally trained by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Canada and has since gone on to train with Erich Schiffmann (Los Angeles, USA), The Krishnamacharya Mandiram (Chennai, India) specialising in therapeutic yoga and Tias Little (Santa Fe, New Mexico).

With a classification in Hatha Yoga combined with the inner softness and grace of Scaravelli Yoga she has developed a flowing style with special attention being on the breath and alignment to help soften and heal the body. Lara puts her sensitivity as a teacher down to a strong one to one approach. “I’m able to adapt yoga to the individual rather than the individual to yoga. This enables you to explore postures in greater depth. It also allows you to work on individual areas of resistance, alignment and practice. There is an emphasis on right and skilful action to bring inner peace, balance and harmony”.

Lara aims to provide a safe nurturing environment to allow her students to develop their own understanding of yoga in an enjoyable way. She believes one of yoga’s greatest gifts is in helping to heal on the inside by helping our minds to become more peaceful and opening our hearts to compassion and a positive attitude. As in all physical yoga, the student will increase strength and flexibility and by uniting body and breath will learn to move from moment to moment with absolute awareness.

In 2004 Lara went onto train as an Aromatherapist qualifying in a diploma in Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Science with Neal’s Yard Remedies. Lara, having experienced the healing effects of aromatherapy after a back injury, understands the healing properties of the oils used during massage.

As a practitioner, Lara believes that the quality of your massage experience lies in her attention to even the finest details – purest oils, a heated couch, warm towels. Lara has a deep understanding of the blending of oils for each client’s specific needs and this knowledge, allied with her massage technique, will make you feel calm, restored and recharged.

The same year Lara went onto launch YOGAROMA, which was created to take the individual on a holistic journey. She believes that theses therapies, taken together, will give you a very specific and unique experience.

The Yogaroma experience begins with a private or small group session of hatha yoga and is followed by a private aromatherapy massage. As practiced by Lara, the hatha yoga instruction with connect body and mind and the aromatherapy massage will relax the senses. Lara believes that this specific combination – hatha yoga immediately followed by aromatherapy massage – will give you a complete holistic experience, working on all aspects of your being – physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Lara’s philosophy and teachings are inspired by the spirit and practice of moving into stillness, to experience your true being. Her work and practice have been greatly enthused by her teacher John Stirk.

Anna Hamer BSc, MA

Psychotherapist
www.ahamer.co.uk

Anna Hamer was awarded an MA in Counselling Psychology in 2001 from the Adler School of Professional Psychology, Vancouver, Canada. She received her BSc Honours from the University of Toronto, Canada in 1996.

Anna has been working in private practice since 2001 and was a founding partner in the Coastal Counselling and Psychotherapy group in Vancouver, Canada. She is trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques, including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), however her primary approach is Adlerian. Anna works in partnership with the client in order to illuminate and then overcome blocks that are standing in the way of the client achieving his or her goals. As an Adlerian, she utilises Socratic Dialogue to help her clients understand, and then challenge and modify their mistaken assumptions, attitudes, and feelings about themselves and the world. Constant encouragement supports clients as they attempt challenges and overcome obstacles that they may have previously thought impossible or insurmountable.

In addition to her work in private practice, Anna has provided organisational and personal consulting and workshops in the areas of stress management, conflict resolution and leadership. She has continued to study and add techniques and procedures to her clinical skills, becoming proficient in applications related to trauma, anxiety, depression and attachment disorder.

Emma Lane CHEK IV, HLC III, CHEK Golf Biomechanic

CHEK Practitioner
www.correctiveexercise.com

Emma has trained extensively in the US with leading educators and clinicians and is recognised as one of the UK's leading exercise and lifestyle experts. She is a Level IV CHEK practitioner and Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach Level III, CHEK golf biomechanic, intermediate metabolic typing adviser, BACR Phase IV cardiac rehabilitation, NLP, Timeline and hypnotherapist.

Emma is a member of the CHEK Institute Faculty and an international speaker and educator.

She specialises in:

• Optimal health and fitness through practical nutrition
and lifestyle coaching
• Digestive problems
• Corrective exercise and conditioning
• Backcare and spinal rehabilitation

Dr. Nigma Talib ND

Naturopathic Physician
www.healthydoc.com

Dr. Nigma Talib ND is a Naturopathic doctor and medical director at the West Vancouver Wellness Centre in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her appointments include: adjunct clinical instructor for both the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medical School and the Boucher Institute. In addition, Dr. Talib is the Medical director for the West Vancouver Wellness Centre. She has consulted with some of the top Nutraceutical and Diagnostic Labs in the world on state of the art functional testing including predictive Genomic assessments.

She trains and educates the public as well as hundreds of healthcare practitioners across North America about various health issues and laboratory interpretation including guidelines about diet, supplementation, cutting edge therapies and laboratory testing. Dr. Talib has been interviewed and has written for many well respected magazines and TV shows in pursuit of educating the public about the safe and effective uses of complementary medicine.

With more than 10 years of experience in Complementary medical field, Dr. Talib incorporates a form of health care in her practice that encompasses clinical nutritional biochemistry, lifestyle counseling, acupuncture/Oriental Medicine, homeopathy and botanical medicine that allow for personalized medicine.

In addition, Dr. Talib's incorporation of specialized innovative laboratory testing along with standard testing, allows for effectively identifying and treating the underlying causes of digestive complaints, infertility, hormonal and sleep disorders to name a few. This preventative and functional assessment form of laboratory testing provides a more complete picture of one's health. This ultimately helps identify the root cause of chronic conditions and allows Dr. Talib to provide customized healthcare designed specifically for each patient.

Her expertise in Naturopathic Medicine, leading edge diagnostic laboratory testing and skillful assessment of patient conditions with effective treatment protocols makes Dr. Talib a heavily sought after speaker and educator, not only by various health care practitioners but also by the general public in North America.

PERSONAL OBJECTIVE:
Bringing a personalized medical approach to the forefront of today’s medicine through individualized treatment; correctly assessing disease states and getting to the underlying cause of disease rather than the suppression of symptoms. The day’s of “one size fits all” medicine is incongruent with an evolving and ever changing health care model that Dr. Talib recommends for optimal health. Bringing preventative medicine to the forefront of health care will allow practitioners such as medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, pharmacists, and chiropractors to work together as a team in the pursuit of attaining personalized care and individualized approach to patients for better healthcare outcomes thereby saving billions of health care dollars and improving the quality of life of patients.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:
• 2007 - Certification in Prolotherapy
• 2006 - Certification in Mesotherapy
• 2006- Certification in Myofascial trigger point therapy
• 2006- Certification in Neural Therapy
• 2003- Certification in Chelation Therapy
• 2001- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, CCNM, Toronto, Ontario
• 2001- Certification of Acupuncture, CCNM,Toronto, Ontario
• 2001- Certification in Advanced Intravenous Therapy
• 1996 -BA General Studies, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C.

APPOINTMENTS:
• 2009- Present Clinician “The Hale Clinic” (London, England)
• 2008-Present– Medical Director and Practitioner for West Vancouver Wellness Centre and Practitioner
• 2008-Present- Naturally Splendid Advisory Board
• 2008-Present- Ovus Advisory Board
• 2002-Present: Advisory Board Member for Alive Magazine
• 2007-2008Bing Han Ginseng: Medical director/Advisor
• 2005-2008 – Medical Director and Practitioner for West Vancouver Wellness Centre
• 2003-2005 Adjunct Clinical Instructor -The Boucher Institute
• 2003-2005 Adjunct Clinical Instructor - The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
• 2001-2005 Clinical Director/Consultant Can Labs (Great Smokies Laboratory/Genova diagnostics)
• 2001-2005-Clinic Director of West Vancouver Naturopathic Clinic Examiner for the Examinations Committee for the College of Naturopathic Medicine
• 2001-2008-Member of the Quality Assurance Committee of the College of Naturopathic Medicine Board
• 2001-2009 The Good Life Show Co Host- Naturally Speaking with Dr. Sciortino aired in North America on Sirius Radio Network
• 2002-2006 Breakfast Television: Resident Naturopathic Doctor
• 2003-2008 Whole Foods: Resident Naturopathic Doctor (West Vancouver)

MEMBERSHIPS:
• British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA)
• Canadian Naturopathic Association (CNA)
• Ontario Naturopathic Association (OAND)

PRINTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• Alive Magazine- January 2005-Present: Writer/Editorial Advisory Board
• Vancouver Sun: February 2008: Health and Wellness
• North Shore News- January 2007: Detoxification
• North Shore News- August 2006: Wellness
• The West Ender Newspaper: October, 2006
• North Shore Outlook- October 2006: Biography Wellness
• The Good Life Show: Monthly Wellness Articles
• My Private Coach: HealthyCoach and HealthyDoc: Monthly Newsletter January 2005
• Creative Publishing-January, 2002-The physiological Effects of Acupuncture
• North Shore News, Acupuncture, North Vancouver B.C. (February,2002)
• Collingwood Connection- December, 2002- Naturopathic Medicine
• British Columbia Naturopathic Association- March, 2002 IBS and Food allergies

Joanne Avison

Structural Integration Therapist
www.asimplepractice.co.uk

Joanne originally became a Teacher when she restored her health and mobility through Yoga, after illness and injury. Her studies developed to include Structural Integration as a manual therapy, eventually teaching both in the USA and the UK. Jo remains passionate about how movement and manual practice meet and how they are applied through a vivacious understanding of animated anatomy & touch skills; uniquely expressed in everyone.

Jo's early studies were in the creative field of Art & Design and she spent the last 25 years working in Human Development. When she married a Chocolatier and learned the creative skills of the artisan, she had no idea that Chocolate - as a material - would train her profoundly in a key aspect of the human body.

After illness, injury and child birth Jo came to Yoga to restore her health and developed a fascination for how the body works. Chocolate was left behind for a career in Yoga (the work of Vanda Scaravelli) and then Structural Integration where she studied - and then worked - with Tom Myers for many years, teaching and developing Anatomy Trains for Movement Teachers.

As her teaching developed, she discovered that there are similarities between some of the properties of Connective Tissue, and those of chocolate as a 'working material'. Thus Jo was inspired and driven to explore the nature of fascia and continues to find magic in both! Joanne went on to work with Caroline Myss, training over a period of five years, to graduate from the CMED Institute in Sacred Contracts. There she was able to take her on-going studies in Human Development to a new level and discover where the world of the 'psyche' and the 'soma' (body) meet; in the animated expression of Archetypal Pattern - in the "architecture" and its connective tissue. Thus her work remains as exciting and diverse as the people she works with.

Jo is also a mother, author and private practitioner working from her studio in Sussex when she isn't teaching in the UK or abroad.

Dr Andre Hedger BSc

Dental Practitioner
www.openwide.biz

Dr André Hedger qualified from Guy's Hospital in London in 1978. He holds a Bachelor in Dental Surgery and subsequentially Licenciate in Dental Surgery degrees.

He started the Practice in Great Bookham in 1981. He is a Fellow of the Hypnotherapy Society and a founder member of the British Society for the Study of Craniomandibular Disorders. Andre is also a member of the British Orthodontic Society BOS and the International Association for Orthodontics (IAO). He is a member of the British Society for Clinical and Applied Hypnosis (BSCAH), The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP), The International Academy of Medicine and Toxicology (IOAMT) and Patients Against Mercury Amalgams (PAMA). He is in the British Society for Dental Sleep Medicine BSDSM as well as several other Specialist Groups.

He has special interests in the TMJ, Orthopaedics/Orthodontics, Implants, Hypnosis and Nutrition. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society. His hobbies include rock and ice climbing.

Joanne Avison KMI, CTK, IASI, IPTI

Structural Integration Therapist
www.asimplepractice.co.uk

Joanne originally became a Teacher of Yoga when she restored her health through Vanda Scaravelli's wonderful approach to movement. Her studies in restorative practice and soft tissue alignment developed to include Structural Integration as a manual therapy, and she trained with Tom Myers, author of Anatomy Trains. Jo taught Structural Integration with Tom, in both the USA and the UK and sought to extend Myofascial Anatomy training to include movement teachers. She is Principal of the Art of Contemporary Yoga School in London.

Jo remains passionate about how movement and manual practice work together and how they are applied uniquely to each individual. Through teaching and practicing in Connective Tissue, she explored the relationship between postural attitude and demeanour; studying with Caroline Myss (Anatomy of the Spirit) to graduate from the CMED Institute. Jo's lively practical courses in Myofascial Technique, Myofascial Anatomy in Practice (MAP) and Living Anatomy will all be held at the Wilbury School. We know you will love her dynamic approach to her subjects and we are delighted that she has joined us. Her courses are not to be missed

Dr Justin Glaister

Neuromuscular Dentist
www.umbrellasmiles.com

Dr Justin Glaister is the clinical director of Umbrella in London's Harley Street.

He has accumulated a wealth of experience during his international career in cosmetic dentistry, treating patients in London, New York and Las Vegas, and has been featured in both Vogue and Tatler magazines as their preferred UK cosmetic dentist.

Justin has also been featured on Channel 4's hit TV show How to Look Good Naked alongside style guru Gok Wan.

Dr Glaister has been personally trained by the world's best in cosmetic dentistry; this journey has seen him graduate through the Aesthetic Advantage program at New York University, The Las Vegas Institute of Neuromuscular and Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Milan Lorenzo Vannini program of Excellence in Cosmetic Restorations.

As a result of this, Justin is the first, and, at the time of writing, only dentist worldwide to simultaneously hold an international instructorship with the New York Aesthetic Advantage group and graduate status with the Las Vegas Institute.

Other than cosmetic dentistry, Dr Glaister has a specific interest in the treatment of TMJ (jaw joint) disorders and their effect on the body and its mechanics.

Utilising state-of-the-art technology, he is able to help sufferers with symptoms such as headaches, posture, neck/shoulder/back pain, facial pain, tinnitus, etc.

It is this expertise in whole-body mechanics that has led to Justin acting as a consultant for several premiership football teams, rugby teams, US Open golfing winners, boxing world champions and champion jockeys in order to maximise their athletic potential by harmonising their jaw function.

Justin currently lectures throughout the UK on cosmetic dentistry techniques, and to osteopathic practitioners on the impact of jaw function relating to overall health.

International Affiliates

Jason D. Peringer ATC, CSC, LMT

Massag Therapist
New York City, USA
www.mvmassage.com

With advanced training in Sports Massage, Reflexology, and Shiatsu in Florida, Nuad Bo Rarn Thai Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand and River Stone Therapy in Nevada, Jason has studied and practiced various styles and forms of bodywork, focusing on performance enhancement and injury rehabilitation. Combined with a degree in Sports Medicine, as well as a background in strength and conditioning, his session integrates deep, intuitive work with a strong knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to establish a thoroughly healing session.

Dan Hellman CHEK IV

CHEK Practitioner and Physical Therapist
Florida, USA
www.danhellman.com

I totally believe in what my mentor Paul Chek has taught me over the years, namely, “You can’t give what you don’t have.” That is precisely why I have dedicated my life to making myself as healthy as possible so that I may have a positive influence on my client’s health. I have been in the health and fitness field for over 18 years. My journey began with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and transitioned into a masters of science degree in physical therapy from an osteopathic school where we were taught the best of western and alternative therapies. When I look back at my education, I realize that it wasn’t until I found the CHEK Institute in California for my postgraduate work that I realized my passion for health and fitness. Just ask anyone of my clients if I am truly passionate about what I do and you will soon find out that helping people become healthy is truly my legacy!

To enhance my clinical skills as a physical therapist in the health and fitness world, I have attained the best credential in the nutrition world by obtaining the highest-level nutrition and lifestyle certification possible. Combining that with my CHEK certification as a corrective exercise specialist, Personal Professional and Spiritual Development program and my Golf Biomechanic certification, I am ready to help any client who comes my way. I especially thrive on the high performance athlete or on the challenging client whom the modern medical world has not helped.

Chas Barclay BASpSc (Hons), C.H.E.K. III, HLC II, C.H.E.K. Golf Bio, P.G.C.B.A.

CHEK Practitioner
Sydney, Australia
www.humanengineering.com.au

Originally from England, Chas received his bachelor’s degree with honours in sports science and history from West London Institute (College of Brunel University) in 1990 and entered the fitness industry. Over the next 6 years he instructed, trained and coached clients in their health and fitness goals in London, Sydney, and Auckland. It wasn’t until 1996, while working as a Personal Trainer at Les Mills World of Fitness in Auckland, that he attended his first Paul Chek Seminar, changed his approach to exercise and rehabilitation, and entered the C.H.E.K. Certification Program.

Chas sees job satisfaction as being when clients report having achieved movement, aesthetic, sporting success, or postural changes they never thought possible in a pain-free and healthy environment.

As a C.H.E.K. Practitioner with over 18 years international experience in the exercise rehabilitation, sports and fitness industries, Chas has had the opportunity to consult to many clients and organisations, including Olympic, World, National Champion medallists and record holders.

The training he has received particularly from Paul Chek, founder of the C.H.E.K. Institute in California in the areas of orthopaedic assessment, core stabilisation and functional strength, has allowed his clients to improve their posture and health, rehabilitate chronic back, shoulder, and knee injuries, lose weight, change the shape of their bodies, and improve their sports performance.

On several occasions he has worked with Paul Chek in the promotion and demonstration of corrective and functional exercises and equipment, and is featured in six C.H.E.K. Institute exercise videos/DVDs using Swiss balls, Medicine balls, Free Weights and adjustable cable column systems.

Qualifications

Postgraduate Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Program: The Cervical, Thoracic & Lumbar Spine
Corrective High-performance Exercise Kinesiologist Practitioner Level III
Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level II
Golf Biomechanic
BA(Hons) Sports Science & History
Personal Fitness Trainer
Premier Fitness Instructor Training (UK)
Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration
Postgraduate Musculoskeletal Evaluation & Rehabilitation
Orientation to Coaching
Fitness LeaderAustralian

Edward Mancini, PT,MS,CFMT,OCS

Physical Therapist
35 W85th Street, Apt 4B
New York, NY 10024
516-375-4525
erm09@aol.com

Ed Mancini, PT, MS,CFMT, OCS is a manual physiotherapist whom has been in practice for sixteen years specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. Ed has studied and practiced orthopedic and manual therapy extensively throughout his career, and in 2005 completed through the Institute of Physical Art in Steamboat Springs, CO, his certification with honors to become a Certified Functional Manual Therapist. He is also board certified by the American Physical Therapy Association as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.

Ed graduated from Stony Brook University in New York with a B.S. in physical therapy as well as with a B.A. in Business/Economics, and then completed his Advanced Masters in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from Touro College in 2000, graduating with Highest Academic Achievement. He also completed an osteopathic manual therapy residency that same year under the tutelage of his mentor, Jeffrey Ellis, during which time he began teaching with Jeff’s company, Integrative Manual Therapy Solutions. IMTS is an organization that provides post-graduate, osteopathic manual therapy education courses for the spine, pelvis, and costal cage to practicing physical therapists across the United States, for which Ed is now a primary instructor. Ed co-founded Body In Balance Physical Therapy and Performance Enhancement Center in Hauppauge, NY, in 2000, for which he was clinical director and treated many athletes at the high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic level and began integrating sports and functional training with rehabilitation and manual physical therapy. He also has seven years of extensive experience working in a school based setting with pediatric patients. Ed currently is in private practice in Manhattan, where he works with professional dancers/performers and leading actors on Broadway as well as with both athletes and non-athletes of all ages. Ed is also an ex-athlete himself, as he played football for fifteen years from little league through his time at Hobart College, as well as baseball into high school. With most of his formative years spent playing a sport and involved in exercise at some level, he feels that this background combined with his knowledge of the human body and injuries from his physical therapy training allows for a well rounded, thorough approach to assessment and treatment of the athlete as well as the non-athlete in both prevention and return from injury.

Manual physical therapy is an excellent adjunct to sport/fitness training either for rehabilitation from injuries, or for the assessment of restriction / dysfunction somewhere along the functional chain or muscle imbalances which may be causing overuse or breakdown elsewhere in the body. It consists of hands-on evaluation looking at the body as a whole and searching along the entire chain to assess for problems rather than only at the site of pain, and then treatment using techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, muscle stretching, joint mobilization/manipulation, neuromuscular re-education, and core stabilization.

Janet Alexander Dip. P.E., Dip. Tchg, Master C.H.E.K Practitioner

609 South Vulcan Avenue, Suite 102 : Encinitas, California : United States
(760)-753-2334
janetalexander@chekinstitute.com

A committed triathlete, Janet Alexander draws her experience from a varied career base, including teaching, sales and marketing and owning an advertising/design agency. As the co-owner of Elite Performance in Auckland, New Zealand, she successfully worked with clients requiring sports and orthopedic rehabilitation who had previously failed in traditional medical practices. Janet is now one of the C.H.E.K practitioners at the C.H.E.K Institute in California and has taught with Paul since 1997.

Chris Maund Bsc. Hons, Master C.H.E.K Practitioner

609 South Vulcan Avenue, Suite 102 : Encinitas, California : United States
(760)-753-2334
chrismaund@chekinstitute.com

Chris Maund is a member of the CHEK Faculty and has worked at the C.H.E.K Institute since 1998. He has been teaching for Paul since 1997 and currently teaches Level I and Level II of the C.H.E.K Practitioner Program. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Science from Loughborough University in England. During his final year at Loughborough he wrote a thesis entitled “Pre Exercise Ingestion of Carbohydrate and Performance in a Swim/Run”. More recently he has written another thesis to satisfy part of the requirements for Master C.H.E.K Practitioner entitled “Sleep, Biological Rhythms and Electromagnetic Fields”. Chris is a strong believer in the value of massage therapy and has been studying Paul St. John’s Neuro Muscular Therapy program for the last two years. An experienced triathlete, he was a member of the British National Squad from 1989-1992 before emigrating to New Zealand in 1993. Three years ago he turned his attentions to cross-country skiing and has been taken under the wing of Tatu Vaananen who is the Finnish B Team Coach for biathlon. Chris has a wealth of experience working in a wide variety of rehabilitation and sports conditioning scenarios. He has a direct style that suits those who are highly motivated.