AboutUs

Dr. John De Finney is a bilingual chiropractor with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and a Specialty in Sports Chiropractic. He graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 1976. He is also one of the founding members of the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences and one of its first three Fellows. Dr. De Finney is also still involved in a variety of recreational sports and has won national titles as an age class runner. He has lectured at the undergraduate and post graduate level in sports injuries and published articles on the topic of running. “The Running Chiropractor” has recently completed a course in a new soft tissue therapy, Trigenics®, and has joined the Trigenics Institute and serves as its research consultant with specific interest in running and sport injuries and rehabilitation.

Dr. Natalie Labelle is a bilingual doctor of chiropractic and a certified kinesiologist. She graduated with an honours degree in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario and received her degree in Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2000.

She has a special interest in athletic injuries and enjoys treating athletes of all levels and abilities. She has been part of the volunteer medical staff at Ironman Lake Placid, and she recently travelled to Barbados as Team Doctor with the Canadian Fury Masters Soccer Team.

She has completed post-graduate training in adjustive techniques, rehabilitation, orthotics prescription, and paediatric chiropractic. She has also completed courses in Trigenics® and Active Release Techniques®; specialized forms of soft tissue therapy. She recently received her International Chiropractic Sports Science Diploma (ICSSD), which qualifies her to treat at international events including the Olympic Games. Her philosophy of care is simple; find the cause of the condition, treat it effectively and efficiently, then rehabilitate the area so that it does not recur.

In her spare time, Dr. Labelle is a committed, lifelong athlete and runner. She has completed 3 marathons to date, and looks forward to many more new and exciting challenges.

Silvano A. Mior DC, FCCS(C) is Dean, Graduate Studies and Research at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. He has participated in international and national committees establishing guidelines for quality assurance and standards of chiropractic practice. He is an associate editor for several chiropractic journals and on the editorial board of the Backletter. He has served on Canadian and American committees to prioritize research agendas for the chiropractic profession. He recently participated in a multidisciplinary committee resulting in a proposal for a Centre for Alternative and Complementary Health Care Research under the umbrella of the federally funded Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He has authored numerous articles and book chapters in areas related to clinical chiropractic practice and outcomes. He has received awards for his research and service. He is currently seconded to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, where he is working on a research project funded by the Ontario Chiropractic Association and MOHLTC to develop a model of collaboration between chiropractors and physicians in Primary Care Networks. He is a graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and a Fellow in the College of Chiropractic Sciences.

Dr. Michael Poschar is clinic director and proud owner of Active Health Centre. He is a doctor of chiropractic with an honours degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario. He is a graduate from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Dr. Poschar has been involved in a wide variety of recreational and competitive sports for most of his life and has special area of interest in treating sports related injury. He has worked with athletes from a variety of sports and proudly serves as team doctor for the Markham Waxers provincial junior “A” hockey club.

Dr. Poschar has completed post-graduate training in paediatric chiropractic, orthopaedics, rehab, sport specific training and numerous adjustive therapies. He has completed specialized courses in Trigenics® neurological treatment system,  is a fully certified Active Release®, and acupuncture provider. Dr. Poschar has a keen interest in treating golfers and is a certified Titleist® Golf Medical professional. Dr. Poschar is also on faculty at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

Dr. Poschar is an experienced outdoors man, marathon runner and enjoys skiing, playing slow-pitch and hockey.

Graeme Wilson, RMT is a graduate of the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy (CCMH) and was pleased to become an Associate at Active Health Centre, in October 2000. Graeme, who developed and manages The Fix Massage Therapy Dept., is an advocate in his field. Assessing soft tissue and joint conditions, and following specific protocols for those conditions, is what he does best. While specializing in sports injury, his department stabilizes most acute ailments, manages chronic problems, and facilitates the healing process.

Education for how to maximize recovery for his patients is imperative and, in turn, patients learn the processes behind their complaint(s) and the benefits of their treatments. They also gain an understanding about how to avoid recurrence through modifications in their lifestyle. Yes, symptoms are treated, but more importantly, the causes are identified. Graeme firmly believes that individuals’ goals can be achieved through a combination of techniques that should be designed exclusively for them. Finding the most effective and responsive treatment is a key aspect in Graeme’s approach.

Aspirations of a career in professional soccer led Graeme to a stint of professional trials in Britain in 1990. While the experience proved invaluable on many fronts, a shift in focus towards a career in healthcare became apparent. While he continues to play soccer in and around the GTA and York Region, he can often be seen at various parks around his Cornell home practicing freestyle soccer tricks. As a longtime resident of Markham, Graeme and his young family actively participate in community events and charitable causes, often initiated through SayItCornell.com, a co-owned Markham Business and Information Directory with his wife Sheila.

Graeme, a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO), is presently pursuing post-graduate studies in a number of specialized soft-tissue techniques and continues to grow his department at Active Health Centre.

Robert received a Bachelor of Science Degree from York University in Pure and Applied Science with a focus in Molecular Biology and Organic Chemistry. He then furthered his studies by acquiring a Naturopathic Doctor diploma from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and received Ontario licensure by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy Naturopathy. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.

Robert uses individualized, comprehensive therapies, which strive towards achieving optimal wellness. Therapies include but are not limited to: Nutritional Counselling, Botanical Medicine, Physical Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine with Acupuncture. These therapies are designed to promote a person’s overall well being by stimulating the body’s own natural defences against illness. Healing with whole foods and herbs is a foundation for preservation of life, and emphasizes the basic principles of Naturopathic Medicine.

Active, healthy living has always been a passion for Robert as he is an avid runner and thoroughly enjoys the creative aspect of healthy eating. Track & Field has always been a passion; in particular the 100m and 200m relays. The thrill of aspiring to new personal bests in all aspects of life is one of the central teachings that sport graciously has to offer.

Robert has taught Anatomy and Physiology at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, and believes that through education, people can continuously accomplish new heights in personal health and awareness.

Dr. Robert Garofalo is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a proud member of the Active Health Centre team.  He graduated with clinic honours as a Doctor of Chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and has an Honours degree in Kinesiology from York University.   Dr. Garofalo was a proud recipient of the Orthotic Group Excellence in Biomechanics Scholarship Award during his second year of study at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.  Dr. Garofalo is a certified Active Release Technique® provider, a certified Medical Acupuncture provider, and a certified Personal Trainer.  During his final year at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Dr. Garofalo was the on-site athletic therapist for the Markham Waxers Junior “A” hockey club.   Dr. Garofalo has always been involved in a variety of sports which fuels his passion for treating athletic-related injuries.

Dr. Garofalo continues to strive for excellence by constantly remaining up-to-date on evidence-based research through reading journal articles and various texts.   Also, participating in post-graduate studies such as soft tissue techniques, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sport-specific training ensures that Dr. Garofalo continues to provide the upmost care and service to his patients.

Dr. Garofalo spends his spare time weight lifting, jogging, and playing sports such as hockey and baseball.