Active Health Centre

First established in Markham in 1978 as DeFinney Chiropractic, we are now a 3000 square foot modern clinic that provides efficient and cost effective treatment in chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine and exercise rehabilitation. Our clinic is outfitted with a variety of therapeutic equipment for effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems. We have a rehabilitation gym with modern low tech equipment for sports, work and motor vehicle accident rehabilitation which allows us to provide our patients with effective care all under one roof. We are also proud of being chosen as a provider for The Canadian Sports Centre of Ontario making our clinic the only clinic in Markham recognized for providing health-care to nationally carded athletes.

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME
PARTIAL COVERAGE FROM OHIP
COVERED BY WSIB
WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE
CLOSE TO BUS ROUTES AND THE 407
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE
NO REFERRALS NECESSARY
EXTENDED HEALTH INSURANCE
COVERED BY MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK EXTENDED HOURS

A modern clinic with safe and cost effective approaches to help you live an active and healthy life. Specializing in sports injuries, in-house gym with individualized rehab programs for car accident and work injury victims. Treating spinal and extremity complaints including foot and ankle injuries, carpal tunnel and tennis elbow, jaw problems and headaches to name a few.

Chiropractic
Massage Therapy
Naturopathy
Homeopathy
Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture
Kinesiology
Active release technique®
Trigenics®
Registered Physiotherapy
Orthotics and Custom Footwear
Specific Exercise Plans
Individualized Nutrition Programs
Video gait analysis
Whiplash treatment
Workers Compensation
Postural analysis
Low Intensity Laser Therapy
Braces and athletic taping

We are very proud of our associates. We have skillfully struck a balance between experience and youthful enthusiasm. Our varied backgrounds provide us with a synergy that enables us to achieve our mission of helping patients. Our team not only has individuals who have achieved high academic standards but also have accumulated many awards as athletes, researchers, educators and clinicians. Above all our team members are dedicated to excellence and care deeply about helping their patients.

Dr. John De Finney is a bilingual chiropractor with a Bachelor of Physical and 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 is 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 and is a fully certified Active Release Provider®. Dr. Poschar is also on faculty at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.

Dr. Poschar is an experienced outdoorsman, 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.

Dr. Miners was born and raised in Kingston Ontario and graduated in 1999 from Queen’s University with two degrees; Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and Bachelor of Science (Honours). In the fall of 2000 he enrolled at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto and graduated in 2004 with clinical honours.

After graduation, Dr. Miners was one of only two chiropractors selected to attend an advanced two year clinical residency program in Sports Injury Sciences at CMCC. This program provided opportunities for Dr. Miners to mentor with top sports chiropractors, orthopedists and radiologists as they diagnose and treat athletes. It also gave Dr. Miners the opportunity to work with top level athletes. He has traveled nationally and internationally acting as team doctor for the under-17 men’s and women’s National soccer training teams (Ontario), the 2006 Ontario Junior Taekwondo National Championship Team, and the 2006 Canadian National Taekwondo team during trips to China and Korea. Upon completing the sports residency program in the spring of 2007, he was honoured by receiving an award/scholarship for excellence in leadership, research, and teaching. Once he completes the Canadian College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences fellowship examinations, Dr. Miners will have obtained full specialist status in the diagnosis and treatment of sports related injuries.

The top priority for Dr. Miners is to provide excellent patient care; as such he is always striving to advance his clinical knowledge. He has completed the requirements to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Kinesiologist (CK). He is a certified provider of various soft tissue and clinical treatment techniques including; Active Release Techniques (ART), Trigenics Myoneural Therapy, Graston Technique, and clinical/anatomical acupuncture. Currently, Dr. Miners is completing a three year advanced training program to become designated as a chiropractic rehabilitation specialist.

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. Melissa Hawkins was born and raised in Markham where she continues to live today. She graduated from The University of Western Ontario in 2005 with an Honours Degree in Kinesiology and a keen interest in non-invasive medicine. Dr. Hawkins attended Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College where she was involved in Students’ Council, Intramural Sports, and Community Events. She graduated in 2009 with Clinic Honours and was thrilled to receive awards recognizing her diligent leadership and initiative as well as excellence in Jurisprudence.

While studying Chiropractic, Melissa furthered her knowledge of personal training through the acquisition of a Certificate in Strength and Conditioning Specialization (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She has also continued to instruct Swimming and Bronze-level awards as she has done for over a decade. Dr. Hawkins strives to incorporate varying levels of physical fitness into her patients’ treatment plans through the addition of cardiovascular exercise, creative and fun methods of strength training, and if your joints can’t handle it, Melissa can instruct you through water exercises (at local pools) - all of which can improve range of motion, increase strength and endurance, and aid with weight loss; thereby alleviating joint and soft tissue suffering and improving overall quality of life!

Dr. Hawkins has completed an extensive course in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture at McMaster University. Acupuncture’s effects are vast – it can be used for pain modulation, muscle relaxation, nervous system regulation, neuro-endocrine regulation, and many other common causes of everyday complaints.

Dr. Hawkins is a recognized provider of Active Release Techniques (ART®) which is a soft tissue therapy addressing acute or chronic issues with muscles and tendons, ligaments, capsules, and nerves (see About Us, Services, ART for more info).

Melissa is an Instructor and Examiner of First Aid, CPR, and AED (defibrillation) and continues to get involved in the community through teaching these courses as well as working as a first aid trainer at sporting events.

In her spare time Dr. Hawkins enjoys being active with running, swimming, hiking, and recreational sports such as beach volleyball, as well as spending time with family and friends and volunteering in the local community.

Dr. Hawkins is accepting new patients and looks forward to helping you onto the path of recovery and overall wellbeing.

We are committed to helping our patient achieve and maintain a pain-free, healthy and active lifestyle using the safest and most cost effective methods of treatment.

1. To strive for excellence and integrity in everything we do for our patients.
2. To treat our patients sensibly, as we would want to be treated.
3. To get our patients well as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.
4. To provide all our patients with exercises.
5. To provide our patients with the latest information on healthy and active living.
6. To teach our patients how to prevent health problems and injuries from occurring.
7. To be known as the clinic that goes the extra mile for its patients.
8. To build our patient base with referrals from satisfied clients.
9. To maintain effective communication and interaction with other health care professionals.
10. To give back to the community and to our profession.
11. To provide same day service for our patients in need.
12. To follow up on our patients progress on a regular basis.
13. To cultivate lifelong learning with professional and personal growth through continuing education.
14. To incorporate the latest evidenced based treatments for our patients and provide them with the best cost effective diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
15. To maintain a friendly and comfortable environment for our patients and staff.
16. To encourage and be accessible for discussion of our patients health care needs.