Meet the Team
Sarah Dunbar
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Bachelor’s of Medical Science
Currently on Maternity Leave*
Ryan Parker
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, Bachelor’s of Art
Monday - Friday 11-6pm
Sarah Newell
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Kinesiologist, Pilates Instructor
Sarah Newell is an Osteopathic Manual Therapist who also graduated from the Canadian College of Osteopathy. Sarah’s treatment approach aims for sustainable rehabilitative success by tactfully combining osteopathic techniques with re-educational exercise programs. Her osteopathic repertoire includes myofascial release, muscle energy technique, cranial sacral and osteoarticular mobilizations.
If you are looking to take charge of your health, Sarah is your person. She will provide treatments for pain management, recovery after injury, pre and postpartum mothers, infant and youth treatments, or concussion management.
Sarah holds a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology and is a certified Pilates Instructor. Sarah has worked in neurological rehabilitation in Toronto, assisting clients with motor learning recovery post motor vehicle accidents, stroke, and surgeries. She has taken post-graduate courses including (but not limited to) osteopathic approach to concussion treatment, persistent-pain management, neuroplasticity, NDT/Bobath approach to stroke rehabilitation, treatment of the upper limb, and the list goes on. In her free time Sarah enjoys a warm cup of coffee and slow mornings with her husband and one year old. Sarah is a welcome addition to the FCO team and we think you will love her.
Tuesday 11-6pm
Heather Curry
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (Current Thesis Writer), Massage Therapist, Bachelors of Science
Heather is a recent graduate of the Canadian College of Osteopathy and is currently defending her thesis to support osteopathy as an effective treatment for post-concussion syndrome. Heather has been a Massage therapist since 1997, holds a Bachelors of Science and has been a Massage therapy educator at Fanshawe College and Everest College (Ottawa) since 2004. Heather’s vast wealth of clinical and teaching experience have resulted in a treatment approach that aims to balance the nervous system, utilizing both cranial-sacral and autonomic integrative techniques. She also uses gentle myofascial release and osteopathic techniques to achieve a harmonious balance in the body.
In her spare time, Heather loves spending time on the water kayaking or at the stable schooling horses in dressage and jumping. She loves many sports, loves to travel and continues to learn within the field of manual therapy.
Heather would be a great choice for athletes to office workers, people suffering with head and neck pain, headaches and migraines, aging clients, clients with autoimmune disorders, women’s health concerns, or anyone looking to encourage a healthy active lifestyle.
Thursday 10-4pm
Our Story
Ryan and Sarah Parker
It all started when…
Ryan met Sarah while completing the five-year program of Osteopathy at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto. They are both graduates of the University of Western Ontario, and have been practicing Massage Therapists since 2015. After completing the five year intensive Osteopathic program, in 2019 they each successfully defended their theses, each pushing their own expectations. They were both individually awarded osteopathic research scholarships, and guided by many mentors along the way. Sarah evaluated the effects of osteopathic treatments on the upper extremity function in breast cancer survivors. Ryan challenged himself to deepen his knowledge of anatomy and sense of palpation, by evaluating inter-examiner reliability of kidney palpation detection.
You can read more about their topics by clicking below.
Ryan and Sarah both defended their theses in front of an international jury of Osteopathic Practitioners. They have now been granted a Diploma of Osteopathic Manual Practice (D.O.M.P.) and a Diploma in the Science of Osteopathy (D.Sc.O). Beginning January 2020, Ryan and Sarah are active members of the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners. This association is recognized by the government of Ontario as a regulated health profession and treatments by members can be covered by extended health care plans.
Beyond the books, they enjoy time with family, sipping coffee, listening to old records, playing the piano, chasing nieces and nephews, playing tennis, hockey, and every new board game they can find. A little competitive spirit never hurt anybody right?
A love for travel and education has been a core value for this pair. Although some might think that 13+ years of post-graduate studies each is enough, Ryan and Sarah are both passionate about furthering their understanding and knowledge base and enjoy taking courses, especially when courses are in warm beach climates. The pair have integrated their wealth of knowledge into treatments and further their efficacy in getting their patients the best possible results.
Ryan and Sarah have enjoyed courses across North America, with topics of study ranging from concussion treatments, endocranial spasm according to Philip Druelle, a refined form of Muscle Energy technique, Rational Cranial Osteopathy, respiratory circulatory venous drainage according to Dr. Gordon Zink, specialized paediatric treatments, integrative approaches to low back pain and somatic dysfunction, visceral osteopathy, applied kinesiology- manual muscle testing, neurokinetic therapy (NKT), upper-extremity and shoulder treatments, cranial nerves and TMJ dysfunction, and Chapman's neurolymphatic evaluation/treatment sequences. A most notable memory was in California with a forefather of Osteopathy, Dr. Fred Mitchell Jr, who in his 87th year, humbly introduced himself, simply as another student who was still learning. He corrected the course title which was "The Best of Fred Mitchell Jr." and he apologized because that wasn't accurate, he still had more to learn to be his very best.
Ryan has completed his certification at the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program and is completing the third round of complex osteopathic physiology in association with the Ontario Academy of Progressive Osteopathy. Over the past year, Ryan has spent his time working in a pediatric clinic, specifically helping with cognitive development, sleep and behavioural issues, growing pains and immunological ailments in newborns and youth. Sarah has taken additional courses for Pregnancy and Labour Support and is a certified DOULA.
The complexity and diversity of health related issues that influence the lives of Canadians every day is what drives Ryan and Sarah. They hope to expand their knowledge and experience in many fields involving individual health, personalized medicine, and research to improve the quality of life of individuals. They believe there to be an utmost importance in creating a holistic and individualized approach to health maintenance.
The role of osteopathic medicine in the world of health care, is to identify and remove the barriers to health and wellness. It is imperative to utilize the self-healing mechanisms of one’s own body, and maximize the effects of physical, emotional, and lifestyle causes of illness and utilize a holistic treatment. We need to break boundaries of our quick-fix mentality, focus on prevention, and integrate this style of healthcare into our daily life.
To find out how you can start making changes, take back control of your health, or learn how Osteopathy can help benefit your life, book your appointments today!
