About Me

Andrea is a Manual Osteopath registered with the NSAO, having earned her Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice from the Canadian College of Osteopathy. With nearly 30 years of experience in bodywork, she brings a gentle yet effective approach to treatment, rooted in a deep understanding of the body’s interconnected systems.

Her journey in bodywork began unexpectedly in 1995 while taking a break from her career as an actor and singer in the UK. A pamphlet for a Bodywork Therapy course caught her attention, leading her to apply—and ultimately, to discover her true passion. Under the guidance of a program director specializing in treating patients with trauma histories, Andrea developed an acute sensitivity to the complex relationship between pain and life experience. She learned early on that pain, whether acute or chronic, can shape every aspect of our lives—work, relationships, mental health—just as our life experiences influence our perception of pain.

This foundational insight fueled her continued education. Andrea went on to complete her Diploma of Massage Therapy at the Sutherland-Chan School in Toronto, where she graduated at the top of her class and received the Clinic Award for clinical excellence. She further expanded her skill set with training in Reiki, Cranial Sacral Therapy, myofascial techniques, and paediatrics, and later became a faculty member at Sutherland-Chan and CCMH. Her dedication ultimately led her to osteopathy, where she developed a special interest in paediatrics, digestive issues, post-concussive syndrome, and the impact of stress and anxiety on pain. Committed to ongoing learning, Andrea continues to take postgraduate courses, stay current with research, and collaborate across disciplines to ensure her patients receive comprehensive, well-rounded care.

Commonly treats: Birth Trauma, Sleep difficulties, Feeding problems, Tongue tie support, Colic, Reflux, Ear, nose and throat conditions, Sinus congestion, Abdominal pain, Gait abnormalities, Posture/ Balance

See “Our Approach” for more about Andrea’s specific approach to treatment.

What is Osteopathy?

From the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths:

Osteopathy is a patient-centered approach to health. It is guided by principles relating to the patient as a whole. The body is a self-regulating, functional unit in which function and structure are inter-related, and healthy tissues require proper circulation of all body fluids. Skilled palpation and a detailed knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics guide the Osteopath to assess and restore balance within and between all the systems of the body; musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, cranial and visceral.

Note: In Canada, practitioners of osteopathy are called Manual Osteopaths and practice only the manual therapy aspect of osteopathy, and not medical osteopathy as practiced by Osteopathic Physicians (US).

What is Massage Therapy?

From the CMTO website:

The Massage Therapy Act, 1991, the provincial legislation for Massage Therapy in Ontario, defines the practice of Massage Therapy as “the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain.” This is referred to as the “Scope of Practice.”

Massage Therapy treatment has a therapeutic effect on the body, general health and overall well-being. Massage Therapy may be used to maintain and improve physical health and can also ease the effects of physical pain.

Massage Therapy is popularly considered a beneficial treatment for sore and tight muscles, and research shows that it can help reduce inflammation and ease pain associated with soft tissue injury. Some studies also show that it can have beneficial effects on a wide rage of conditions including: prenatal depression, preterm infants, full-term infants, autism, skin conditions, pain syndromes including arthritis and fibromyalgia, hypertension, autoimmune conditions including asthma and multiple sclerosis, immune conditions including HIV and breast cancer and aging problems including Parkinson’s and dementia.