About Us

MICHELLE FAGEN B.Sc., D.C. Chiropractor

Dr. Michelle Fagen earned her degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) after earning her bachelors degree in Physiology from McGill University. She is currently a licensed member of the Ontario Chiropractic Association and the Canadian Chiropractic Association and has studied Acupuncture at McMaster University as part of their Medical Acupuncture for Health Professionals program.

Dr. Fagen always knew she wanted a career in health care. After experiencing chiropractic care for a back injury in her late teens, Dr. Fagen knew that this was the profession for her. Non-invasive, drug-free, gentle and effective, chiropractic offered something that no other profession had offered her before - a solution to the cause of the problem, not just a masking of symptoms. Today, this concept is central to Dr. Fagen's work - treating the cause not the symptom, treating the patient, not the disease.

After graduation, Dr. Fagen developed and ran a chiropractic practice at Strictly Fitness, one of the largest health clubs in Toronto. Her focus there was on sports injuries as well as general chiropractic practice. She is now the clinic director of the Russell Hill Chiropractic Clinic, a multi-disciplinary practice in mid-town Toronto. Her chiropractic practice involves treating patients of all ages for a variety of acute and chronic conditions, from low back pain and headaches to pinched nerves and menstrual discomfort. She is amazed daily at the power of chiropractic to help the human body.

Dr. Fagen has started a blog! See what she has to say at www.russellhillchiropractic.blogspot.com (and leave a comment - it can get lonely in cyberspace!)

"Health is not simply the absence of sickness." - Hannah Green

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Zachary Bain B.Sc., D.C. – Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Physical Rehabilitation

Dr. Zachary Bain earned his doctor of chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College after completing an honours physiology degree at the University of Toronto.  He completed his acupuncture training at McMaster University, and continues to study in his field, completing recent course work in lumbar rehabilitation, work injury rehabilitation, soft tissue therapy and Active Release Therapy.

Dr. Bain’s approach to health care blends chiropractic, soft tissue therapy, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture and exercise.  His belief is that while therapy puts us on the road to well being, it is what we do with ourselves outside of the clinic – what we eat, when and how we exercise and how we manage our stress - that will keep us on that road.  (Which is why you can always catch him riding his bike around town!)

Having practised in multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, community health and family chiropractic clinics, Dr. Bain has experience servicing a broad patient base that includes motor vehicle accident victims, injured athletes, injured workers and, of course, those with everyday aches and pains.

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LISA QUANING Acupuncturist, Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Lisa began her training in the healing arts practicing Therapeutic touch, Healing touch, and Polarity Therapy.

A student of Buddhist meditation and thought, she studied acupuncture at oneof Canada¹s most reputable schools, The Institute of Traditional ChineseMedicine, practicing at the Zhejiang Provincial Hospital in Hangzhou, China.

She is a member of the Ontario Association of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (OAATCM). She is certified in cosmetic acupuncture, as well as Shi Liao ­ traditional Chinese dietary therapy.

Acupuncture, along with being a discipline, is spiritual in nature. The opportunity to help people discover their ability to heal themselves is central to her practise. She is currently advancing her studies in the area of Chinese herbal medicine.

Learn more about Lisa Quaning at www.quaningacupuncture.com

"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools." - Spanish proverb

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KAAREN BROOKS, RMT - Massage Therapist

Kaaren Brooks studied Massage at the Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic, and graduated in 1994. She is a member of the Canadian Massage Therapy Organization and the Ontario Massage Therapist Association, and has worked in both clinical and spa environments, with a wide variety of clients of all ages. Kaaren has immense experience and her history with RHCC goes back to 1996 - before RHCC even existed! Kaaren began working with Dr. Richard Collis at the Collis Chiropractic Clinic. She moved with the Collis Chiropractic Clinic to its current location by Chaplin Crescent, and was with us for the official name change to Russell Hill Chiropractic Clinic. Her impressive and loyal patient base is a testament to her skill - Kaaren always seems to know just where you hurt, and how to make you better. Whether your muscles need to be kneaded or a relaxing hot stone massage is more your style, Kaaren practices with a variety of techniques and will find the right one for you.

Kaaren's professional interests include sports massage, lypposage (she is one of only 3 practioners in the province performing this technique), neuromuscular therapy, hot stone massage and a number of spa modalities based on treatments from AcadaySpa. Outside the clinic, Kaaren hopes to perfect her cast for this seasons fly-fishing.

"Happiness lies, first of all, in health." - George William Curtis

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AMANDA HUTCHEON, RMT - Massage Therapist

After studying at the University of Glasgow, Amanda Hutcheon taught English in Japan for three years. It was there she developed an interest in holistic treatments and became intrigued by the power of massage therapy. After uplifting her Scottish roots to Canada, she studied at the prestigious Sutherland Chan Massage School and Teaching Clinic. Amanda graduated in 2004 and became a member of the Canadian Massage Therapy Organization.

Amanda enjoys treating clients with various conditions and is especially interested in pre- and postnatal treatments and Neuromuscular Integration and Structural Alignment (NISA). She is currently furthering her skills by studying Thai massage.

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JESSICA PATERSON, RMT - Massage Therapist

We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Paterson to RHCC!

Jessica provides specific and focused treatments based on her training from Lambton College. She has studied advanced Deep Tissue Massage Therapy and has completed her training in Reflexology. She is currently enrolled at The Shiatsu School of Canada’s Acupuncture program, anticipating graduation in 2011.

Jessica aims to provide her clients with a relaxing atmosphere to allow their stresses to be forgotten at the door; a healing environment that promotes balance in her client’s hectic life.

"We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them" Albert Einstein

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ELISSE PELTZ RSW, PRYTP, RYT

Elisse Peltz earned her Masters degree in Social work from Smith College after earning a bachelors degree in film and communication from McGill University. Elisse has been working as a clinical therapist since 1999 providing counselling for children, youth, adults, and families dealing with mental health issues. Currently in private practice at the Yonge Lawrence Centre for Counselling and Consulting, Elisse provides psychotherapeutic counselling for individuals, groups and families.

After a number years working in the mental health field, Elisse became interested in expanding her focus to include working with the body and spirit. In 2004 Elisse became a Yoga Alliance certified instructor at Yoga people studio in New York. To deepen her knowledge of the discipline Elisse completed a Restorative Teacher Training at Yogaspace in Toronto in 2006 and continues to be mentored in her yoga teaching.

While living in New York Elisse was introduced to Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy which over the course of the next two years became a certified practitioner. This practice combines traditional Hatha yoga postures with therapeutic dialogue to support clients in learning to tune into what is happening in their body, mind, emotion and spirit. This contemporary body-mind psychology offers a way to explore the relationship between the body, mind and spirit.

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HAYLEY MURRAY- Office Manager

Hayley comes to RHCC via the 'peg. She loves riding her bike, eating vegetables, surfing, backgammon and men who aren't afraid to cry.
She runs things at RHCC, and we'd all be lost without her!

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