Cara graduated with her Masters of Physiotherapy from The University of Canberra in Australia. Prior to pursuing her Masters, Cara attended Eastern Michigan University where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science while on a Division 1 soccer scholarship. Cara has a strong passion for sports and working with all types of athletes, especially after growing up playing competitive soccer, basketball and volleyball. This year, she was a therapist for the Hamilton United League 1 Women’s Soccer Team and plans to pursue her Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy to get more involved with elite level sports.

Cara integrates manual therapy techniques with exercise prescription and education in her treatment plans, in order to optimize movement and function to prevent future injuries. Cara’s goal is to continue her education in manual therapy and acupuncture as well as finish her Masters of Sports Nutrition.

Cara believes in living a healthy and active lifestyle. When she is not at the clinic, you can find her enjoying a HIIT workout, playing a competitive sport or out for a long run. She also enjoys traveling, watching sports and spending time with family and friends.

Cara graduated with her Masters of Physiotherapy from The University of Canberra in Australia. Pr... Read More

Dr. Dunn is a passionate Sports Performance Manual Medical Practitioner who loves all sport. He’s an accomplished IronMan Triathlete (completing 7 and counting including a two time IronMan Hawaii- World Championship qualifier), marathoner, yogi and former Canadian National Team Sailor (1997-2001). Living a healthy and active lifestyle is something he hopes he’s able to encourage and inspire his patients to maintain or take up. He attended McMaster University, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering & Management and subsequently worked in the water industry for 5 years as a Project Engineer and Engineering Supervisor. Recognizing corporate life was not his true calling, and finding something closer to sport would be more suitable given his passions, Dr. Dunn left engineering to begin pursing his degree in chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. Since graduating in 2010, Dr. Dunn has continued to add to his chiropractic foundation through continually expanding his tool kit and knowledge base, whether that be on the field or at track side events like Altis High Performance Therapy in Phoenix-AZ, refining anatomy on un-embalmed cadavers, advanced acupuncture at McMaster University as a student and thereafter as a Senior Instructor. Continual improvement and commitment to learning is something his patients can count on and is paramount to Dr. Dunn’s career.

Every patient comes to the “table” with their own story … their own journey … and their present state is a compilation of that journey. Dr. Dunn’s approach to care begins by looking into the journey, determining a patient’s current dysfunction, and perhaps most importantly understanding their next chapters. Once the journey is clear, dysfunction determined, the most appropriate and most efficient course of treatment can begin. As an athlete and a yoga instructor Dr. Dunn empathizes with someone that is:

A-unable to perform at all and/or

B-having trouble reaching their true potential.

But as someone who wants nothing more than to be active in his late(EST) years he “gets” the idea of doing something in a sustainable manner. That is why passive care is only part of the puzzle. His growing repertoire of passive care modalities includes electro-acupuncture, manual therapy techniques- such as ART and micro-conditioning, cupping and traditional chiropractic joint manipulation. These modalities are combined to restore function and reduce pain, and in most cases reestablish a better and more sound connection between the patient’s body and their nervous system. The passive care is only part of the puzzle. Encouraging and instructing patients to move properly, within their existing capacities, and frequently is what will engrain proper functioning in the body’s nervous system and lead to long(er) lasting results, achievement of and ongoing wellness.

Commuting whenever possible by pedal to treat and teach, Dr. Dunn enjoys training for his next IronMan or athletic endeavour. Reading, meditation and movement are supremely important. Patients can also find Dr. Dunn teaching Yoga Asana (an Anusara and Yin inspired combination) in the greater Burlington and Oakville area with his signature Yoga for Runner’s and Deep Alignment classes. He is a lover of good coffee and healthy food. He’s always endeavouring to spend more hours learning in the garden.

Dr. Dunn is a passionate Sports Performance Manual Medical Practitioner who loves all sport. He’... Read More

From a young age, I was always involved in sports and was able to experience both the highs and lows of competition. I grew up playing competitive soccer in Oakville where I was on the receiving end of a number of injuries at very pinnacle points in my life. The most significant being 2 partial ACL tears (in grade 12 and 4th year university) and the most recent being a full tear in physiotherapy school.

While I see these injuries now as blessings, as it provided a pathway into my chosen career, I was also able to feel the pain and defeat of what a devastating, season ending injury was. This has ultimately guided me to be the physiotherapist I am today, providing patient centered care, with a touch of sarcasm.

My journey began when I attended the University of Western Ontario and obtained an honours Kinesiology degree. I then pursued a Masters of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Toronto graduating in 2013.

Nowadays, I keep myself busy by playing in multiple recreational soccer leagues, hitting the slopes in the colder months and paddling or hiking in the summer months.

From a young age, I was always involved in sports and was able to experience both the highs and l... Read More

Through her experiences as both a competitive athlete and a Student Athletic Therapist for Brock University, Nicole developed a keen interest in musculoskeletal injury assessment and rehabilitation. After graduating from Brock University, she went on to complete the Athletic Therapy program at Sheridan College, followed by Massage Therapy at the Ontario a College of Health and Technology. Nicole has a passion for learning and is continually engaging in education courses to enhance her skill set and provide her patients with the best care possible. Outside the clinic, Nicole enjoys spending time working with athletes of all levels. She has had the opportunity to be a member of the health care team at the PanAm Games in Toronto, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Syracuse, NY, and U19 Field Lacrosse Championships in Turku, Finland.

As both a Certified Athletic Therapist and Registered Massage Therapist, her philosophy begins with injury prevention. Early in her career, Nicole’s mentor once told her “Motion is Lotion”, and she has lived everyday since developing her practice based on that. The sooner she can get you moving and keep you moving, the better off you will be! Nicole’s treatment approach includes a variety of techniques such as soft tissue massage and soft tissue release, joint mobilizations, electro-acupuncture, and home exercise programs designed to enhance strength and mobility.

In Nicole’s spare time she likes to keep active. She enjoys participating in a variety of competitive and recreational sports such as rugby, triathlon, hockey, ultimate frisbee, soccer and figure skating. Outside of sport, she loves going for hikes or simply relaxing at home with her husband Rob, cat Koopa and dog Gus.

Through her experiences as both a competitive athlete and a Student Athletic Therapist for Brock ... Read More

Dave and I started The Proactive Athlete in 2010 behind a medical curtain in a single office crammed in the corner of a gym off an industrial road. Now we are a staff of 8, offering true multidisciplinary healthcare in a slow but steady growth model emphasizing long treatment times and one on one care only.

I am a father to 3 beautiful children Luke, Maeve and Nolan. My wife Jaclyn (also a sports chiropractor) is the most important person in my life. Aside from exercise, the thing I value most is reading. I want to be considered a book with legs, the same way Charlie Munger’s family refers to him.

I completed a degree in kinesiology in 2004, and then chiropractic in 2008. Dave and I both completed a 2 year sports specialty designation, joining 150 other chiropractors across the country with a fellowship in Sports Sciences. I also took acupuncture at McMaster University. I still lecture at the Chiropractic College in Toronto.

I used to travel a fair bit and take care of a number of sports teams including 2 pan am games, provincial hockey, and national Tae Kwon Do among others. Since having children my family has taken precedence, though I still have a goal of attending the Olympics as a chiropractor at some point. Until then I am focusing on my mini-Olympians (my kids).

Dave and I started The Proactive Athlete in 2010 behind a medical curtain in a single office cram... Read More

I grew up in Burlington, Ontario where I now live with my wife Angela and our two sons Colton and Luca. I have been interested in sports my whole life playing hockey, football, training in martial arts and riding and racing mountain bikes. I have always had a passion to try and help people, I have volunteered in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ethiopia and Kenya providing manual therapy and nutrition education. I now spend most of my spare time cycling, training, hiking, camping and spending time with my family and friends.

I completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University. I worked as a Kinesiologist in a physiotherapy setting for 4 years while I attended the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy where I received a Master in Practice Diploma of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences. The M.OMSc Program is a 4 year, professional manual osteopathic designation. I am a member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OOA). The OOA is a professional association recognized by the Canadian insurance industry.

I grew up in Burlington, Ontario where I now live with my wife Angela and our two sons Colton and... Read More

Larissa Robinson is a Registered Massage Therapist who is committed to helping others become limitless. Following a serious car accident in 2008, she learned firsthand the benefits of good physical therapy. Inspiring Larissa to leave engineering and pursue this field herself. She is someone who does not like restrictions. This means the idea that giving up any activity you love because of pain or a physical barrier is an idea that must be challenged. Larissa went on to complete her first Ironman triathlon in 2010 despite injuries from the car accident. In 2013 she graduated from the Ontario College of Health and Technology with distinction and loves helping others in the field of massage therapy.

As a massage therapist, sessions with Larissa are all about you (the patient). First an understanding of the problem is gained through discussion and assessment. From there, solutions are rarely one size fits all. Techniques available with Larissa include soft tissue massage, soft tissue release, joint mobilizations, fascial stretch, Thai massage and therapeutic cupping. Every patient should expect some home care instructions to further empower their healing and wellness.

Larissa will tell you she doesn’t really have spare time because she likes to keep busy. She continues to race triathlons and serve on the board of the Triathlon Club of Burlington. She loves teaching fitness classes from core crushers to indoor cycling. Hiking in the Dundas Valley is another love. To relax Larissa enjoys reading, knitting and cooking.

Larissa Robinson is a Registered Massage Therapist who is committed to helping others become limi... Read More

Dave is a passionate sports chiropractor committed to inspiring his patients to live an active, well balanced and healthy lifestyle. Dr. Schenkel’s interest in the Chiropractic profession started as an adolescent competitive hockey and lacrosse player where he experienced the benefit of this care on many occasions. He attended the University of Waterloo before entering Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Dr. Schenkel followed his childhood roots and went on to pursue a sports specialty completing his fellowship with the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences in 2011. Today he continues to connect with the sports community by volunteering for various local, provincial and national events including his recent role as medical lead for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Dr. Schenkel believes in optimizing human performance primarily through movement. He uses several clinical tools, including various manual therapy techniques and electro-acupuncture, to help rehabilitation movement disorders and dysfunctions. Teaching and practicing joint mobility and movement control has become a cornerstone to Dr. Schenkel’s philosophy of proactive care. He believes the integration of mobility training and strength training is the most effective way to build healthy resilient tissue to prevent injuries. He leads a mobility class every Friday at noon and enjoys working with mobility seekers of all levels!

Life balance for Dr. Schenkel involves spending time with his wife and Naturopathic Doctor, Michelle, and 2 daughters, Isla and Emiko, and his great dane, Juno. He is an avid squash player, and plays on an inter-city team in the Western Region Squash League. Born and bred to bleed blue and white, he is also a frustrated yet devoted fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dave is a passionate sports chiropractor committed to inspiring his patients to live an active, ... Read More