We look forward to coaching you along your journey to Wholehealth!

Massage Therapy

Massage is a manual technique used to reduce muscle tension, stiffness, and spasms as well as promote circulation, range of motion, and flexibility. Reduction of pain due to muscle tension is common through massage. Focus will be therapeutic, keeping the patient’s needs and goals in mind. Massage treatments are one hour in length, and can be full-body or area-specific. *HST will be added to tre... Read More

Massage is a manual technique used to reduce muscle tension, stiffness, and spasms as well as promote circulation, range of motion, and flexibility. Reduction of pain due to muscle tension is common through massage. Focus will be therapeutic, keeping the patient’s needs and goals in mind. Massage treatments are one hour in length, and can be full-body or area-specific. *HST will be added to treatment price.


Osteopathy

Hands on manual therapy including craniosacral, muscle energy, myofascial release, joint mobilizations and other soft tissue techniques to help active individuals maintain optimal health. Assessment and treatment sessions are one hour. *HST will be added to treatment price.


Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a regulated professional health care discipline specializing in physical function, movement, and mobility. Physiotherapists have an advanced understanding of how the body moves, the injury and healing process, and have the ability to distinguish what is normal from abnormal in posture, balance and movement. Physiotherapists know how to restore, maximize and maintain optimal phy... Read More

Physiotherapy is a regulated professional health care discipline specializing in physical function, movement, and mobility. Physiotherapists have an advanced understanding of how the body moves, the injury and healing process, and have the ability to distinguish what is normal from abnormal in posture, balance and movement. Physiotherapists know how to restore, maximize and maintain optimal physical function, movement, flexibility, strength, coordination and endurance. Physiotherapists can teach you how to avoid future injury and stay healthy.convenience.


Massage Therapy- Manual Lymph Drainage

MLD is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart. The lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond... Read More

MLD is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart. The lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond the lymph nodes to the lymph ducts which return lymph to the cardiovascular system. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than 9 ounces per square inch or about 4 kPa) and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.


Acupuncture

While providing treatments using Traditional Chinese Medicine, practitioners focus their efforts around the idea that the body’s flow of energy called qi (pronounced as “chi”) is responsible for a person’s overall health and wellbeing. If there is a disruption or imbalance of Qi flow in the body, it can cause pain and/or illness both physically and mentally. Acupuncture works by inserting extre... Read More

While providing treatments using Traditional Chinese Medicine, practitioners focus their efforts around the idea that the body’s flow of energy called qi (pronounced as “chi”) is responsible for a person’s overall health and wellbeing. If there is a disruption or imbalance of Qi flow in the body, it can cause pain and/or illness both physically and mentally. Acupuncture works by inserting extremely thin needles into the body to stimulate different acupuncture points on various channels, known as meridians, to create a balance of Qi flow. When Qi is balanced and allowing a smooth flow, painful conditions or illness can decrease.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to treat from a holistic approach. We look at many occurrences going on in the body to find the source of discomfort while also treating the symptoms. It’s a relatively painless and minimally invasive technique to stimulate nerves, muscles and tissues of the body. Studies have shown that acupuncture can regulate the central nervous system, stimulate the immune system and increase circulation of blood in the body. This allows the body to start healing naturally.

Many acupuncture points follow nerve routes, muscles, and connective tissue, acupuncture can be used to balance the nervous system, release tense muscles, and create a smoother blood flow in the body to decrease many types of conditions or discomfort in the body.

Studies have shown that by stimulating these specific points, the body can release tension associated with the muscles, but also endorphins that act as natural pain-killing chemicals, or affect serotonin levels – a brain transmitter that regulates mood.

Along with needling, other modalities can be incorporated into the treatment, such as:

Cupping: fire cupping, stationary or slide cupping. Cupping is used to increase blood flow to an area and stretch the fascia and tissues surrounding muscles to release tension and increase healing.

Gua Sha: Scraping of the skin using a smooth edged tool allows increased blood flow to the area. Great to release tension and break up scar tissue, and reduce inflammation in the body.

Tui Na: A TCM therapeutic massage that uses many pinch and pull techniques with differing pressure and depth to create movement in the body. It is often paired with Cupping or Gua Sha.

Electro-Stimulation: Placing electrodes on the inserted acupuncture needles to create an electric current through the needles. This modality further increases movement and blood flow to the area being treated, and can create an analgesic effect depending on the frequency. This modality is great for any muscle tension, muscle or tendon injury, frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, upper and lower back pain, TMJ.

Moxabustion (only used with proper ventilation): Burning of a herbal leaf called mugwort. It is used to warm the body and meridians to create smoother blood flow and decrease stagnation. It is often used for chronic pain, gynaecological concerns, and digestive issues.

Liv is a Registered Massage Therapist with a passion for healthy living and sport. She graduated from Northumberland College in 2024 with a diploma in Massage Therapy after transitioning to healthcare from a career in engineering. Liv’s approach to problem-solving gained through her background in engineering gives her a unique perspective on rehab and healing. She has already taken several additional massage skills courses, including CranioSacral Therapy 1, which she is thrilled to bring to her practice. During her diploma, she had the opportunity to work with the Halifax Wanderers Soccer team, Halifax Thunderbirds Lacrosse team, and Canoe-Kayak Canada athletes. Liv loves working with athletes of any level through the rehabilitation process or on their maintenance needs.

Growing up in New Brunswick, she played many different sports including basketball, rugby, soccer, and volleyball. Liv also played for the McGill University Quidditch team where she graduated with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in 2018. Upon graduating, Liv moved to Halifax and worked in the engineering field for a number of years before deciding to shift into a career that she is truly passionate about. After dealing with a number of injuries as an athlete and finding reprieve with massage, this felt like the natural progression and she has not looked back since.

Now, Liv fills her active spare time with rock climbing and weight lifting. When she isn’t at the crag or in the weight room, Liv loves to camp, travel, read, play board games and spend time with her dog, Zena and wife, Brooke.

Liv is a Registered Massage Therapist with a passion for healthy living and sport. She graduated ... Read More

Erica is back!!! We are excited to welcome Erica back to Cove Sport Therapy with some hours onsite at Paddlers Cove, and some time at her home clinic- Strong Return Fitness!!

Erica is back!!! We are excited to welcome Erica back to Cove Sport Therapy with some hours onsit... Read More

Sarah has practiced in the Metro area since graduating from Northumberland College in 1999. Sarah studied at MSVU graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in 1997.

She has 18 years of experience in a rehabilitative setting working with clients of all ages and backgrounds. One of Sarah’s areas of interest is working with pregnant women who are dealing with orthopaedic issues during their pregnancies. She is also a Doula and offers a workshop bi-monthly at Cole Harbour Place for couples interested in managing the pain of childbirth without the use of medication. She is able to help moms post-pregnancy with any aches and pains that they may have and also teaches Infant Massage. Sarah also works with athletes of varying levels. She has massaged at local to national level training camps and competitions in various sports including sprint canoe/kayak, swimming and hockey. Several of Sarah’s clients have run marathons all over the world.

She has taken training in Pregnancy massage, Palliative Care, Myofascial work and Exercise Therapy and has recently completed her training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in Austria. Sarah is also active in the community of Massage Therapy volunteering on several committees with MTANS (Massage Therapists Association of Nova Scotia) over the years.

Sarah has lived the bulk of her life in the Dartmouth area and feels a strong commitment to her community. She is also been involved in her own community through coaching various sports, helping out with charitable events and local committees as well. She prides herself on making her clients feel welcome and comfortable in the clinical setting. Sarah is proud to live in Dartmouth with her husband and daughter.

Sarah has practiced in the Metro area since graduating from Northumberland College in 1999. Sarah... Read More

Jessica recently moved to Nova Scotia from Alberta where she spent 6 years learning and treating with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Originally from New Brunswick, Jessica attended the university of New Brunswick to complete her Bachelor of Science in Biology. After completing her Bachelor degree, she moved to Alberta in 2015 to continue my education and attend the Acupuncture program at MacEwan University. Jessica completed the Pan Canadian registration exams to become a Registered Acupuncturist with the College and Associations of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAAA) and now with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Nova Scotia (ATCMANS).

Jessica has always had a passion to help and care for others, and aiming to treat and prevent an endless list of conditions with TCM and acupuncture is allowing her to do that. Jessica strives to intertwine her knowledge of TCM and biomedicine to create individualized treatment plans to benefit many different types of clients and conditions. On top of acupuncture needling, Jessica is also trained in intramuscular stimulation (IMS), electro-stimulation, fire cupping, gua sha, tui na, and moxabustion therapy.

Jessica has experience treating many different types of ailments and injuries with the use of acupuncture and added modalities, but has had a main focus on sport and musculoskeletal injury, neck and back pain, generalized or chronic pain, gynaecological concerns, stress, anxiety, headaches and concussions.

JessicaI loves exploring the underlying cause for an illness or concern and combining many different types of therapies to ensure the best-suited treatment plan per individual.

Jessica recently moved to Nova Scotia from Alberta where she spent 6 years learning and treating ... Read More

Laura Furneaux has been a practising physiotherapist since 2015.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University and a Master’s of Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2014.  Since graduation, Laura has continued her education by taking courses in manual therapy, dry needling and pain science.  Her main goal is to help patients get back to what’s important in their lives.   Laura grew up in Waverley, Nova Scotia, in a sport-loving family. She competed nationally in artistic gymnastics and internationally on the national sprint canoe kayak team from 2003-05.  After seeing the impact physiotherapy had in her life, she decided to change gears to study physiotherapy in Brisbane, Australia. Her fondest memories of her time in Australia are snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and enjoying warm ocean swims. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her family including her partner,her two amazing stepkids and two young daughters. Outside from chasing after kids, Laura loves skiing, rock climbing, trail running, kayaking, biking and the occasional handstand! 

Laura Furneaux has been a practising physiotherapist since 2015.  She holds a Bachelor of Science... Read More

Catherine is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Growing up she was very involved in a variety of sports including competitive swimming, running, rugby and badminton. Inspired by this active lifestyle she knew from a young age that she wanted to be involved in a hands-on healthcare field.

Catherine holds a bachelors degree in Human Kinetics, minoring in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University with particular focus on care and prevention of athletic injuries. During the last two years of her program she was accepted as a student athletic therapist, working and travelling with the men’s and women’s varsity track and field teams. After graduating and moving back to Halifax, she continued to be involved athletics, working as a student trainer with the Dalhousie varsity women’s hockey team.

Catherine graduated from ICT Northumberland College with a diploma in Massage Therapy (2200hrs), receiving honours and the school’s Award for Clinical Excellence and Professionalism. Her particular interest in sports treatment continued in massage therapy school, where she had the opportunity to complete a field placement with the Halifax Hurricane’s professional basketball team. She also became a member of the Canadian Sport Massage Therapy Association and is currently working towards her sport massage therapist designation, which has opened many doors and allowed her to work as a Massage Therapist for the Halifax Wanderers FC, Halifax Thunderbirds, MSVU Men’s Basketball team and many other local athletes. In addition to her course work, Catherine has taken courses in Fascial Stretch Therapy – Level 1, cupping massage, and become a Sport First Responder.

Through Catherine’s various educational, working, and personal experiences she has learned the value of physical activity and its major contribution to overall wellness. She thoroughly enjoys helping others set and reach their health and fitness goals, whether it be by facilitating injury rehabilitation or helping to reduce chronic pain.

When she isn’t in the clinic, Catherine can be found running, hiking, stand up paddle boarding, or adventuring with her Duck Toller puppy Rue.

Catherine is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Growing up she was very involved in a variety ... Read More

Dave is a Registered Massage Therapist with a special interest in Sports as Therapist and Coach. He graduated from Northumberland College in 2007 and has completed several Sports Massage Courses.

Dave works with several Canadian National Team Athletes which include Canoe/Kayak, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey and Sailing teams. Locally he can be found at Scotibank Place with the Mooseheads and Hurricanes. Dave also travels to Montreal to be a part-time Therapist for the Canadiens.

Dave is originally from Newfoundland and moved to Halifax to pursue and Degree in Recreation Management from Dalhousie. His Recreation Management experience includes marketing with Pittsburgh Penguins. Currently Dave is implementing a Community Development program for Tennis Canada.

In his free time Dave coaches Caiden and Jaiden’s baseball, hockey tennis and enjoys playing golf with his wife Quinta.

Dave looks forward to helping you out and keeping you in the game!

Dave is a Registered Massage Therapist with a special interest in Sports as Therapist and Coach. ... Read More

Shelly is an active Mom to 3 awesome children- Dylan Mae (5), Canon (7), and Marley Drew (22). Shelly’s hands on practice is shaped by 20 years of experience with an active population as well as continuing education courses in Orthopedics, Muscular Imbalances, Intramuscular acupuncture, and soft tissue techniques.

Shelly has been a very active member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, holding such roles as National Division Chair of Sport Physiotherapy Canada. Shelly has been an invited speaker and presented at provincial, national, and international physiotherapy conferences on numerous topics relating to physiotherapy.

In 2007, Shelly was the recipient of the Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association’s ‘Silver Award’ for demonstrating outstanding contributions to the physiotherapy profession through clinical practice, education, and professional contribution.

Participation in sports and coaching have always been a very big part of Shelly’s life. In her own sporting career she won numerous National Championships, and medal finishes in women’s canoe events. In her coaching career, Shelly coached young athletes in Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, and Volleyball. In Canoe Kayak Shelly achieved a Level 3 Certification through the National Coaching Certification Program and had the opportunity to coach many elite Canoe Kayak athletes in the developmental stages of their careers.

Shelly has worked with many teams at the regional, provincial, and national level, and lead medical coverage at numerous major sporting events including positions of Chief Therapist for CIAU Men’s Basketball Championships from 1998-2004 and Skate Canada in 2004 and 2007. Shelly also received a World Championship Gold Medal in 1999, when she travelled to Three Nations Cup, and World Hockey Championships in Sweden and Finland as Team Physiotherapist for the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team.

As part of the Integrated Support Team for Canadian Sport Center Atlantic , Shelly is happy to be an approved service provider helping to support the achievement of high performance sport excellence by Canadian Athletes.

Shelly is currently a Team Physiotherapist with the Canadian National Canoe Kayak Team which keeps her busy locally and travelling- she has joined the team for yearly Florida Spring Training Camps, as well as many International competitions.

Shelly is an active Mom to 3 awesome children- Dylan Mae (5), Canon (7), and Marley Drew (22). Sh... Read More

Julie graduated from the Canadian College of Osteopathy’s 5 year program in 2022 . Her final research project explored the havoc that post-operative scars can play on the body and how manual osteopathic treatment can help. Julie is also an alumni of StFX (Bachelors of Arts in Human Kinetics) and of the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy.

Julie has a holistic approach to treatment, aiming to find the cause of an issue rather than treating the symptoms.

Native of Dartmouth, Julie grew up in a very active family and has competed in various sports throughout her life. She competed at the varsity level with the St. FX Women’s Soccer team, and was a member of the St. FX rowing team.

Julie is happy to still call Dartmouth home, where she lives with her husband, daughter and golden retriever, Dougie.

Julie is a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths (NSAO), the Ontario Association of Osteopathy (OAO) and the Massage Therapist Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) and is dedicated to providing effective and safe treatments for her patients.

Julie graduated from the Canadian College of Osteopathy’s 5 year program in 2022 . Her final rese... Read More

Natalie is an Osteopath and Certified Athletic Therapist, and completed the Canadian Osteopathic program (CCO/CEO) in 2009 with her research thesis on sports concussions.

Natalie has been working with athletes and active individuals since 1999, and has been the team therapist with over 25 teams in a variety of sports, including five National champions. She is a recognized therapist with the Atlantic Sport Centre for treatment of National athletes and has assisted with the National Rowing team in Europe, World Jr. Hockey, World BMX, CIS National championships (Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, Field Hockey, Rugby) and Canada Games.

Natalie enjoyed helping as Therapist with her son’s High School rugby and football teams and now coaches the Riverlake Senior Women’s rugby team.

Her specialties include:

  • Osteopathic Manual Therapy for Athletes

  • Elite level Athlete injury assess & management

  • Concussion/migraine management and treatment

  • Prevention and rehabilitation of Athletic injuries

  • Running or gait biomechanics & injury retraining

Education and Certification:

Graduate of the Canadian College of Osteopathy/ College d’Etude des Osteopathique Halifax 2009 - Diploma of Osteopathic Manual Therapy D.O.(MP)

Certified Athletic Therapist – Canadian Athletic Therapists Association #2-2486

Concordia University – Athletic Therapy – 1999

Dalhousie University – Bachelor of Science – 1996

Member of the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths (NSAO) & Ontario Associations of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO)

Natalie is an Osteopath and Certified Athletic Therapist, and completed the Canadian Osteopathic ... Read More

Nick is a Physiotherpist from Fall River N.S and is excited to be a part of the Cove Sport Therapy team. Nick is a graduate from the Dalhousie MSc Physiotherapy program (2018) and has a BSc in Kinesiology from Dalhousie (2016) as well. Nick was able to work with the University King’s College women’s rugby team was the lead trainer for the past three years. Is currently the lead trainor with the Nova Scotia Keltic senior men’s rugby team. In addition, Nick covered numerous sporting events ranging from the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association women’s soccer national championship to local ultimate frisbee tournaments.

Nick is a Physiotherpist from Fall River N.S and is excited to be a part of the Cove Sport Therap... Read More

Colin has worked with active clients for over 10 years, joining Cove Sport in 2019. Colin helps optimize ability and health by using performance training principles and hands-on techniques.

Colin is passionate about helping clients return to competition or their typical training. He enjoys working with athletes of all ages and abilities, especially those clients who wouldn’t call themselves “athletes”.

Colin developed SMART STRIDE – a physiotherapy running program to safely improve running ability/performance.

Away from the clinic, Colin can be found chasing his toddler Noah with his wife Catherine.

Colin’s accreditations include:

– Masters of Clinical Science (Manipulative Therapy, Western University 2019). Completed research in conjunction with the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic involving Return to Sport guidelines post-ACL Reconstruction.

– Masters of Science in Physiotherapy, Dalhousie (2013).

– Bachelor of Kinesiology (Hon), Memorial University (2011).

– Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT) – an accreditation signifying completion of extensive post-graduate orthopedics education and achievement of an internationally-recognized qualification in hands-on manual and manipulative therapy.

No longer accepting new MVA clients within caseload

Colin has worked with active clients for over 10 years, joining Cove Sport in 2019. Colin helps o... Read More

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Located at: Suite 106- 300 Prince Albert Rd, Paddlers Cove, Dartmouth
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