About Us
Welcome to Haldimand Massage & Osteopathic Centre
As a healthcare facility, Haldimand Massage & Osteopathic Centre stands out as the best choice for those seeking effective whole person care.
What is Osteopathy?
By definition:"a branch of alternative medicine that emphasizes the treatment of medical disorders through the manipulation and massage of the bones, joints, and muscles."
As per the Canadian College of Osteopathy:
The philosophy of Osteopathy is based on four basic principles:
- Each structure in the body supports the body's functions.
- The natural flow of the body’s fluids - lymphatic, vascular and neurological - must be preserved and maintained.
- The human body is the sum of its parts. Its physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive systems don’t work independently - they work in harmony.
- When the body has no restrictions, it has the inherent ability to heal itself.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners recognize a person as an integrated whole. When all of the body’s components are in balance, a person is complete and in total health. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work to maintain, improve and restore the normal physiological function of interrelated body structures and systems, enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Using various manual assessment and techniques and modalities, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work to identify and ease restrictions, constrictions and pain; reduce swelling; improve tissue mobility; and promote proper function and healing in people of all ages."
Osteopathic care is an efficient and effective solution, helping clients return to health and to their normal activities. Taking care of the body as a whole ensures that the whole body is in its most optimal state.
- Acute or Chronic Pain
- Digestive Problems
- Muscle Spasms
- Respiratory Difficulties
- Postural Problems
Meet the Team
Our Expert Therapists.
Our team of highly trained therapists is dedicated to providing exceptional care to our clients through a multidisciplinary, team-focused approach.
Derek J Hodgins
D.O.M.P., D.Sc.O., B.A. Kin (Hon) R.M.T.
Our founder, Derek Hodgins, has more than 25 years of Manual Therapy experience.
Derek is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, a Registered Massage Therapist and has completed an Honours Degree in Kinesiology. He started teaching Advanced Techniques and Clinical Assessment at a government regulated Massage Therapy College in 1998 and has taught Structural Kinesiology internationally. In 2002 Derek began as a Teaching Assistant and Clinical Supervisor at the Canadian College of Osteopathy.
Derek and Kareen live and thrive in Caledonia with their 2 kids and 2 cats.
Alex Porch
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
I grew up in Burlington, Ontario where I now live with my wife Angela and our three children Colton, Luca and Mia. I have been interested in sports my whole life playing hockey, rugby, riding and racing mountain bikes and running races from Marathons to 5k’s. 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).
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Christian Paquette
Christian Paquette began his path in health and wellness when he suffered a debilitating back injury. Struggling with constant pain, he worked hard to understand his injury and become pain free through physical exercise.
Christian is a graduate of the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy. He has worked as a certified personal trainer since 2014, working with a variety of clients with injuries and pain. This experience has given him a greater understanding of the body as well as a unique approach to better support those with injuries.
Christian's passion is to help others achieve their optimal health from a holistic approach. He wants to help you get to the root of the issue through his many disciplines and experience!
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Jenette (Jenny) Lepik
M.OMSc, RMT
As a practitioner Jenny's strives to uncover the root cause of her patients concerns, and help them understand the different ways in which their body functions. She strongly believes in educating her patients in steps they can take to improve their bodies inherent abilities to heal and regulate.
Jenny has been practicing Manual Therapy in a clinical setting since 2008 when she became Registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario after graduating from The D’arcy Lane Institute of Massage Therapy. In 2013 she was hired on as an Instructor at Westervelt College in the Massage Therapy program where she supervised students in a clinical setting, taught hands on treatment and lectured a wide variety of subjects over the years.
After owning and operating her own clinical practice for the better part of a decade, she was accepted as a candidate for a Master in Osteopathic Manipulation with the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.
Jenny moved to Hamilton throughout her studies at the CAO and signed on to work at Haldimand Massage and Osteopathic centre in 2016. Over the years she has gradually increased her hours here to a full time availability (Monday-Friday).
Jenny successfully completed her Master in Osteopathic Manipulation and continues to further her skills with a wide variety of continuing education courses, including further training in both cranial sacral techniques and visceral techniques.
John Thompson
John has been a clinical therapist and working in private practice since 2005.
His education started at The University of Western Ontario, with a Bachelor of Arts, Honors in Kinesiology (2002). After Western, he went on to specialize in Sports Injury Management and graduated from Sheridan College with Honors as a Certified Athletic Therapist (2005). In 2013, John successfully defended his thesis at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto, where he earned his Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice.
John uses a wide variety of manual therapy techniques, in order to address each individual’s needs. He is very passionate and committed to keeping individuals healthy and active with a holistic approach. John is a member and in good standing with the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners, the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, the Ontario Athletic Therapists Association and the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario.
John resides in Ancaster with his wife Lisa and their two children.
Richard Bodrog
RMT
Richard is a massage therapist with 22 years of experience and has been working here at Haldimand Massage and Osteopathic Centre for 20 years.
Richard graduated with honours from Canadian Therapeutic College in 2000. He is dedicated to helping others with his extensive knowledge with treatments whether for pain management, injury, sport specific injury, rehabilitation, or relaxation.
Richard has worked in multi-disciplinary health clinics and health spa environments for his entire career. Richard is dedicated to upholding the highest level of standards and professionalism and will go the extra mile to help others.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys the outdoors, nature, food, cooking, and time with family and friends.
Paul Paonessa
RMT, B.A.
My name is Paul Paonessa, I have been a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) since 2006. In 2004 I graduated from York University with a bachelors degree in psychology. Immediately upon graduating, I enrolled in a two year massage therapy program at Sutherland-Chan school and teaching clinic in Toronto, Ontario where I graduated in 2006. In 2006 I joined Haldimand Massage and Osteopathic Centre. I have experience treating a variety of injuries and ailments, including sports/recreational injuries, motor vehicle accident injuries, work place injuries, and a variety of other general issues.
Kareen Doucette Hodgins
E-RYT
Specializing in Therapeutic Yoga & Stress Management
Stress Management can mean a lot of things, a major component is Self Care. How do you do that? I'm here to help:
Yoga on the Table includes:
• Indian Head Massage ( Scalp, Face, Neck & Shoulders )
• Breath Work ( Pranayama )
• Meditation
This session is held in a warm room on a heated table, meditative music and a weighted blanket. You are quiet for the duration of your session. Very relaxing!!!
Kareen is now teaching Yoga at the Community Support Centre in Caledonia. Please contact us at the clinic for further details.
Kareen has been voted Life Coach of the Year since 2019. She has reopened her practice and offers the following as Therapeutic Yoga Life Coaching:
• Therapeutic Yoga Poses and individualized Yoga practices
• Guided Imagery
• Meditation
• Breathing Techniques
• Manual Therapy - Active mobilization of soft tissues
Originally a graduate of Social Service Work, Kareen went on to work for the Federal and Municipal Governments until 2010 when she decided to work for the Family Business alongside her husband Derek. Kareen has been teaching Yoga for approximately 15 years and is certified in:
• Restorative Yoga
• Yoga for Emotional and Physical Trauma
• Yoga for Balancing Moods
• Meditation and Mindfulness
• Yoga Nidra
• Advanced Ayurveda
As well Kareen has 3 years of Osteopathic Schooling, working in both the Student Clinic and our clinic as a Manual Therapist.
Kareen and Derek live and thrive in Caledonia with their 2 kids and 2 cats.
Please note: Kareen is NOT a Registered Social Worker and does NOT provide Psychotherapy or Social Worker services or receipts.
Book Now with Kareen
Sam Smith
Front Desk / Reception
Sam is the newest member to join the front desk team beginning here in 2022. Sam completed 4 years at Brock University earning her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree. She worked several years as a registered kinesiologist but decided to return to school in 2019 to complete a diploma in Medical Office Administration.
Certifications Captured
Our Accreditations.
We take pride in showcasing the various accreditations we have received over the years. These accreditations are a testament to our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in our industry and to our dedication to providing top-quality services to our clients.
