Meet Our Massage Therapists
With over 70 years of combined experience, our Registered Massage Therapists can effectively address many conditions.
Erik Abayof, BA, RMT, ART®
Registered Massage Therapist and Active Release Techniques® provider, Erik joined the Dearborn Health team in 2003. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2000, he pursued massage therapy studies at the Canadian Therapeutic College.
In 2002, Erik earned his honours diploma in Massage and Hydrotherapy and registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (C.M.T.O.). Erik is also a full-body certified provider in the Active Release Techniques® (A.R.T.®) Soft-Tissue Management System since 2002.
He is a member of the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association (R.M.T.A.O.) and the Society of Weight-Training Injury Specialists (S.W.I.S.). Erik’s field experience includes being a treatment provider for various sporting events including, the Brick Duathlon, ENDURrun racing series, World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Festival De Velo cycling races and National Midget Hockey Championships.
Conditions He Addresses
In his practice, Erik believes in a collaborative approach to patient success. He treats various conditions including
- Acute and chronic injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Peripheral nerve entrapments such as sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive strain injuries
Erik also focuses on athletic massage and performance care helping people achieve proper biomechanics and optimizing body function. He has experience treating amateur and elite athletes, including runners, cyclists, triathletes, powerlifters, hockey players, and various other athletes, as well as injuries and stresses encountered in our day-to-day lives.
Living a Healthy Life
Erik participates in various sports such as hockey, running, snowboarding, weight training, and golf. In his spare time, he is busy with his two kids’ athletic lifestyle, and coaching their various sports teams. Erik believes exercise, nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important, all of which have become a part of his practice.
Bernadette Tallon, RMT, CDT
Bernadette joined our team in December 2003, graduating in 2002 from the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy. She is Vodder certified in Manual Lymph Drainage Techniques and Combined Decongestive Therapy.
Treatment Techniques
- Heated Stone Massage
- Paraffin Wax Baths
- Fascial Integration
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Traditional Massage Therapy
Always Learning
With an avid interest in lifelong learning, Bernadette regularly participates in conferences and workshops. Recent workshop topics have focused on the benefits of massage therapy for those with diabetes, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, cancer and sacral dysfunction.
Janmari Baas Ross, MSc., RMT, CDT
Jan has been a member of our team since 2002, having joined the clinic after she graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy. Her educational background includes an M.Sc. (Chemistry) from the University of Waterloo and an H.B.Sc. (Chemistry) from Laurentian University.
She is a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario and the Lymphedema Association of Ontario.
Jan has attended numerous conferences, workshops and courses since completing her massage therapy studies. The constant upgrading of her skills and knowledge directly benefits her clientele.
Issues Jan Can Address
Her clientele range in age from babies to seniors, and bring a variety of concerns into the clinic:
- Athletic performance
- Injury care
- Health concerns
- Stress-related complaints
- Swelling problems
- Postural dysfunction
- Chronic conditions
Therefore, some of Jan’s areas of study have included Esalen deep tissue massage, joint mobilization, direct cranial techniques, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, women’s health, breast massage, pelvic and sacral dysfunction.
She has also attended a series of workshops surveying the latest research results regarding the benefits of massage therapy for patients suffering from afflictions such as cancer, diabetes, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, pain and headaches.
Eclectic Interests
Jan has enjoyed various sports over the years: equestrian, martial arts, sailing, archery and cross-country skiing. She has also worked as a fitness instructor. Other interests include tai chi, Scottish Country Dancing, choir and reading.
Valentina Platonova RMT
Valentina was born in Europe, where she obtained her PhD in Physics and Mathematics. She took a great interest in medicine and alternative healing; she was considering applying her scientific background to medical research.
Valentina’s life changed after her visit to Canada. She decided to stay in Canada, and it became a time of life adjustment. It was at this time that she decided to pursue her passion for medicine by completing the Massage Therapy Program at Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic in Toronto.
Education and Training
In 1998, Valentina became a Registered Massage Therapist. In 2001, she obtained a diploma, with honours, in acupuncture and further continued her study of advanced acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine while preparing a Doctorate Thesis.
Valentina’s post-graduate studies include tensegrity therapy (therapy that affects the crystal structure of tissues), intensive training in the Chow Integrated Healing System and Qigong, and the GBV Kirlionics Technology-an aura-imaging technique to register subtle energy distribution around the human body and along chakras. The technique allows estimating general health and an emotional impact on the physical body.
Areas of Interest
Valentina continues to attend various workshops, courses, and conferences to master her skills. Specific areas of interest include
- Stress management
- Neck and back pain
- Arthritis management
- Sports injuries
- Headache management
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Geriatric care
Extended studies of acupressure, reflexology, joint mobilization, face and scalp massage, in addition to her many years of working experience, allow Valentina to help a wide range of clients.
Chelsea Hollett, RMT
Chelsea joined the Dearborn Health team in 2017. She has been practising since 2014 after graduating from the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy with a specialization in systemic disease. Her post-graduate studies have been to continue learning techniques that treat the body as a whole system, with certifications in Advanced Prenatal & Pregnancy massage and Indie Head Massage.
Indie Head Massage
Indie Head Massage is based on the ancient Ayurvedic medicine from India. The treatment focus is on the upper shoulders, neck, face and scalp. Warm coconut oil, sometimes mixed with an essential oil, is used on the scalp and hair and can be left in overnight as a hair treatment.
The techniques used are both soothing and invigorating to loosen muscular tension and promote full-body relaxation. Indie can help with headaches, migraines, TMJ or jaw tension, eyestrain, earaches, sinus congestion, insomnia, anxiety & other stress-related illness.
Chelsea is very excited to expand her practice by becoming a student of Osteopathy and incorporating new knowledge and techniques into her treatments.
Outside the Practice
Chelsea’s personal interests include staying active with weight training, yoga, running and trail hiking. She also gained a whole new appreciation for nutrition from working within a naturopathic clinic and continues to enjoy trying new recipes and restaurants.
Schedule a Session Today
Contact Dearborn Health today to book a session with one of our RMTs!
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