'Soma'
The Ancient Greek word for 'body'.
or "the body of an organism"
Welcome to Soma Osteopathy & Wellness!
Located in Courtenay, BC, and proudly serving the Comox Valley and surrounding areas, Soma Osteopathy & Wellness is a trusted, multidisciplinary wellness clinic dedicated to your holistic health and healing. We offer a wide range of natural, hands-on therapies, including Osteopathy, Registered Massage Therapy (RMT), Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Foundation Training - all tailored to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
At our clinic, we take a patient-centered approach to healing, offering personalized care that addresses not only your symptoms but also the root causes of pain, dysfunction, or imbalance. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to enhance your overall health, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our experienced practitioners combine evidence-based techniques, hands-on care, and compassionate support to help you move and feel better. Each member of our team is fully accredited and actively engaged in ongoing professional development to ensure you receive the highest standard of care.
At Soma, your well-being guides everything we do. We're here to listen, support, and provide care that meets you where you are - so you can move forward with confidence, comfort, and clarity.
Conditions We Treat
Headaches
Whether stemming from cervicogenic origins, tension-related issues, migraines, or other causes, we use a variety of techniques to treat and help to deliver relief.
Sciatica
Regardless of whether sciatica is triggered by disc prolapses, joint sprains, or muscular problems, we are equipped with the skills necessary to alleviate discomfort.
Muscle Tears
We treat muscle tears resulting from sporting injuries and repetitive strain conditions.
Visceral Complaints
We employ techniques capable of addressing issues related to internal organs, such as reflux, bloating, and constipation.
General Aches & Pains
Our expertise extends to addressing pain and discomfort in areas such as your neck, elbow, ankle, hips, knees, shoulder & more.
Back Pain
Our capabilities extend to the management of upper back pain, lower back pain, disc injuries, postural strains, and joint sprains, with effective approaches to addressing pelvic pain as well.
Peripheral Joint pain
We treat a range of peripheral joint pain, including conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle, knee and wrist sprains and strains.
Chronic Conditions
Chronic ailments such as frozen shoulder, disc degeneration, and pain associated with arthritis, fall within our scope of treatment.
Foot Pain
We provide treatment techniques that address various foot-related concerns and alleviate pain.
And More!
Our services extend to a wide range of other issues, including, but not limited to, concussion, whiplash, 'trapped' nerves, TMJ & jaw dysfunctions, sports injuries, osteoarthritis, post-operative and post-replacement care, joint problems, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, plantar fasciitis, pelvic imbalances, structural issues during pregnancy, childhood and infantile problems, tendinitis, tendinopathies, postural issues, sinus discomfort and digestive problems.
Emma
Osteopathic Practitioner
Hello, I'm Emma, a UK-trained osteopathic practitioner with a passion for holistic health and well-being. My journey in osteopathy has taken me from the United Kingdom to the beautiful landscapes of Vancouver Island.
I completed my osteopathic education at The British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London, England, earning an M.Ost and DO in osteopathy, along with an ND (UK) in Naturopathy upon graduation. I'm a registered practitioner with the General Osteopathic Council in England and a member of OsteopathyBC in Canada.
Inspired by the breadth of osteopathy, my aim is to help patients achieve wellness and restore balance through a combination of osteopathic treatment and evidence-based therapeutic advice. In my practice, I adopt a customized approach, tailoring treatments to each individuals requirements. I combine a variety of osteopathic techniques, encompassing both structural and cranial methods, along with offering recommendations on exercise and stretching to promote your overall well-being.
Before my osteopathic training, I worked as a massage therapist, cultivating a strong interest in anatomy and the complexities of the human body. This foundation, combined with my commitment to helping patients optimize their health outcomes, ultimately led me to a fulfilling career in osteopathy.
I enjoy working with individuals of all ages, including pregnant mothers, infants, children, and patients in recovery from injuries or illnesses.
During my free time, you'll often find me out in nature, either mountain biking, kayaking, or simply savouring the beauty of the lovely island we call home.
Irene
Osteopathic Practitioner
I am very proud to be bringing over 25 years of combined clinical experience as an Osteopathic Practitioner and Athletic Therapist to Soma Osteopathy and Wellness. I look forward to meeting you and working together on your health concerns!
A little bit about myself…..
I started working as an Athletic Therapist in a variety of clinics treating clients recovering from work place injuries, motor vehicle accidents, post-surgical procedures, post-concussion, sports injuries, and pediatric conditions. I have also worked extensively with different rugby teams in Ontario, England, and BC providing pre-game preparation, treatment, taping, and on-field emergency care.
I began my journey in osteopathy in 2013 after finding most of my clinical clients primarily had complex and chronic conditions. I felt that the traditional orthopedic assessments and treatment techniques in my skill-set were only helping to a point and enrolled at the Canadian School of Osteopathy, Manual Practice (Vancouver). This 5-year program is one of the most intensive hands-on programs offered anywhere, with an emphasis on structure, cranial osteopathy, and the viscera (organs and their attachments). After completing the coursework, I spent two years working on research, and in April 2020 I successfully defended my thesis “The Effect of Osteopathy on Individuals with Breathing Pattern Disorders”. My skill-set has expanded into working within the different “fields” of the body—structural, fluid, EMF, and embryological—to find out where trauma is being held within the body.
I am perpetually learning and taking courses, with a special interest in concussion care and recovery from physical trauma. I am currently enrolled in EVOST—a program from Belgium that looks at Evolutionary Osteopathy and how life exists from its roots in biology, physiology and physics. I also hold a Masters in Rehabilitation Science from the University of British Columbia.
Although osteopathy is fun, my down-time passions are snowboarding, kayaking, tennis, biking, and being at the back of the pack. While I do not excel in speed, I do in adventuring and stopping to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Janine
Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Hello, I’m Janine (she/her). As a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, I use a variety of therapies to support balance in emotional and physical health. These include Japanese acupuncture (a gentle form of needling) along with moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, Chinese massage and Chinese herbal medicine.
I was drawn to Chinese medicine by its deep connection to nature, observation, and how our inner and outer worlds are intertwined. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of working with individuals and families in areas including disordered eating, mental health, chronic illnesses, sleep conditions, digestion, pain, gynecology, and menopause. The treatment techniques used are guided by TCM principles, combined with the belief that patients are the experts of their bodies and that care should be collaborative and compassionate.
My interest in plant medicine began early, inspired by my grandmothers’ books on herbs and home remedies. This passion led to a BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health, exploring our relationship to food and body, and studying Chinese medicine. My TCM training includes a four-year, 2,985-hour program in acupuncture, herbal medicine, biomedicine, and clinical practice. To support your health journey, I continue learning through ongoing mentorship in classical herbal medicine at the Chinese Medicine Classics Institute, Kiiko Matsumoto Style of acupuncture, as well as somatic approaches.
I’m committed to a trauma-informed, accessible, and gender-affirming space that is 2SLGBTQIA+ positive and rooted in Health at Every Size® principles. I welcome questions, concerns, and accommodation needs, some of which have included sliding scale options, seated treatments, and wearing a mask during sessions.
I hold deep gratitude for my teachers and the practitioners who have preserved this medicine. As a settler with mixed European ancestry, I reflect on my unearned privileges, the responsibility of practicing an ancient medicine, and how to live gently on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
Heather
RMT - Registered Massage Therapist
I believe in promoting wellness and injury prevention to my clients, and I am very motivated to help support you on your personal wellness journey. I graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 2005 and have had a very busy home-based massage therapy practice in the Cowichan Valley, BC since graduation. I am passionate about optimizing the health and well-being of my clients and continue to pursue training in different techniques and disciplines to provide a more diversified therapeutic treatment approach tailored to each client’s specific needs. I have recently relocated to the Comox Valley and am excited to be joining the team at Soma Osteopathy and Wellness to work in a dynamic clinic environment alongside other health care practitioners.
As a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in Courtenay, BC, I provide hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, which has a therapeutic effect on the muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems, supporting overall health and well-being. I specialize in therapeutic deep tissue massage, myofascial release techniques, craniosacral therapy, and I am a Certified Foundation Training Instructor. Foundation Training is a series of bodyweight exercises designed to restore natural movement patterns and teach you how to move more efficiently. I often incorporate this practice into treatment sessions as home-care exercises for clients interested in improving mobility in their daily activities, correcting imbalances, and reducing pain caused by poor posture habits.
I have a deep appreciation for being in nature and spending time exploring the outdoors. My passion for stand-up paddleboarding, bike riding, and cross-country skiing, along with a desire for working in a team-focused clinic environment, has brought me to the Comox Valley. I look forward to meeting you and helping you improve mobility, resilience, and overall wellness in your body.
