OUR TEAM
The iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic team of health care professionals are a collection of some of the very best doctors, therapists, and health care providers in Toronto.
Chiropractor
Dr. John Balkansky, B.Sc., D.C.
Doctor of Chiropractic
Nutritional Sciences Specialist
Clinic Director and Owner
Hours:
Mon: 10:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Tue: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Thurs: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Dr. John Balkansky graduated from The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1997, and founded the iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic in 2007.
Dr. Balkansky takes a functional approach to care, incorporating chiropractic principles, along with other treatment options, in order for his patients to reach their maximum recovery potential. His passion for healing compliments his personal approach to health care, looking at the entire person and treating each case as unique. He performs thorough assessments of structural and functional aspects of injuries and uses this information to provide the most relevant and effective treatment options for each person as an individual.
Although he focuses his practice mainly on the treatment of sports-related and motor vehicle injury rehabilitation, he also deals with a wide range of other conditions, including acute injuries, supportive care and chronic conditions. In the past, he has performed functional ability evaluations as the director of an assessment centre and as a result, has extensive experience in this area. He works closely with family physicians and other health care providers in order to maximize his patients recovery. Dr. Balkansky is registered on the Theralase website as one of the few certified clinics within the City of Toronto to employ the TLC-1000 Theralase therapeutic laser system and it has become one of the main treatment modalities employed at iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic.
Dr. Balkansky is fluent in English and Bulgarian, and also speaks some French, Russian, Italian, and Spanish. Dr. John is a self proclaimed "techno geek", and his hobbies include playing the piano, drawing, painting and is also a Sci-Fi and action movie buff.
Accredited Medical Therapist Esthetician
Karin Otarola
Accredited Medical Therapist Esthetician
Hours:
Sat: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Karin is an accredited Medical Therapist Esthetician, She graduated from Bryan College in 2021 and has been working at iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic. Karin has gained a lot of knowledge personally and professionally and she is an expert in general Swedish massage, in her work she is caring, focused and attentive to the needs of her patients. Karin focuses on reducing muscle tension, restoring sensation, Injury prevention, increasing mobility and blood flow throughout the body.
Karin is known for her caring, compassionate and intuitive nature. She brings these qualities into her passion for her work, which leaves patients feeling cared for and confident that they are in good hands. Karin strives to help people reach their health goals she believes health should come first and that massage will help her clients both physically and mentally, She is particularly interested in getting to the root of a client's pain or discomfort, and employing massage, stretching and home care suggestions to help clients resume activities and get back to enjoying life. Whether you are recovering from injury, dealing with stress, pain or discomfort, Karin will get you back to feeling your best. Karin is fluent in English and Spanish, in her spare time, Karin enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and time with family and Friends.
Registered Physiotherapist
Ritu Saini, PT.
Registered Physiotherapist
Hours:
Mon: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Ritu Saini did her Bachelors of Physiotherapy from India in 2005. After her graduation, she worked as a Physiotherapist in Apollo hospital in India. Ritu worked in the Outpatient Department (OPD) as well as ICU treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions as well as critical care.
She has treated a wide range of patients and conditions including Vestibular Rehabilitation, Concussion, Pelvic health, athletic injuries and post surgical rehabilitation Her goal is to relieve patients from their symptoms and improve the quality of their lives so that they can get back to their normal lives including their activities of daily living as soon as possible. Her treatments are focused on a combination of manual therapy and individualized exercises to not only restore health but also prevent future injury.
Registered Massage Therapist
Zhufu Deng, RMT.
Registered Massage Therapist
Hours:
Fri: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Dr. Zhufu Deng was born in Beijing China and is passionate about healing using traditional Chinese medicine modalities.
Early in his twenties, he left a career in computer software development of artificial intelligence based on Chinese medicine principles to become a Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His desire was supported by the mentorship of two senior TCM experts over ten years. Dr. Deng studied and graduated from the University of Beijing in 1992.
He journeyed to Canada in 2001 and brought his 15 years of experience as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor to patients in the Thornhill area.
Dr. Deng continues to practice and to develop new strategies and tools which support the healing of his patients. He has recently earned his degree as a Registered Massage Therapist and is a fully licensed member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.
Registered Massage Therapist
Nimtaz Punja, RMT.
Registered Massage Therapist
Hours:
Mon: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Nimtaz Punja graduated with a Diploma in Massage Therapy from Medix College and has been working as a Registered Massage Therapist since 2012.
Nimtaz really enjoys her profession and performs each treatment to meet her specific clients needs to help them towards achieving their healthcare goals by improving flexibility and circulation through a variety of treatments.
Nimtaz has treated clients with many different conditions such as sports related injuries, chronic conditions and more common things like headaches, tendonitis, sprains, and strains.
Alongside Swedish massage, Nimtaz is also specialized in Deep tissue massage, Thai Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Release, Prenatal Massage, Positional Release Technique, Manual Lymph Drainage and Indian Head Massage.
Nimtaz Punja's services are offered to men, women and children of all ages, also to individuals in all occupations, be it business executive, athletes, or first line workers.
Registered Acupuncturist
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Lok Chi (Kim) Wong, R.Ac.
Registered Acupuncturist
Hours:
Wed: 10:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Kim graduated with a bachelor of Chinese Medicine in The Chinese University of Hong Kong and is now a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner(R.TCMP) and Acupuncturist(R. Ac) with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) in good standing.
Kim's approach to healthcare is centered around providing personalized and comprehensive care to his patients. By taking a whole-person approach, he considers not only their physical health but also their emotional, social, and spiritual needs to identify the underlying cause of their health problems. This allows him to create tailored treatment plans that aim to improve the patient's overall well-being in the long run. Kim's ultimate goal is to provide the best care possible by addressing the root cause of health issues, rather than simply treating the symptoms. By doing so, he believes that he can make a significant positive impact on his patients' lives and help them achieve optimal health outcomes.
Kim is trained and certified in:
· Acupuncture
· Traditional Chinese Medicine
· Tui-Na
· Cupping
· Moxibustion
Yoga Instructor
Elaine Nestor
Yoga Instructor
Hours:
Tue: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Elaine Nestor is the iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic yoga instructor.
She provides many benefits to patients in the clinic such as protection and recovery from injury, increased muscle strength and tone, improved respiration, energy, vitality, as well as teaching meditation calming and releasing the mind techniques.
She is a friendly, devoted and hard-working yoga instructor with a passion for helping people and always does what she can to make people feel better with their bodies and mind, and enlighten their day.
Elaine completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate in 2014 in the Greek islands. She is a well-rounded yoga instructor, teaching people of all ages, from teaching children to the elderly. She has taught yoga in corporate work offices allowing people to let go of stress from their hectic work days and release body tensions. She has also worked in a yoga studio environment at a yoga tree, children in a daycare and kids camps, and private one on one lessons. The private lessons are so amazing to individually create a routine to specially help a patients injuries and give the most in depth lessons.
When not assisting patients at iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic, Elaine’s hobbies include hot yoga, hiking, fitness, and traveling.
Office Administrator
Shanell Williams
Office Administrator
Hours:
Sat: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Shanell Williams is the iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic resident "Jill of all trades". From always having a friendly greeting for our clients ready, to helping them to navigate all those tricky intake forms, and helping them deal with insurance claims and forms, Shanell is always there to assist our patients and make their visit to our clinic a hassle and frustration free experience.
Apart from performing general administrative duties such as booking appointments and follow ups with patients, she also attends to the clinic book keeping, handling billing for insurance companies and patients alike, as well as taking inventory and maintaining stock levels of medical supplies. She is the heart and soul of our clinic, and we would not be the same without her.
When not assisting patients at iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic, Shanell's other passion is movies, whether going to the theatre or staying in, you can be sure to catch her enjoying a good comedy or action flick.
Receptionist / Office Administrator
Taljinder Kaur
Receptionist / Office Administrator
Hours:
Mon: 10:00am to 7:00 pm
Tue: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Wed: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Taljinder Kaur is the iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic receptionist, and office administrator. Striving to be organized in her work, she manages the day to day operations of our facility. She is a friendly, patient and diligent individual who is always willing to accommodate people.
Taljinder has a diploma in Healthcare Leadership. She also previously complete her Bachelor's in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Outside of her work at iWellness.ca Rehab & Wellness Clinic, Taljinder's hobbies include listening to music, dancing , going for a walk or hike in nature and socializing with friends.