Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program
Neurofunctional Treatment of Pain with Movement Disorders
Instructors
Dr. Melissa Givelos, DC
Dr. Givelos completed her Bachelor of Science degree with Honours at the University of Toronto, specializing in Human Biology, and graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College with Honours in 2010. As a Functional Integrative Therapy provider, she combines the various skills attained through her education and experience. As a chiropractor, A.R.T. and medical acupuncture provider, Dr. Givelos has treated various athletes at a varsity and a professional level. She uses the F.I.T. approach with the goal of increasing function and reducing the pain of her patients, who may need help with their sport or general activities of daily living. Dr. Givelos has worked and trained with the F.I.T. providers at Athlete’s Care for the last 7 years, throughout her undergraduate and chiropractic education. She is currently an Instructor with the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program at McMaster University.
Dr. Michael Prebeg, DC
Dr. Michael Prebeg is a chiropractor who specializes in the treatment of sports injuries. Through the combination of ART and Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, and joint manipulation he has helped athletes of all levels with injury recovery and in performance enhancement. Dr. Prebeg practices as a consultant with Athlete’s Care Clinics located in the greater Toronto region. Dr. Prebeg is currently a consultant with many Olympic and professional athletes (MLBA, NHL, NFL, CFL). He has covered the World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton 2001, and Paris 2003, Goodwill Games 2001, World Cup of Track and Field 2002, US National Championships outdoor and indoor 2002, 2003, NCAA Track and Field Championships 2003, and the World Basketball Championships. He is a Senior Instructor in the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program at McMaster University and is the Treasurer of the Canadian Contemporary Acupuncture Association.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar, MD
After completing his training in medicine in India, Dr. Kumar joined Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas, where he experienced his first awakening. During 13 years of voluntary work in the villages of the foothills, along with his wife Karen, his search deepened and put him firmly on a mystical–spiritual path which continues to this day, but in a radically different way which he calls Biological Mutation. He also studied at the Mind-Body Medical Institute at Harvard University. Currently, he is practicing and teaching acupuncture, meditation and mind-body medicine both at McMaster University and in the cities of Hamilton, Toronto and surrounding areas.
He is the author of many books including:
• Meditation: A Path of Wellness, Authenticity, and Freedom
• Chakras: Centres of Evolution and Involution, Freedom from Fear and Naturality
Dr. Kumar plans to establish an Academy of Meditation in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas and connect it to a similar institution in Toronto, Canada.
He is the author of many books including:
• Meditation: A Path of Wellness, Authenticity, and Freedom
• Chakras: Centres of Evolution and Involution, Freedom from Fear and Naturality
Dr. Kumar plans to establish an Academy of Meditation in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas and connect it to a similar institution in Toronto, Canada.
Eric Lau, PT
Eric completed his Bachelor of Kinesiology with Honors at McMaster University and then graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 with a Masters in Physical Therapy. Eric then completed his Fellowship in Manipulative Physiotherapy (FCAMPT). As an FCAMPT therapist, Eric has extensive knowledge in anatomy, pathology, orthopedic testing, and the most current best practice guidelines. Eric has also completed vestibular courses and has a special interest in treating conditions related to dizziness and vertigo. He has been a lab instructor at the McMaster University Physiotherapy program.
Eric enjoys working with athletes. He had worked extensively as an athletic trainer during his time at McMaster, working with the football, lacrosse, and swim teams. He was also a consulting physiotherapist with the Canadian National Basketball team. Eric is a firm believer in finding the root cause of an injury. If one was to only treat the symptoms the injury will surely return. The key is to find and address the cause of the injury to prevent the problem from coming back. Practicing in downtown Toronto, Eric regularly treats working professionals and weekend warriors alike.
Eric enjoys working with athletes. He had worked extensively as an athletic trainer during his time at McMaster, working with the football, lacrosse, and swim teams. He was also a consulting physiotherapist with the Canadian National Basketball team. Eric is a firm believer in finding the root cause of an injury. If one was to only treat the symptoms the injury will surely return. The key is to find and address the cause of the injury to prevent the problem from coming back. Practicing in downtown Toronto, Eric regularly treats working professionals and weekend warriors alike.
Gabriel Ho, RMT
Gabe is a graduate of Royal Canadian College of Massage, McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, and McMaster Advanced Neurofunctional Sports Performance Programs and a member of the College of Massage Therapists. Now as an instructor for the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture course and developer of Contemporary Suction Cup Therapy course he is involved with the development of the next generation of practitioners. He is passionate about helping people along their healing journey.
Gopika Athithan, M. Phty. St., BA Kin
Gopika graduated with a Masters in Physiotherapy Studies from the always sunny University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Prior to this, she received an Honours Kinesiology degree from the University of Western Ontario. Gopika has continued her educational journey by taking courses in vestibular rehabilitation, shoulder rehabilitation, functional assessment, Kinesio-taping, and acupuncture.
Gopika has worked in a wide variety of roles as a physiotherapist from being on the hospital wards to working in a busy sports medicine setting. Gopika's talents lie in helping individuals maintain their active lifestyle goals at all levels of function. She has worked with a wide variety of patients from babies to teenagers to our elderly population and enjoys treating a variety of clinical cases. Her goal is to perform an in-depth assessment and formulate a treatment plan based on clinical findings and patient-specific goals. Prevention is a large part of her focus so that individuals can continue with their activity as desired.
In her free time, Gopika enjoys traveling both locally and abroad. She is an avid hiker and camper and takes the time to enjoy nature at every opportunity she gets.
Gopika has worked in a wide variety of roles as a physiotherapist from being on the hospital wards to working in a busy sports medicine setting. Gopika's talents lie in helping individuals maintain their active lifestyle goals at all levels of function. She has worked with a wide variety of patients from babies to teenagers to our elderly population and enjoys treating a variety of clinical cases. Her goal is to perform an in-depth assessment and formulate a treatment plan based on clinical findings and patient-specific goals. Prevention is a large part of her focus so that individuals can continue with their activity as desired.
In her free time, Gopika enjoys traveling both locally and abroad. She is an avid hiker and camper and takes the time to enjoy nature at every opportunity she gets.
Heather MacKay, PT
Ms. Heather MacKay is a Registered Physiotherapist and co-founder of Haldimand Physiotherapy Centre in Caledonia, Ontario. She integrates a unique blend of Contemporary Techniques combining electro-acupuncture, soft tissue techniques (Active Release Techniques®, Guasha), manual therapy and StottPilates® spinal / functional rehabilitation methods. Her leading multi-disciplinary rehabilitation clinic provides individualized and specialized treatments to all ages and abilities, which results in more effective treatment, faster recovery, and greater value.
Ms. MacKay has been a clinical instructor for the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program since 2000. As well, she is Secretary to the Canadian Contemporary Acupuncture Association and Education Advisor to the Acupuncture Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as well as the International Acupuncture Associations of Physical Therapists.
Ms. MacKay has been a clinical instructor for the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program since 2000. As well, she is Secretary to the Canadian Contemporary Acupuncture Association and Education Advisor to the Acupuncture Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association as well as the International Acupuncture Associations of Physical Therapists.
Jo-Ann Long, Manual Osteopathy, Neurofunctional Acupuncture
Jo-Ann began her post-secondary education at Western University, studying Physical Education. It was during that time while working at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic that she was first introduced to the power of manual therapy. With that focus, she attended and graduated from Sutherland Chan School of Massage Therapy and The Canadian College of Osteopathy, completing clinical research on Chronic Headaches. The Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program was a perfect compliment to her Whitby practice which includes both the general population and elite, professional athletes. Along with being an Instructor-in-Training at McMaster, Jo-Ann currently teaches Pathology and Neurology to Massage Therapy students at Durham College and is a thesis jury member at the CCO.
Julia Cetnar, MScPT, BA Kin
Julia's academic journey began at the University of Western Ontario, where she graduated with an Honours Specialization in Kinesiology and a minor in Rehabilitation Science.
As a former competitive figure skater and soccer player, her lifelong involvement in athletics and interest in healthcare then led her to study physiotherapy at McMaster University, graduating in 2010. Julia’s teaching experience includes being an instructor with the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, Dr Mike Prebeg's Foundations in Functional Assessment course, and Dr Dan Wunderlich's Neurofunctional Acupuncture course.
She is also an Adjunct Lecturer with the University of Toronto Physical Therapy Program and Vice President of the Canadian Contemporary Acupuncture Association (CCAA). Julia’s passion for teaching led her to co-found Physio Mentors, a mentorship program for young physiotherapists.
In her spare time, Julia can usually be found dangling from a rock wall or in the pilates studio, or trying to appease her ever-grumpy cat Blizzard.
As a former competitive figure skater and soccer player, her lifelong involvement in athletics and interest in healthcare then led her to study physiotherapy at McMaster University, graduating in 2010. Julia’s teaching experience includes being an instructor with the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, Dr Mike Prebeg's Foundations in Functional Assessment course, and Dr Dan Wunderlich's Neurofunctional Acupuncture course.
She is also an Adjunct Lecturer with the University of Toronto Physical Therapy Program and Vice President of the Canadian Contemporary Acupuncture Association (CCAA). Julia’s passion for teaching led her to co-found Physio Mentors, a mentorship program for young physiotherapists.
In her spare time, Julia can usually be found dangling from a rock wall or in the pilates studio, or trying to appease her ever-grumpy cat Blizzard.
Kaitlyn Fitzsimmons, PT
Kaitlyn’s treatments focus on active rehabilitation with an emphasis on acupuncture. As the only practitioner in Barrie with the Neurofunctional Sports Performance Practitioner certificate, she has advanced needling techniques that have given her clients positive results with their complex musculoskeletal conditions.
Page 2/3
