Sarah is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario with a double major in Art History and Physical Education.

She studied ballet and modern dance at Simon Fraser University, New York University, Jacob's Pillow and the Toronto Dance Theatre School. She danced professionally for several years and received a Canada Arts Council grant for excellence in choreography.

She graduated from Sutherland-Chan Massage Therapy School and completed the Ontario Board exams to become registered as a massage therapist. She is now a member in good standing with MTANS (Massage Therapy Association of Nova Scotia).

She studied osteopathy for eight years with the Upledger Institute and for seven more years with the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto. Her graduating thesis which earned her a Doctorate in Osteopathic Manual Practice was entitled The Effect of Osteopathic Treatment on Axial Trunk Rotation as Measured with a Scoliometer in Cases of Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis.

Sarah has continued to study abroad in Austria, England, the United States and Russia. She is a founding member of the International Forum for Pediatric Osteopathy aimed at teaching and promoting osteopathy for children around the world. Her goal is to open an osteopathic centre for children in the Annapolis Valley. She is a past president of the Board of the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths and is presently on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths. She currently holds a teaching position with the College d'Etudes Osteopathique de Montreal and also acts as an examiner for their Halifax Campus.

She is presently working on a book which focuses on general health and well being. It will include a series of exercises based on developmental sequencing patterns with a strong emphasis on functional anatomy and functional movement. The exercises are designed to stretch, strengthen and integrate new and healthy movement patterns into the body. These healthy patterns serve to direct our actions into the postural system creating efficient movements for everyday activities while allowing the body to recover from trauma and prevent new injury. This form of movement re-education is utilized during osteopathic treatments to augment and integrate the manual therapy.

In 2009 Jan completed her 5th year of studies at the Canadian College of Osteopathy, Montreal and is currently working on her graduating thesis in that field.

Jan holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Windsor (1991). She worked for several years in the field of children's mental health at the Sertoma Centre for Children and Youth in Sarnia, Ontario. She taught applied and developmental psychology at Lambton College in Sarnia.

In the late 1980's Jan's belief in the need for accessibility to wholeness brought her to the work of Dr. Milton Trager. Dr. Trager's method of movement re-education uses gentle oscillation techniques in table and floor work that recognize the body's natural harmonics. Jan received her certification as a Trager Practitioner in 1991 and has practiced continuously since then in Canada and Japan.

In 1997 Jan returned to academics for a degree in Classics from Dalhousie University (2000) followed by a three year sojourn in Japan where she wrote her response to the Classics in the form of three books describing feminine pathways of integration and exploration for body, mind and spirit.

Her collective experience in the fields of somatic integration, teaching and writing are united in her osteopathic approach to manual therapy.

Jan is a past member of the Board of the Canadian National Trager Association and has been an active practitioner member since 1991. In 2006 she became a member of the Massage Therapists and Wholistic Practitioners Association of the Maritimes. (MTWPAM) Jan has been working at the Kingsport Osteopathic clinic since February of 2004.

Michael is an honours graduate of the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy in Bedford, and a member of the Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) . His desire to treat his clients as whole beings led him to Osteopathy. He is currently a student of the Canadian College of Osteopathy - Halifax campus. As well, Michael is an instructor of massage therapy at Northumberland College in Halifax.

Originally trained as an artist, he graduated with a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, and still maintains a home-based studio.

Born in Italy, and raised in Spain and Belgium, Michael currently makes his home in Dartmouth with his partner Michelle, a feisty twelve year-old Labrador retriever named Jake and a diabetic cat named Spike. He walks, swims, and has an ongoing yoga practice. He also believes in the effectiveness of meditation to calm a busy mind.

Michael is pleased to be part of the team at Kingsport Osteopathic Clinic where, he believes, the client comes first.

Melany Rand is a mother of 5 and has lived in the Canning area all her life. She has been practicing Massage therapy for 6 years and Reflexology therapy for 3 years.

Melany graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. She then worked at Cornwallis Veterinarians for 2 years initially as a receptionist, but soon thereafter, as a technician behind the scenes.

She graduated from ICT Northumberland College in Halifax as a Registered Massage Therapist in 2002 and immediately started treating patients at Kings Physiotherapy Clinic in New Minas. She worked here for 2½ years primarily treating people with injuries. Following this, as her family expanded, Melany worked part time from her home. During this time she became certified as a Reflexology Therapist through the Reflexology Association of Canada.

At present Melany is a member in good standing with the Massage Therapists Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) and the Nova Scotia Association of Reflexology Practitioners (NSARP). She has been an NSARP board member since its inception in 2005 and has been President for the association since 2007. This year Melany has volunteered to take the position as secretary for the MTANS legislation committee.

Melany is very excited to be expanding her practice of these complimentary modalities at Kingsport Osteopathy Clinic.

Danielle de Graaf, a mother of two boys, has recently joined the Kingsport Osteopathic Clinic as a massage therapist. Upon graduation from Kings Edgehill School in 1996 Danielle enrolled in the undergraduate science program at Bishop's University and received her BSc. in Biology in 2000. She became interested in human anatomy and was enticed to enter into the full time massage therapy program at ICT Northumberland College in Halifax. She graduated from ICT in 2002 as a registered massage therapist.

Danielle has worked as the Director of Massage Therapy for the Kings Physiotherapy Clinic in New Minas for the last six years. The majority of her work was related to physical injuries including persons suffering with chronic pain and injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. She enjoys the art of deep tissue therapy and has a keen interest in pregnancy massage. Danielle successfully completed her Basic Level training in Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymphatic Drainage and has plans to complete her study in the Vodder system as time allows with her young children. She has extensive experience with temporomandibular (TMJ) massage techniques and works in conjunction with an orthodontist in Bedford as part of a multi disciplinary team.

Danielle is a member in good standing with MTANS (Massage Therapist Association of Nova Scotia). She is excited to enter into such a welcoming complimentary clinic and looks forward to expanding her knowledge.

Jill Forse is the newest addition to the Kingsport Osteopathy team. She is a Registered Acupuncturist who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine.

After earning a 4 year Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Jill continued her studies in Victoria, BC. Here she attended the Oshio College of Acupuncture and Herbology and received a 3 year diploma in Acupuncture. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Jill returned home to pursue her dream of practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Upon her arrival, Jill became a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Acupuncturists. She currently plays an active role on the executive, serving her time as the treasurer.

Jill uses her health science background to balance the ancient wisdom of Chinese Medicine in today’s modern world. This combined knowledge allows Jill to work at the “root” and “branch” of a condition. Jill is particularity passionate about working with Women’s Health issues. She has attended further Gynecological study with world renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine expert, Giovanni Maciocia. This has deepened her knowledge of fertility issues, menopause, pregnancy concerns and more. She uses her gentle approach to facilitate healing, wellness and balance.

Jill is the Mother of one son and happily lives in Kentville, NS. She is very excited to be joining the team at Kingsport Osteopathy and looks forward to the opportunity.