Meet the Alderney Chiropractic Team
Chiropractic
Dr. Jans Ellefsen,
Chiropractor
“It was like a flash bulb went off in my head,” continues Dr. Ellefsen. “I was in my second year of university on my way to becoming an engineer. That’s when I took a biochemistry elective and the whole concept of the amazing human body and how it works began to enthrall me. I knew I wanted to be involved in the health profession but from an approach that treated the underlying causes of pain and illness and not just the symptoms.” The next two years for Dr. Ellefsen were not only a quest for knowledge, as he completed his science degree, but also to find a health related career that complimented his health care philosophy. “I had streamlined my program towards a career as a medical doctor focusing on preventative medicine. It was then that a friend introduced me to chiropractic and his chiropractor… I was hooked,” smiles Dr. Ellefsen. “I’ve never looked back!”
Dr. Ellefsen completed his science degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in 1995 with a major in biochemistry and a minor in nutrition. After completing his studies there he was accepted at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto. After completing his four year program and accompanying internship Dr. Ellefsen explains how eager he was to return home and establish a practice. “I always knew I wanted to return to Nova Scotia raise a family and establish a practice.”
Since graduating Dr. Ellefsen has continued his passion for learning and education through regular attendance at seminars and training conferences. He is certified in ART® (Active Release Technique) and has a passion for helping performance athletes achieve their goals and has demonstrated his commitment to this field as the president of the Sports Medicine Council of Nova Scotia (SMCNS).
Dr. Ellefsen spends his time away from the clinic with his lovely wife, two daughters, and two dogs. He and his family are avid skiers. Dr. Ellefsen and his daughters are members of the Martock Ski Race Club and enjoy the competitive edge. Dr. Ellefsen’s other hobbies include sailing, mountain biking, and triathlons. You’ll also find him swinging a hammer or digging up the garden in his back yard.
Dr. Ellefsen believes in maintaining his health through a balanced lifestyle which includes a healthy diet, regular chiropractic and massage care, exercise, lots of water, and plenty of family time.
“Thanks for visiting our site. I look forward to meeting you in person and learning how we may be of service to you. Give our office a call, or email me using the link below and let’s arrange a time to explore your options.”
Yours in Health,
Dr. Jans Ellefsen
Dr. Mike Cochran
Chiropractor and Practicing Acupuncture
Being active in a number of individual and team sports, Dr. Cochran has a particular interest in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries through both chiropractic and acupuncture.
Osteopath and Massage Therapy
Mhairi Fyfe, Osteopath
Mhairi graduated with honours from Kikkawa College in Toronto in 1997. She has taken post-graduate courses in craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, thai yoga massage and reiki. She is going into her second year of a five year program in osteopathy. Osteopaths are specialists in manual therapies which include craniosacral therapy, counterstrain (a form of myofascial release), visceral manipulation and gentle joint manipulation. Osteopaths are holistic practitioners who view the body globally. In other words, they take into account presenting symptoms, but, using tests and a refined palpation, also look further into possible connections between bodily systems to discover the source of the problem. Mhairi welcomes new clients.
Jackie Gillies, RMT
Jackie Gillies has been a registered massage therapist for ten years. She graduated from Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario in 2000; a three year massage therapy program. Jackie has also successfully completed the provincial exams given by CMTO (College of Massage Therapist of Ontario) in 2000. Clients have experienced her massage therapy techniques in international locations such as Australia and Ireland; however, the main focus of her career was built in Alberta and British Columbia. She has worked in an array of environments including clinical (sports massage/ rehabilitation) as well as spa experience.
Jackie is a highly skilled therapist who has an open communication with clients and develops treatment plans and home care to suit her clients’ specific needs. Massage therapy, in Jackie’s experience, is an important part of wellness in creating a balanced lifestyle between the stresses of life, the joys of life, and the commitments in life. She looks forward to meeting and working with you in your journey for wellness.
Michael Wells, RMT
Michael graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
Acupuncture
Dr. Colin MacLeod, ND
Naturopathic Medicine and Practicing Acupuncture
Dr. Colin MacLeod, ND is a passionate physician who follows the principles of naturopathic medicine in order to best treat his patients. By combining modern science based therapies and ancient traditional medicine he targets the cause of illness and avoids simply suppressing symptoms. Dr. MacLeod teaches his patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and natural therapies to enhance their bodies’ ability to ward off and combat disease. The ultimate goal is to treat the root cause of disease, prevent chronic illness and promote health and vitality.
Dr. MacLeod completed 3 years towards a bachelor of science in Biology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax and then attended the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto. He graduated from the 4 year full-time program at CCNM, an accredited school of Naturopathic Medicine that includes more than 4,500 hours of classroom training and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Naturopathic medicine offers effective treatments for a wide variety of conditions, including mental health issues, pain, injuries, digestive problems, weight gain, fatigue, sleep problems, skin disorders, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, allergies, asthma and colds/flus, among others.
Tara Correia
Physiotherapist and Practicing Acupuncture
As a Kinesiologist and Certified Exercise Physiologist, Tara can develop a therapeutic exercise program tailored specifically for your condition in conjunction with your chiropractic care. Core stability is the key to increasing your mobility and an important part of your everyday health. You can expect your rehab program to include a variety of stretches, strengthening exercises, and dynamic movements to train your body into moving more efficiently and preventing future injuries.
Dietetic Counseling
Sarah Dunphy B.Sc. AHN, P.Dt.
Sarah was born and raised on a large farm outside of Fredericton, New Brunswick, which contributes to her support for local food sustainability. She grew up always knowing she would someday be working in the health care profession, but it wasn’t until a Nutrition course at Fredericton High School that she found herself truly interested in food and nutrition. Since then, she has only become more passionate about health and nutrition and very excited to be a part of the health care profession that advocates for nutrition education, health promotion and disease prevention.
Sarah completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition degree with integrated internships. She graduated on the deans’ list at Mount Saint Vincent University and is now a registered member of the Nova Scotia Dietetic Association. Her past experiences are both plentiful and diverse. She has completed placements and internships in areas such as the Public Service Commission, Boys & Girls Club, Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Diabetes Education Centre, Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre, and Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home. She has counseled and educated patients on such things as healthy eating and physical activity, weight loss and weight gain, various eating disorders, pre-diabetes and diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and more.
Administration
Jessica Curtis – Office Manager and Chiropractic Assistant
Jessica began working as a chiropractic assistant at Alderney Chiropractic in November of 2008. While working part time, she completed her degree in January 2011 from Saint Mary’s University, majoring in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations.
Working for the clinic is what influenced her to choose Human Resource Management as her major as she discovered that working with individuals to give them the best experience possible is very rewarding.
In her spare time, Jessica is also carrying-out her passion for dance as a member of a professional hip hop company in residence at Halifax Dance, The Woods.
Sarah Dunphy – B.Sc. AHN, P.Dt
Sarah is both the Patient Services Manager and Registered Dietitian at Alderney Chiropractic. Sarah has been of member of the Alderney Chiropractic team since June of 2011. Prior to this, she was completing her degree in Applied Human Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University.
Sarah saw this wonderful multidisciplinary clinic as a great opportunity to work with other health care professionals and also as an opportunity to begin private practice nutrition consulting.
Tammy Merritt – Chiropractic Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Jennifer Curtis – Patient Services Manager and Chiropractic Assistant (Maternity Leave)
Bio Coming Soon
Nicholas Holland – Administrative Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Patient Login
