MEET THE TEAM
The People Who Care
This is the team that will get your life back on track and guide you through the recovery process. Our holistic approach in North Vancouver is always tailored and individualized to determine the underlying cause of your health concern, instead of just focusing on your symptoms.
At Active Therapy, we see the whole picture and seek to address the environmental, lifestyle, health, educational and psychological aspects of your ailment to help you get your life back.

JANA KOLANKIEWICZOVA B.A.
Co - Owner & Clinic Manager
Jana is an office manager and co-owner of Active Therapy Clinic along with her spouse Michal. She has supported Michal since he started practicing as a Rolfer & Manual Osteopath in 2014. Shortly after they together opened the clinic in June 2020, it became clear that the business needed her full-time attention. So, she left her career in aviation to become our Clinic’s Office Manager.
Full Bio
Jana Kolankiewiczova
When you call or email, you’ll most likely speak to Jana. She’ll do her best to move things around to squeeze you in for a treatment. She always aims for the clients to have the best clinic experience possible and for the therapists to have a great workplace. Jana is an integral part of the clinic and its successful growth.
If not in the clinic, you can find her in the mountains training ski instructors in the winter. She loves sharing her passion for sports with her daughter and friends. Spending time outdoors is what energizes her and keeps her going.

MICHAL KAPIC MSc., DOMP
Owner - Osteopathic Practitioner / Certified Rolfer™
Michal became an Osteopathic Practitioner & Certified Rolfer due to personal experience with sports injuries and the recoveries that followed.
In Osteopathy and Rolfing Michal sees a unique process of soft tissue manipulation that balances and realigns the body by releasing tension and strain.
Full Bio
MICHAL KAPIC DOMP
Michal became an Osteopathic Practitioner & Certified Rolfer due to personal experience with sports injuries and the recoveries that followed. From playing soccer and tennis at highly competitive levels to working as a ski instructor every winter, sport keeps him active and has always been a huge role in his everyday life. With the intensity of high-level sport, Michal contended with ongoing injuries and subsequent surgeries. From his personal injuries, he realized the role of physical health education in the prevention of further injuries. In Osteopathy and Rolfing, he sees a unique process of soft tissue manipulation that balances and realigns the body by releasing tension and strain. Michal’s treatment approach includes a variety of treatment tools including Rolfing Structural Integration for Fascia manipulation, Joint mobilization, CranioSacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Neurodynamics (NDS) nerve treatment from Michael Shacklock, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) according to Prof. Pavel Kolar from the world-renowned Prague School of Rehabilitation. Thanks to DNS, Michal’s focus is treating babies & children with developmental delays ( difficulties in crawling / delayed walking ) or spine issues like scoliosis/kyphosis or increase lordosis.
Michal has worked internationally in multi-disciplinary health centers, consulting with clients in the Czech Republic, USA, and New Zealand. In 2020, he opened a Multidisciplinary Clinic in North Vancouver where he sees his clients. Additionally, Michal can be found presenting workshops throughout the Vancouver area.
Michal came with his girlfriend to Canada in 2009 to work for the Czech Olympic Committee during the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics. Michal now considers British Columbia his home, and when not working, he will be skiing, mountain biking, golfing, paddle boarding or playing tennis on the North Shore, or traveling abroad.
Michal is available for 30 and 50 minute sessions from Monday till Thursday and can be booked for an appointment here.

CHELSEA HARDING MOT
Manual Osteopathic Therapist
Chelsea Harding is a Manual Osteopathic Therapist with a passion for enhancing the well-being of her clients. With a diploma in Massage Therapy (2019) and a diploma of Manual Osteopathic Practice (2024), Chelsea brings a depth of anatomical knowledge and dedication to her work. Chelsea graduated from the Manual Osteopathic College of Canada, and is a member of the Canadian Massage and Manual Osteopathic Therapist Association.
Full Bio
Chelsea Harding DOMP / MOT
Originally hailing from remote Northern Alberta, Chelsea has honed her skills over several years of hands-on experience, first as an RMT in Edmonton, and now as an Manual Osteopathic Therapist. Her journey led her to the vibrant city of Vancouver, British Columbia, where she continues to strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those seeking relief and rejuvenation.
Chelsea works with diverse clientele, including those with chronic pain, migraines, sports injuries, and eating disorders. Chelsea’s approach to therapy is rooted in a holistic understanding of the body’s intricate relationships and great healing potential, aiming to address not only symptoms but underlying causes.
A typical treatment with Chelsea will involve special testing and assessment of movements and tissues, followed by the application of: craniosacral techniques, visceral motility techniques, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, osteoarticulations (joint manipulation/realignment), deep tissue manual therapy, and repeated re-assessment. Techniques are used to support the area of complaint, but may incorporate other areas as indicated in testing/assessments.
Known for her empathetic nature and compassionate, quirky demeanor, Chelsea creates a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment where clients can embark on their healing journey with confidence. Whether it’s alleviating tension, restoring mobility, or just listening, Chelsea is dedicated to helping her clients reach and exceed their wellness goals.
Outside of her practice, Chelsea enjoys baking delicious treats, exploring the natural beauty of British Columbia, staying active with her husband and pets, and continuing her quest for knowledge in the fields of anatomy and manual therapy.
Chelsea is available for 30 and 50 minute sessions on Tuesday and Thursday and can be booked for an appointment here.
JENNA MELLOR B.Sc , MOT
Manual Osteopathic Therapist
Jenna is a dedicated Osteopathic Practitioner committed to helping her clients move and feel their best through personalized, hands-on care. Born and raised on the North Shore, she spent five years at the University of Victoria earning degrees in kinesiology and psychology, deepening her understanding of how the body and mind work together. She then gained invaluable experience working in neurological physiotherapy clinics for several years before pursuing osteopathy at the Manual Osteopathic College of Canada in 2023.
Full Bio
Jenna Mellor MOT
With a strong foundation in kinesiology, Jenna brings extensive knowledge of anatomy, movement, and rehabilitation to her osteopathic practice. This unique background allows her to take a whole-body approach to treatment, addressing not just symptoms but the root causes of pain and dysfunction.
As a former competitive dancer and current marathon runner, Jenna understands firsthand how the body adapts to physical demands and stress. She commonly treats conditions such as chronic headaches and migraines, back pain, digestive disturbances, and so much more. No matter the concern, her goal is to restore balance, improve mobility, and support long-term health.
Whether you’re an athlete, a busy professional, or simply looking to feel better in your body, Jenna offers compassionate, results-driven care tailored to your unique needs.
Jenna is available for 30 and 50 minute sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, and can be booked for an appointment here.
DAVID MALCOLM R.Ac
Acupuncturist & Traditional Chinese Medicine
David offers both Chinese Medicine and orthopedic type acupuncture. He is a honours graduate from Pacific Rim College in Victoria, where he obtained his Diploma of Acupuncture. Previous to this he completed a western herbal studies program and has a background in teaching yoga and offering yoga therapy. He has been recommending remedies and other lifestyle choices for many years, having spent hundreds of hours talking to people about their health as a nutritional supplements consultant for more than 12 years.
Full Bio
David Malcolm R.Ac
David has always had an interest in East Asian medicine, having discovered the benefits of it in his early 20s. Through his various studies, David has come to see that the body’s state of being represents itself over and over in many spheres. From bone to skin to mind and emotion – it is all interrelated. Chinese Medicine has tracked and mapped these relationships and developed methods to bring the body and mind back to balance.
David has a special interest in treating body pain, injury recovery, other musculoskeletal issues, sleep and stress issues, depression, anxiety, digestive and gynecological issues, seasonal allergies, and working with people who want to optimize their health. In an initial meeting, a comprehensive evaluation is done. This involves a conversation about your health and your goals from treatment. Diagnosis also involves a hands-on approach, feeling the uniqueness of your radial pulse, observing your tongue, palpating specific acupuncture points and energetic channel lines – looking for areas of soreness, weakness, robustness and everything in between. Chinese Medicine theory holds that the body can be read; the outer body will reflect the inner body. As a result, we can find signatures of internal malfunction represented on the outside.
In addition to acupuncture, treatment will typically involve other ancillary methods that fall under the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) umbrella. When we think of acupuncture we might consider it as a part of a whole bodywork system. TCM bodywork includes tuina (Chinese medicine massage); this form of massage uses specific and unique techniques on the body’s channels that alongside acupuncture regulate the body’s Qi (energy) and blood. Tuina opens the body, is deeply relaxing and lays the foundation for more potent acupuncture outcomes. It has a complete universe of techniques and has many dedicated practitioners. Moxibustion is the burning of prepared mugwort herb over acupuncture points that is essentially a form of infrared therapy. David uses a smoke-free hand-held device and a TDP lamp as alternatives to this practice. There is also the fascia releasing techniques known as guasha and cupping. Both are used to release pathology. Additionally acupuncture needling can be enhanced by the usage of a percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device, this practice is commonly known as E-stim among acupuncturists.
David is available for 30 and 60 minute sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, and can be booked for an appointment here.
MATT ROWE MPT, BKIN, CAFCI, FDN/IMS
Physiotherapist
With advanced orthopaedic manual and manipulative physiotherapy training, Matt specializes in hands-on manual therapy treatments consisting of soft tissue release, trigger point therapy, joint mobilizations, and active release technique (ART).
Individualized home exercise programs consisting of functional mobility, stretching, strengthening, balance, and/or coordination movements, combined with manual therapy techniques, are what make these treatments so effective.
Full Bio
MATT ROWE MPT
Matt really knows his way around a needle. Never any pressure of course, but for those open to or requesting needling, he also offers dry needling/intramuscular stimulation (IMS). Although he has been fully certified in anatomical acupuncture for over a decade, Matt predominantly uses the dry needling/IMS technique in his clinical practice, as he feels the results are so tangible. Please consider booking in with one of our amazing acupuncturists, to experience the powerful healing effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Whether you’re an athlete or have more of a sedentary lifestyle, Matt’s got your back (quite literally in some cases). For years Matt treated many professional athletes (NHL, AHL, NFL, & CFL) in their respective off-seasons, while practicing in Ontario. Although he’ll always have a space for you athletes and weekend warriors out there, his passion and caseload continue to grow with clients suffering from ongoing musculoskeletal issues. This can include the low back pain you’ve had for years, stiffness in your hips, tension headaches or just that pesky neck/shoulder tension that many of us carry around.
Ultimately, Matt is passionate about giving clients their power back. The experience you get with him will leave you with a whole toolbox of techniques that will serve you long-term. Whether it is a new injury or something you have been dealing with for years, Matt would love the opportunity to guide you along your path to feeling your best.
SERVICES & TECHNIQUES:
• Manual therapy (improving range of motion through joint mobilizations)
• Soft tissue release & active release technique (ART)
• Trigger point therapy
• Functional dry needling (FDN) & intramuscular stimulation (IMS)
- Individualized treatment plans promoting client-centered care• Exercise prescription: strengthening, stretching, balance, and functional mobility (you will be emailed a digital and personalized home exercise program consisting of pictures, videos, along with a detailed description for your convenience)
- Holistic care: for ongoing issues we may need to address multiple factors and your body as a whole
Matt is available for 30 and 60 minute sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and can be booked for an appointment here.
BRENT SCRIVNER RMT / CERTIFIED ROLFER™
Registered Massage Therapist / Certified Rolfer™
Brent became interested in studying the body with his introduction to Ashtanga Yoga. He was never interested in sports or fitness as a kid, but the invitation to pay close attention to his breath and movements on that mat sparked in him a growing passion for health and wellness.
Full Bio
Brent Scrivner RMT / CERTIFIED ROLFER
To better understand these uncomfortable patterns and ways to ease them, he first became a massage therapist and then a Certified Rolfer™.
Brent has learned that the human structure is incredibly fluid, constantly changing as it moves through gravity, even when it looks like it’s standing still. Sometimes that natural fluidity meets blockages, tissue restrictions, or functional limitations, and the body needs a bit of help to overcome those challenges.
He believes that Rolfing SI is an excellent tool in meeting these challenges which he combines with his explorations of CranioSacral Therapy, Myoskeletal Alignment Technique, and Thai Massage. Brent sees every session as an opportunity to continue answering the question of what’s possible and how we can better remove the obstacles that stand in our way.
MELANIE DUNCAN RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Melanie Duncan is an empathetic person with a cheery personality who loves to help people work past their pain and get back to their normal or better lives. Melanie believes that massage therapy is just one step of many on the road to a healthy body, mind and lifestyle. She has experience treating office workers, weekend warriors and the occasional gym rat. Pain is her passion and she will help you get rid of yours.
Full Bio
Melanie Dunca RMT
SARAH MARZABADI RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Full Bio
Sarah Marzabadi RMT
She is an active person, having played tennis, volleyball, and badminton from a young age. She also enjoys maintaining her fitness at the gym and hiking on the trails of the North Shore with her dog.
Sarah is available for 60, 90 and 120 minute sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and can be booked for an appointment here.
BRIAN GROOT RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
A North Shore resident, Brian’s interest in human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system, as well as his passion and enthusiasm for helping others, led him to pursuing a career in massage therapy. Since becoming an RMT in 2018, he has gained experience in treating a variety of conditions including chronic muscle tension and hypertonicity, ongoing recovery from various injuries, as well as providing treatments for general stress management, headaches and prenatal care.
Full Bio
Understanding that each individual has his or her own health and wellness needs, Brian treats his patients accordingly. His approach is from a comprehensive whole-body perspective incorporating a variety of techniques such as deep tissue, myofascial and dynamic release, trigger point therapy, and passive stretching with customized pressure targeting areas that will let patients feel better
Brian continues to educate himself and take courses to develop new techniques to advance patient care. In his spare time Brian enjoys the outdoors, hiking with his dog, tennis, golf, hockey, snowshoeing, photography, spending time with family and friends and coaching his son’s soccer team.
Brian is available for 45, 60, 75 and 90 minute sessions on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and can be booked for an appointment here.
DRAHOMIRA PALESOVA RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Drahomira (Dada) believes that therapeutic massage is a great tool for helping patients with pain reduction, healing, and relaxation, which, in turn, leads to good health maintenance and injury prevention. She learned to look at the body as a whole unit and look for the origin of the problem rather then treating only the symptoms.
Full Bio
Drahomira Palesova RMT
Dada has learned a lot about her body through sustaining small injuries and then watching the healing process take over. She has found that her passion for sport has helped her to understand her personal needs for self-care and it is this appreciation of the benefits associated with the maintenance of general well-being that she would like to share with other sporting enthusiasts.
Enjoyment of the outdoor experience has been a big part of her life. She enjoys skiing, rock-climbing, mountaineering, hiking, running, paddle boarding. Her secondary passion in the field wellness lies is in nutrition and understanding body and mind as a whole complex.
Education
Dada’s graduation from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in 2016 grew out of her keen interest in anatomy and physiology which started her down the path to massage therapy, and never stopped exploring further more to myofascial and visceral manipulations.
Services Offered
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Myofascial Release Therapy
- Visceral manipulation
- Sports Massage
- Swedish Massage Therapy
- Prenatal Massage Therapy
- Post Traumatic Care Therapy
Drahomira ( Dada ) is available for 45, 60, 75 and 90 minute sessions from Tuesday till Saturday, and can be booked for an appointment here.
JANA CIMERMANOVA DCH
Classical Homeopath / Belvaspata healing / Spiritual and Intuitive guidance
A healing session with Classical Homeopath Jana Cimermanova consists of addressing any kind of deficiency, disharmony or imbalance of the system which maybe causing dis-ease.
True service is to empower the individual to help him/her find the new strength or help to activate a pure potential.
Full Bio
Jana Cimermanova DCH
All major and minor discordances can be changed by fine tuning the instrument itself. Jana has the ability to see beyond the appearances which allows her to fully express the articulation of the moment’s potential according to Infinite Intent.
Jana utilizes different tools that help to restore the health. For example: Whenever dis-ease is present, a lack of harmonious frequencies is also present in the body. Well selected homeopathic remedy can restore harmonious frequencies in the body and can therefore restore health.
Jana offers online and in person sessions, and can be booked for an appointment here.