Working closely with a diverse patient base, Dr. Allensen promotes optimum health and wellness through patient-centred and evidence-based care. His chiropractic treatments use a combination of manual adjustments (spinal and extremity), Active Release Techniques®, Cox flexion-distraction technique, patient education, modalities, exercise therapy, nutrition, and Kinesio Taping.
Dr. Allensen believes in the importance of continually updating his skills as a clinician. He is regularly reading research articles and attending continuing education courses to stay current.
In his spare time, Dr. Allensen enjoys spending time with family and friends. He has played many sports throughout his athletic career but more recently enjoys golf and downhill skiing.
In 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2019 LiveWell Waterloo (Formerly Absolute Rehab Centre) was awarded gold and platinum in the Reader’s Choice Awards Chiropractic Clinic Category.
Working closely with a diverse patient base, Dr. Allensen promotes optimum health and wellness th...
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Val is one of three registered massage therapists at LiveWell Waterloo.
She graduated from the Canadian College of Massage Therapy in 2002 and has been practicing since then. Val joined LiveWell Waterloo (Formerly Absolute Rehab Centre) when it opened in 2005 and has been an integral part of our multidisciplinary team ever since. She specializes in Swedish massage as well as reflexology, a technique which she is currently working towards certification in.
Val also takes yearly business and anatomy courses in order to keep up with the required mandate of 30 education credits over 3 years of continuing education.
Val and her treatments are a fundamental part of LiveWell Waterloo and she looks forward to treating you.
Val is one of three registered massage therapists at LiveWell Waterloo.
She graduated from the C...
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Alicia is passionate about helping others take care of their physical and mental well-being through massage therapy. After pursuing a communications career which gave her the opportunity to work with sports organizations as well as charitable organizations focused on health and wellness, Alicia decided she wanted to have a more direct impact on the health and wellness of others.
Having experienced the benefits of massage therapy, Alicia returned to school and graduated with honours from the Massage Therapy program at Westervelt College.
Alicia aims to work with each patient to meet their needs and goals so they can continue to stay active and enjoy their day-to-day lives. Whether you are experiencing postural pain from your desk or factory job, headaches, tight quads from your weekly runs, or are in need of relaxation and stress management, Alicia believes that massage therapy can play an important and effective role in enhancing your overall health and well-being.
Alicia grew up playing competitive soccer and, after moving to Kitchener-Waterloo in 2016, developed a love for running (especially the half marathon distance). In her spare time, Alicia enjoys losing herself in a good book, exploring the many great places to run in KW and spending time with her husband experiencing all the outdoor goodness, food and beer that the KW region has to offer.
Alicia is passionate about helping others take care of their physical and mental well-being throu...
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Melissa completed her Master of Physical Therapy degree at Western University in 2016. Before pursuing physiotherapy, she received an undergraduate degree from Western in 2011 with an honours specialization in Biology and a minor in Psychology. In 2018, she completed her doctorate degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the field of Physical Therapy with her area of research exploring exercise for older adults with chronic back pain.
Melissa is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care by offering a reflective approach to clinical practice, a genuine interest in well-being and recovery from injury, and a desire to help people live healthy active lifestyles at any age. She believes in lifelong learning, and has completed postgraduate training in acupuncture and cervical dysfunction.
In her downtime, Melissa enjoys being outdoors in the sunshine, running, hiking and skiing, as well as spending time with her family and friends. Melissa is excited to be part of the physiotherapy team at LiveWell Waterloo (formerly Absolute Rehab Centre) and continuing to serve the community in KW.
Melissa completed her Master of Physical Therapy degree at Western University in 2016. Before pur...
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After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario in 2003, Greg moved to Whistler to experience the West Coast. Following this, he began his Master’s of Physical Therapy at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY and graduated in May 2006. More recently, Greg has completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
“You don’t have to be an athlete or suffer from chronic pain in order to benefit from physiotherapy - it is for everyone! I strongly believe in patient education to help foster an overall improvement in quality of life.”
Most of Greg’s patients have experienced great relief with active and preventive physiotherapy in their work and daily lives. Greg’s focus is on orthopedic patients in various populations, where one-to-one manual therapy and patient-centred care are emphasized. Greg is very passionate about Differential Diagnosis and strives to provide the highest level of assessment by educating his patients not only on their current injury but also by creating an understanding of how to avoid future injury. Continuing education is very important to Greg, and he has completed post-graduate training in vestibular rehabilitation and acupuncture.
No doctor’s note required! Physiotherapists accept all physician prescriptions/referrals.
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario in 2003, Greg move...
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Carolyn completed her undergraduate degree in mathematics at Queen’s University before completing her Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of Western Ontario in 2009. She first spent her career working in orthopedics and sports rehabilitation then turned her focus to pelvic physiotherapy and now exclusively practices in pelvic physiotherapy.
“I am passionate about working in this specialized field of physiotherapy. There can be such a dramatic improvement in function, and well-being can be achieved in this very important - and often not talked about - area of people’s lives. It is important to me that pelvic health and its symptoms can be talked about and thought of in a comfortable and confident way.”
She is active in continuing her postgraduate education and has taken numerous courses in women’s and men’s pelvic health treatment, as well as courses in manual therapy and acupuncture.
Carolyn is proud to be a local resident of Wilmot Township and its wonderful community. As a mother of three, Carolyn can relate first hand to the effects pelvic symptoms can have on a person’s life. Empowering people to be able to help themselves regain a feeling of well-being through education and exercises is very important in Carolyn’s practice.
Carolyn completed her undergraduate degree in mathematics at Queen’s University before completing...
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Praveen Mandve is an internationally trained physiotherapist with a specialization in orthopedic conditions. Holding a Master’s in Physiotherapy and practicing since 2019, he has accumulated extensive experience in treating a diverse range of patients.
Praveen adopts a holistic treatment approach, incorporating manual therapy, taping, soft tissue release, ergonomics, and patient education to address pain at its source. His commitment to patient empowerment through education helps individuals understand their conditions and the best strategies for managing them. This comprehensive approach not only alleviates symptoms but also fosters long-term health and wellness.
Outside of his professional life, Praveen enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, cooking, and gardening. These hobbies help him stay connected with nature and recharge, providing a perfect balance to his career.
Praveen’s passion for both his work and his varied interests make him a well-rounded and empathetic healthcare provider, dedicated to delivering compassionate and effective care.
Praveen Mandve is an internationally trained physiotherapist with a specialization in orthopedic ...
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Ken has been with Livewell Waterloo since 2005.
Ken is visually impaired and has a guide dog named Grommett to assist him in his daily practice. Ken specializes in massage for both the disabled and able-bodied athletes and has a wide variety of experiences with patients with different physical disabilities. In addition to his work at LiveWell Waterloo, Ken is an active downhill ski racer, martial artist, and entrepreneur. Ken enjoys any outdoor activity and has recently undertaken the task of renovating his home. In order to provide his clients with the most appropriate care possible, Ken works late most evenings and always puts our patient’s well being first!
Ken has been with Livewell Waterloo since 2005.
Ken is visually impaired and has a guide dog na...
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In 2015 Farnaz had the honour to complete the “Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program” with the University of Toronto. This included two clinical internships in “Toronto East General Hospital” and “Providence HealthCare”. She is still actively involved with continued education in U of T through volunteering in physical therapy lab classes. As an OIEPB alumni herself, she recognizes the challenges faced by IEPTs and enjoys rekindling their PT passion and sharing her success.
In 2019 she was awarded a “Department of Physical Therapy Recognition Award” for valued contribution to the education of physical Therapy students at the University of Toronto.
She is very enthusiastic to enhance her physiotherapy skills by taking advanced courses such as acupuncture and dry needling, vestibular rehabilitation, geriatric physiotherapy, manual therapy and many more weekly webinars in order to provide KW community with the best health-care.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, nature hiking and travelling.
In 2015 Farnaz had the honour to complete the “Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy ...
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Heidi has had a diverse career in the health, fitness and Physiotherapy field over the past 30 years. Heidi graduated from Humber College in 1982 as a Registered Practical Nurse. Heidi worked in nursing for 15 years in hospitals such as St. Michael’s Hospital Toronto, Oakville Hospital and Cambridge Hospital. Heididecided to change course and become interested in Fitness and completed the Fitness Leadership Diploma and worked for Conestoga College Fitness Testing for the Law Enforcement students. In addition, she taught fitness classes for the City of Cambridge and the YMCA in addition continued to nurse at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. After several years and a neck injury Heidi decided to take her combined experience in Nursing and Fitness in a new direction. Heidi took the Physiotherapy /Occupational therapy course at Humber College. She worked at Cambridge Memorial Hospital in outpatient physiotherapy. Later she was employed by Physiotherapy Associates /LifeMark and continually upgraded her training. Heidi completed her Aquatic Rehab and Sports conditioning certificate followed by Pilates/Movement specialist certification. She taught private classes and worked with Motor Vehicle Accident clients using the Pilates Reformer and aquatic rehab under the supervision of a Physiotherapist.
She was also the YMCA Motor Vehicle Accident Personal Trainer and was the liaison between Life Mark and the YMCA. Her next journey started after working with many women, one on one, that had pelvic floor issues. She worked with and was mentored by a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist in Stratford and took additional courses in Pelvic Health. She was employed as a Physiotherapy Assistant/Pilates instructor teaching pelvic friendly exercises working one on one with clients helping them return to normal activities.
In her time off she enjoys hiking, biking and camping plus staying active with her 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Heidi has had a diverse career in the health, fitness and Physiotherapy field over the past 30 ye...
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Emily is currently working towards her BSc. in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. As of August 2023, Emily became a Certified Personal Trainer through CSEP and has been a valued member of the Livewell team, working with us as a PTA and in supporting the front desk when needed.
Emily eagerness to help others motivated her to create a well-rounded program that is focused on getting you to your best self. We are excited to announce the launch of Emily’s “Full Body Blast” this November. This exercise program is tailored towards anyone 55+ and focusses on preventing injuries that commonly occur with age.
Emily’s empathetic nature and strong interpersonal skills have made her a trusted and valuable member in the Healthcare team. Her ability to connect with patients allows for a supportive and motivating environment as she aids in your progress and healing journey.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her friends and enjoying the outdoors.
Emily is currently working towards her BSc. in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. As of A...
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