The Vernon Chiropractic and Massage Team
Dr. Michael Salmon, Chiropractor
So many people have been frustrated at our society’s movement away from health. New drugs and surgeries seem to be at the forefront of research and funding, rather than helping people not to get sick in the first place. More and more eyes are being opened that our sickness model of health is indeed making us more sick. Other countries, other societies are getting healthier overall, whereas incidences of cancer, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, etc. seem to be growing in North America at an alarming rate, despite our wealth and technology. People are getting worried – with good reason.
As long as professionals are being paid when people are sick, then the intelligent business model is to keep people sick and generate new patients. Wellness care is motivated to get people healthy and keep people healthy. This is what attracted me to the profession. This is what keeps me happy in my daily work. This is why chiropractic is now one of the highest utilized health professions on this continent – even right here in Vernon! This is why different wellness practitioners are able to work together as a team for your benefit.
Corey Suastegui, Registered Massage Therapist
Corey is a graduate from Okanagan Valley College Of Massage Therapy and has been an RMT since December of 2015. When he’s not in the clinic, he enjoys living a healthy lifestyle with his favorite activities being weight lifting, hiking, and wake surfing during the summer. When the snow flies, Corey can be found on the slopes of Silver Star.
Corey is passionate about working with athletes in that he loves seeing how much further an athlete can take their performance when manual therapy accompanies training. Corey himself has an athletic background in rugby and practiced in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Corey’s primary modalities include Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release and Joint Mobilizations throughout his therapeutic treatments.
Kaila Palmer, Registered Massage Therapist
Growing up playing competitive sports and living an active lifestyle, Kaila developed a fascination for the moving body. Kaila moved from her hometown of Smithers BC to attend the Massage Therapy Program at Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy. During her studies she fell in love with the community of Vernon, and after graduating in 2013 she decided to stay and start her practice.
Kaila strongly believes in decreasing both pain and dysfunction by reducing the body’s muscular restrictions and by regaining strength in weakened muscles. Kaila uses a variety of modalities in her treatments focusing on trigger point therapy, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and Swedish techniques. Kaila is also certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage through the Dr. Vodder School. When not at her practice you will find Kaila practicing yoga, or riding her horse. Kaila’s love of movement is what inspired her to help others live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Sarah Leslie, Registered Massage Therapist
Sarah has called B.C. home now for over 10 years. Her studies were previously in outdoor education, so naturally it was the tourism aspect of the Okanagan that drew her here. With her passion to help people and work with her hands, she eventually found her way to OVCMT. There she studied two years of Massage Therapy, graduating from the program in August 2015.
Since becoming a Registered Massage Therapist Sarah has included other modalities such as; Visceral Therapy, Craniosacral Techniques and Muscle Energy Techniques to offer to her clients. With her main focus in Women’s health, Sarah also offers peri-natal massage, breast massage, and infant massage. Sarah believes that the body is its own innate healer, and that sometimes it needs support on that path. With the techniques she uses, she tends to work with a biodynamic touch. This allows her clients’ body to unwind and release tensions in their own way, in their own time.
When not at her practice, Sarah is out exploring the Okanagan with her young family, or spending time with her horse. Life is abundantly full.
You can book with Sarah on Tuesday evenings, Wednesday evenings, or Saturdays.
Mercedes Giddens-Costa, Registered Massage Therapist
Welcoming Families to Wellness
Mercedes is a passionate and intuitive Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) who has been supporting individuals on their wellness journeys since 2017. Her practice now extends beyond adult care to encompass a nurturing focus on families, including infants, babies, toddlers, and caregivers.
Mercedes believes that healing is a deeply personal journey, and she tailors every session to meet the unique needs of each individual or family. She creates a safe and welcoming space where her patients feel truly seen, heard, and supported, fostering a deeper connection to their own bodies and the healing process.
Her treatment approach blends direct techniques, such as Swedish and trigger point therapy, with more subtle, indirect methods like craniosacral therapy. This thoughtful combination helps patients of all ages, from newborns to adults, achieve greater ease, balance, and resilience.
As a practitioner, Mercedes is guided by the belief that when families thrive, so does the wider community. By empowering parents and children to embrace wellness together, she strives to create a ripple effect of healing and joy that extends far beyond her treatment room.
Whether you’re seeking relief from physical discomfort, support during life’s transitions, or a holistic approach to your family’s well-being, Mercedes is here to help you move forward with greater confidence and vitality.
Kayla Ostafie, Registered Massage Therapist
Kayla was born and raised in Vernon, BC. After graduating high school, she moved to Edmonton, AB for eight years. In 2020 she moved back to Vernon to attend Massage Therapy school at Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy, where she graduated with her Massage diploma in July 2023.
Kayla finds the human anatomy very interesting and wants to continue her education through continuing education courses to broaden her skill set.
She is very dedicated to health, exercise, and personal care. Her treatment focus is to help improve function and quality of life, alleviate pain and help fix dysfunctions. The many treatment styles she likes to use include myofascial techniques, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and orthopedic assessment.
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