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Sheri D. Medina

Osteopathic Practitioner

Below is a short-ish story about how and why I chose to commit my life to learning and growing as an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. I share about my approach to osteopathic treatment and how I make it unique for my patients by incorporating my own life experiences, education, evidence-informed knowledge and compassion. We work together to help find the perfect blend of holistic health care.

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Specialty Areas;

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  • Scars from any surgery (ie; caesarean/c-sections, laproscopic surgeries)

  • Chronic pain (experiencing pain longer than 6 months)

  • Hypermobility spectrum disorders (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, joint and soft tissue hypermobility)

  • Dental surgeries, orthodontic treatment, TMJ/D jaw pain, headaches  

  • Breathing dysfunctions (asthma, anxiety, nasal blockages)

 

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Milton Osteopathy & Wellness continues to grow through the understanding that pain means something just a little different to each person. Each of us has our own unique story and often there are similar physical attributes that show me patterns. I take the time to learn and understand how each puzzle piece interconnects and how many ways it can fit together. While some patients need a few treatments to get them back to their normal, some need a collaborative approach that encompasses more than just treatment. Osteopathic treatment is one tool in my tool box of helping improve the health and lifestyle. In building relationships, I'm able to help facilitate a plan that has options for my patients to choose from, giving them control that they often feel they've lost throughout the quest for pain relief.

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Pain is a signal from the brain that something, somewhere isn't quite right. The challenge with pain is that the area that's "doing the talking", is often not the only area in distress. When a body is overwhelmed due to internal and external inputs, the body produces symptoms to alert us that something needs to change. Oftentimes, we ignore the signs and only respond when it gets bad enough. This means that the body has had to compensate EVERY TIME we've brushed it away to continue with our day. Often our biggest blockage is often ourselves. Working through a trauma-informed lens, my patients learn how the layers of their injuries and lifestyle habits have contributed to their pain. 

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Not all patients I work with, have physical pain such as a sore back or knee pain. Some come in for treatment to help with digestive issues or to improve their pelvic floor function to help with bladder leakage/constipation/neck pain. My treatment style is dynamic, it morphs with patients as they change and improve. There are no algorithms that are step by step but rather a sound assessment both actively and passively that offers objective feedback to work from. My fine palpation skills offer gentle, effective treatment for the most sore or injured of all ages. Firm and direct approaches are also utilized when necessary.   

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Education

Education & Experience

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  • Osteopathic Manual Practitioner Diploma (4 year program) World Health Organization (WHO) Benchmarks

  • In good standings with the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO)

  • Personal Trainer and Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist

  • Pre and postnatal pelvic health and core reintegration training

  • Breathwork and stability training - improving movement dysfunction and neuromuscular coordination

  • Fascial soft tissue mobilization - postoperative scar treatment

  • Kinesio taping application 

  • Craniosacral - utilizing gentle osteopathic protocols for all ages treating physiological symptomatology

  • Full body integrative osteopathic treatment to (re)introduce stabilization for proper long-term healing

  • Canadian Red Cross Instructor (2007-2020) 

  • Standard First Aid & CPR certified 

My Story

My interest in health and fitness began over 20 years ago with one of my most loved jobs - an aquafit and swimming instructor. Over the four years working in the aquatic industry, my love for teaching and fitness developed and I found an interest in human movement and exercise. I moved on to receive my certification as a personal trainer and held numerous certifications in nutrition, pre & postnatal health, trigger point & foam rolling techniques and restorative movement for post-surgical healing. Having the opportunity to work in a variety of studios and gyms across the GTA, I acquired a wide range of experience helping people of all ages and abilities with their exercise goals. Moving out of my comfort zone, I went out on my own and tried life as an entrepreneur. With 13 years under my belt, I have successfully run a personal training and first aid businesses giving me a wealth of experience and joy. However, I still felt there was something missing in my career. So I kept "digging on."

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After having lunch with a friend and fellow osteopathic practitioner, I received the encouragement needed to take another leap of faith. I decided to go back to school. With an enormous amount of support from my husband, I embarked on furthering my education in a rigorous 4 year Master's Program in Osteopathy. Through the ups and downs of personal and academic life over the years, I found a strength and perseverance I only wish I had known years ago. Over the years, I have developed my style as a practitioner that combines my experience in human movement along with manual skills that offer a relaxing, subtle and effective relief to pain while promoting overall health. Combining both the science (anatomy, physiology) and art (intuition, instinct), you’ll be sure to have a unique experience every time.  

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While some get into the field because they were touched by osteopathy in a personal way, this wasn't the case for me. I knew instinctively (along with a fair amount of research) that this was what I was meant to do. I already lived by all the principles that make osteopathy what it is, so it was easy for me to see THIS was the missing link that had finally found ME.

 

I feel with small consistent changes to habits of daily living, everyone can find success with anything. After the birth of my two children, this holds even more truth in my own life. Having had extremely challenging pregnancies and births, I now have a wealth of knowledge and experience from all sides of motherhood. With the fast paced way of life, I believe it's important to push yourself to be your best but to remind yourself that we all have limits. Sometimes, rest is best. With that being said, I have the tools to help determine what YOUR body (and mind) need to succeed and reach your personal health goals.

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Each person requires their own twist on health and wellness, let me help you find yours. ​Asking for help can be hard sometimes......but it doesn't have to be. 

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~ Sheri 

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"A student of life must take in each part of the body and study it' uses and

relations to other parts and systems"

~ A.T. Still

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