Meet the MANUAL MEDICINE Team
A positive attitude goes a long way when your health is concerned, and at Manual Medicine we make it the rule, not the exception. Incredibly patient and knowledgeable, our team is committed to helping patients feel better and be well-informed when making important health decisions. Get in touch today to learn more.
Jessica Armstrong
Registered Physiotherapist
Clinic Co-Owner
Jessica graduated from Western University with her Physical Therapy Masters Degree in 2018 and her Kinesiology Bachelors Degree in 2016. Throughout her training and continuing education, Jessica has gained experience working with a variety of populations, including sport, neurological, surgical, chronic pain, and paediatrics. Jessica has a passion for helping people achieve their optimal quality of life and uses multimodal rehabilitation programs to reach individual goals. She values connecting with each of her patients and providing them with the education needed to understand their conditions. Jessica continually seeks out new research and treatment techniques and has completed additional education in vestibular therapy, sports rehabilitation, advanced orthopaedic manual therapy, soft tissue release, and concussion. Having grown up in Haldimand County, Jessica is happy to be in the position to help her home community. Outside of the clinic, Jessica enjoys backcountry camping, reading, playing volleyball, hiking with her dog, and completing art projects.
Brock Brownell
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (D.O.M.P.)
Registered Massage Therapist
Clinic Co-Owner
Brock gained six years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist prior to becoming an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. Brock graduated with distinction from the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto in 2023 holding a D.Sc.O and a Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice. Brock specializes in chronic pain management and holistic healthcare solutions. Brock’s thesis on the Effects of Osteopathic Treatment on Individuals living with Fibromyalgia underscores his dedication to evidence-based practice and patient-centered care.
Co-founding Manual Medicine in 2021, Brock has helped shape a practice known for its personalized and compassionate approach to care. Brock has extensive clinical experience, ranging from athletic to surgical patients and those who live with chronic pain conditions.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Brock finds joy in attending classic rock music concerts, sporting events and exploring new cultures and landscapes with his wife, Brooklyn. These experiences not only rejuvenate him but also enrich his perspective on health and well-being. Rooted in his family heritage in Dunnville, Brock values community and tradition.
Kristy Howe
Office Manager
Kristy received her Office Management diploma from Mohawk College and her Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Gerontology & Sociology from McMaster University. Kristy is the Office Manager at Manual Medicine & brings over 8 years of experience in office administration/supervision & human resources. Kristy organizes practice policies, scheduling systems, office operations/procedures within the clinic & maintains accounts payable, accounts receivable, and monthly billing. In her downtime, Kristy enjoys baking, a good glass of red wine, hiking, and spending time with her family & friends.
Christina Zapala
Registered Massage Therapist
Christina graduated from Canadian Therapeutic College in 2012. After working as a massage therapist in Colorado for three years, Christina moved back to Ontario and has been in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists working as an RMT mainly in clinical settings. Christina specializes in Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal massage. Christina takes pride in her professionalism and ability to identify the specific needs of each patient. In her treatments, Christina includes a thorough assessment as well as recommendations for self-care following treatment to further enhance the benefits of massage therapy. Outside of the clinic, Christina is an avid photographer and keeps busy with her three little ones.
Dr. Kayla Harrop
Registered Chiropractor
Dr. Kayla Harrop completed her undergraduate studies at Brock University where she received a Bachelor of Science (honours) degree in Kinesiology. From there, she went on to earn her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College). Dr. Kayla has the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, and treat a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. To help her patients achieve optimal health and wellness, Dr. Kayla uses a combination of evidence-based chiropractic techniques, contemporary medical acupuncture, soft tissue therapy, exercise prescription and patient education. Dr. Kayla has a strong passion for women’s health – specifically prenatal and postpartum care. She is a GrowCo Ambassador, where she provides evidence-based, highly effective care for your core, pelvic floor, and total body after baby. Outside of practice, Dr. Kayla enjoys hiking with her dog and exploring new campgrounds with her husband.
Lauren Hines
Registered Massage Therapist
Lauren was born and raised in Dunnville, Ontario. She attended Brock University and graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree. She then went on to graduate from the Accelerated Massage Therapy program at Ontario College of Health and Technology in April of 2021.Health and fitness have always been a major part of Lauren’s life; she is an athletic individual and her world has always revolved around sports, including gymnastics, track and field, and golf. Lauren was a Varsity athlete at Brock University as part of the track and field team as well as the golf team. She has been treated by many health practitioners throughout her athletic career and was inspired by them to start working in the healthcare field. She is excited to be able to apply her knowledge on how to keep our bodies strong and healthy to help her clients resolve any concerns and achieve their goals.
Esther Westendorp
Registered Athletic Therapist
Esther spent 15 years in Dunnville before recently moving to Smithville. Esther graduated from Sheridan College in 2022 with her Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences in Athletic Therapy. In addition, she is a Red Cross Certified First Responder. Esther has a variety of experience in both the clinic and in the field – she spent last season working Varsity Soccer and Basketball at Sheridan College and is currently working with the Dunnville Jr. Mudcats as the team Athletic Therapist. Esther is passionate about helping athletes and active individuals return to their activity at a higher level of competition. She uses a high-performance sports medicine model of thinking and applies that to everyone. Esther places a high priority on injury prevention, conditioning, mobility, and strong functional movement patterns. She believes that exercise is the best medicine and takes pride in tailoring a custom exercise program for every person. Esther uses a variety of manual techniques, modalities, and exercises during her treatments, prioritizing one-on-one care. She is passionate about foot health and performance and building from a strong, mobile foundation. Esther enjoys building relationships with her patients and helping them crush their goals.
Ruth Draaistra
Registered Massage Therapist
Ruth is passionate about mental and physical wellbeing. In 2017, she graduated the Occupational & Physiotherapist Assistant Program and worked in various clinic settings for three years. In 2021, Ruth graduated her studies in Massage Therapy at Mohawk College. Ruth uses active release, joint mobilizations, trigger point therapy, fascial release therapy, Swedish massage techniques, and remedial exercise. She has implemented treatment plans for WSIB, motor vehicle accidents, post-operative, and stress-related conditions. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys playing soccer, biking, hiking, and traveling. She looks forward to helping you achieve your rehabilitation goals!
Joshua Turner
Registered Physiotherapist
Josh received his Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto after completing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University. As a part of his education, he has participated in research looking at healthy aging through exercise and physical activity in people living with HIV. While Josh is trained to treat a variety of injuries and conditions, he developed an interest in working with people living with chronic conditions, including long-COVID, which he gained experience in during a 3-month internship during his Masters.Growing up locally in Caledonia, Josh has enjoyed sports and physical activity his whole life. Josh has played competitive basketball and volleyball, but also enjoys a wide variety of physical activities including hiking, disc golf and running. Josh is passionate about using his experience in a wide variety of activities to help athletes return to their sport and reduce their risk for future injury. Josh’s approach to rehab involves partnering with his clients, developing an individualized treatment plan, and providing them with the knowledge and tools to reduce their symptoms and meet their goals. After hours, Josh can often be found spending time with family and friends, often enjoying the outdoors in the process.
Dr. Jacqueline Moulton
Registered Naturopathic Doctor
Certified Hypnotherapist
Dr. Jacquie is dedicated to nurturing holistic health and overall well-being in each of her patients. In 2018, she graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto after completing her Honours Bachelor of Heath Science Degree in 2014 from Brock University. Dr. Jacquie has additionally completed courses in intravenous infusion therapy and hypnotherapy (certified through the American Board Designated Krazner Hypnotherapist). Her career started in an integrative rehabilitation clinic where she treated many motor vehicle accident injuries and supported those suffering from chronic pain utilizing a variety of manual therapies along with dietary and lifestyle advice. During this time, she encountered some people that posed a unique challenge—individuals who, despite regular traditional treatment, were struggling to regain their health. This pivotal moment prompted her to delve into the realms of autoimmunity & chronic care. As she delved deeper, connections between seemingly unrelated factors began to emerge and she created the 4 Clear's Method to address the root cause of individuals battling autoimmune & other chronic inflammatory disease. Her mission is to empower those facing these challenges, help them navigate the complexities of their conditions, and strive for a better quality of life using Naturopathic Medicine & Hypnotherapy.
Passionate about comprehensive healthcare, Dr. Jacquie extends her skills beyond autoimmune management. She proudly offers a Family-Based Primary Care practice, ensuring that patients from infancy to the elderly can all benefit from her holistic approach.
Areas of focus include but are not limited to:
● Women’s Hormone Health (puberty through menopause)
● Paediatric Wellness Check Ups & Common Ailments
● Digestive Support & Gut Integrity
● Chronic Underlying Infections
● Autoimmunity & Chronic Inflammatory Disease
● Cardiovascular & Lipid Health
● Allergy Management
● Fertility and Reproductive Health
Samantha McMahon
Office Administrative Assistant
Sam received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Honours Research Psychology from Brock University and is continuing her education to obtain a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology. Sam is the Office Administration Assistant at Manual Medicine and has 9 years of bookkeeping and administration experience. Sam assists with scheduling, extended healthcare billing, and account tracking. Outside of the clinic, Sam enjoys reading, mudding, camping, photography and paddle boarding!