Nancy Dougherty RMT MQP
Craniosacral Therapy/Somatoemotional Release Technique ★
Visceral Manipulation ★
Medical Qigong Therapy/Chinese Energetic Medicine ★
Somatic (Body-based) Trauma & Emotional Processing ★
Qigong Exercises & Meditation/Daoist Inner Alchemy ★
Mindfulness Meditation
Patients receive attentive care and a gentle, precise treatment that helps to acknowledge and reorganize dysfunctional physical, mental, emotional and spiritual processes.
We work together through phases of relief, rehabilitation and regulation.
My education and training is ongoing with an emphasis on Medical Qigong Therapy through mentorship with Dr William Welch Jr. (Temple of the Celestial Fire), who is a longtime and Senior Student of Professor Jerry Alan Johnson of California.
I am disciplined in the practices of Qigong and Meditation and have maintained a private clinical practice since 2005.
I value an ethical and honest approach to assessment and treatment, and expect patients to consider all of their life conditions as part of the treatment plan. Relief from suffering extends beyond the experience of our physical symptoms, and this includes establishment of healthy boundaries, self-esteem, attitudes and relationships. This realization compels me to teach about the value of meditation, self-awareness, social determinants of health, self-regulation and natural breathing.
I came to this work 20 years ago from a background in Employee Benefits Consulting, and am led by my ongoing healing journey from chronic pain, mental health challenges and injuries. I continue to be fascinated by human suffering and resiliency.
Chinese Energetic Medicine works with the complexity of the continuously changing human experience, and is therefore a good lense through which we can explore healing possibilities for sufferers of chronic physical, somatoemotional or psychospiritual conditions.
Craniosacral and Visceral techniques, both forms of manual medicine with roots in Chinese Medicine and, more recently, osteopathy, are skillfully applied to engage the deeper tissues in the body and transform dysfunctional tension relationships that might be causing pain, or inhibiting posture and movement.
Your initial appointment is an opportunity to be heard and to identify circumstances inhibiting your recovery and wellbeing. Each person is unique, and treatment plans vary according to all factors considered, including your goals and expectations.
Born & raised in the Niagara Region, I graduated with honours in Massage and Hydrotherapy from Canadian Therapeutic College in 2005 and promptly entered into private clinical practice.
Continuing Education includes, but is not limited to:
Thai Yoga Massage Introduction with Lotus Palm School—
Craniosacral Therapy 1 & 2 with Upledger Institute—
Somatoemotional Release 1 & 2 with Upledger Institute—
Visceral Manipulation 1 - 4 with Barral Institute—
Chinese Energetic Medicine/Qigong (ongoing) with Dr. William L. Welch Jr, D.T.C.M., D.M.Q. (China) —
Mindfulness Meditation Facilitation Training Intensive with Michael Stone
Cindy is a Registered Massage Therapist and owner of Garden City Therapeutic Massage, located inside Niagara Healing Arts. I offer Therapeutic Massage for the relief of chronic pain and stress.
In 2020, I transitioned from a corporate career in banking and information technology into health care and absolutely love helping clients feel good and hurt less.
My education goes beyond the formal massage school training. I am a Co-Organizer of the annual Canadian Massage Conference, which hosts industry education for manual therapists globally. Each year I invest in continuing education and learning additional ways to restore function, stability and mobility for each client. I offer simple self-care suggestions to help ease strain and discomfort & to promote healing.
In my practice, I provide both table-based treatments and mat-based treatments.
Outside of my work, I enjoy exploring the outdoor beauty of the Niagara region - hiking, bicycling, running, snowshoeing. I’ve participated in many multi-sport events (3 sprint triathlons, obstacle courses and a series of 5-15km running events - just for fun & the finisher medals!). I’m always asking for recommendations for the best places to dine with my husband.
Fun fact: My celebrity crush is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson & I once met (and hugged) Paul Newman at an Indy 500 race!
Contact me to talk about your treatment options - table massage or mat-based massage.
- cindy@gardencitytherapeuticmassage.com
- Mobile: 289-259-7157
- https://gardencitytherapeuticmassage.com
- Instagram: gc.therapeuticmassage
- Facebook: Garden City Therapeutic Massage
