Meet the Team at Hands On Health Family Chiropractic
Dr. Stacey Farquhar and Dr. Matt Garofolo are a husband and wife team who founded their family wellness centre in 2003. They met at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas and, upon graduating with honours in 2001, they decided to return to Toronto to live and practice. They are the proud parents of Madelaine and Jacob, both born at home. It is with great passion that they choose to live and share the chiropractic principles and in so doing, raise their children holistically.
The doctors founded Hands On Health Family Chiropractic with the mission of helping as many families as they could; educating their community through gentle chiropractic care that health, vitality and healing come from within; and empowering their practice members to make informed healthcare decisions.
Dr. Stacey Farquhar
Dr. Stacey Farquhar
Dr. Farquhar started her scholastic studies at the University of Western Ontario where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. It was during this time that she discovered chiropractic.
“I was suffering from terrible menstrual cramping every month,” she says, “and the temporary symptom relief of the doctor-prescribed medication didn’t resonate with me since I knew it wasn’t addressing the cause of the problem.” A close friend studying chiropractic recommended that she pursue it and the rest is history.
“I knew after my first visit that this profession was not only going to help me but it was what I was searching for as a career,” tells Dr. Farquhar.
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Dr. Farquhar is passionate about raising healthy, well-rounded children. She has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education in the field of pediatric care with the
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and is certified in Webster’s In-Utero Constraint Technique. Although she enjoys working with people from all walks of life, she has a particular passion for working with the pregnant community and their babies. “I know that raising healthy children actually begins in the womb. When mom’s spine and nervous system is balanced, pregnancy and labour is healthier and less complicated and baby gets the best start possible,” explains Dr. Farquhar.
Her practice encompasses an eclectic mix of families who have actively chosen to incorporate chiropractic care as an integral part of their healthy lifestyle choices. “I strive to provide a relaxed environment to share information so that my patients are free to make informed health care decisions for their families.”
Dr. Farquhar primarily incorporates Torque Release Technique in her practice which is a very gentle chiropractic technique. It utilizes a neurologically based analysis that incorporates a non-repetitive sequence of adjusting priorities resulting in much greater effectiveness and patient improvement. Utilizing The Integrator, a torque and recoil release adjusting instrument, Torque Release Technique combines the best of existing chiropractic techniques and principles, quantum physics and the body/mind connection.
Dr. Farquhar loves being active. She can regularly be found either on a brisk walk, trying a new sport or practicing yoga. Her downtime incorporates a lot of reading, time with good friends, good food and good wine!
“Chiropractic care increases our potential to be our best!” she exclaims. “I welcome you and your family and promise to provide a healthy environment for growth along with the very best care possible.”
Dr. Matt Garofolo
Dr. Matt Garofolo
“I wasn’t a skeptic at all when I discovered chiropractic,” remembers Dr. Garofolo. “In fact, I desperately wanted help because my left arm was going numb up to my elbow. Chiropractic was a really attractive option to me since I was already a vitalist who believed that my body could heal itself naturally. I was so inspired by the results that I decided to become a chiropractor myself.”
Dr. Garofolo began his pre-chiropractic education in Oklahoma City where he studied the basic sciences such as inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, along with basic physiology and anatomy courses. After completing his study there, he was accepted at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas. During his four years at Parker, courses included biochemistry, a major emphasis on anatomy and human physiology, x-ray, diagnosis, chiropractic adjusting techniques and patient care in the Parker College Public Clinic.
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He went on to specialize in the
Gonstead System of Chiropractic and has over 160 hours of post-graduate education in this very specific system of analysis and adjusting. Since that time he has studied many other effective approaches to assessing and adjusting the neuro-spinal system and has developed an approach that blends Gonstead, Torque Release Technique, MC2, Thompson, Upper Cervical Specific, MLS/Diversified, and KST. After graduating in 2001 Dr. Garofolo moved to Toronto, Ontario to marry his sweetheart that he had met at Parker College, Dr. Stacey Farquhar.
“It wasn’t until after about six months of adjustments in chiropractic college that I experienced for myself the true power of regular chiropractic care,” continues Dr. Garofolo. “I realized that my regular sinus and allergy problems that had plagued me for years and had made my life miserable had disappeared. I also noticed that my every-other-month colds and three-times-per-year flues had also disappeared. Since 1998 I have rarely contracted the flu and can sometimes skip a year without contracting a cold, amazing! I was also able to ride my road bike for three hours without any back discomfort at all which was unheard of before then.”
“I understand that chiropractic care and the vitalistic wellness paradigm are foreign to many people in today’s society. So we make it a point to explain everything in advance, answer questions and attempt to make our office a warm and friendly healing environment. Patients appreciate that.”
“I also know that we live in a time where people are looking for more natural ways of staying vital and creating health in their lives,” smiles Dr. Garofolo. “They want to stay healthy as long as possible and they want to avoid toxic drugs, unnecessary surgeries and hospitals. At the end of the day they just want to be empowered with factual information so that they can take the self-responsibility to care for themselves and keep themselves vital. I understand that way of thinking because that’s what I want for my family as well.”
“Thank you for visiting our site. I hope it can be a source of hope and healing. If you have any questions, please call us or click on the Email the Doctor link at the bottom of every page.”
Dr. Nicole Procyk
Dr. Nicole Procyk
When I was young I had my first experience with low back pain causing me to quit competitive sports. Having very limited options in rural Manitoba, I was given traditional medicine which made me feel better temporarily but because we covered the symptom, we never addressed the cause of the problem. My low back obstacle turned into a torn ACL(surgery, rehab) and later digestive challenges which changed the quality of my life. It wasn’t until I was introduced to chiropractic and the lifestyle philosophy that I was able to correct my initial low back problem, eliminate my digestive challenges, continue to achieve my athletic goals and thrive in my overall health.”
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Dr. Procyk’s experiences as a youth has inspired her passion to live and bring up her daughter with a holistic lifestyle. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Manitoba, graduating in 2006 and later graduated with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. She took extensive training in paediatrics, pregnancy and support becoming a DONA trained doula to better support other families achieve their goals. Dr. Procyk resonates deeply with the chiropractic philosophy and strives to empower patients to reach their full potential in all areas of their life and to trust the intelligence of their own body.
Dr. Procyk uses a tonally based chiropractic technique called Torque Release Technique. TRT uses an instrument for a gentle, low force adjustment to locate and release pressure on the nervous system. She is also certified in Webster Technique which is a specific assessment, adjustment to enhance neurological-biomechanics especially in pregnancy.
When Dr. Procyk isn’t in the office, she can be found doing something active whether its a new workout, walking along the beach, on a hiking trail, or completing a race.
Vanesa Symchych, Office Manager/Personal Trainer
Meet Vanesa, the dynamic and vibrant office manager at our chiropractic clinic. With a passion for health and wellness, Vanesa seamlessly combines her role as an office manager with her expertise as a personal trainer. She brings a unique energy to the clinic, infusing it with her love for the outdoors and an active lifestyle. When Vanesa isn’t busy keeping the clinic running smoothly, you’ll often find her soaking up the sun and fresh air. She relishes every opportunity to dive into nature’s embrace. Whether it’s walking through scenic trails, biking along paths, or gliding in her kayak, Vanesa finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors. She effortlessly balances her responsibilities as an office manager with her commitment to personal fitness, always encouraging her colleagues and clients to prioritize their own well-being. Vanesa’s enthusiasm and knowledge as a personal trainer are invaluable assets to the clinic. Her expertise in exercise complements the chiropractic treatments provided at the clinic, allowing patients to achieve holistic healing and wellness. Vanesa’s passion for helping others shines through in her interactions, as she empowers patients to take charge of their health and embrace an active lifestyle.
With her warm personality and her genuine desire to assist others make her an integral part of the chiropractic clinic’s success.
Contact our Etobicoke chiropractic office to make an appointment today!
Hands On Health Family Chiropractic | (416) 237-0069
