Contact Us
Email Carole
Email Webmaster

A Caring Centre

Feature Article in Massage Therapy Canada, Winter 2002 by Tracee Lee-Hollaway.

Synergea Family Health Centre celebrated its first anniversary in June of 2002. Synergea is a unique collaborative care centre for women and their families. It is home to a thriving community of 15 alternative and complementary health care practices in Alberta.

The centre was the inspiration of three women, Linda Hickey- a maternity massage therapist, (author of the article "Pediatric Massage"), Judy Forrester, chiropractor and Allissa Gaul, a naturopath.

The three women dreamed of creating a welcoming, friendly environment for women and their families in the community. Synergea was three years in the making.

Clients and friends of the three practitioners assisted in the design of the building and continue to help with support services such as a parent support program. There are volunteer grandmothers and others available to hold a baby or play in Pooh's tree house during "Mom Friendly Times." Mothers can see their practitioners for an appointment and know that their children are close and having fun.

The bright and welcoming centre is home to 15 practices. Most are part-time as the majority of the practitioners are mothers too.

The team includes midwives, a counsellor and a physical therapist, doctor of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, two full time and four part time massage and/or craniosacral therapists and three chiropractors.

Clients enjoy the experience of seeing one or more of the practitioners on their visits and benefit from the informal and formal collaboration that takes place among the practitioners. It is in this area that we hope to participate in research and publication in years to come.

Return to the listing of Linda's articles