Health Blog Category: Fisgard Team
Russell Yoshida
Russell Yoshida has been a Registered Massage Therapist for over 25 years, beginning his massage therapy career in 1997. Driven by a curiosity about why some treatment results last while others fade, he went on to complete five years of study in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, BC, gaining a detailed understanding of the body’s meridian and acupressure systems.
From this combined training, Russell developed his own integrative treatment approach — one that pairs hands-on work along acupressure points with guided movement during the session.
Read full blogMathew Hibbard
Mathew believes healing begins in a safe, supportive environment where the mind and body can work together. He combines evidence-based massage techniques with individualized care to help reduce pain, restore movement, and support long-term well-being.
Read full blogShelby Boado
Shelby is currently a 6th term student at Camosun College and is scheduled to graduate in August of 2026.
Read full blogValerie Crosbie
Valerie Crosbie is a Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling – Provisional (MPCC-P) who is passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and self-compassion. She provides a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, better understand themselves, and develop practical strategies for meaningful, lasting change.
Valerie works with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, burnout, depression, grief, ADHD, chronic pain, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. Drawing on a compassionate, client-centred approach, she integrates evidence-informed counselling techniques with an understanding of the mind-body connection, helping clients build emotional awareness and develop healthier ways of coping with life’s demands.
Read full blogDerrick Hsieh
Derrick blends relaxation massage, firm therapeutic pressure, and moderate movement techniques to help regulate the nervous system and support recovery from musculoskeletal pain, stress, and injury.
Read full blogZhen Ren
Zhen Ren is an acupuncturist who takes a calm, thoughtful approach to care, helping patients restore balance and support their body’s natural healing processes.
Her treatments are tailored to each individual, whether the goal is reducing pain, managing stress, improving sleep, or supporting overall well-being. Zhen works with a variety of concerns and focuses on creating a comfortable, relaxing treatment experience where patients can feel at ease.
With a gentle and attentive presence, she aims to help patients feel more connected to their body while supporting both physical and emotional balance.
Read full blogNikolai Makaroff
Nikolai is a Registered Massage Therapist who takes a thoughtful, education-focused approach to care—helping patients better understand their body while working toward meaningful, lasting results.
He has experience working with a variety of musculoskeletal concerns, including shoulder dysfunction, chronic pain, and movement-related injuries. Nikolai is particularly interested in the “why” behind pain and works with patients to not only relieve symptoms, but to address underlying patterns that may be contributing to discomfort.
His treatments are tailored to each individual and may incorporate a combination of therapeutic techniques aimed at improving mobility, reducing tension, and supporting recovery.
Read full blogKimberley Holmes
Kimberley Holmes is a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) at Equilibrium Therapeutics in Victoria, BC. She is a graduate of Pacific Rim College and a licensed member of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA). Kimberley brings a grounded and compassionate approach to acupuncture, offering care at both our Yates Street and Tillicum Road clinics in Victoria.
Her practice focuses on cosmetic acupuncture, Gua Sha, cupping therapy, and Tui Na massage.
Read full blogChristopher Simons
I support adults of all ages, genders, cultures, and affection orientations who are ready to make changes, even if we don’t yet know what those changes might be. Whether you have been on your healing journey for years, have just begun sorting it all out, or are struggling with recent challenges, my counselling for adults in Victoria, BC can help identify barriers to improved well-being. Together we’ll honour the wisdom of your coping strategies, fine-tune what works and what no longer serves, and may discover ways to more fully thrive.
Read full blogGabe Regier
Gabe has a therapeutic focus; he enjoys practicing deep tissue massage, myofascial and Swedish massage techniques.
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