About Us

Dr. Bryan DiFrancesco’s background, experiences and education have shaped him into a health care practitioner in whom his patients have confidence. He is a total body mechanic that uses a holistic approach to attaining and maintaining a strong and healthy person.   Bryan was born and raised in Stoney Creek, Ontario.  He resides here with his wife Natascha and their three children.

Bryan’s early education started in his hometown of Stoney Creek. He graduated as valedictorian of St. Martin of Tours elementary school and proceeded to graduate top of his class from Cardinal Newman high school. During these years he developed his natural athletic abilities through sport and achieved certification with the National Lifeguard Service of Canada. He became aware of his own health and fitness and the need to always be attentive to diet, conditioning and good health practices.

After secondary school, Bryan was selected for one of 40 seats from amongst 1000 applicants into the Queen’s University Physiotherapy Program and upon graduation in 2000 he became a member of both the Canadian and Ontario Physiotherapy Associations. He practiced this branch of medicine throughout his four years of study at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). In June 2005, he graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), one of a select few in Ontario attaining licensure in both the disciplines of Physiotherapy and Chiropractic.

Armed with two professional healthcare degrees, Bryan attained certification in Clinical Acupuncture with the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute and in Orthotic prescription with The Orthotic Group. He is a life-long learner, always interested in new and alternative approaches to health and wellness.

Many experiences in Bryan’s life have contributed to his knowledge, including his travels. He left for Banff, Alberta at 18 to experience Rocky Mountain skiing. He traveled to South Korea to teach English at a ski camp. He was handpicked from amongst his peers by the International Center for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation to be a student Physiotherapist in Sarajevo, Bosnia providing training to local Physiotherapists and care to the war-torn population. After his third year at CMCC he and his wife traveled for eleven months to fulfill a dream to see the world. All of these have broadened his outlook on life and deepened his interactions with his patients.

An appreciation for wellness was expanded during Bryan’s work with the special needs population in his community. He worked as a personal support worker for a man with severe autism and epilepsy, and as a “note-taker” for a blind student at university. Rygiel Homes for the Disabled hired him as a support worker for adults with multiple disabilities and recently as a Physiotherapist Consultant to provide in-service training to staff. Bryan has a natural affinity for people with disabilities and strives to make their lives better.

Bryan’s easy rapport with children, peers, adults, seniors and patients is one of his great qualities. His charisma makes patients comfortable and his effective clinical skills make them confident. His interpersonal skills and problem solving ability are assets that have always stood him in good stead. He strives to reach his potential as witnessed by the numerous awards received (outlined below). Bryan has always been able to balance all aspects of his busy life…education, employment, marriage, children, community, sports and leisure. He is a well-rounded individual who knows the importance of a healthy, pain-free existence if all facets of living are to be enjoyed.

Here is a list of some of Bryan’s awards:

• CMCC Governor’s Club Award – excellence in academics, leadership and service
• Millennium Scholar
• Queen’s University Academic Scholarship
• Miller Thompson Foundation Scholarship – strong educational goals and high standards of excellence in academics, extracurricular and community involvement
• Teacher’s Fraternal Society Scholarship – academic performance, school involvement and community activities that demonstrated leadership and good citizenship qualities
• H.G. Bertram Foundation Bursary
• Ontario General Bursary
• Bishop Tonnos Gold Medal Graduation Award – academic excellence, school involvement and promoting the goals of Cardinal Newman High School

Tara completed her undergraduate degree in Honours Kinesiology at Brock University in 2007 and her Certificate in Athletic Therapy at York University in 2009. Tara has worked and volunteered for many different sports teams throughout her career including soccer, wrestling, baseball, hockey and rugby. When she is not working, Tara enjoys spending time outside running, swimming and biking. Tara believes manual therapy techniques, exercises and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key in the rehabilitation of injuries.

Book a session with Tara Today!

Dr. Ashley Petrina received her undergraduate education from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science. She continued her education at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Ontario and graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.). In addition to her chiropractic training, Dr. Petrina has also completed her Graston® part one certification and received a Contemporary Medical Acupuncture certificate from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She is provincially licensed under the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Chiropractic Association and Ontario Chiropractic Association.

As a licensed chiropractor, Dr. Petrina is a holistic health care provider who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions and disorders relating to the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. She is a true believer in finding and treating the source of the problem, rather than simply treating the symptoms alone. She believes that increasing patient understanding and educating patients is pivotal to patient care and works hard to create a warm environment to foster open communication. Dr. Petrina is passionate about optimizing your health and wellness through chiropractic care, whether it be through treating acute injuries, chronic conditions, or optimizing function and performance. She believes in individualized treatment plans that may include chiropractic adjustments/mobilizations, myofascial release techniques, acupuncture, stretching/strengthening exercise prescription, lifestyle counseling, bracing, and custom orthotics.

In her free time she enjoys exercising at the gym, doing outdoor activities, and spending time with her friends and family. As a native of Stoney Creek, Dr. Petrina is excited to return back to serve the community she grew up in.