About Barbara
A graduate of the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 1993, I spent 30 years as a Registered Massage Therapist. This was my foundation of physiology, anatomy, therapeutic treatment and hands on skills. I retired my RMT license in 2022 to focus on Osteopathy.
A life-long learner, I added Polarity and Craniosacral Therapy to my practice in the late 1990s.
My special interest in stress and PTSD weaves through my work. In 2002 I took Trauma Resolution to bring specialized skills to balancing the nervous system, transforming both physical and emotional trauma.
Years of collaborating with physiotherapists and in yoga classes informs my emphasis on client self-care, education and exercise.
I became a licensed Manual Osteopath and graduate of the Southern Ontario School of Osteopathy in 2017. The monthly classes reignited my passion for human anatomy and enriched my practice with many new skills. I have become an anatomy nerd, continuing to add to my skills through ongoing training and textbook studies. I now make Osteopathy the focus of my practice, offering treatment for babies through to seniors.
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Barbara Shaw
Passionate about holistic healthcare, I am honoured to share the benefits of manual osteopathy with you.
My practice in holistic health grew out of my own journey with migraines, back pain, trauma and food sensitivities. The trauma work has lead me to explore many fields of research in the evolving understanding of how our brains, nervous system and body-being can find healing and restore balance. I continue to ground my work with ongoing education, spiritual practice, nature and family.
I have worked in Peterborough, Ontario and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia in a variety of clinical settings, enjoying collaborative work with diverse healthcare practitioners. This included four years as a clinical outreach coordinator and massage instructor with Fleming College and the Canadian College of Natural Medicine. I have led workshops, wellness retreats and professional trainings, and was the founding partner of Harmony Health Centre, a collaborative practice on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. I am an coitional assistant instructor for the Southern Ontario College of Osteopathy.
I am a member of the National Manual Osteopathic Society and the International Polarity Education Alliance.
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