Massage Therapy

Leslie is the owner/operator of Strides Spa and Wellness Centre and Strides Health. She was an accomplished dancer in her youth and broadened her wellness journey after graduating from ICT Northumberland College for Massage Therapy in 2000. Her vision was to open a modern and sophisticated wellness centre to offer therapeutic treatment in a spa setting. Leslie specializes in deep tissue trigger point therapy, sports and MVA rehabilitation, as well as hot stone massage, cupping, pregnancy, TMJ dysfunction and laser therapy for pain and inflammation. Leslie takes pride in mentoring her associates at Strides and is very proud of the wellness team, stylists and technicians she works with every day.

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After graduating from high school, Amy knew she wanted to work in the health industry and help clients in one way or another. She started out by taking a Fitness & Lifestyle Management role that lead to her working in gyms as a trainer. This left her wanting more; she enrolled in Massage Therapy at ICT Northumberland College and graduated July of 2009 as a Registered Massage Therapist.

While most of her focus is deep tissue work for chronic dysfunctions and headaches, Amy has taken an Aromatouch course and has grown interest to increase her skills and knowledge using these methods in her treatments. Amy has been travelling from Porter’s Lake since the Spa opened in 2014. Over these years she has grown a soft spot for working in East Hants and her for wonderful client’s she has helped.

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Sidney graduated with her Massage Therapy Diploma with distinction from Eastern College in Halifax in 2024 after working at the IWK for 8 years. 

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She is very passionate about health and wellness and enjoys problem solving and trying to figure out what the root of the problem is to get the best results. She loves helping people feel better, even if it's just lending a listening ear.

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Sidney uses many different techniques including, but not limited to cupping, general Swedish Massage techniques, hydrotherapy for therapeutic and relaxation massages along with deep tissue, trigger point therapy, lymphatic drainage, passive stretching and fascial work. 

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She has treated a broad range of conditions, including those with workplace and motor vehicle accidents, clients who suffer from MS, fibromyalgia, strains, sprains, arthritis, frozen shoulder, headaches and much more. 

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When she's not working, Sidney enjoys spending time with family, her dog and any activity that involves being outside. 

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Born and raised in Lantz, Marissa is honoured to be a part of such a rewarding industry and she can help the people of East Hants and our surrounding communities. From a young age Marissa always knew she wanted to work in an industry where helping others was a priority. Marissa was valedictorian of her graduating class of 2022 from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy. While most of her work consists of trigger point therapy and deep tissue massage, she has also furthered her education in TMU (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) and finds helping clients eliminate their jaw pain very rewarding. 

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From a young age, Christie was a full-time dance student and through that experience she always had a passion for human sciences. Moving from her hometown Winnipeg, MB to Vancouver, BC, Christie started her wellness career in 2016 after graduating from a spa therapy program at the Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage. She soon was working at a Forbes 5-start luxury spa in Vancouver, where she provided massage, scrubs, reflexology, Indian scalp massage, hot stone and a variety of other treatments and modalities. After being certified for many years, becoming registered was her next career step, graduating from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in 2023 with honours. She recently moved to Nova Scotia to continue her passion in helping others improve their quality of life and movement through massage therapy. 

Nancy Gagnon is a Registered Massage Therapist with 22 years of experience helping clients improve their health, wellness, and quality of life through therapeutic massage. Originally from New Brunswick, Nancy has called Nova Scotia home for the past decade, where she has continued to build strong relationships with clients through her compassionate and client-centered approach.

Nancy is passionate about the benefits of therapeutic touch and believes that massage therapy plays an important role in supporting both physical and overall well-being. She is committed to educating clients about the value of massage therapy and empowering them to better understand their bodies and wellness goals.

Known for her positive attitude, professionalism, and genuine care for others, Nancy creates a welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable, respected, and supported. She places a high value on confidentiality and trust, ensuring that every client receives personalized care tailored to their individual needs.

With over two decades of experience, Nancy remains dedicated to helping clients achieve greater comfort, mobility, and well-being through skilled therapeutic care.

Nancy specializes in: 

• Fascial Stretching

• Cupping

• CranioSacral Therapy

• Hot Stone Massage

• TMJ (Temporomandiblular joint) pain

• Pregnancy

• Indian Head Massage

• Headaches/Migraines

•  Motor Vehicle Accidents