About Us
“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.” — Hippocrates
Richard Hoglund
Richard was born and raised in Vernon B.C where he gained an appreciation for team sports and outdoor activities. He graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 1996 and then from the University of Calgary in 2003 with his bachelor of science degree. Richard divides his time between being the clinic owner/manager of Inspire Health Collective and acting as lead clinical instructor at the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy. He has very much enjoyed his years of teaching as this informs his practice with the most current assessment protocols. He is a fully certified active release technique therapist (ART) and has taken numerous post graduate courses in both Canada and the United States. Richard uses a solution based approach in his practice and employs a variety of assessment techniques to get to the root of the pain and dysfunction. He loves the challenge of both acute and complex chronic pain conditions. Richard loves working alongside his wife Kelsey. In his spare time you can find Richard and his family boating on Shuswap lake, hiking endlessly in Kal park and skiing up at Silver star.
Kelsey Switzer
Kelsey was born and raised in Revelstoke before graduating from the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in 2008. Kelsey has worked in a variety of multidisciplinary clinic settings gaining valuable education and experience. She has also had the pleasure of teaching topics related to pregnancy and pelvic health at the Massage Therapy College in Vernon. She has a passion for learning and has completed many specialty courses in both the United States and Canada. Her sub – specialty training has mostly focused on pregnancy, postpartum, paediatrics, and pelvic health and rehabilitation. More recently, she has refocused her training and practice on acute trauma, MVA, migraines, headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction providing intra-oral work when appropriate. Kelsey is an empathetic patient centred practitioner who will individualize treatment based on various needs. When not in the clinic Kelsey enjoys playing hard with her 2 young kids, trail running, paddling and hiking around the Okanagan.
Natasha Patterson
Natasha was born and raised in Saskatchewan. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology in 2017 followed by her Master’s of Physical Therapy at the University of Saskatchewan in 2019 before moving to Vernon.
Since graduating in 2019, Natasha has been committed to providing thoughtful, individualized physiotherapy care for patients of all ages. With certification in dry needling and a special interest in concussion and vestibular rehabilitation. She has a lot of experience treating headaches, TMJ dysfunction, and a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions.
Natasha’s approach blends hands-on treatment, active rehabilitation, and patient education to support meaningful, lasting results. She values building strong therapeutic relationships and helping patients feel empowered throughout their recovery journey.
Outside of the clinic, Natasha enjoys travelling, hiking, and exploring the outdoors with her dogs.
Anita Markson
After more than 25 years of clinical practice, I feel privileged to have worked with a vast number of health professionals in the community. As a resident of Vernon since 1997 and a graduate of the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy, I am committed to bringing forth an element of remedial care to my clients, empowering them on their journey to health, wellness, and recovery.
I believe an integrative approach to treatment is necessary to achieve optimal benefit. I blend several modalities in my practice to treat a wide range of conditions with positive results. I continue to expand my knowledge and enthusiasm for the field. Recent studies include Vodder-certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT), as well as pre-post surgical and Kinesio-taping specific to Lymphedema. I am passionate about the lymphatic system and its connection to the circulatory and immune systems. Educating and assisting individuals with this under-appreciated system is extremely gratifying for me.
Understanding that each individual has unique needs and goals, I aim to craft a tailored treatment plan that is mindful of both physical discomfort and emotional wellbeing. My hope is to help individuals live their best life, one day at a time.
Robert Powls
Since graduating from the University of Manitoba and obtaining his Diploma in Sports Physical Therapy and Advanced Diploma in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy, Bob has been extensively involved in the sports realm. He has been a member of two Canadian Olympic teams (2004 and 2012) and has been involved with numerous National and professional teams, most recently as Head Therapist for Athletics Canada. He taught in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine for seven years and continued to teach Manual Therapy courses for Physical Therapists for over 20 years.
Samantha Palmer
Originally from Smithers B.C, Samantha grew up in a lifestyle focused home where holistic nutrition, mindfulness, and an appreciation for the outdoors were ingrained in her early. In 2010 Samantha graduated from Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy and has since worked in a variety of multidisciplinary clinics. She enjoys treating little kids to the elderly appreciating the variety of conditions each generation brings. Since graduation Samantha has taken numerous post graduate courses in tempomandibular joint dysfunction providing intra-oral work when indicated, a variety of manual therapy and myofascial courses with a particular interest in the cervical spine, and kinesiotaping for sports related injury, acute trauma and chronic pain. In her spare time you can find Samantha at a local yoga studio, winery, trying new recipes, and enjoying all of what the outdoor okanagan lifestyle has to offer with her husband Wes and two young kids.
Ruth Frisby
Ruth and her family arrived in Vernon in 2004 from Vancouver Island. She graduated from the Massage Therapy Program at the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in 2007. Immediately after graduation, Ruth completed the 3 levels of certification in Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) at the Vodder School in Victoria, BC. MLD is a manual technique that assists with lymphatic flow and aids in the drainage of soft tissue. This specialized technique is evidence-based and is primarily used to relieve edema.
Ruth’s interest in MLD led to the expansion of her practice to include a focus on scar management and post-operative rehabilitation. To this end, she has taken post graduate courses in Scar Tissue Management, Soft Tissue Mobilization and Kinesio-Taping for Lymphedema.
Ruth’s practice is restricted to medical referrals from Oncology, Physicians, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Due to the shortage of experienced Lymphatic Therapists, she does not accept new clients for general massage therapy.
Shaun Lamont
Shaun brings a welcoming, positive, and laid-back energy to his practice, helping patients feel comfortable, heard, and supported from the moment they walk through the door. With nearly 10 years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist, he takes a direct and individualized approach to treatment, focusing on identifying and addressing restrictions so patients can return to living active, healthy lives.
Believing that no two patients are the same, Shaun draws from a wide variety of treatment techniques depending on each individual’s needs. Whether a patient benefits most from focused deep tissue work, gentle craniosacral techniques, fascial work, or a combination of approaches, he tailors treatments to meet people where they are at. He is particularly passionate about empowering patients through education, therapeutic exercise, and practical homecare strategies that help support long-term results outside the treatment room.
Shaun is known for his strong anatomical knowledge, highly developed palpation skills, and ability to quickly assess dysfunction and create an effective treatment plan moving forward. He feels especially effective treating conditions involving the neck and shoulders, and has pursued additional training in the treatment of TMJ dysfunction.
Originally from Kamloops, Shaun moved to Vernon to attend the massage therapy program at the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy. In addition to clinical practice, he spent approximately five years teaching and supervising at the college, instructing courses including Clinical Theory & Practice, Clinical Assessment, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Integrated Science. He continues to tutor massage therapy students and help prepare graduates for their registration examinations.
Outside the clinic, Shaun enjoys hiking, backpacking, paddleboarding, baseball, longboarding, running, swimming, science fiction novels, and spending quality time with his niece and nephew
Cari Hardy
Cari grew up in Vernon , BC and has been active her entire life, playing rugby, basketball and baseball in high school and taking up running and weight training later on. She became passionate about the science of health and anatomy while completing her diploma at OVCMT in 2010. Cari is excited to be providing care in her hometown.
Cari’s treatments focus on deep tissue massage, sports therapy and rehabilitation, including trigger point therapy and myofascial release, and is both therapeutic and relaxing. Recently she has had more opportunities in chronic pain management as well as acute pain from sport injury.
Her knowledge of anatomy and physiology allow her to provide education and therapeutic exercises to clients. Cari enjoys treating all conditions, as well as doing preventative, rehabilitative and maintenance care. Cari also believes in providing a relaxing environment to clients in order to promote stress relief.
When not working, Cari can be found enjoying the outdoors hiking, camping, boating, running or inside weight training. She also makes lots of time for her two young daughters and can be found year round at the hockey rink.
She looks forward to meeting you and helping you on your wellness journey.
A Roadmap
Practitioner and treatments
Natasha: IMS, concussion, vestibular, and direct billing to ICBC.
Bob: extensive training in sports medicine, and has taught manual therapy for many years.
Richard: MVA, direct bills to ICBC, ART, has extensive experience teaching.
Kelsey: MVA, direct bills to ICBC, does intra- ORAL TMJ work, works with many kids ages 5 to 19 with sports injuries, illness, or ICBC.
Anita: advanced training and manual lymph drainage
Ruth: advanced training in MLD
Samantha: advanced training in TMJ/intraoral massage.
Sean: craniosacral/visceral massage therapy, taught for many years at OK CMT.
Cari: deep tissue, massage, sports therapy, and rehab rehabilitation
Specialty Conditions
we treat
Concussion:
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head, a fall, or any injury that shakes the brain inside the skull. Concussions are complex, in form ranging from mild to severe. Concussions can interfere with school, work, sport and even activities of daily living. Concussion can affect cognitive thinking, mood, vestibular, and oculomotor symptoms.
Vestibular:
Vestibular, physiotherapy, addresses, dizziness, balance, vertigo caused by inner ear problems or neurological conditions. Physical therapy for balance issues, often combines home exercises, manual therapy, education, and or specific manoeuvres to help correct the vestibular problems.
MVA/ICBC:
An inspire health collective we treat a variety of MBA rehab injuries. Some of the common injuries we see are whiplash, headaches, concussion, back strain, herniated discs, broken bones, and radiating pain from arms and legs.
In the province of British Columbia, ICBC will cover 25 physiotherapy treatment treatments and 12 registered massage therapy treatments within the first 12 weeks after the crash. You do not need a doctor note to access care. If you require more than 12 weeks of treatment, the attending therapist will write you an extension report.
TMJ: temporal mandibular joint dysfunction, affects the muscles, jaw, joint and disc. Patients typically present with pain, popping and clicking around the joint with limited range of motion. At inspire health collective, we have two Rmt’s trained specifically for intraoral jaw, massage therapy, and a physiotherapist who can also address muscular disfunction within IMS ( dry needling).
Manual lymph drainage – MLD:
Lymphatic drainage, massage, reduces, swelling, and congestion that occurs when an illness or medical treatments Compromise your lymphatic system. Lymphatic massage, involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to move excess fluid away from your tissues and towards the lymph nodes.
Common conditions, we treat:
Lymphedema.
Chronic Venus insufficiency.
Post surgical edema.
Trauma
Injuries
Visceral: visceral manipulation is a gentle manual therapy technique designed to improve the mobility of internal organs and the surrounding connective tissue. It is commonly used for chronic pain, scar, tissue, distention, post trauma, and muscular skeletal pain linked to organ vasculum.