Massage Therapy
Registered massage therapy with two RMTs on the team. Therapeutic, deep tissue, pre/postnatal, sports recovery, and relaxation, fully insurance-eligible.
Learn moreSoft Tissue & Tendon Pain
Myofascial release and manual therapy in downtown Toronto.
BACK IN BALANCE Clinic at 2 Carlton St. in downtown Toronto, steps from College station, offers registered massage therapy and myofascial release, manual osteopathy, medical acupuncture, shockwave therapy, laser therapy and custom orthotics. Hands-on care is delivered by two Registered Massage Therapists with osteopathic training and by our chiropractors, all working from the same care plan.
Since 2009Advanced Spine CareConcussion RehabilitationWomen's HealthRunning & SportsWSIB & MVA ClaimsLGBTQ+ Friendly 🏳️🌈Direct Billing to Insurance
Medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Serrick, BSc (Hons), DCLast updated September 2026
At a glance.
Two Registered Massage Therapists practise at BACK IN BALANCE: Michael O'Brien, RMT since 2006, and Yulexi Sebasco Ferrera, RMT and Osteopathic Manual Practitioner.
Myofascial release at BACK IN BALANCE is a technique your therapist applies inside a massage or osteopathic session — not a separate appointment you need to know to ask for.
Massage therapy at BACK IN BALANCE starts at $80 for 30 minutes, and an osteopathic initial visit is $105 for 45 minutes.
Shockwave therapy at BACK IN BALANCE uses the Storz Medical MP50, a clinical-grade focused shockwave system used for chronic tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis.
Shockwave, laser therapy and custom orthotic assessments at BACK IN BALANCE are delivered by our chiropractors: Dr. Matthew Serrick, Dr. Lisa Clarke and Dr. Steven Murray.
Medical acupuncture at BACK IN BALANCE is performed by Dr. Lisa Clarke, certified in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture through McMaster University, and billed under chiropractic benefits.
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How we treat it.
What we'll typically pull from when we build your plan.
Manual Osteopathy
Whole-body osteopathic manual therapy: craniosacral, visceral, joint mobilization, and structural techniques. Two practitioners on the team with formal osteopathic training.
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Acupuncture
Contemporary medical acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and trigger-point dysfunction. Performed by a chiropractor with formal acupuncture training.
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Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for chronic tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and calcific conditions that haven't responded to conservative care alone.
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Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-level laser therapy for pain, inflammation, and tissue healing. A pain-free, drug-free adjunct that pairs well with manual care for acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues.
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Custom Orthotics
Custom-made foot orthotics designed to correct your specific biomechanical pattern, overpronation, supination, or asymmetry, built from a 3D optical foot scan.
Learn moreWhich one sounds like you?
| What you feel | What it often points to | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Tight, sore muscles from desk work, stress or training | Massage therapy, often with myofascial release | Massage Therapy |
| Heel pain that hasn't improved after 8–12 weeks | Shockwave therapy, often with orthotics | Shockwave Therapy |
| Long-standing pain in several areas that has stopped responding | Manual osteopathy | Manual Osteopathy |
| Frequent tension headaches or neck trigger points | Medical acupuncture | Acupuncture |
| A fresh sprain or strain you want to settle sooner | Laser therapy alongside hands-on care | Laser Therapy (LLLT) |
| Foot, knee or back pain linked to how your feet strike | Custom orthotics after a foot and gait assessment | Custom Orthotics |
Keep exploring
What we treat in soft tissue & tendon pain.
Every one of these has its own guide — start with whichever sounds like you.
Running Injuries
Runner's knee, IT band, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and stress reactions. Assessment, gait analysis, and a structured return-to-run progression, not 'just rest.'
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Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
Supraspinatus tendonopathy and tears, shoulder impingement syndromes, bursitis, and other non-traumatic shoulder pain.
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Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common reason patients book at BACK IN BALANCE, from acute flare-ups and sciatica to chronic pain that limits daily life. Same-day chiropractic assessments for lower back pain at our downtown Toronto clinic.
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Neck Pain
Tech neck, postural neck pain, cervicogenic headaches, post-whiplash recovery, and pinched-nerve symptoms, assessed and treated with the same expert rigour we bring to low back pain.
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Pregnancy-Related Pain
Gentle, evidence-based care for pelvic girdle pain, low back pain in pregnancy, round ligament pain, and postpartum recovery. Treatment that's safe at every trimester.
Read the guideHow it fits
Part of a plan, not a stand-alone appointment.
Hands-on work does one job well: it settles pain and gives you back the movement you need to do everything else. Myofascial release and deep-tissue work take the tension out of restricted tissue, joint and osteopathic techniques restore the movement underneath it, and adjuncts like shockwave and laser give stubborn tendon and fascia problems a push they don't get from manual work alone.
What makes the change last is the part you do between visits. Every plan here pairs the hands-on session with a short, specific exercise program, because tissue that is treated but never loaded tends to go back to how it was.
Because your chiropractor, your RMT and your osteopathic practitioner all work in the same building from the same notes, there is no referral loop and no repeating your history. Your plan changes as you do — more hands-on early, more loading later.
Who you'll see.
Michael O'Brien
RMT (since 2006)
Therapeutic, deep-tissue and myofascial techniques, with three years of formal osteopathic training behind them — nearly two decades of massage therapy experience.
Yulexi Sebasco Ferrera
RMT/OMT, BA English Literature
Massage therapy plus full osteopathic training, for pain that spans several areas or has plateaued. Treats in Spanish, English and Italian.
Dr. Lisa Clarke
BA, DC, Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
Contemporary medical acupuncture, shockwave, laser therapy and custom orthotic assessments, alongside her chiropractic caseload.
Dr. Matthew Serrick
BSc (Hons), DC
Shockwave and laser therapy for chronic tendinopathy, and custom orthotic assessments where foot mechanics are driving the problem.
Dr. Steven Murray
DC, MSc, BSc
Shockwave, laser therapy and custom orthotic assessments, with a focus on running and sport-related soft-tissue injuries.
What to expect
Your first visit.
- 01
Tell us what's going on
Book online or call and describe the problem in your own words. You don't need to know whether you need massage, osteopathy or shockwave — if you're not sure, the front desk will point you at the right first appointment, or a free 15-minute osteopathic consultation with Yulexi.
- 02
Assessment first, hands on second
Your first visit starts with history and a movement assessment, so the hands-on work is aimed at something specific. Your therapist will tell you what they're finding as they go, and what they think is driving it.
- 03
Treatment and a plan you can follow
You get treatment the same visit, plus a short home program and a realistic idea of how many sessions this usually takes. We direct-bill most major insurers, so in most cases you only pay the balance.
What it costs.
We direct-bill most major insurers in Ontario. Fees effective September 2026.
Massage Therapy — 30 min30 min · $80
Massage Therapy — 45 min45 min · $105
Massage Therapy — 60 min60 min · $135
Massage Therapy — 75 min75 min · $155
Massage Therapy — 90 min90 min · $175
Frequently asked questions
Myofascial release is a hands-on technique that applies sustained pressure and stretch to the fascia — the connective tissue that wraps every muscle — to ease restriction and pain. At BACK IN BALANCE our Registered Massage Therapists use it inside a massage therapy session when your assessment calls for it, rather than as a separate appointment.
Guides from our Soft Tissue & Tendon Pain team.
Mar 10, 2026
Is Massage Therapy in Toronto Different in the Spring Months
Warmer weather can bring new movement, and new aches. Learn how massage therapy in Toronto shifts with the season to help your body adjust.
Read the article
Dec 23, 2025·Lower Back Pain
Understanding How a Sports Injury Chiropractor Supports Young Athletes
Learn how a sports injury chiropractor supports young athletes in Toronto with gentle care that improves healing, movement, and injury prevention.
Read the article
Dec 9, 2025·Running Injuries
Running Gait Analysis in Toronto Before Snow Changes Paths
A running gait analysis in Toronto can help you avoid injuries, improve your stride, and stay steady on slick sidewalks this winter.
Read the article
Nov 25, 2025
Osteopathy Treatment Options in Toronto for Stiff Joints
Ease tension and move better this winter with osteopathy treatment in Toronto. Learn how gentle, hands-on care can help relieve stiffness from the cold.
Read the article
Nov 18, 2025·Running Injuries
What Orthotics in Toronto Can Do for Foot Soreness as Weather Cools
Cold days can mean sore arches and tired heels. Orthotics in Toronto offer steady support that helps your feet feel better with every step.
Read the article
Sep 30, 2025·Concussion
Concussion Management in Toronto for Autumn Sport Injuries
Fall is a big season for contact sports in Toronto. Whether it is football, rugby, or hockey, more kids and adults are getting out and playing harder as the
Read the articleReviews
What patients say
A few words from people we've helped get back to what they love.
“Steps from College station and they direct-bill my insurance, so it's an easy visit. Real assessment, no pressure, and a plan I could actually follow at home.”
“I saw Dr. Clarke through my pregnancy for pelvic pain. Gentle, knowledgeable, and reassuring the whole way. It made a real difference to how I felt day to day.”
“Booked for a running gait analysis before a half marathon. The video breakdown of my stride was eye-opening and the exercises sorted out the knee pain that kept derailing my training.”
Book your first visit
Tell us what's going on and the front desk will match you with the right soft tissue & tendon pain practitioner.
- Same-day appointments usually available
- Direct billing to most major insurers
- Prefer to call? (416) 660-9932