Meet Our Professional Team
Laurelwood Wellness Centre
Chiropractor / A.R.T. Provider
Dr. Sheldon Gilchrist graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Waterloo in 1996. Following that, he began to pursue his goal of helping others achieve and sustain wellness by attending the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, where he graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2001
It was at that time that Dr. Gilchrist met his good friend and business partner, Dr. Marco Sacchetti. Together they embarked on the journey of helping people live pain free. In 2002, they put their passion for chiropractic into action, opening the doors of Laurelwood Chiropractic. Five years later, in 2007, they expanded and began treating patients at Westvale Chiropracitc and Physiotherapy Centre.
In order to complement spinal manipulation, Dr. Gilchrist became a full body Certified Active Release Technique provider.
Dr. Gilchrist enjoys many sports and outdoor activities, most notably hockey and golf. Growing up in Waterloo, Dr. Gilchrist had the privilege of playing hockey for two local teams, the Waterloo Siskins and the University of Waterloo Warriors. As a former competitive athlete, Dr. Gilchrist enjoys working with athletes, allowing them to return to their sport pain-free. Having a wonderful wife and two beautiful children of his own, Dr. Gilchrist has a passion for, and observes the benefits of, wellness care for the entire family.
Having been a chiropractic patient in his late teens, Dr. Gilchrist is motivated in assisting individuals to become pain free and maintain their wellness. By doing this patients are able to focus on what is important to them!
Chiropractor / A.R.T. Provider
Dr. Sacchetti graduated with an honors degree in genetics from the University of Western Ontario in 1997. He continued his post secondary education earning a Doctorate of Chiropractic from National College of Chiropractic in Chicago. After graduating in 2001, Dr. Sacchetti began private practice in Southern California. Shortly thereafter he relocated to Waterloo joining his good friend and business partner Dr. Sheldon Gilchrist.
As a co-founder of both Laurelwood and Westvale Chiropractic Wellness Centres, Dr. Sacchetti employs a treatment philosophy to manage acute pain, and through prevention and rehabilitation, empowering patients to achieve and sustain pain free living. Dr. Sacchetti is passionate about his belief that educating his patients about the common misconception that pain is normal and should be tolerated. He advocates that, too often, patients allow their pain to control their daily activities, whereas they can, and should, be in control of their health and should not be limited by pain.
Recently married, he and his wifes interests in running, weight training, nutrition, and golfing have cemented his role as an active member in the community. He has combined his interests in maintaining an active lifestyle and health care through continuing education as a fully certified Active Release Technique provider. As an A.R.T. provider, he works with a wide range of patients of varying levels of physical activity, from elite athletes to those with postural related pain associated with a static work environment.
In choosing Chiropractic, Dr. Sacchetti has been able to combine his two passions of helping people in pain through the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal pathology, and establishing alternative healthcare as a complement to mainstream medicine.Registered Massage Therapist
Melissa has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2008 after graduating from Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. Since then she has worked at two of Waterloo's top spas as a therapist. She has also been awarded the Waterloo Chronicle Readers Choice Award for Best Massage Therapist three years in a row. She hopes to remain one of the top massage therapists in the region. Melissa has been with the Laurelwood team since 2015.
With almost ten years of massage experience, Melissa brings with her the knowledge and passion for treating clients of all ages and various conditions. Melissa's treatments have a balance of being therapeutic by working on issues her clients present with but also leave you feeling relaxed when you leave. So whether you want to relax or require treatment for pain management, she is here to help.
She is proficient in massage modalities such as: Swedish massage, fascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue and prenatal massage. She strives to build on her skills by taking courses to remain current. In the spring of 2015, she became certified in reflexology to add to her growing treatment techniques.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog Lewis and going to the gym. Melissa is eager to continue building long lasting therapeutic relationships with her new and existing clients and hopes to help you the best way she can.Registered Massage Therapist
Janice graduated with an honours degree in Kinesiology from University of Waterloo in 1999. She then decided to pursue a career in Massage Therapy. In 2002 she graduated from the D'Arcy Lane Institute of Massage Therapy in London Ontario. Janice has been a Registered Massage Therapist with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario since September 2002.
Janice has experience working in both a clinical and spa environment. She has treated clients of all ages and a very wide range of conditions. Some conditions she has treated include: headaches, migraines, tendonitis, scoliosis, pregnancy, muscle strains, sprains, plantar fasciitis and sports injuries. She also treats many clients who just want to relax and reduce stress. Janice is passionate about the field of massage therapy. She enjoys working in a multi disciplinary clinic since it provides clients with more options for their care. She will design a treatment plan for clients based on their individual needs.
Janice lives in the Waterloo Region with her husband and son. She enjoys the outdoors, downhill skiing, golf, gardening, long walks with the dog and spending time with her son.Registered Massage Therapist
After eight years of working in a laboratory at the University of Waterloo, Lucy's desire to work with and help those with musculoskeletal pain lead her to study Massage Therapy.
After graduating from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Pharmacology in 2017, Lucy became registered with the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario. Lucy's experience in Massage includes treating patients of all ages with a variety of injuries ranging from static posture to competitive training. Lucy utilizes a variety of massage techniques including deep pressure, acupressure, trigger point therapy, and cupping. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and reading Chinese Tiu Na Medical literature.Registered Massage Therapist
Holly graduated from the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy with honours in the spring of 2006. She has been practicing and in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) since her registration in early 2007.
Holly spent the majority of her RMT career to date practicing at one of the regions top award winning spas which allowed her to cultivate her massage therapy skills while working on their extensive clientele. Holly's treatment style is generally therapeutic and deep in nature all the while incorporating aspects of relaxation into every massage. Holly will assess each individuals needs, tailor treatment plans and offer home care protocols to help her patients reach their goals and be pain free as quickly as possible. Holly is excited to offer massage therapy at Laurelwood Chiropractic and is happy to be among a group of other wellness professionals whose skills her patients can seek to compliment their massage treatments.
In her spare time Holly enjoys spending time with her husband and young son, staying active by participating in group cycling or boxing classes, cooking her way through plant based cookbooks and a good strong cup of coffee!Registered Massage Therapist
Brian graduated with an honours degree in Recreation and Leisure studies from the University of Waterloo in 2013.
He was also the Starting Quarterback at the University for two years.
After that, he played American Football professionally in Europe for two seasons. One in Wiesbaden, Germany and another in Barcelona, Spain.
Once his football career was over, he started to have aches and pains with no cure.
He then turned to massage therapy and within a few months noticed a significant difference in how his body felt. He decided what better way to give back than to learn the profession of massage therapy himself.
A recent grad from OCHT in Stoney Creek. With his extensive career in athletics, he has incurred a lot of personal injuries and has great empathy for his clients who are experiencing pain.
He lives in the Waterloo region, with his wife, Brittany, and two children under the age of three.
On his spare time he loves to write, sing and play music. He has written over 170 songs and plans to release his first album in 2021.
He also is a children's book author, where his wife, Brittany, is the illustrator.
It is through his practice, his music and his writing where he wants to make a positive impact on the world around him.
Registered Physiotherapist
Nicole graduated from Queen’s University with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 2010. Prior to this she graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Kinesiology.
Before joining Laurelwood Chiropractic, Nicole spent her time practicing at a busy private practice clinic in Milton for nine years. She continues to pursue the best possible evidence based care by continuing her education in various orthopaedic courses. As a result of her drive to become an effective physiotherapist, Nicole has completed several post graduate courses including acupuncture and dry needling, Manual Therapy: Level II Lower, and specific courses on the lumbar spine, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. She is currently an active member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
Nicole has an extensive background in sports, including participation in competitive softball, recreational hockey and slo-pitch. Her keen interest in sports and the human body is what challenged her to pursue her goal towards becoming a physiotherapist. Nicole’s treatment philosophy includes a focus on patient goals and helping them achieve their highest health potential through an approach including hands-on patient centered care, as well as active physiotherapy techniques.