Dr. Abe Avender is a Chiropractor and co-owner of Island Optimal Health & Performance. He graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2007.

Dr. Avender has continued his education by completing extensive seminars,training, and certifications in manual soft tissue therapies, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), injury rehabilitation & prevention, golf swing biomechanics, video golf swing analysis, and golf-specific fitness & conditioning programs. He diverges from the “cookie cutter” approach to treatment and uses thorough assessment skills to provide individualized treatment plans.

Dr. Avender has been heavily involved and passionate about athletics throughout his career. He is currently the Head Coach for the Men’s volleyball team at Vancouver Island University and has had the honour to be invited to be the Team Doctor for 2022 Canada’s Men’s Volleyball Nations League.

His vision for Island Optimal and approach to his practice is one that is multidisciplinary, patient-focused, movement-centred, and evidence-based. He aspires to provide the tools to help strengthen his patients and become more resilient so they can live, function and perform optimally. Dr. Avender is proud to share his skills and passion for health and athletics to Nanaimo at Island Optimal Health & Performance.

Dr. Abe Avender is a Chiropractor and co-owner of Island Optimal Health & Performance. He gra... Read More

Dr. Natalie Blake has a passion for helping people move better and feel better. She is motivated to help each and every individual get stronger. Her practice focuses on identifying and modifying movement patterns, and helping people manage their pain with confidence. She has an evidence-informed approach including combination approach of education, soft tissue techniques, and manual therapy.

Both her professional experience as a personal trainer and as a former competitive weightlifter allow for a detailed analysis of biomechanics, movement and how it impacts recovery. Whether you are a beginner or an athlete, she helps build confidence in the gym and at home to manage pain and injury.

Some of Natalie’s recent experience includes Team Clinician for Team New Zealand (Ice Blacks) during the IIHF World Cup in 2024, and appointed the Medical Liaison for the 2025 55+ BC Summer Games.

Outside of practice, Natalie can be found enjoying the great outdoors, joining a local Pilates class, or in the gym.

Dr. Natalie Blake has a passion for helping people move better and feel better. She is motivated... Read More

Ben grew up in Ladysmith before completing his Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Physical Therapy degrees at the University of British Columbia. Throughout his education, he gained experience working in many different settings including university athletics, neurological rehab, post-surgical, and multi-disciplinary clinics. Ben believes everyone has an athlete in them, whether they are walking their dog, scoring a goal, or playing with their kids. He uses targeted exercise and manual therapy to help you get back to your activity as quickly as possible. Ben loves to stay active and explore what beautiful BC has to offer. He is looking forward to seeing you in the clinic or out on the trails!

Ben treats out of our Dufferin clinic location.

Ben grew up in Ladysmith before completing his Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Physical The... Read More

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Monika’s passion for activity and sport began at a young age. During these years she experienced both individual and team sport environments while competing as a provincial gymnast and training on the soccer field. These experiences led her to obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Athletic and Exercise Therapy and becoming a Certified Athletic Therapist. In addition to her studies, Monika dedicated over 1600 volunteer hours working with individuals at every level of activity. While she focused on emergency care and injury management at various sporting events, Monika also concentrated her time in the clinic where she focused on assessment, rehabilitation, and prevention of musculoskeletal and concussion related injuries. Monika believes everyone is an athlete in their own way and is deserving of individualized care and plan of action when it comes to treating their injuries.

The past four years Monika has worked on the sidelines and in the clinic with the Shawnigan Lake School athletics program. This experience has granted her the opportunity to work full circle with individuals from the moment they are injured to the time they get back to doing what they love. Whether that be sport, work, or everyday life activities, Monika is there every step of the way providing a patient centered approach.

When not in the clinic or on the sidelines of the field, rink, or gym, Monika enjoys spending time outdoors running, hiking and exploring the beautiful island trails and parks with her husband, baby and dog. She also plays female recreational hockey and has stayed involved in the gymnastics community as a judge for the Junior Olympic athletes around Vancouver Island. She is excited to join the Island Optimal Health and Performance team and provide her athletic therapy services in Nanaimo.

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Monika’s passion for activity and sport began at a young age... Read More

Doreen Hill is a Registered Acupuncturist at our Dufferin location with over 20 years of experience. She approaches acupuncture from a Traditional Chinese Medicine lens and from a whole person approach.

Doreen Hill is a Registered Acupuncturist at our Dufferin location with over 20 years of experien... Read More

Dr. Darcy James is a Chiropractor who graduated from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 2018. His approach to assessing, diagnosing, and treating his patients is functional and movement-based. He provides hands-on therapies, education, and prevention strategies in his customized treatment and rehab plans to help each patient meet their individual goals.

Darcy has an interest in treating neurodynamic dysfunctions, i.e. assessing and treating nerve pain, numbness, tingling, loss of strength, concussion and post-concussion syndrome, spinal stenosis, TMJ dysfunctions, and biomechanical assessment of foot/ankle/movement dysfunctions.

Dr. James is certified in ART®, which is a movement-based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves, often caused by overused muscles. Prior to working with Island Optimal, Darcy competed in mixed martial arts, which led him to the clinic first as a patient and then motivated him to become a Chiropractor. Darcy’s goal in working with his patients is to get them out of pain and stay out of pain so they can get back to doing the things they love.

Dr. Darcy James is a Chiropractor who graduated from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in To... Read More

Alenna Langhorst is a Fascial Stretch Therapist with a background in sports and yoga therapeutics. She uses a holistic approach to assess and treat the whole person through Fascial Stretch Therapy, a table-based assisted manual stretch that uses traction, oscillation, and circumduction. Alenna’s pain goal of intention of her practice is to improve mobility through stretching the deep connective tissue, aka fascia.

Alenna Langhorst is a Fascial Stretch Therapist with a background in sports and yoga therapeutics... Read More

Jenny is a graduate of Mohawk College Massage Therapy Diploma in Hamilton, Ontario. While initially a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario, Jenny has moved back to Vancouver Island to call it home again and is now an active registrant with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia. In addition, Jenny holds a BA with Sport, Health, and Physical Education from Vancouver Island University, and is a 200-hour trained yoga instructor. Through her education, Jenny has had experience working with diverse groups, including the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Mississauga Marathon and other races, hospices and chronic pain clinics, all of which have instilled within her a passion for helping people improve their quality of life. Through techniques such as myofascial release and trigger point therapy, in addition to relaxation techniques and homecare exercise recommendations, Jenny aims to help her clients get back to healthy living - whatever that looks like for them! Trained to relieve pain, restore health, and maintain and rehab physical function, Jenny has a special interest in treatment of headaches, muscular issues of the neck and back, improvement in functional mobility throughout the body, as well as repetitive stress injuries. No matter her clients’ treatment goals, Jenny listens and works with her clients to find the best treatment plan. Together, she hopes her passion will be felt by clients and encourage them to pursue their health and wellness goals. Away from the clinic, Jenny loves to enjoy everything the island has to offer. Whether it’s having beach fires and exploring backroads with her sister, hiking and camping with friends, playing tennis, beach volleyball or skiing, if it’s active, it’s awesome!

Jenny is a graduate of Mohawk College Massage Therapy Diploma in Hamilton, Ontario. While initial... Read More

Randy is a graduate of the 3000 hour Registered Massage Therapy program at West Coast College of Massage therapy in Victoria, British Columbia. He is also an active registrant with the College of Massage Therapists of BC as well as a member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC.

Born and raised in Nanaimo, Randy took full advantage of the athletic opportunities offered in his community. To this day he takes great interest in sport and brings his experiences as an athlete and coach to his practice as a massage therapist. Randy enjoys treating a wide variety of conditions and excels at addressing each patients unique therapeutic needs. He has a special interest in treating headaches, sports injuries, TMJ disfunction, and post concussion syndrome. Trigger point release, myofascial release, and muscle energy techniques are commonly used in his treatments as well as an extensive list of other modalities.

In his spare time, Randy enjoys maintaining an active life style by hiking, kayaking, skiing, yoga, and competing in sports such as soccer, hockey, curling and baseball. He also exercises his artistic side by playing music, sketching, and whittling.

His enthusiastic approach toward massage therapy and healthy lifestyles in general makes him a positive asset to the Island Optimal Health team.

Randy offers massage therapy at our Central clinic.

Randy is a graduate of the 3000 hour Registered Massage Therapy program at West Coast College of ... Read More

Lindsay is a graduate of the 3000-hour Registered Massage Therapy Program at the West Coast College Of Massage Therapy in Victoria, BC. She also completed her B.A. in Sports, Health, & Physical Education at Vancouver Island University. Lindsay is an active registrant with the College Of Massage Therapists of B.C., and a member of the Massage Therapists Association of BC.

Lindsay’s particular interest in the study of human anatomy, nutrition, and various sports and forms of fitness has expanded her knowledge to which she applies in her own practice and massage therapy treatments. Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Techniques and Trigger Point Therapy are just a few of many modalities that she incorporates into her treatments. While she loves working with the general public she has an added interest in treating sports injuries.

Lindsay is a graduate of the 3000-hour Registered Massage Therapy Program at the West Coast Colle... Read More

Sean graduated from the First Colleges RMT program in Kelowna, BC. During his time in school, he worked directly with a variety of different patient populations, including individuals with spinal cord injuries, office workers, students and athletes. Sean aims to treat all patients with the highest level of care and consistently works to expand his knowledge and skill sets through continuing education.

Sean’s approach to treatment is rooted in active rehabilitation and draws from his years of experience as a personal trainer and Kinstretch instructor. Sean has a strong interest in health and longevity and brings to his practice personal experience with race training and injury mitigation through his own athletic accomplishments, most recently completing the Squamish 50 ulltra-mathon and hiking the West Coast Trail.

During treatment Sean uses a variety of techniques to address client needs. These include but are not limited to: deep tissue Swedish massage, Pin & stretch, FR release, Myo fascial, PNF and stretching.

Sean has a diverse clientele, working with Athletes, Seniors, individual with chronic pain, and individual requiring rehabilitation for acute injuries.

Outside the clinic Sean spends his time trail running, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing and going on many nature walks/hikes with his Wife and newborn son.

Sean graduated from the First Colleges RMT program in Kelowna, BC. During his time in school, he... Read More

Brittany was born and raised in rural Newfoundland, Canada, and completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She then completed a Master of Science in Physiotherapy at University College Dublin in Ireland in 2018. Brittany enjoys working with all types of clients, but has a special interest in working with the elderly, as well as clients who have neurological conditions or those with traumatic orthopedic injuries. She thoroughly believes in a client-centered approach to rehab - a client is not just a number or time slot to fill. She takes time to listen to her patients and works with them to establish goals to help work towards getting them back to doing the things they love. When not at work, she can be found running, hiking, or spending time with her partner and pet dog, Lucy!

Brittany was born and raised in rural Newfoundland, Canada, and completed her undergraduate degre... Read More

Fitness has always been a part of Lesley’s life. Her passion for sport led her to a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. She began personal training in 1998 and since then has coached, trained, and educated her clients in established studios, at schools and as a part of medical teams.

Lesley specializes in functional and rehabilitative training with her focus on chronic conditions and long-term injuries. She works closely with our chiropractors, physiotherapists and massage therapists as well as doctors to develop a therapy plan for each individual that can help you with rehabilitation and prevention, chronic disease treatment, and preventative maintenance of your health and well-being.

Living and training on Bowen Island, Gabriola and now on the “big island” in Lantzville, she is no stranger to island living. Lesley, her husband and three children love the community that comes with living on an island and are excited to have found themselves in such a beautiful part of the world. The ocean and mountains provide the perfect playground.

Fitness has always been a part of Lesley’s life. Her passion for sport led her to a Bachelor of H... Read More