Anyone recognize the Leaside celebrity in the photo? Chloe, office greeter and security guard, was the winner of Leaside Life’s June 2014 Best Office Greeter Award, beating out seven other dogs – and a bird – for the honour. Her boss and best friend, Peter Skalenda, is the owner of Millwood Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Centre at 895 Millwood Rd. He’s been in practice since 1997 and on Millwood since 2005 with Chloe still greeting clients, 11 years after her win.
Asked how he chose his career, Peter said, “As a young, multisport athlete I began experiencing severe back pain which intensified as I continued through high school. At that time, my mom was extolling the benefits of chiropractic treatments for her pain and introduced me to the practice. Thanks to regular treatments from that skilled practitioner and commitment to my daily stretching protocol, I’ve stayed pain-free and enjoying many sports, especially cycling.”
Becoming a chiropractor requires years of education and disciplined study habits. Peter’s academic journey began with an undergrad kinesiology degree from Guelph University focusing on the science of human movement, with rigorous studies in inorganic chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and physics essential to biomechanical studies. The volume of material made for onerous exams. After graduation, Peter worked for a year before enrolling in the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, graduating four years later. “I was surprised to see so many athletes attending chiro college,” he commented. “Many because they’d been injured, and chiropractic treatments alleviated their pain.”
Asked about hobbies, Peter spoke of combining his love of cycling with fundraising. “The past four years, I’ve participated in the Ride for Parkinson Canada’s Growling Beaver event, completing the 200 km gravel ride and raising just under $50,000.” From photos on the Parkinson’s site, the event looks like lots of fun for riders, volunteers and fans.
Peter is proud of his other rides, too. “My office wall photos are from the Ride for Karen. Over 17 years, I raised almost $50,000 helping send children with cancer to special camps. I loved the event. Sadly, it ended with Covid. Two brothers whose mother, Karen, died of breast cancer hosted the event for 20 years, honouring her wish to give hope to kids fighting cancer.”
Peter enjoys a healthy work-life balance. Typical weekdays he treats clients in the areas of musculoskeletal injuries, headache pain conditions, and instructs in proper stretching protocol from 7:30-10:30 a.m., then breaks for lunch and a two-hour cycle before returning to his clinic from 3 to 6:30 p.m. He also schedules client appointments most Saturday mornings, leaving lots of time for daily stretches and cycling. Peter enthused, “It’s a gravel bike for me! They’re newer on the cycling scene with a more upright riding position offering more comfort and stability on rougher terrain.”
The clinic team includes two Registered Massage Therapists: Szilvia Eross since 2005 and Lienne Cole since 2006. Szilvia studied at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy and provides pre-and post-natal care, treats sports and motor vehicle injuries, repetitive strain, sciatica, arthritis, frozen shoulder, scoliosis, and headaches. Lienne graduated from Toronto’s ICT Kikkawa Massage College and is also certified in Musculoskeletal Acupuncture and offers Hot Stone Therapy, Ultrasound, Suiko do and Myofascial Release. Rubinah Atcha, a former high school teacher, is a Registered Acupuncturist specializing in Chinese herbal medicine treating digestive disorders, gynecological concerns, chronic pain and fatigue as a graduate of Toronto’s Eight Branches College of Eastern Medicine.
Whatever your concern, when you visit Peter’s clinic, you will likely spot Chloe at the door waiting to greet you.
Learn more: https://www.millwoodchiro.com/. Growling Beaver Ride for Parkinson’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUWMPNQJDu4.
