'Each person's healer is within.'

Curious by nature, I spontaneously tend to observe, to listen and to understand people as well as my surroundings. Originally from Montreal, I started travelling on a journey that took me to different countries and different cultures. I was fascinated to witness how life expresses itself in different places on the planet, to experience the unique relationship between humans and their environment in each place and its consequences. During that life experience period, a new curiosity arose, a new quest: the desire of a better understanding of human beings, the interrelations between the physical, physiological, emotional and the spiritual. This led me to study shiatsu massage therapy based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to engage thereafter into rigorous osteopathic studies. These tools allowed me to better understand myself in order to be able to help others on a healing journey of their own. 

I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the Whitehorse community this winter in English or French. My objective is to offer support to your healing process. As every story is unique, it will be together as a team, that we will find the right tailored path towards an improved balance, mobility and general health. 

I looking forward to meeting you and working together!

It was one serendipitous afternoon during my athletic therapy degree that I first heard the term “osteopathy,” from someone at the local café who had their nose deep in an anatomy textbook. A short Google later and I was sold. Osteopathy held what I felt was missing in my education so far- a respect for the interconnectedness of all body ‘systems,’ and a willingness to trust the Health mechanism within us all.

After opening my athletic therapy practice in Winnipeg in 2014, I enrolled in the 5-year diploma program with the Canadian College of Osteopathy. Over the course of my studies, the practice of seeking to understand the interrelationships in the body seeped into my day-to-day observations of the world around me, and it has become so beautifully obvious how interconnected everything is. I am in love with how patterns in nature repeat themselves at microscopic and macroscopic scales. In 2021, I defended my osteopathic thesis on the topic of postpartum health, marking the start of my osteopathy practice. 

In my clinic today, with gentle curiosity I apply both osteopathy’s “everything is connected” and athletic therapy’s “movement is medicine” lenses to support my clients as they work through their unique health challenges. It is a joy to be of service to community through this work. 

It’s been a dream to see the Yukon, so it was an easy decision to step in to the opportunity to live and work in Whitehorse this spring. I am so looking forward to meeting you.

Samantha Burgis is a born-and-raised Yukoner of Kaska and Tahltan First Nation. Sam graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan with a Bachelor degree of Human Kinetics and a minor in Psychology. She is currently in her third year at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy. Sam has always been fascinated by the body and mind and its incredible capabilities to heal and adapt to life. 

While growing up in a smaller community, being active and participating in team sports was extremely important to Sam. She played high level soccer and has dealt with injuries her whole life.  Throughout her undergraduate degree Sam had a passion in learning about Indigenous perspectives of health and wellbeing and gained a comprehensive insight into the complex social, cultural, historical, and economic factors that shape healthy living within communities. Osteopathy is a form of healthcare that she learned about through her own personal experience and interests her because it takes a whole-body, or 'holistic', approach. Using manual techniques, it aims to balance all systems of the body to provide overall good health and well-being. 

Sam is excited for this opportunity to work with Whitehorse Osteopathy and looks forward to meeting and helping individuals in her community. Sam will be joining Whitehorse Osteopathy in May as a third-year osteopathic student, practicing as a kinesiologist (registered with BCAK) providing general manual therapy sessions.

Sam's sessions are not eligible for coverage through osteopathy with extended benefit providers, but she is offering a reduced rate that may appeal to those without coverage.

Sam is taking on new clients and those who are looking for a general, whole-body session are recommended to book with Sam.