About Us
Essence Wellbeing Centre is located in Waterloo. The principal technique of chiropractic used in the practice is called Network Spinal Analysis, which is a low-force technique that taps into the body's innate capacity to release stress and heal. We seek to promote a holistic approach to wellness, that allows each of our practice members to reach their goals.
Dr. Sara O'Neill, B.Sc., D.C.
Dr. Sara is originally from Manotick, Ontario, near Ottawa. She went on to study Biology at the University of Waterloo and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree. She entered the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1996 and graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2000.
Dr. Sara is committed to excellence in the care she provides and performing to her highest potential as a practitioner. She has sought out training and accreditation in various disciplines both within the chiropractic field and in related health fields. She has achieved the highest level of certification within the Network Spinal Analysis method. Dr. Sara is a founding member of an international group of doctors called X-cels. Their vision is to promote excellence in the field of reorganizational healing and wellness worldwide.
Her love of children has led her to train and become certified with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and Dr. Sara is always passionate about entraining the many children in her practice. If a child grows up with a clear nervous system they can reach their highest potential as an adult.
In addition to her duties as a chiropractor, Dr. Sara enjoys synchronized skating and playing with her son, Declan. Dr. Sara just recently welcomed the newest addition to her family, a beautiful baby girl named Juliet. She greatly enjoys travel as a means of expressing her vitality and has in recent years traveled to Australia, France, and within the U.S.
Dr. Lisa Simpson McQuarrie, B.Sc., D.C.
I feel truly blessed to be a Wellness Doctor. It seems like every person who walks through our doors is seeking a better life, a healthier body, greater ease and less discomfort. I am thrilled to be able to offer the latest cutting edge techniques to help empower these people to realize their inborn potential! Every one comes in with their solution for healing within them, we just work to release it.
My own chiropractic journey started when I was 21 and truly suffering from a lack of health on many levels. I had been referred to a chiropractor by a co-worker and it was a life changing decision. My health and LIFE were transformed by Chiropractic so much so that I turned my pre-med studies into ‘pre-chiro’ studies and applied to Chiropractic School instead of Medical School. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I received an Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph and then I attended the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and graduated in 1998. Since then I have immersed myself in the study of mind-body healing, stress and its effects on the nervous system and brain function, and ultimately creating wellness. Wellness doesn’t happen passively – you must take action and engage on all levels!
I have a passion for wellness; authentic living; creating sustainable health and for living as lightly and with as much compassion as we can. I am grateful to be able to inspire and empower others to live with vitality, passion and purpose!
I also love being in nature, hiking, running and exploring our world. I love real food, natural living and family and community. Social Justice and human rights are vitally important to me, and I am grateful to serve on the board of a local Non-profit organization called Urban Ex.
I live in downtown Kitchener with my wonderful husband Scott and exceptionally cute daughter Anna.
Jenn Gregory
Chiropractic Health Assistant & Office Manager
I am so grateful to be a Chiropractic Health Assistant for Dr. Lisa at Essence Wellbeing Centre. I have always been passionate about health and wellness and I feel part of my mission in this lifetime is to assist others in achieving optimum wellness in their lives and in the lives of their families. Being a member of the Essence Wellbeing Team gives me the opportunity to do just that! It makes my heart happy to be able to meet so many wonderful people and to share in their wellness journey at all stages!
I started yearning to learn more about health and wellness in my early twenties and it wasn’t until I met Dr. Lisa that my life really changed. Over the past three years I have become healthier emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. I have overcome barriers that have held me back from my true potential for more than a decade. This journey has truly been a gift from above.
I participated in the online studies with Life Chiropractic College West in cooperation with The Master’s Circle and received my certificate for Chiropractic Health Assistant (CHA) in September 2010. It was a great honor to be a part of such amazing institutions and to learn from the best of the best! I am highly motivated and am currently studying Reiki Level 1, Touch For Health, and Holisitic Nutrition. I look forward to what the future holds!
I grew up most of my life in Kitchener and graduated high school from Eastwood Collegiate Institute, Go Rebels Go! I attended Conestoga College and graduated from an intensive business management program in 2002. I live in southwest Kitchener with my amazing husband Paul, our wonderful teenage daughter Victoria and our adorable dog Molly!
Maria Vermeer, B.A.
Office Manager
Maria graduated in 2008 from the University of Waterloo with a degree in English Rhetoric and Professional Writing. Since graduating she has spent time exploring her various interests, including volunteering with an AIDS orphanage in South Africa, completing some courses at Humber College in film production and working at Dragonfly Chiropractic and Wellness Centre.
Maria's enthusiasm for Network Spinal Analysis, informs all her work as office manager. She is always excited to see patient's achieving a more healthy and balanced life, and loves when new people discover all that NSA has to offer.
In her free time she enjoys being involved in her community, pursueing creativity, and working on her little house in Cambridge that she shares with her husband Keith and their hound dog and orange tabby cat.