Active Health Centre

Active Health Centre We are committed to helping our patients achieve a pain-free, healthy and active lifestyle using the safest and most cost effective methods of treatment.

First established in Markham in 1978 as DeFinney Chiropractic, we are now a 4000 square foot modern clinic that provides efficient and cost effective treatment in chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine and exercise rehabilitation and medical acupuncture . Our clinic is outfitted with a variety of therapeutic equipment for effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems. We have a rehabilitation gym with modern low tech equipment for sports, work and motor vehicle accident rehabilitation which allows us to provide our patients with effective care all under one roof. We are also proud of being chosen as a provider for The Canadian Sports Centre of Ontario making our clinic the only clinic in Markham recognized for providing health-care to nationally carded athletes.

•New patients welcome
•Covered by WSIB
•Wheelchair accessible
•Close to bus routes and the 407
•Service provider for the National Sports Centre
•No referrals necessary
•Extended health insurance
•Covered by motor vehicle insurance
•Open 6 days a week with extended hours

09/24/2025

The Gut & Immune Connection: Allergies, Skin Health & Autoimmunity

Your gut doesn’t just digest food—it trains your immune system.
About 70–80% of immune cells live in or around the gut, making it the body’s largest immune organ.

When the gut is disrupted (through inflammation or dysbiosis), the immune system can become overactive, confused, or hypersensitive—leading to:
🔹 Skin rashes or hives
🔹 Allergies or food sensitivities
🔹 Autoimmune diseases
🔹 Chronic inflammation

1. Gut as Gatekeeper
A healthy gut lining allows nutrients to enter and prevents invaders from entering. A balanced microbiome:
✔️ Trains immune tolerance
✔️ Suppresses inflammation
✔️ Supports anti-autoimmune compounds (SCFAs)

2. Dysbiosis = Immune Overactivation
When gut bacteria are imbalanced, the immune system may start:
⚠️ Attacking safe proteins (like food or self-tissues)
⚠️ Overproducing histamine (linked to hives/allergies)
⚠️ Triggering widespread inflammation

3. Gut-Immune-Skin Axis
Leaky gut allows microbes and food particles into the bloodstream → immune activation → skin flare-ups like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and chronic itching.

4. Autoimmune Link
🧬 A 2024 review (Autoimmune Rev) found that gut dysbiosis patterns were common across 7 autoimmune diseases—including RA, SLE, AS & Sjögren’s.
Disrupted gut microbes can damage the intestinal lining, trigger immune responses, and—via antigen mimicry—lead immune cells to attack healthy tissue.

Click the link below to learn more about Dr. James Yoon.

https://bit.ly/4pEHxcm

References
1. Belkaid Y, Hand TW. Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Cell. 2014 Mar 27;157(1):121–41. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.011
2. Wang H, Cai Y, Wu W, Zhang M, Dai Y, Wang Q. Exploring the role of gut microbiome in autoimmune diseases: A comprehensive review. Autoimmun Rev. 2024 Dec;23(12):103654. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2024.103654

09/20/2025

Team PinPoint Health was proud to support this year’s Terry Fox Run in Markham.

Our team helped participants warm up and stretch so they could feel their best for the run ahead. A big thank you to everyone who came out to honour Terry’s legacy and support an incredible cause!

https://bit.ly/3WWvRno

A quick sneak peek 🏒 Brampton Steelheads 📸: Brampton Steelheads
09/20/2025

A quick sneak peek 🏒 Brampton Steelheads

📸: Brampton Steelheads

A quick sneak peek 🏒 Brampton Steelheads 📸: Brampton Steelheads
09/20/2025

A quick sneak peek 🏒 Brampton Steelheads

📸: Brampton Steelheads

We’re hiring!Join the PinPoint Health team as we're looking for registered massage therapists (RMTs) to join our Mississ...
09/17/2025

We’re hiring!

Join the PinPoint Health team as we're looking for registered massage therapists (RMTs) to join our Mississauga clinic.

If this sounds like the right fit for you, apply today by sending your resume to lnalli@pinpointhealth.ca!

https://bit.ly/3WWvRno

09/15/2025

Dr. Phil Wessel walks us through what a chiropractic adjustment actually does to your body.

Click the link below to learn more and book your next appointment with Dr. Wessel.

https://infinityhealthcentre.com/

09/13/2025

PinPoint Infinity Health Centre has been proudly serving the Oakville community since 2019 in Bronte Village with Walk-in and Rehab services. We have been recognized by BlogTO every year since 2013 for our innovative system of healthcare delivery.

We have always been dedicated to serving our communities most conveniently. We offer a range of services, including online appointment booking, rapid access to same-day medical appointments, and a spectrum of rehab services (chiropractic & physiotherapy). Most importantly, we provide a true sense of a coordinated, multidisciplinary, collaborative care approach to healthcare.

Click the link below to learn more.

https://bit.ly/455GwAN

09/09/2025

PinPoint Health is proud to announce the acquisition of a majority stake and merger with ProMedX Sports Injury and Wellness Centre, a leading multidisciplinary clinic located at 300 John Street, Suite 320 in Thornhill, Ontario. This strategic move marks the official launch of PinPoint Health – Thornhill, expanding PinPoint Health’s footprint in the Greater Toronto Area and reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional, integrated healthcare services. This location allows PinPoint Health not only to service the Thornhill community, but also the northern part of North York and the western parts of Markham.

ProMedX has built a strong reputation over the past decade for its comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and wellness, offering services such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, orthotics, and advanced therapies like spinal decompression and shockwave treatment. The clinic has treated over 20,000 patients and is known for its patient-centred philosophy and evidence-based care.

At the heart of ProMedX’s success is Dr. Fabio Di Stefano, a respected chiropractor and kinesiologist whose holistic approach to musculoskeletal health has earned him widespread recognition. Dr. Di Stefano will continue to lead clinical operations at the Thornhill location, bringing his deep expertise and passion for optimizing patient outcomes to the PinPoint Health network.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Di Stefano and the entire ProMedX team into the PinPoint Health family,” said Dr. Lou Nalli, CEO of PinPoint Health. “Their dedication to excellence and innovation in patient care aligns perfectly with our mission. This acquisition allows us to offer even more comprehensive services to the Thornhill community.”

The newly cobranded PinPoint Health – Thornhill and ProMedX will continue providing its key service offerings, now enhanced by PinPoint Health’s broader network of medical, rehabilitation, and wellness professionals.

Click the link below to learn more.

https://bit.ly/42oBm1X

09/09/2025

If you’ve ruled out iron deficiency, thyroid issues, or neurological conditions but still feel mentally foggy, your gut may be the missing piece.

One overlooked cause of brain fog is the fermentation of sugars by yeast or bacteria in the gut, producing acetaldehyde and ethanol—both of which can impair brain function.

What Is Auto-Brewery Syndrome?
Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), also known as gut fermentation syndrome, occurs when Candida or bacteria like Klebsiella ferment carbs into ethanol and acetaldehyde—without alcohol intake.

These byproducts:
- Cross the blood-brain barrier
- Interfere with neurotransmitters
- Slow mental processing, focus, and memory

Even healthy individuals may experience low-level fermentation, especially with a high-sugar, high-carb diet.

What Causes It?
ABS is more common in those with:
- Candida overgrowth (e.g., C. albicans, C. glabrata)
- Dysbiosis or SIBO
- High-carb diets or poor liver detox function

It’s also been linked to:
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Long-term antibiotic use
- Stress, poor sleep, and skipping meals

Symptoms May Include:
- Brain fog, fatigue, and disorientation
- Lightheadedness after meals
- Gas, bloating, or "hangover" feelings
- Behavioural changes or poor concentration

Dr. James Yoon provides care out of our Toronto clinic. Click the link below to learn more.

https://bit.ly/3VHjhse

REFERENCES
Painter K, Cordell BJ, Sticco KL. Auto-Brewery Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Jan 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. https://bit.ly/3HSxHCN

09/08/2025

Dr. Lou Nalli breaks down our line of supplements that you can find on our online store.

Click the link below to learn more.

https://bit.ly/4mMXonT

Happy Labour Day from our team at PinPoint Health! We hope you enjoy your well-deserved break and had a fantastic long w...
09/01/2025

Happy Labour Day from our team at PinPoint Health! We hope you enjoy your well-deserved break and had a fantastic long weekend.

08/27/2025

Lower back stretches reduce muscle tension and stiffness, increase circulation and flexibility, and improve range of motion, which can prevent recurring pain and enhance overall spinal health.

Incorporating daily stretching routines, such as yoga or specific exercises like the Child’s Pose, can lead to better posture, increased balance, and improved functional movement.

Olsi provides care out of our Toronto clinic. Click the link below to learn more.

https://bit.ly/455GwAN

08/26/2025

❄️ What’s causing your dandruff?

Flaky scalp? Constant itching? You might think it’s just dry skin—but in many cases, dandruff is actually caused by a yeast imbalance, not a lack of moisture.

1. Yeast Overgrowth (Malassezia)
Dandruff is often linked to an overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia, a fungus that naturally lives on your scalp. Under the right (or wrong) conditions, this yeast can multiply and trigger:
- Flaking
- Itching
- Irritation or inflammation

It's not contagious—but it’s often driven by internal and external factors, including your diet, hormones, and skin’s oil production.

2. How Diet & Blood Sugar Feed Yeast
Yeast thrives on sugar. Consuming high-glycemic foods (like white bread, candy, soda, and even excess fruit) can spike your blood sugar, leading to:
- More oil (sebum) production
- A more yeast-friendly environment on the scalp
- A diet rich in refined carbs, alcohol, and dairy may also worsen fungal overgrowth—not just on your scalp, but on your skin and gut too.

3. Hormones & Sebum Production
Hormones—especially androgens like testosterone—can increase sebum (oil) production on the scalp.
More oil = more food for Malassezia.

This is one reason dandruff may flare during:
- Puberty
- Stress
- Menstrual cycle shifts
- Or in conditions like PCOS

Click the link below to book your next appointment with Dr. James Yoon.

https://bit.ly/4fOCrFT

References:
Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015 Dec;3(2):10.13188/2373-1044.1000019. doi: 10.13188/2373-1044.1000019. Epub 2015 Dec 15. PMID: 27148560; PMCID: PMC4852869.

08/22/2025

🧠 GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION: How Your Gut Influences Mood, Stress & Sleep

Your gut does more than digest food — it also talks directly to your brain. Through the gut-brain axis, your digestive system sends real-time signals to the brain via the vagus nerve. When your gut is inflamed or imbalanced (dysbiosis), it can impact your ability to feel calm, focused, or rested..

1. Serotonin Production Starts in the Gut
🧠 About 95% of serotonin is made in the gut, not the brain.
Produced by specialized gut (enterochromaffin) cells, serotonin supports mood and digestion.

When gut health is compromised—through dysbiosis, inflammation, or leaky gut—serotonin production can drop, leading to:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Brain fog

2. Serotonin → Melatonin = Sleep Regulation
Serotonin is also the precursor to melatonin, your sleep hormone.
Melatonin is produced in the brain, but if serotonin production is low, melatonin levels can drop too—leading to:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Light or restless sleep
- “Tired but wired” fatigue

3. The Gut Talks Directly to the Nervous System
The gut is connected to the brain via the vagus nerve—a direct superhighway between your digestive tract and your central nervous system. When your gut is inflamed, irritated, or imbalanced (as in dysbiosis), it can stimulate the body’s stress response through this pathway.

This triggers:
- Increased cortisol levels
- Increased sympathetic (“fight or flight”) activity
- Decreased parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) tone

4. Microbiome & Mental Health
Your gut microbiome—made up of trillions of bacteria, yeast, and other microbes—plays a key role in neurotransmitter regulation. Imbalances in the microbiome (dysbiosis) can:
- Reduce GABA (your brain’s calming neurotransmitter)
- Alter dopamine and serotonin levels
- Increase production of fermentation byproducts and toxins that affect brain function

This can show up as:
- Brain fog
- Anxiety or mood swings
- Feeling overwhelmed for “no reason”

Click the link below to book your next appointment with Dr. James Yoon.

https://bit.ly/4fOCrFT

Address

379 Church Street #102
Markham, ON
L6B0T1

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm

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