About us
Our Story
Warm greetings from Jared and Melanie, owners of Saratoga Wellness. We have recently relocated to the Saratoga Beach/Oyster River region after 8 cherished years of owning and operating Island RMT & Acupuncture in Cumberland, BC. Once our daughter came into our lives, it became clear that it was time to embrace our dream of creating a healing sanctuary outside of town, where we could offer our services surrounded by the calm, slower beat that the surrounding nature provides. We are honoured to offer a safe space that can feel like a retreat amongst the busyness of life.
What a joy it is to tend to our garden, as we settle on this land and new chapter of life. We mean this both literally and figuratively…as we continue to plant seeds, grow in our practices and evolve within ourselves, so we can better help those around us feel nourished, vital and able to thrive throughout this truly precious life.
We are so grateful to be a part of this beautiful community and in time, hope to create a collaborative multidisciplinary team, offer classes and workshops…and have a cozy wellness studio for short term retreat stays. We appreciate you landing here, and look forward to working with you soon.
Our mission
To provide empowering, effective, kind & caring treatments to all people. To create space for individuals to tune into their relationship with themselves and provide guidance, support and help where needed.
We believe in the body’s amazing capacity to recover and heal from any type of accident, condition or experience. We have witnessed miracles within our own bodies when attention, intention and care is provided…and we believe that the same is possible for everyone.
Our goal is to help you feel more peaceful and at ease within yourself as you return home, to a place of grounded health.
Meet Our Therapists
Jared Teschke
RMT, Certified Somatic Educator
As a graduate from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Victoria BC, Jared is committed to helping clients with their wellness goals. He is passionate about helping individuals, and pays close attention to each moment of his sessions.
Whether you are recovering from an injury or surgery, have whiplash from a car accident, or are seeking the ultimate relaxation massage, Jared is able to help your body and mind unwind.
Having a holistic approach to healing, Jared offers a conscious nudge to his treatments, incorporating the client’s first person perspective of felt sense as part of the assessment and treatment. He listens to your primary concerns and goals, and then uses focused Massage Therapy and Somatics to release and retrain your muscles and nervous system. You will be taught and prescribed an easy, effective home-care exercise to help maintain your positive results.
Outside of practice Jared is a keen mountain biker, snowboarder, backcountry enthusiast, beach lover & musician.
Melanie Linka
R. Ac, RMT
Melanie’s sessions aim to guide your nervous system to unwind and replenish, which supports the body’s innate healing capacity.
With a background as an RMT, she weaves together Eastern & Western ideologies, and meets each person where they are in their journey of well-being. Whether you are hoping to overcome physical tension and pain through an orthopedic lens, or alleviate systemic conditions such as stress, headaches, sleep or digestive disorders (to name just a few,) she is here to help you unfurl the layers of your unique physiology.
By addressing the underlying causes of disease, not just the symptoms, Melanie takes an individual, ‘whole-person’ approach to healing. She aims to create a safe enviornment where clients are involved in the treatment process, and become educated and empowered to create positive lifestyle changes in day to day life. She believes that we all deserve to feel a sense of ease, rejuvenation, and harmony in body, mind and spirit.
Frequently asked questions
How should I book a session?
Generally online is a great way to book, but as we are currently undergoing renovations to our detached clinic space at the new Saratoga Rd location, online availability is limited.
Please Call or email to book in a session until things are fully up and running. We appreciate your patience!
Do treatments feel uncomfortable?
No, our sessions aim to keep your system feeling at ease and relaxed. Each person will appreciate a different amount of pressure or stimulation from pins…but we will clearly communicate about what feels effective to you, encouraging your feedback…and always listening to your needs.
Do you direct bill to insurance companies?
Yes, we currently direct bill to Pacific Blue Cross, SunLife and all of the insurance companies under the Telus Health umbrella (about 20 insurance companies).
We do not currently direct bill for Green Shield, or ICBC.
How frequently should I book?
There are many factors that come into play when thinking about treatment frequency…mainly your wellness goals.
Factors such as the length of time you have been dealing with an issue, and the severity of symptoms also play a big part in this decision. Likely, finances and insurance coverage are also an important aspects to consider.
Our aim is to understand where you are at (the big picture) so we can come together and create an ideal treatment plan for you, in order to be the most effective we can be with your time, money and energy.
Are you apprehensive to receive acupuncture?
It is Melanie’s goal to make your acupuncture session as relaxing as possible. It is also possible to use no pins or only a couple of very gentle pins to allow the system to feel safe and at ease, while using other modalities such as cupping, tui na (TCM massage) or acupressure.
How does microcurrent differ from a TENS machine?
Visit this link for more information about microcurrent versus tens machines…
https://mbswellnessgroup.com/pages/how-microcurrent-therapy-works
We are grateful to work, play and live in the beautiful region between the Oyster River & Saratoga Beach. We respectfully acknowledge that this is Unceded Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.