Christopher Stuart

Christopher Stuart first completed his studies in Psychology and Philosophy at Wilfrid Laurier University before pursuing his passion for hands-on therapeutic care. He graduated from massage therapy school in 2010 and became a Registered Massage Therapist in 2011.

He began his career in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation clinic, supporting clients through post-surgical recovery, injury rehabilitation, and chronic pain conditions. He later worked in a rural massage center, where he had the opportunity to treat a broad range of individuals with everyday musculoskeletal issues and stress-related tension—further developing his clinical adaptability and hands-on technique.

In 2016, Chris co-founded Deep Roots with Shannon Rackham, creating a collaborative wellness space focused on integrative, client-centered care.

After nearly 15 years of hands-on experience, Chris has developed a refined sensitivity in his hands—the ability to sense micro-changes in tissue and identify the precise point where resistance begins. By applying a steady, sustained pressure just at this threshold, the body is often able to settle more quickly into a state of release.

This approach has a regulatory effect on the nervous system, similar to the calming impact of a weighted blanket… or hammer?

This technique allows Chris to intuitively adapt pressure based on the body’s real-time response, supporting clients in shifting out of a fight-or-flight state and into deeper parasympathetic regulation—ultimately allowing for a more restorative therapeutic experience.

In 2021, Chris became a Registered Acupuncturist, adding a new dimension to his work by integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into his practice. Through acupuncture, he developed the Deep Roots Trauma-Informed Acupuncture Protocols—a series of treatments rooted in the teachings of Acupuncturists Without Borders and CT Holman, designed to support individuals living with chronic stress, trauma, or emotional dysregulation.

These treatments focus on calming the nervous system, stabilizing the Shen (spirit), and helping the body re-establish internal balance. Chris’s acupuncture practice is centered on creating a safe, grounded space where clients can reconnect with their bodies, access deeper healing, and find meaningful relief from the long-term effects of stress and trauma.