registered massage & manual therapies

 
 
 
 
 

Registered Massage therapy in BC

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in British Columbia are healthcare professionals committed to restoring and maintaining optimal health for their patients. They are educated to assess and treat using techniques such as manual therapy, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, rehabilitative exercise and patient education. RMT's in BC are regulated under BC’s Health Professions Act and are subject to:

a) CMTBC’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. (College of Complimentary Health Care Professionals)
b) The requirements of the Health Professions Act and regulations made under the Act.
c) Standards of professional conduct.
d) CMTBC’s quality assurance program, which ensures ongoing professional currency and development.

  • A registered massage therapy treatment includes:

    • a review of your health history

    • movement/range of motion assessments, palpation & orthopedic assessments (as indicated)

    • co-creating a treatment plan with your goals for care (review for return visits)

    • Review and Consent of the proposed treatment and treatment plan

    • hands-on massage -manual therapy

    • patient education, remedial home care, functional rehab strategies

LYMPHATIC & ONCOLOGY CARE - LEARN MORE

RMT THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & manual therapy techniques

Therapeutic Massage techniques are incorporated as needed into each treatment, for restoring and maintaining optimal health and pain-free function of the body.  

Therapeutic Massage can be a deeper, targeted pressure in nature, or relaxing with light pressure; both providing effective care. A relaxation massage - light pressure is also therapeutic.

Deep Tissue massage simply means that we are working on the deeper underlying soft tissues. To do so, the layers of tissue above are slowly warmed up so that it is not painful.

Deep tissue does not equal pain or a painful level of pressure. Therapeutic pressure may be light or deeper depending on the patient. Massage treatments should never be painful, massage therapy should always be within your pain tolerance and feel comfortable.

If there are techniques recommended for the treatment of your condition, that may cause discomfort and recreation of symptoms, your therapist will discuss this with you before the massage begins. A pain tolerance scale will be established with you before the treatment begins and clear communication will be used throughout your treatment.

We use a variety of hands-on techniques together with patient education, heat and cold therapy, and movement and stretching to reduce pain, improve overall function, and help with injury prevention. 

Some techniques used include Swedish techniques, Light or Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Active Release, Facilitated Stretching, Joint Mobilization, Dermoneuromodualting, Adhesion therapy, and Fascial techniques.

Conditions treated with massage include but are not limited to:

  • lifestyle, workplace injury

  • acute, chronic pain conditions

  • migraines/headaches

  • neck, shoulder, back pain

  • overuse injuries

  • piriformis syndrome, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel

  • plantar fasciitis, pes planus

  • neurological conditions

  • rotator cuff injuries

  • pre/post-surgical rehabilitation

  • postural pain and dysfunction

  • sports injury and recovery

  • trauma, stress

IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) (Graston, gua sha, pro-health systems)

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)  is a skilled myofascial intervention for soft-tissue treatment. It is applied using instruments usually made of stainless steel with bevelled edges and contours that can conform to different body anatomical locations and allow for deeper penetration.

How Does It Work?

Instruments may decrease restrictions and may change scar tissue. The ergonomic design of these instruments provides the clinician with the ability to locate restrictions and allows the clinician to treat the affected area with the appropriate amount of pressure.

The understanding is that the introduction of controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue structure causes the stimulation of local inflammatory response. Microtrauma may initiate the reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue and it may facilitate healing activities resulting in the remodelling of affected soft tissue structures. (research on the effects of iastm is ongoing)

Adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain, or other mechanisms, are thought to be broken down allowing a functional restoration to occur.

Conditions For Which IASTM may be used

  • Medial Epicondylitis, Lateral Epicondylitis

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Neck Pain

  • Plantar Fascitis

  • Rotator Cuff Tendinitis/tendinosis

  • Patellar Tendinitis

  • Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis

  • Heel Pain /Achilles Tendinitis

  • DeQuervain's Syndrome

  • Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars

  • Myofascial Pain and Restrictions

  • Musculoskeletal Imbalances

  • Chronic Joint Swelling Associated with Sprains/Strains

  • Ligament Sprains

  • Muscle Strains

  • Non-Acute Bursitis

  • RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)

  • Back Pain

  • Trigger Finger

  • Hip Pain (Replacements)

  • IT Band Syndrome

  • Shin Splints

  • Chronic Ankle Sprains

  • Acute Ankle Sprains (Advanced Technique)

  • Scars (Surgical, Traumatic)

 

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

We understand that pregnancy can come with its own unique set of challenges, both physical and emotional. That's why we offer a safe and nurturing environment for you to relax and unwind, while also addressing any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing.

Prenatal massage by an RMT offers numerous benefits.

  • Creates a positive environment of wonderful relaxation and stress relief

  • Provides relief from musculoskeletal strain, aches and pains, muscle spasms, and pregnancy-related physical changes affecting functional movement as the baby grows and the body adapts to changes.

  • May reduce edema with manual lymphatic drainage incorporated

Why is Back Pain so Prevalent?

As your pregnancy advances, several common conditions usually occur. You will gain weight. Weight gain is normal and good for your baby, however, it can sorely stress your back muscles. The structures that support your pelvic organs will become more pliant due to hormonal changes, which are naturally intended to prepare your body to give birth. As a result, you may experience considerable discomfort in either side of your back.

At the same time, your body's center of gravity is shifting forward. Your natural tendency is to adjust your posture and the way you move about in everyday activity. Back strain is often the result of this natural change in posture.

As your body adjusts to the tremendous physical and emotional changes taking place in your routine, everyday tasks can lead to incorrect lifting or awkward muscle stretches, which can themselves, become minor injuries and part of back, neck and shoulder pain. It is important to address these changes earlier on to ensure comfortability for both yourself and your baby throughout your pregnancy.


HOT STONEs

Combining hot stone protocols with a massage treatment of any kind provides a relaxing, therapeutic experience and may promote deeper muscle relaxation.

West Pine’s Hot Stone Therapy uses he​at therapy and Jade & Basalt Stones, both as a static application and actively during the massage treatment.

  • An alternative mechanism to deliver heat and targeted hydrotherapy

  • May decrease pain and muscle spasms

  • Increases the parasympathetic effect of massage, making it feel more ‘relaxing’

  • may affect the nervous system by changing the sensations (messages to the areas of the body being treated, to and from the brain through the nerve pathways) from hands-on massage to warm stones on the skin surface, helping to release more tension in areas of concern.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY (CST)

Please note that Upledger Cranio-Sacral Therapy Techniques (CST) are seamlessly integrated into treatments based on the unique needs of each client. (We do not currently offer traditional stand-alone, whole-body CST sessions)

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. 

Using a soft touch, and static holding, practitioners release the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. 

  • Decreasing restrictions in soft tissue attached to and surrounding joints, the spinal collum sacrum may enhance the body's ability to relax and re-balance and help to gently alleviate pain & discomfort.

  • CST gentle techniques may be effective for:

    • Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury

    • Migraines and Headaches,

    • Chronic Neck and Back Pain

      Stress and Tension-Related Disorders

    • Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

    • Chronic Fatigue

    • Fibromyalgia

    • TMJ Syndrome

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    • General musculoskeletal dysfunction  




MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE (MLD)

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a rhythmic, light pressure technique that follows the drainage pathways of the body’s lymphatic system: lymph, interstitial fluid and synovial fluid.

The slow, repetitive, rhythmic nature of these techniques also decreases pain perception and the effects in the sympathetic nervous system throughout your body.

MLD is an excellent treatment modality for:

  • reducing swelling and inflammation, edemas

  • stimulating the immune system

  • improving circulation of lymphatic fluid

  • surgery preparation and recovery

    aiding the body in its own natural detoxification process.

  • headaches, allergies, sinus pain and congestions

  • TMJ pain, dysfunction

  • pregnancy

  • swelling from injuries

  • Fibromyalgi, Lupus, MS

  • cosmetic surgery recovery and facial treatments

    How can Manual Lymphatic Drainage help after cosmetic surgery?

Patients will judge the results of a cosmetic surgery procedure by symmetry, minimal scarring, contour and skin regularity.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage has proven to be an excellent therapy post-cosmetic surgery. Please, make sure you check with your surgeon before booking a treatment.

Manual Lymph Drainage can be effective to assist to:

  • drain the accumulated fluid towards the closest lymph nodes

  • decrease the bruising

  • decrease the swelling and help tremendously with the pain

  • speed up the healing process

  • soften the scars and make them less visible in the long run

  • reduce the hard lumps, rippling and dimpling & indentations

What you need to know about Manual Lymph Drainage:

  • it is a very gentle treatment, as lymphatic vessels are very close to the surface of the skin

  • it does not hurt

  • you will continue to wear your compression, as per your cosmetic surgeon’s orders

  • you might need a series of treatments for better results

 

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Bookings can be made online. Please click the button below to make a booking.