Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy helps to rehabilitate physical injuries and improve health by acting directly upon the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. It prevents or lessens some physical problems, whether they are a result of injury, disease, repetitive strain, long periods of inactivity or other causes. Massage Therapy positively affects circulation, pain perception, muscular and nervous systems, psychological state and respiratory function, thus enabling people to remain active.
Conditions treated by the Registered Massage Therapists at the Clinic include: whiplash, headaches, back and neck pain, sprains and strains, muscle spasm, arthritis, tendonitis, fibrositis, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, sciatica, neuritis, neuralgia, insomnia, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, acute reaction to stress and other physical complaints. Also, massage therapy may be combined with physiotherapy and/or a rehabilitation program specifically designed by the exercise therapist in consultation with the therapist.
- As rehabilitative sciences evolve and new information becomes available, the Clinic’s therapists make every effort to keep up-to-date. All of the therapists are actively involved in post-graduate education.
- All massage therapists in British Columbia are registered and licensed by the College of Massage Therapists of BC. The educational requirements for licensing in BC are the highest in North America, according to the Massage Therapists’ Association of British Columbia.
- All Registered Massage Therapists participate in continuing education to maintain their license and improve their skills.
- All courses are interlinked to provide a thorough understanding of the mechanics of injuries as well as treatment techniques available to therapists.
- This Clinic is proud of its continuous effort to reach and maintain the highest treatment skills available in Canada. Our massage therapists are skilled in various techniques such as neuromuscular therapy, myofacial/craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, muscle energy technique and therapeutic exercise.
- By concentrating on an integrated approach to physical rehabilitation, all therapists associated with the Clinic constantly share their experience, knowledge and understanding of both typical and complex treatment routines.
Massage techniques
Some of the treatments techniques used by our Registered Massage Therapists include: Swedish Massage, which rehabilitates tissues by increasing blood and lymph circulation, reducing muscle spasm, improving muscle flexibility and tone, and improving range of motion. The Five major Swedish Massage techniques are listed below:
- Effleurage
Directs blood and lymph towards the heart using the entire surface of one or both hands - Petrissage
A technique where the therapist applies pressure and releases the soft tissues by kneading, compressing, wringing, lifting and rolling - Stroking
Light or deep pressure applied in one direction at a time - Friction
Using fingertips to move tissue against the underlying structure or across fibers of a tendon, muscle, scar and other tissue - Tapotement
Tapping a body part to stimulate muscles and nerves and to help dislodge fluids from the chest cavity
There are many other effective forms of massage therapy: - Deep Friction Massage
The movement of tissue against the underlying structure or across tendons, muscles, scar or soft tissue, disrupting adhesions that can lead to more serious problems - Connective Tissue Massage
A series of strokes that pull on reflex zones, loosening and relaxing tissues - Trigger Point
Uses fingertip pressure to release trigger points, allowing nerve activity to regain its normal function
According to The Massage Therapist’s Association of British Columbia, registered massage therapists practicing in this province are the most highly qualified practitioners in North America (In Touch, The Practice of Massage Therapy in British Columbia, 1998, pp. 2-3).
Fees
A doctor’s referral, although not necessary in some cases, should prove useful, especially for patients relying on extended health coverage. We recommend you consult your physician. In most cases, this will promote a team approach to your rehabilitation. Patients on premium assistance are entitled to 10 visits per year. A user fee of $22 is charged for a full 1/2 hour visit. Patients with valid ICBC claims pay a private rate and arrange to be reimbursed by ICBC. We do not accept WCB claims for registered massage therapy. Workers Compensation Board will allow only 20 min of registered massage therapy and we believe very little can be accomplished in this time The private fee is $50 for ½ hour, $70 for 45 min., $85 for one hour, $110 for 75 minutes, and $130 for 1 and 1/2 hours. Special arrangements are made if longer treatments are required.
The Initial Consultation
If you can, please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your first scheduled appointment to fill out a medical history form. The initial visit will begin with the subjective examination in the form of questions and answers focusing on your reasons for seeking help from a registered massage therapist. This is followed by an assessment through palpation of the part of your body causing the problem. For most conditions you will need to remove at least some of your clothes. If you have a neck problem you will need to remove your upper body clothing and for a low back pain problem you will need to remove lower body clothing also. The Clinic will provide you with shorts or gowns to wear (or you could bring your own). You should feel very comfortable during this process. If you would prefer a female or male therapist you need to make it clear when you book in. After the assessment is completed, your registered massage therapist should give you a working diagnosis and the kind of treatment they have in mind, with some idea of how long that should go on for. Once you consent, the treatment will commence during your first visit. It is important you clearly understand what is being aimed for and why various techniques are being performed. At the end of treatment, the therapists will review prescribed home exercises.
The suggested time for the first visit is 45 minutes. All aspects of the treatment, as mentioned above, will be performed within the limits of the time booked. All previous medical records pertinent to your condition could be faxed or e-mailed to the Clinic prior to the initial session.
