31 Days Later...

This is the last day I have to post in order to complete the “31 in 31 days challenge.”

Thank you to Eric Brown, R.M.T., for proposing this challenge to the Massage Therapy community. It has been a great experience for me personally and professionally.

I have a feeling that I will continue to use this blog to post more adventures in Massage Therapy, though maybe not on a daily basis. I have received such positive feedback from readers and I really appreciate it. I have also received some wonderful suggestions for future blog posts, and I am grateful to be encouraged with new material

For a very long time I have wanted to write a blog about my experiences as a Registered Massage Therapist. Even if no one read it, and it was just for me. Under the advice I read in Success magazine from Seth Godin he said, (and I’m paraphrasing here) “you should have something interesting to write about your profession everyday. If you have nothing interesting to write about, maybe you should find a new profession.”

The blog idea came up again in the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, where the author wrote a blog post each day for one month. This blog became the start of her best selling book, and a successful franchise.

I knew I wanted to start a blog, but hadn’t put it into action yet. Then Eric Brown came along with his “badass blogger challenge.” I had seen the emails for a few weeks announcing his challenge, but brushed it off for “later.” Then, the day before the challenge was about to start, he posted a 5-minute how-to on how easy it was to set up the blog site (one of my excuses), and he promised a “badass blogger trophy” if we completed  the challenge. He simply wanted us to take action each day. Do something. Move! Challenge accepted.

It was difficult to post each day. I was not lacking in content for the blog, but I was going to be away on three different occasions during the 31 days. I participated in Tough Mudder, Toronto August 18^th, 2012, which meant I traveled for the weekend to Barrie to visit family and participate in the event. I was whisked away to Tremblant August 24^th-26^th, 2012 with my boyfriend and he enforced a “no electronics rule.” I also traveled to Washington DC for a vacation with my mom and dad from August 29^th- September 3^rd, 2012. I never once missed a blog posting.

Climbing Mont Tremblant, overlooking Tremblant Village

Knowing I would be away, I prepared a few blog posts at a time and was able to schedule them to automatically post on the dates I would be away. No electronics? No problem. I heart Blogger for this feature. While I was in Washington, I woke up early and wrote the blog daily from my mom's laptop in the lobby of the hotel. I must have looked official each morning because one day a lovely woman tried to check-in for breakfast with me haha. I also recruited a guest blogger to cover a post when I knew I was going to be traveling and unable to post. According to Eric, it still counts as a daily post

Abraham Lincoln and I. Washington, DC

I started this blog 31 days ago with a real frustration about myself in the profession of Massage Therapy. It is true that it is what I have always wanted to do thanks to the encouragement of my late Grandmother. On day one of this challenge I was feeling so restless and “stuck.” I was ready to use the blog as a release for my frustrations and expose the truths about Massage Therapy. I am blessed with a gift, and I feel that I am using this gift to the best of my ability, but so what? I feel that I have so much more to contribute and accomplish. Maybe I have a bigger purpose? Maybe there is more money on the table somewhere else? Can I support a family in this profession? Can I maintain a relationship?

By day 31 I realize that yes, I can. It’s not always easy, it could always be worse, and it is always worth it. Writing the blog, and having conversations with those reading my blog, including a wonderful woman who owns Align Massage Therapy, Jana Veltheim, I have come to realize Massage Therapy is where I am meant to be. This may not be forever, but that is not a decision I need to make right now. Right now, I need to wait. I will continue to be the best Massage Therapist I can be, and appreciate the lifestyle I have because of this profession.

I must appreciate that I only have to maintain a 20-25 hour work week to make an exceptional living. I only work a six-hour work day--if I work at all, and I am free to take time off when I want. Because I have the time, I am continuing to pursue my business on the side. I am grateful I have it because it has continued to encourage me to grow personally and professionally, while providing residual income that is there to support me every month, whether I massage or not. I have met the most incredible friends through this business and even gained a few new massage clients. Everyday my side business grows, and one day I will make the decision to quit massage therapy, pursue my business full-time, and have a lot more free time on my hands! What an awesome day to look forward to!

For now, I choose to enjoy each day and focus on the future, continuing to help people achieve their financial, life, and health goals.

Special thank you to my guest bloggers: Mark Perry, Melanie Stewart, and Bianca Wahab for contributing to my challenge. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experiences surrounding me and Massage Therapy

Thank you all for reading and supporting me. It has meant so much to me to hear that I have inspired you to start your own blog, or that you can relate to me and now you feel you are not alone. With your encouragement, I look forward to posting again in the near future. 

XO

Krista Dicks, B.A., R.M.T., C.L.T., E.T.T., Firework. 

Catherine and I emerging from "Mud Mile" at Tough Mudder, Toronto. 

Education

Earning a Massage Therapy diploma has been described as the equivalent of First Year Med School. 

The program I graduated from was eighteen months in total. It can be three years if you take the summers off. We didn’t take summers off, and we had approximately two weeks off at Christmas. We were at school six days a week between class and our student clinic on Saturdays.

It's more than just giving a good massage; it’s knowing how the body works inside and out. Understanding how everything is connected and the effect a massage can have on someone at the cellular level. This is not something everyone realizes, even those interested in becoming Massage Therapists.

Sixteen students started in my class. Twelve graduated with a diploma (There would have been thirteen, but one of them walked out during the final exam). Ten passed the Ontario Board Exams and became Registered Massage Therapists, and Nine are practicing today.

We had over 2200 hours of Theory, and practical courses. We also worked on the general public public. This included a student clinic at the school, shadowing an R.M.T. in his/her practice, and an outreach program where we volunteered our time at office health and wellness events or race weekends. We were eager to get as much hands-on time as we could.

Courses included: Anatomy, Physiology, Ethics, Remedial Exercise, Pathology, Assessment, Kinesiology, Treatments, Neuroanatomy, Massage Techniques and Advanced Massage Techniques, Nutrition, and many more. You had to maintain a 70% average.

By the end of the program we were a small, close group of students that ate, slept, and breathed massage therapy. I carried cue cards for studying on the bus, and when it was slow at work. We supported each other through countless emotional experiences and drama, but we had fun too...a LOT of fun! By the end of the program, I was the winner of “most likely to throw buckets, most likely to bite her classmates, best abs, best looking in scrubs, most likely to have silk sheets, best cartoonist, and most like Jesus award.” I guess you had to be there. lol

We practiced Massage Therapy techniques on one another, as it is the best way to receive feedback. We each experienced when we went too far, and it’s important that we found out on each other rather than finding out on a client.

I appreciate when clients recognize the amount of knowledge we have accumulated through our training. It is also mandatory that we continue to upgrade our skills by learning new techniques or participating in seminars, workshops etc.

We also have yearly Registration dues in order to maintain good standings with The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO), and we must present proof of liability insurance. 

The CMTO supervises the profession of Massage Therapy to ensure that it remains in good standing with the general public, and it will protect the public if a Massage Therapist is in violation of any of the regulations. The CMTO are also there to help educate the public that Massage Therapists are recognized in the medical community as health care practitioners.

Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy: A Perfect Couple

Hello everyone,

Thank you to Krista Dicks for inviting me to do a guest blog. Krista and I have been colleagues and have been co-treating patients for a while now. She also happens to be my Massage Therapist too!

Friends, family and patients who have aches and pains will often ask me, "Is this a chiropractic problem or something massage can deal with?" The answer in most cases is BOTH will help. Chiropractic care and massage therapy are very complementary to each other. I have the pleasure of being both a Chiropractor and a Registered Massage Therapist, so I see first hand how well the two work together.

The scope of practice for Chiropractors and Registered Massage Therapy is often misunderstood. Most people think a chiropractor just “cracks joints” and RMTs can only massage tight muscles. This is very far from the truth. There is so much more to both professions. Chiropractors use adjustments or manipulations as one part of their treatment plan along with other techniques such as soft tissue therapy, light muscle massage, modalities, acupuncture, orthotics, and exercise prescription. Likewise, RMTs will use traditional swedish massage techniques along with lymphatic techniques, joint mobilizations, trigger work, breathing and stretching techniques. Both practitioners are well equipped to treat a wide range of injuries and should not be limited to the general belief that joint problems are for Chiropractors and muscle problems are for Massage Therapists.

So if both Chiros and RMTs can help you, the question becomes: Who should you see for an injury? Most people would think one or the other. I would suggest seeing both practitioners. Most health care plans will provide coverage for both therapies allowing for greater care and fast recovery from your injury. And even if you are not injured, but simply experience mild strain because of long days at the office or lots of stress, you can still benefit from both chiropractic care and massage therapy. Regular maintenance visits will help maintain proper function of the body and nervous system and help manage your stress! As a general rule of thumb, for wellness, I would recommend a chiropractic visit once a month and a massage every 1-3 months.

It is truly a gift and blessing to be able to do what I do. I hope my amateur blogger entry was informative. I hope this inspires all of you to call your favorite therapist and book your next massage and chiropractic appointment.

Have a healthy and happy day,

Melanie Stewart

Melanie is also my Chirpractor :) 

Visit Dr. Melanie Stewart at Kent Chiro Med 

B's Blog

Guest Blogger: Bianca Wahab

Beautiful Bianca

If you don’t know Krista (and have been reading her blogs), I’m positive you can gather by now that she is an inspirational woman!! If you haven’t, well, we need to chat.

I have known Krista for a few years now, and can tell you she is one of the MOST inspirational women I know. Even though she works so hard as an RMT, which is demanding enough in itself, she finds time to volunteer (her and Mark run Bingo night at a local retirement residence - how FREAKING CUTE is that!!!) and takes on numerous other projects and hobbies. Not only that, she has always been an amazing friend.

Recently I became an Independent Consultant with Arbonne--an amazing company that creates pure, safe and beneficial beauty and skin care products.  I told Krista about my new venture and she was immediately 100% behind me. So much so, she even offered to host an event for me in hopes of me reaching my next goal within the business. When I saw Krista was doing a blog challenge, I immediately knew I had to write something for her. Not just to blab about myself, but to help her achieve her goals, like she is with mine.

Overall, Krista inspires me to be a better person. Sometimes it's her stories of visiting a local farm that takes in abandoned animals, which she also supports financially. Sometimes it's how she picks up a penny she finds on the sidewalk and says, "This is where I’m supposed to be at this moment!" There is so much goodness in this woman, I don’t know how she doesn’t self combust! It is sometimes difficult to see the positive in everything, and not just focus on oneself, but Krista does it with ease and grace.

I wanted to write this to help Krista complete her blogging challenge, but also to say thank you to her. Thank you, Krista, for your determination and perseverance. Thank you for your endless positivity. Thank you for introducing me to Cold Stone Creamery. Thank you for calming me down while waiting for a massively delayed flight - even when you had to endure that as well. Thank you for snagging those cheap tickets to Wicked. Thank you for inspiring me to do better in all that I do, particularly Arbonne.

And most importantly . . .

Thank you for being you, Krista,

 . . Because a friend like Krista, is hard to find.

Krista says: Thanks B :) 

I happily support Arbonne as their quality products are vegan :) 

Learn more about Arbonne. You can also email Bianca 

Want to try the products for yourself? Come to my brunch party and support B!
Sunday Sept 16th, 2012. Email me to get the details

2 more ways Bianca is fabulous:
Hartby and Leone Magazine

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Understanding the needs of your client, and respecting those needs, is one of the best ways a Massage Therapist can help to build a regular client base.

Disrespecting those needs, or “doing what you feel is best” is not going to fly.

Every Massage Therapist can tell you the story of the monster truck sized man who whimpers with even a hint of pressure, or the petite Asian woman who will pound the table and say, “harder!”

It is usually the monster truck man who will say “Oh, I can handle a lot of pressure” ...until you bring him to tears because, as a good therapist, you tried to give the client what they thought they needed. Key word “thought.”

Many clients receiving a massage for the first time, or have had a few massages, expect that a massage is not “good” unless it is deep, they feel worked on, and they feel sore the next day. It is not easy to explain to a client that deeper, is not always better.

If the muscle is not responding well to deep pressure, then it will guard and resist the pressure applied. It is possible that the muscle can bruise, feel sore the next day, and possibly have some limited range of motion. Pushing past these barriers is not going to help the muscle. A great Massage Therapist will explain this to the client, and even though it can be difficult to not give the client what they want, it will look better on you and the profession for doing so.

Some clients may have experienced a massage where they did feel “beat-up” afterwards and had to seriously think about trying massage therapy again.

It is common for a client to ask for deep pressure, but then they look at me (5’5”, slim build, 125lbs) with some uncertainty that I will be able to deliver the pressure they want. It is always nice to prove them otherwise.

After any massage, even if it was fairly light to moderate pressure, it can be very common for the client to feel sore up to 48 hours after a massage. This is not usually because of something the Massage Therapist did, but how the body is reacting to the massage. It’s just like after you exercise, the muscles may feel a bit tight and sore, but you are proud of yourself because that feeling means you actually worked out! Telling your clients ahead of time that they might feel sore, and that drinking water and having a hot bath with epsom salts can reduce the likelihood of muscle soreness, will mean less angry clients storming into your clinic accusing you of malpractice.

Finally, as a Massage Therapist, if you reach your capacity for pressure with a client, but you know that another R.M.T. can give them the type of depth they really want, please refer them. 

Ask the client if they could have used more pressure in the massage? If the answer is yes, admit that you are at your limits physically, but you know a great therapist who would be able to give them the type of massage they are looking for. You are not doing anyone a favour if you continue to keep them as your client. 

Research and Massage Therapy

Photo from: Research and Marketing Strategies (RMS)

There is a growing amount of research accessible to the general population and physicians on the topic of Massage Therapy.

These studies are helping to give credibility to the profession of Massage Therapy. It helps us be recognized as knowledgeable health care practitioners who are capable of so much more than just a relaxation massage or tension release.

Although the client will feel better physically, reporting their muscles are more relaxed at the end of a massage than the beginning, there is so much more going on in the body that will continue to help the client feel better long after the massage is over. The massage itself is only “skin-deep”.

There are so many examples of the many health benefits of massage, and many you can look up with credible resources. It really is fascinating that a massage can have a greater impact on the overall health and wellness of an individual. Pick anything: depression, anxiety, weight-loss, improved memory, etc., and I am sure you will find a study that shows how a massage can help. Search PubMed for examples 

I have already mentioned in a previous post on Neo Massage that massage therapy encouraged weight gain in pre-term infants. How does massage encourage weight gain? In short, when the body is relaxed, the “rest and digest” nervous system, or parasympathetic nervous system, is activated. A relaxed digestive system will facilitate better absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. This increased absorption of nutrients will be used as needed in the body of a pre-term infant to grow healthy and strong. Pretty neat, right? You can see more of these amazing examples on the website for The Touch Research Institute (TRI) founded by Tiffany Fields.   

I have been very fortunate to contribute to the ongoing research in the field of Massage Therapy with my first publication: Massage Therapy Techniques as Pain Management for Erythromelalgia.  

Being published for research was not something I had planned on when I began my Massage Therapy career, and I had a lot of help and support to complete this daunting task. I am grateful for the experience and I hope it will help educate those with Erythromelalgia and medical professionals who seek complementary therapies for this rare disease.

There are many Massage Therapists locally and globally participating in research everyday. Please consider supporting further research into the benefits of Massage Therapy. As a complementary therapy, and with enough research behind it, I believe massage can be as effective as pharmaceuticals for treating some of the worst diseases and illnesses many suffer from today. 

Les Perks

There are so many great perks to being a Registered Massage Therapist. In no particular order, I will salute a few.

I am my own boss. I am self-employed and therefore I get to set my own hours and decide where I want to work. I want to book time off? Done!

My days are not nine to five (thank God), and I almost always enjoy traveling in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic.

A massage therapist cannot work an eight-hour workday. I typically work six hours a day and see approximately five clients.

I am typically busiest on evenings and weekends. Therefore, when I go to the grocery store on a Wednesday morning, it’s as if they opened it just for me! The same goes for the mall, going to the gym, and getting a haircut etc.

Have you ever wished that your keyboard would turn into a fluffy pillow while you nap at work? A massage therapist always has access to comfy massage tables, pillows and blankets to nap on... not to mention soft lighting and relaxing music. Yes, I have been so tired some days that I have taken a nap at work if I have a large break between clients, and I did not get in any trouble for doing it!

I have access to a massage therapist in my workplace. So if I need someone to quickly squeeze a tight trapezius muscle, or stretch out a scalene, I can just ask.

Most of my clients are very happy to see me, as I am happy to see them.

There are typically fifteen minutes between clients to change over the sheets on the massage table. There is not usually a “dinner” break scheduled, so I eat small bites such as veggies and dip, yogurt, or fruit. This keeps me in good shape because there is absolutely no time to sit down to a full meal.

I work in a low stress environment.

I know I have missed a lot, so please share some of your perks about being an R.M.T.

Have a great day at work!

Neo Massage

What? Why would a baby need a massage?

For the same reasons you get a massage and more!

I learned in school that newborns who received massage in the neo natal unit were able to come home earlier, were stronger, and healthier than the newborns that did not receive massage. This is great news for mom and dad who get to take their little one home, and great news for the hospital as it will save tens of thousands a day, amounting to millions per year.

Can a healthy and happy baby receive massage? Absolutely! Massaging your infant is a great way to bond, especially for dads.

Massaging an infant can help improve sleep (longer, deeper, and more restorative), digestion (better nutrient absorption), reduce gas (ease colic and constipation), is excellent for the immune system, and so much more.

The best part about my training in infant massage is that I teach mom and dad (sometimes grandma and grandpa) how to massage their infant. This gives them an extra tool that they can use anytime they need.

As Massage Therapists, we are trained in infant massage, and it is common for a therapist to see infants as part of their practice. However, it is always more beneficial for a familiar face to do it. The infant will relax easier and enjoy the massage more if they know the person massaging them.

The ideal time to learn infant massage is between newborn and just before they can crawl away, although busy toddlers are great candidates for massage too.

I see parents and their infant one on one or sometimes in a group setting. It is a lot of fun to see these babies interact with their parents while enjoying the massage, and to hear the positive stories from parents about how the massage is helping them day-to-day.

www.neomassage.ca

Lymphatic Massage

What the heck is Lymphatic Massage?

It is a gentle massage that stimulates the lymphatic system and moves excess fluid and swelling out of the body. The lymphatic system is responsible for the removal of toxins in the body, and is a large part of our immune health. It is also known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (M.L.D).

Having a lymphatic massage is beneficial for everyone. This type of massage will stimulate the movement of toxins, and create a healthier environment in the body if the lymph is free flowing.

I see many clients for lymphatic massage and each one has a different need. As it is designed to move excess fluid, my clientele consists mostly of clients with a condition called lymphedema. This is visible swelling in the limb(s) as a result of a congested lymphatic system, or the complete removal of lymph nodes in a specific area, making the system inefficient. Cancer survivors and patients seek this type of massage after surgeries, such as mastectomies, as the cancerous lymph nodes have been removed.

Lymphatic massage can help reduce swelling and therefore reduce healing time. This type of massage is beneficial for anyone after any major surgery, including plastic surgery if they are experiencing swelling. A few of my clients love the technique because it just feels good. It is the most analgesic and non-invasive type of massage therapy and so I use it with many of my clients who are palliative to provide them with a gentle, relaxing massage. I even use it with a few clients who are on a detox program or weight loss program, as this type of massage will encourage the removal of toxins and the movement of fat cells.

The body is naturally designed to stimulate the lymphatic system when we move. So being active, even moderately, can help the lymph system from becoming stagnant. Jumping up and down, especially on the trampoline will make your lymph system very happy!

What happens to a stagnant lymphatic system? It can create a toxic environment in the body. The body can develop allergies, sensitivities, and it may feel fatigued and sluggish. This is where Cancer can form if the body harbours the foreign substance for too long. If the lymphatic system is impaired, edema can begin to build up in the limb that is affected. My role is to re-train the lymphatic system to be effective and if pathways have been damaged, I can teach the lymph to flow on a new pathway.

Other ways you can help the lymphatic system is to wear compression stockings or garments to create tension around the limb and it will therefore encourage movement of lymph. This is most important if you will be standing for long periods of time, or traveling by air to prevent any pooling of fluid in the legs.

For more complex cases of lymphedema, I am trained to wrap the affected limb with foam and tensor bandages to encourage effective lymph flow. This wrap is worn for 24 hours and the results are very encouraging for the client. It is also one of my favourite parts of lymphedema therapy. Fun Krista fact, I love to wrap ;) 

www.lymphaticclinic.ca 

Passive Income

It is common for Massage Therapists to look at additional sources of income, preferably sources of passive income -- earning money even when you are not working.

As you may remember, Massage Therapists are paid for the clients they see. If they do not see any clients, they are not receiving income. Massage Therapists are limited to the amount of hours in a day they can see clients, and therefore there will always be a limit to how much income they will earn in a day. There is no pension, and no paid maternity leave. It is a physically demanding profession, so even working long hours can lead to repetitive injuries or burn-out.

Having a source of passive income without taking time away from your Massage Therapy practice will ease financial, physical, and emotional stress.

Passive income can come from various sources, and it is important to find one that feels right for you and provides results. Let’s look at a few of them briefly.

1. Selling a Product in your Clinic

Many Massage Therapists will sell a product to their clients. It is typically a product relating to Massage or Health and Wellness. It can be a muscle cream like Biofreeze or Traumeel, and it can even be vitamins that also benefit the client.

How do you make money from this?

By buying the product at a wholesale, you can sell the product at a retail price and make a profit.

What to think about in this venture

You have to pay for the product upfront and then have it in stock in order to sell it to the client. You will have to educate your client on the benefits of the product and why they will need it, and therefore why they should buy it from you. 

2. Real-Estate

I know the least about this stream of income, but I do know it is one of the best ways to bring in passive income. I am very eager to learn more and invest.

How do you make money from this?

By owning a property that brings in monthly rent, which covers the mortgage, taxes and bills. There is often extra money left over for profit each month, even before the property is sold for a profit.

What to think about in this venture

Obviously there is a large upfront cost, down payment, and a mortgage commitment. You may need to hire someone to act as a landlord for the property, to fix repairs and manage tenants...unless you want to do this yourself.

The best place to start if you are interested in learning more is in the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. It is one of the best books you will read (also available on audio).

3. Network Marketing

Bringing it back to Robert Kiyosaki, he has created the lifestyle he wants through real estate. However, he said that if he had to start all over again, he would join a network marketing company. Network marketing is a profession I know a lot about from personal experience.  I owe a lot of my personal development, and business knowledge to the company I stand behind today. It has given me a true residual income that allows me to think about life after Massage Therapy.... just in case.

How do you make money from this?

In my business, I earn passive income by referring friends, family, colleagues, and my business network to save money on their essential services (i.e. electricity, natural gas, Internet, cell phones, home security and more) and earning 10% of those bills every month. I also show them how to make money back on those same bills like I do.

What to think about in this venture

It truly is a no-brainer. Offering services that people already use everyday means I don’t have to convince anyone about the benefits of the products. They already know they can’t live without their cell phone. I’m helping them save money and they get to keep the same service. It’s different than Massage Therapy or Health and Wellness, and that’s why I love it. I get to work the other side of my brain. It gives me a whole new perspective on business and I am meeting a whole new network of individuals. What is the same, however, is that I am helping people everyday.

Robert Kiyosaki briefly explains the financial benefits of shifting your mindset

There are a lot of great network marketing companies out there, so you should do yourself a favour and look into a few. You honestly never know what is around the corner for your profession. It is critical to build a back-up plan now. Ask questions about the compensation plan,  the founders and the support to build your business the right way. Then, get started. If you would love to learn more about what I do, please feel free to ask.

Do you have another way to earn a secondary source of income outside of your full-time career? I would love to hear about it! I would also love to hear if you have any additional suggestions than the ones listed here. kristadicks@gmail.com

A Healthy R.M.T. is a Happy R.M.T.

http://doitforjillian.tumblr.com/

So what do you do to stay in shape?

Have you noticed that Massage Therapists look really good from behind? Or their arms make Popeye look like a wimp?

Obviously the profession of Massage Therapy is physically demanding and one can maintain a certain level of fitness just by working.

In order to perform our profession well, we have to be active, healthy, and in good shape. We need the physical endurance and the energy to provide effective care for our clients.

Maintaining good health sets an example for our clients and those meeting us for the first time.

I am fortunate to be someone who enjoys working out and I reap the benefits of it. I realized early in my career that my regular fitness routine at the gym was helping me in my profession. My muscles felt stronger, my posture and mechanics were good, and I had energy even after five massage clients. I know that keeping active will also help to prevent injuries.

It is not surprising that my colleagues are healthy and active individuals enjoying a variety of activities. Some are Triatheletes and some have even participated in an Ironman event. Many enjoy yoga classes, pilates, salsa dance lessons, and even Pole Fitness.  

Shout out to Cherry Blossom Pole Dancing Studio J

Many Hands Make Light Work

So is it better to only work with a Massage Therapist? Should I see a Physiotherapist? What’s your opinion on Chiropractors?

Massage Therapy is a great place to start for muscle tension and chronic pain. Give me three sessions. If at the end of the third session, you do not feel that Massage Therapy is helping you feel better, let’s talk about either working with a different Massage Therapist, or working with a Physiotherapist. I love Chiropractors!

I firmly believe that every BODY needs a massage and if you are unsure where to start, start there. It is common to work with a Massage Therapist in combination with a Physiotherapist and/or Chiropractor to help the body heal more efficiently.

It is important, however, to not dive into all three at the same time. Why? How will you know which one truly made the difference for you?

When a Massage Therapist is practicing in the same facility as a Physiotherapist and/or a Chiropractor, it is beneficial to the client to have these practitioners under the same roof as they do not have to travel to a separate location. When there is cross referral happening in the clinic space, it also increases the credibility and trust between these practitioners.

The Massage Therapist can also benefit greatly from having these practitioners accessible to them. If there is a question, or one needs clarification, it is great to be able to ask for a second opinion just around the corner or in passing. It is great to know what the client has been experiencing so far, where one practitioner is working, and their opinion on a good place to start. It means the client doesn’t have to spend a lot of their time re-explaining their therapy history. It is wonderful to see practitioners from different backgrounds working together because it wasn’t always this way.

When I was in school in 2006, Massage Therapy was not always well received or understood by Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, or even Physicians. There was also the fear of loss. What if the client gets a Massage and it makes them feel better than getting Chiropractic adjustments or taking a muscle relaxant? Well, hopefully the client would respect you more for referring out.

The truth is, Massage Therapists need Physiotherapists, and Chiropractors. Physiotherapists and Chiropractors also need us. Let’s think about simple anatomy for a second. Muscles attach to bones. If the vertebrae that make up the spine are not properly aligned for example, the muscles will always be misaligned. The muscle may be twisted, shortened or stretched. A massage may help to release these muscles temporarily, but in a short amount of time, those misaligned vertebrae will pull those muscles tight again. If a muscle is constantly tight, over time it can pull the vertebrae out of alignment. Therefore, the body needs someone to work on the foundation, AND someone to work on the frame. 

For more information about some of my favourite Chiropractors and Physiotherapists in Ottawa, please see Dr. Melanie Stewart at Kent Chiro Med and also visit Physiotherapy on Kent. 

If you love your Chiropractor or Physiotherapist, please let me know so I can add them to my list of trusted practitioners. 

Dating a Massage Therapist

Guest Blogger: Mark Perry

Tough Mudder. Toronto 2012

When people find out I date a massage therapist, their eyes light up with envy and mine roll. They always say "WOW! You're SO lucky!!" I tend to agree with them, I am a pretty lucky guy in terms of who I am currently dating, but it's not at all because she is a massage therapist. The fact is, I don't let her near me when she is in massage/sadist mode. I have tried to enjoy massages, but I just can't seem to find the pleasure or therapy surrounding this therapeutic technique. I have been in severe pain after some races and I have let her "caress" my tender muscles as a last resort, but this often leads to writhing, screaming, jumping and cursing. The "massage" ends soon after.

Krista has also mentioned in a previous blog post that the last thing she wants to do when she gets home from a day of massaging is do another massage. I agree with her professionalism that I should book an appointment at her clinic and pay the receptionist just like everyone else. In a profession that struggles to gain credibility in society, people don't need to be hearing that I get special massages at home whether I pay for them or not.

Three Years

In all seriousness, it is not easy dating a massage therapist. It is a very difficult profession that takes its toll on one's body and emotions. It is not easy seeing your partner come home from a long day of work nearly broken--physically and emotionally. It's not easy learning about another client of hers who died today. I don't know them, but I see the toll it takes on Krista. She's the strongest and most compassionate woman I know, but everyone has a breaking point. Her forearms are stronger than most mens', but at what cost? I brag about them to try and be positive, although something tells me that Krista couldn't care less about ripped forearms.

Krista has home clients as well. This is common for such a profession. When a massage therapist works as hard as Krista does, it's not easy to find time to spend with someone else. It's easy to plan around my 9-5 job, but it proves quite difficult to catch a movie around her home and clinic clients...forget a last minute weekend getaway. We make it work using google calendar and day planners. It also gives us something to look forward to. We sit down every month or two to plan out activities we can do together. If you're a fly by the seat of your pants type of person, you won't see much of Krista. In addition to me, friends and family must also be scheduled into her agenda.  She's not Hollywood, it's just how the profession rolls. When you are as good at something as Krista is at massage therapy, you are in high demand.

Black Tie Event for Team Christmas Party. Montreal 2011

I have learned to adapt. There are positives and negatives associated with dating a massage therapist. This can be said about any profession, especially those that are physically demanding. If you want to date a massage therapist, be prepared for a chaotic schedule. If you can handle that, you will find yourself in ....good hands. 

Home Visits

This is a very rewarding piece of my practice.

Home visits refer to me being able to go into the home of a client and provide them with a Massage Therapy treatment. I bring everything needed for the massage--portable massage table that weighs approximately 30-35 pounds (it practically lives in the trunk of my car), sheets, and lotion. It can be benefical financially for an R.M.T. to see home clients but one has to factor in travel time and set-up.

I am fortunate to be trusted in so many clients' homes. One benefit of getting a massage in your home is that you, the client, doesn't need to be on time for an appointment--I must be. After a massage, many clients feel relaxed and ready to rest or even go to bed. Having a massage in your own home is great because you don't have to worry about going outside, or getting home to relax because you are already there.

I have a few home clients who are able bodied and very healthy who just prefer to enjoy their massages at home. I also have clients who find it easier to have an R.M.T. come to their home because they may have a medical condition or mobility concerns that make it difficult for them to leave the home without some great effort. I find these clients to be very rewarding for me.

Sometimes, I may have a client recently involved in a motor vehicle accident (M.V.A.),  or maybe they have a condition such as Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis (A.L.S.), more commonly known as Lou Gehrigs Disease. Since I also specialize in Lymphedema Therapy, I see clients who have Lymphedema as a side-effect to cancer treatments. Those clients who have cancer may have low energy and find it exhausting to leave the house. I also see clients who are terminally ill and are looking for a gentle massage to bring comfort and relaxation to their body, or to reduce edema from an underlying condition.

 

I feel blessed to be trusted by these clients and their family members. It is not an easy time for anyone surrounding that individual. Being invited bedside gives me a direct view of the emotions, and decisions the client and the family are going through. I feel so much love surrounding this individual.

It may seem that this type of client is very difficult to see for me as a therapist, emotionally. I do know that many therapists have said they would not be able to do it. Do I get sad? Yes, but I feel that I am also playing a vital role in their journey. No one should be in pain or discomfort at the end of their life. A massage can ease pain and discomfort for an individual even if it is only temporarily. Family members are watching me very closely. I feel the relief they feel when they see that their loved one is sleeping comfortably or has a relaxed smile on their face because of the touch they receive. I had one woman whose eyes lit up when she saw me come into the room after I had seen her a few times. She knew why I was there, and I hope I provided her with some comfort.

For those who know my family, you know that my dad is a Funeral Director. I was raised in a home that taught me death is a natural process of life (with some exceptions). I also learned families grieve the loss of a loved one differently, and how we must show

 respect after death. Since it was common conversation around the dinner table, I must say, without hesitation, that I am comfortable speaking about the topic of death and dying. 

When one looks at the larger picture of working with the terminally ill, you can't help but feel grateful for your own life. You will feel grateful for your own health, for the loved ones you have with you, for our health care system, and for life insurance, or critical illness insurance. It will push you to pursue your purpose, your goals, and to reach out to others more because you never know how long you will have on this earth.

Leaving you on a happier note: Homes occasionally have pets, and many pets are curious about my arrival. Some could care less. I am always entertained by animals that need to be close to their owner; Picture a pug that needs to be on the table with its owner while I give the massage. I frequently use olive oil as my massage oil, and the pug would constantly be licking the olive oil off my client while I was giving the massage. Cats love my massage table bag and can't wait for me to get it off and on the floor so that they can climb in it.