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.