Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a Registered Massage Therapist?

Yes, I am a Registered Massage Therapist of British Columbia. I completed the 2880h program at the Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences in Nelson. This means that I am a Regulated Health Professional and you can submit your receipts for insurance claims and taxes. I try not to use the word “massage” too much through out my website because I don’t use massage techniques and focus on myofascial, visceral and craniosacral techniques. I want my clients to know what to expect when they come for treatment.

Why does my body hold tension in this pattern? 

Our bodies can internalize our experiences and hold on to them as tension in the body.  Tension patterns usually develop from trauma emotional or physical or from postural holding patterns which could also be emotionally triggered. These are usually unconscious ways of our body trying to protect us from pain or repetitive movement patterns learned early in life. 

How often should I come back for treatment? 

This all depends on what the clients current health presentation and goals for treatment are. If there is an urgent issue that is causing pain then once a week to once every two weeks is what I recommend to make sustained tissue changes and progress. If you have a visceral issue you want to work on then more time is needed for integration between treatments, which I recommend every two to three weeks.

Why are you not treating the area where I feel pain? 

A lot of the time the area that we feel pain is not the cause of the pain, especially when it comes to muscular and structural imbalance. This is definitely true if there has been blunt force trauma to the area. I assess the client and use my knowledge to figure out why clients are experiencing pain in a certain area. What is the root cause? Chasing the pain could result in more pain. 

Do you do deep tissue? 

The depth of pressure I use depends on the tissue I am trying to affect. I work within the body I don’t do things to the body. Sometimes using less is more and gives the body a chance to make a lasting change rather than trying to force it to. Having said that some of my techniques are deep within the body and some are superficial. I don’t practice in the way most people would think of deep tissue massage.

Why does there have to be an assessment every treatment? 

Our bodies and lives are constantly changing. Assessment gives me the knowledge to treat clients safely and effectively. Sometimes they are more detailed and sometimes they are brief. The more a client comes to see me the quicker this process can be. 

How does movement during treatment help? 

If the client is either actively or passively moving during the treatment there are signals to the brain that tells the body it is safe to move into this new range of motion. Also it can help release the adhered fibers into a healthier pattern of movement, creating a new neurological pattern of movement in the brain. 

What is fascia? 

Fascia is a tissue that connects our bodies head to toe. It encloses every cell, wraps every muscle and suspends every organ in the body. It is what gives us shape. It also acts as a communication system within the body, sending signals from one area to another. It responds to stress, trauma and psychological changes within the body. It can be stiff for example with impact or it can be viscose when in a relaxed fluid state. 

What is Myofascial Release Therapy?

Myofascial release is a relatively new concept in the world of massage therapy.  Only in the last couple decades have we begun to understand and work with the fascial system of the body.  Understanding fascia helps us to understand the interconnectedness of our different body parts.  For example, treating the fascia of the feet and legs may help relieve headaches and tension in the jaw and face. Fascial release may also help create space for muscles to grow and develop strength. Muscles that are restricted by tight fascia or scar tissue cannot function optimally, and may cause pain or decreased range of motion.