Registered Massage Therapy

We are proud to offer Registered Massage Therapy at Saanich Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic.  Our focus is on providing Registered Massage Therapy as a complementary practice to Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, Manual Therapy and Acupuncture- with complete musculoskeletal care. These services in combination can help you be active and stay active. Our therapists are trained in a multitude of advanced techniques.

Registered Massage Therapy is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, decrease muscle reflex activity, inhibit motor-neuron excitability promote relaxation and well-being.

Massage Therapy can help with common conditions such as:

Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel, Migraines, Nerve Compression, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Fibromyalgia, Postural Dysfunction, Pregnancy, Sprains, SI joint Dysfunction, Headaches, Strains, Whiplash, Sciatica, Scar Tissue.

From a Sports Therapy perspective Massage Therapy can be useful for: Neck and Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Hip Pain, Knee Pain, Leg Pain. Hard working people tend to push their bodies hard and Massage Therapy is a wonderful relaxation technique. Massage Therapy can be an excellent injury prevention strategy if done on a regular basis.

Types of Massage Techniques:

Deep tissue massage: designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two.

The term “deep tissue” is often misused to identify a massage that is performed with sustained deep pressure. Deep tissue massage is a separate category of massage therapy, used to treat particular muscular-skeletal disorders and complaints and employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. It should not be confused with “deep pressure” massage, which is one that is performed with sustained strong, occasionally intense pressure throughout an entire full-body session, and that is not performed to address a specific complaint. Deep tissue massage is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. The sessions are often quite intense as a result of the deliberate, focused work. When a client asks for a massage and uses the term “deep tissue”, more often than not he or she is seeking to receive a full-body session with sustained deep pressure throughout. If a practitioner employs deep tissue techniques on the entire body in one session, it would be next to impossible to perform; it might lead to injury or localized muscle and nerve trauma, thereby rendering the session counterproductive.

Myofascial Release: The direct myofascial release (or deep tissue work) method engages the myofascial tissue “restrictive barrier” (tension). The tissue is loaded with a constant force until release occurs. Practitioners use knuckles, elbows, or other tools to slowly stretch the restricted fascia by applying force. Direct myofascial release is an attempt to bring about changes in the myofascial structures by stretching or elongation of fascia, or mobilizing adhesive tissues. The practitioner moves slowly through the layers of the fascia until the deep tissues are reached.

Sports Massage Therapy: Also known as manual therapy, manipulative therapy, or manual & manipulative therapy, this is a physical treatment primarily used on the neuro-musculoskeletal system to treat pain and disability. It most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation. Our staff at Saanich Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic are uniquely qualified in working with athletes and active people. Here is a link to the Canadian Sports Massage Therapy Association Website for more information: http://csmta.ca/index.html . Our Therapists at Saanich Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic have work with Olympians and National Champions from a multitude of different sports, after all we have Sports Clinic in our name!

Trigger Point Therapy: Sometimes confused with pressure point massage, this involves deactivating trigger points that may cause local pain or refer pain and other sensations, such as headaches, in other parts of the body. This is a well researched, well accepted treatment with Massage Therapy. Manual pressure, vibration, injection, or other treatment is applied to these points to relieve myofascial pain. Trigger points were first discovered and mapped by Dr. Janet Travell (president Kennedy’s physician) and Dr. David Simons. Trigger points have been photomicrographed and measured electrically. and in 2007 a paper was presented showing images of Trigger Points using MRI. These points relate to dysfunction in the neuromuscular junction(NMJ).

Scar Tissue Work: Massage therapists can help with the release of scar tissue which builds up after surgery, cesarian section, and injury. Using hands-on techniques our skilled therapists release this build-up and help you get back to doing what you love.

What Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) Do:

• Massage Therapists are trained to evaluate individual health needs, and provide active and passive techniques for complete patient care.
• Massage Therapists provide an accurate assessment, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of specific soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Massage Therapists act upon the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems to improve health.

BC’s Registered Massage Therapists:

• Have the highest training standards in North America.
• Have mandatory continuing education and upgrading.
• Are linking research to practice, including providing evidence-based patient education and remedial exercise.
• Have a specialized program at an accredited college.
• Have completed the BC registration exams set by the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC), and must continue with post-graduate studies to maintain registration.
• Honour a strict code of ethics set by the CMTBC, which ensures that patients receive safe, competent, and ethical care.

Book your Massage Therapy session today. You might limp in, but you are certain to feel better on the way out.