Questions & Answers

Welcome to our first of the Q & A series!

“What kind of oil do you use?”

 

I prefer Sacred Earth Organics. No product is perfect, but this is one of the “cleaner” brands I have found over the years. 

 

Oil ingredients:

Organic sunflower seed oil

Organic safflower oil

Organic olive fruit oil

Organic jojoba seed oil

Non GMO vitamin E

 

This oil blend is free from Nuts/Gluten/Fragrance/Parabens.

 

I will sometimes add an Ayurvedic massage oil blend to this, although that won’t be for long as they have since discontinued the sale of this blend in Canada, and shipping from the US is outrageous.

 

This blend contains Geranium/Ginger/Lavender/Orange/Rosemary/Spruce/Thyme/Ylang Ylang/Peppermint/Eucalyptus/Clove/Camphor/Fennel

 

Gel ingredients:

Organic castor oil

Organic coconut oil

Organic sunflower oil

Organic carnauba wax

 

This gel blend is free from Nuts/Fragrance/Parabens/Gluten

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Welcome to Week 2 of our Q & A series!

“What do I wear to my appointment?”

 

You can come dressed as you already were for the day. 

 

With CranioSacral treatments, you remain fully clothed, and can curl up under the sheet and blanket.

 

With massage treatments:

This will depend on which areas of the body we are working, and the clients comfort level. 

 

If we are treating just the upper body, some people choose to leave their lower body clothing on. Most commonly, people dress down to only their underwear. For women, also removing the bra. 

 

For full body treatments, most commonly people dress down to their underwear. Again for women, removing the bra. 

 

The million dollar question that many people have is:

“Is it inappropriate to remove my underwear for my treatment?”

 

This may vary therapist to therapist, but in general-no. So if you are unsure-just ask your therapist specifically. It’s a common question for us, so don’t worry about it coming across as weird or presumptuous. We are in a professional, and therapeutic setting. 

 

When we are working the glutes specifically, it is often easier for us to access, and feel what’s happening in the tissues without that extra layer of material to navigate around/through.

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Welcome to Week 3 of our Q & A series:

“What is your favourite body part to treat?”

 

Shoulders!

 

Shoulder injuries are one of the most common injuries I see in my practice. Many people will experience some sort of injury, or discomfort in the shoulders over their lifetime. 

 

For some, they are able to live with the background discomfort, and participate in everyday activities without having it impede their quality of life too much. Others find that it inhibits them from performing daily tasks, and participating in the activities they love.

 

The shoulder is a bit of a complex joint, in the way of having many different planes of motion. In allowing for more range of motion, the joint tends to give up some of the stability in trade for that range.

 

The shoulder joint (Glenohumeral Joint) is considered a synovial, ball & socket joint. 

 

Synovial meaning: A connection between two bones consisting of a cartilage lined cavity filled with (synovial) fluid. 

 

Ball & socket meaning: A type of synovial joint in which the ball-shaped surface of one rounded bone fits into the cup-like depression of another bone. (The hip is also considered a ball and socket joint.)

 

This is my favourite area of the body to work, as it takes a bit of detective work to identify the specific areas causing the discomfort. I will often need to utilize different techniques, and ranges of motion. These help me to find areas of restriction, and pain. Once I’ve identified these, I can work to release the tissues, and reset the pain pattern in the brain. 

 

Sometimes our muscles, and nervous system work together to create a “protective spasm” around areas of injury, or that the body perceives to be in threat of injury. Once the threat is gone, our brain may still perceive a threat and continue to hold that area in spasm. There are techniques we can utilize to reset this loop in the body, and show the brain that it is safe to release the area.

 

 

Welcome to Week 4 of our Q & A series:

“Do I have to talk during my massage?“

 

You get to run the show around how much, or how little conversation you want during your session. I try and remain receptive to cues around how much my clients are in the mood for during each appointment. 

 

Some people prefer the quiet, just focusing in on their treatment, listening to the music, relaxing, and sometimes falling asleep. 

 

Others may talk for a portion of their treatment, and then remain quiet for the rest.

 

I also have clients who enjoy having conversation throughout their session, often catching me up on what’s been happening in their lives since our last visit.

 

There is no right or wrong choice, or preference around communication levels during your treatment. I simply do my best to pick up on your specific preference for the day.

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Welcome to week 5 of our Q & A:

“After long distance runs, the top portion of gluteus maximus and lower back are sore enough to cause me to hunch over post run for a bit. What is the best way to address this, and train to build up resilience.”

 

A bit of a disclaimer here:

Since this question has been brought to me by distance, without the ability to assess and treat in person-I’ll answer this to the best of my abilities, having limited information on history. 

 

When I hear that a client feels hunched over, or unable to stand up straight-I tend to think the QL (Quadratus Lumborum) muscles. In my practice, that tends to give me a good indication of where to start. Secondly, I look to the hip flexors on the front of the body, as they can pull on the low back as well. 

 

When someone presents with low back pain, I always ask if they are able to stand up straight. For me, it is a key identifier in QL pain. 

 

Our QL muscles are master compensators-meaning that if there is a muscular imbalance in the body, these guys like to help out. Even imbalances in the jaw can cause these muscles to do more than their part. 

 

The best “at home” tool I have found to release this muscle, is a lacrosse ball. They are quite firm, with not a lot of give to them which helps to penetrate the muscle. As this muscle can be well developed on a lot of people, and not the easiest to access otherwise. I usually instruct my clients to lay on the floor, sinking the ball into the area of discomfort. Depending on your pain tolerance, you can lay stationary, or roll the ball into the muscle. I will usually send out an instructional video on how to locate the muscle, and roll it out properly. 

 

Stretching is always a good tool, but I often find it isn’t enough to release the QL muscle on its own. 

 

You can also use the lacrosse ball for the glutes, again rolling them out in the floor. Finding an area of discomfort, and sinking into the area-or utilizing movement to roll the muscle out. 

 

Hip flexor stretches are an important one for clients to draw on. I often recommend the couch/wall stretch for this, as you can start with whatever your mobility allows, and progress from there. 

 

As for training, I am by no means an expert in the fitness world, or educated enough in that way to give you a truly accurate answer-but I would ensure you have a well rounded training regimen. 

 

This would include strength/weight training, alongside your running routine. Ensuring you’re including in the very least-core, low back, glutes, quads, hams to maintain a well rounded lower body strength. There is a definite benefit to including all areas of the body in your strength training, but if we are only referring to working to improve running, in the very least-covering the core, and lower body. 

 

Lastly, I would suggest having a gait assessment done and ensure you’re fitted for the proper running shoe. They have shoes designed for neutral runners, as well as those who pronate, or supinate. I will include a photo in the comments to show you the difference between these movements. 

 

Image 1: Quadratus Lumborum muscle (view from the back of the body)

Image 2: Quadratus Lumborum muscle (view from the front of the body) 

Image 3: Hip flexor muscles 

Image 4: Couch/Wall stretch and it’s many modifications

 

To summarize:

I would suggest utilizing a lacrosse ball for self treating the QLs, and Glutes. 

Incorporate hip flexor stretches.

Keeping up with your self care-stretching, self treating, physio, massage etc. 

Incorporating strength/weight training outside of your running routine, into your programming. 

 

I hope this helps!

 

*If you would like me to send out any of these instructional videos to you, please send me a pm*

 

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Welcome to week 6 of our Q & A series:

“Do I need to remove my jewellery, and tie up my hair?”

 

We can work around bracelets, necklaces, and dangly earrings. Although it is easier if they are removed. 

 

As for your hair, it is also easier if it’s tied up, but we can also work around it. 

I will often place a towel over the nape of the neck to avoid making the hair oily.

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Welcome to week 7 of our Q & A series!

“Do I keep my arms at my side during the whole massage, or do you want me to move them?”

 

When we are treating the glutes muscles especially, people aren’t really sure where to move their arms so they aren’t in the way.

 

I have some people that move their arms to the arm cradle, which gives me a bit more table space to work. 

 

I have other clients that prefer their arms at their sides, and will tuck their hands under the front of the hips. This allows them to still be comfortable, while feeling that their hands aren’t in the way. 

 

I will generally adjust the arms during a treatment, as it may be easier to access certain muscle fibers in some arm positions than others. 

 

You can start the massage with your arms wherever they’re most comfortable-either in the arm cradle, or by your side. I will adjust your positioning if I need to. Pick what is comfortable for you.

 

 

Welcome to week 8 of our Q & A series:

“Is it ok if I see more than one person for Massage?”

 

Each Massage Therapist has their own style, education, experience, and alternative modalities that they have trained in. With such a varying range, no two therapists are the same. 

 

People are often concerned that their RMT will be offended if they book in with someone else. This is generally not the case. There are a few exceptions to the rule, with those that may be a bit possessive or competitive around their clientele. Although this is not the standard way of thinking in our field. 

 

The majority of us are in this line of work because we want to help people feel better. A therapist with this way of thinking, isn’t going to mind if you go elsewhere. Our goal is to get you out of pain-whether you find that through us, or not.

 

This is often why people bounce around therapist to therapist in the beginning before finding their one or more preferred RMTs. I myself have 6 different RMTs I tend to rotate between. Who I book with will often depend on a couple of variables:

 

1. Availability, as I am usually fairly last minute when I tend to book myself in for these appts. 

 

2. What I’d like to achieve during my appt. If I’m looking for cupping, need work on my shoulders, or looking for alternative body/energy work etc will all influence who I book with during that time.

 

If you prefer finding one Massage Therapist, and sticking with them-then do that. 

If you feel like you get more benefit from rotating between a few different professionals in the industry-then do that. Do what works for your body.

 

If you have a complex condition you’re working to improve:

 

I have seen immense benefit in drawing from multiple fields of health. Physio, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopath, Massage (in its many forms), Chinese Medicine, Energy work, ART, Rapid etc. 

 

We have access to so many incredible modalities for healing on multiple levels. 

It may take some digging to find the right mixture of therapies that your body responds to best. It can seem like an overwhelming process to sift through them all, but gaining back or improving your quality of life is well worth the work. 

 

Find your “team” of practitioners who listen to your concerns, and adapt treatments to work with your body in its current state-all while keeping in mind your end goal.

 

When choosing your professional within our realm of alternative health care:

 

1. Find someone you are comfortable with, and willing to share your health concerns with freely-and that will listen without judgement.

 

2. When it comes to health conditions (MS, Spinal Stenosis etc) or complex bodily injuries-find someone knowledgeable, or who is willing to learn more about your specific case and treat accordingly. We don’t know it all, but often our clients can be our greatest teachers.

 

 

Welcome to week 9 of our Q & A Series:

“Will my massage hurt?”

 

When going into a treatment with a new client, I look at a couple different aspects in order to decide on my approach. 

 

1. What are you hoping to achieve through treatment? 

2. Have you had previous experience with massage, or other forms of manual therapy?

 

Our first appt is used as a way for me to assess the tissues, gain some background information, and come up with a bit of a game plan as to the best approach for treatment going forward.

 

Once immersed in the treatment, I watch for bodily cues to give me an idea if the current pressure/approach is too much for you. 

 

My treatment approaches are adapted specifically for each client. I won’t utilize the same techniques and pressures for an athlete, as I would on someone in a less vital state of health, or someone whose nervous system is on high alert. Even the different phases of a woman’s cycle, can have an affect on her level of tolerance. There are many factors that come into play when choosing, and adapting my treatments.

 

Some people respond better to a gentler, and more general massage. Others will find benefit in deeper pressure, and more precise work. 

 

With many of my clients-I will work with them to push through some of their “limits” around specific pain tolerance in areas of discomfort. 

If I’m pushing the limits of your pain, in order to facilitate a release-I am confident in this being the best approach, alongside my confidence in your ability to handle it. I have seen the benefit of this, time and time again-under the right circumstances in my practice. If I don’t feel this is the right approach for you-then I don’t utilize it. 

 

The mamas can relate to this one:

In birth, when we stop fighting against the pain and surrender to it, choosing to trust our body. This is when things change. This is when we make the most progress. 

 

The same goes with muscular discomfort. If we are willing to trust our practitioner to help us work through. We breathe through the pain-that is when the tissues will have the best release.

 

Our pain is an incredible teacher. It brings our awareness to areas that need our attention. Our minds often want to quit, much before our bodies need to.  Challenging our minds, and showing our body that it is safe to push through these barriers is immensely empowering to the client.

 

Relaxation massage is not something I offer in my practice. That’s not to say there isn’t a benefit to it, as there definitely is for nourishing the tissues with fresh blood flow, aiding in relaxation, and stress relief. Relaxation massage simply isn’t where my heart lays. 

 

In recognizing the benefit that gentler therapies can offer, I have also found great benefit in utilizing CranioSacral techniques. This way, I have the ability to employ some of these gentler, and more nourishing techniques when the treatment calls for it. 

 

In general, massage doesn’t have to hurt. It just depends on the outcome you are searching for, and the state of your body to begin with.

 

If your goal is relaxation massage, you may relax and fall asleep. 

 

If your goal is to get your body out of pain, then there will most likely be some discomfort throughout your treatment. 

I often have people say that it’s “a good hurt”. Where it feels sore, but they know that it needs to be worked out, making it easier to endure the temporary discomfort in order to induce some relief in the tissues.

 

As a general rule, I tell my clients that if they are sore past the 3 day mark-I’d like to adjust the pressure in future treatments. Two days is an acceptable average for post massage soreness. 

 

Soreness-it is normal to “feel” a bit sore or bruised. We don’t want to see actual bruising though. Sometimes bruising can happen, especially when working areas like the intercostal muscles between the ribs. If it does, inform your practitioner and they can adjust from there. Other factors come into play here too-with how some people will bruise more easily than others, so we take note-and adapt to avoid this in the future. 

 

As the client, you have the power to choose. You get to choose the type of treatment you receive by seeking out practitioners that are aligned with the outcome you are in search of. You may try out a few different modalities, or therapists until you find the right fit. 

 

Find a therapist who:

 

1. Is knowledgeable. 

2. If they aren’t familiar with your condition-they must be willing to learn about it.

3. Will listen and learn from you about what’s happening in your body.

4. You feel comfortable entrusting with your care.

 

 

Welcome to week 10 of our Q & A series. This will conclude our Q & A for now. If more questions come up, I will run a second Q & A series at a later date. 

“Is my information kept confidential?”

 

Yes, your information stays secure.

 

If a client is working with a team of different professionals on an injury, sometimes they will ask for their treatment notes to be forwarded on to another member of their treatment team. Or ask for a copy, in which they can pass on to a specific team member. If there is sharing of any treatment documentation-I will always need your consent beforehand.

 

Scenario 2:

In cases surrounding motor vehicle accidents, your Lawyer may send a request for your treatment documentation. This request will always have your signature, consenting to the release of this information to your legal counsel.