Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in British Columbia are trained to: evaluate your health needs; provide an assessment of your specific soft tissue or musculoskeletal condition; predict the likelihood and/or timeline of your recovery; provide active (intense) or passive (gentle) hands on therapy; and through research, provide evidence-based patient education and remedial exercises.

An RMT is someone who has:

graduated from a recognized program
passed rigorous professional entrance exams
keep their knowledge and skills current
act in your best interest
have professional liability insurance
are accountable to a regulatory body that can investigate complaints and impose discipline

Rates:
$115 – $130
All prices include GST. Direct-billing is available with many of our RMTs, give us a call to confirm.

For specific questions, Email:
Brooklyn Fuhriman, RMT – brooklyn@tidalelements.ca
Lana Blain, RMT – lana@tidalelements.ca
Ross Freeman-Marsh, RMT – ross@tidalelements.ca
Tessa Ridley, RMT – tessa@tidalelements.ca

*Note: Did you know that any Massage Therapy receipts that will not be reimbursed by a third party insurer can be used on your personal income tax return as a medical expense?

Breast Massage

Breast massage is a gentle, lymphatic massage that can help to maintain and increase breast health. Like other tissues in our bodies, our breasts need good circulation and tissue mobility. Breast massage falls within the scope of practice of RMTs in BC.

Breast Massage can help with:

Premenstrual congestion
General drainage issues
Tenderness & congestion during pregnancy, lactation & weaning
Post-surgical pain & scarring from implants, reductions, & biopsies
Recovery pain/scar reduction post-mastectomy
Breast health monitoring & education
Facilitates healthy emotional connection to breasts

For specific questions, Email:
Tessa Ridley, RMT – tessa@tidalelements.ca

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or “knots”.

For specific questions, Email:
Lana Blain, RMT – lana@tidalelements.ca
Ross Freeman-Marsh, RMT – ross@tidalelements.ca

Mechanical Craniosacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprising the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system, which has been shown to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, as well as many other systems of the body, such as digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and more. CST has also been shown to help with the physical components related to such somatic conditions as Post Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety.

By facilitating the body’s natural and innate healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and has been shown to be beneficial for people seeking help with a wide range of healthcare challenges and symptoms including: Migraines, Headaches, Chronic Pain, Motor-Coordination Impairments, Central Nervous System Disorders, Orthopedic Problems, Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions, Alzheimer’s, Spinal Cord Injuries, Scoliosis, Conception, Pregnancy, Birth, Pediatric Challenges. Learning Differences, ADD, ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing, Chronic Fatigue, Emotional Difficulties, Depression, Stress and Tension-Related Problems, Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) and Dental Challenges, Immune Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-Surgical Dysfunction, Sleep Challenges.

For specific questions, Email:
Lana Blain, RMT – lana@tidalelements.ca

Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial Release is a safe and effective hands-on technique that focuses on releasing muscular shortness and tightness. This approach is used to relax, lengthen and realign your fascia. The goal is to bring you pain relief, as well as give you back your full range of motion.

Many patients seek myofascial treatment after losing flexibility or function following an injury, as a result of repetitive movements and chronic conditions, or if experiencing ongoing pain in the back, shoulder, hip, or in any area containing soft tissue.

Healthy fascia should feel malleable and elastic, whereas areas that are holding trauma and tension will feel stiff and tight. These are your trigger points, and could be the origin of your pain.

Using light, manual pressure, your therapist will massage and stretch the trigger point, sometimes holding that point for a few minutes. Your therapist may repeat this process a few times on each trigger point they find, until they feel a full release.

If you are experiencing loss of flexibility, restricted movement, or painful “knots” in your body then myofascial release may be helpful for you.

Myofascial release can be used to treat a range of conditions, bringing pain relief and better myofascial function. Common conditions include:

Chronic neck and back pain (upper and lower)
Chronic shoulder and hip restrictions
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Migraines and headaches
Plantar fasciitis (the most common type of heel pain)
Fibromyalgia
TMJ dysfunction
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Post-polio syndrome
Whiplash
Build up of scar tissue
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Dizziness or vertigo
Menstrual or cervical pain
Urinary incontinence
Acute sprains and strains
Poor posture and/or loss of flexibility
Other complex pain issues that have not responded to treatment

For specific questions, Email:
Lana Blain, RMT – lana@tidalelements.ca
Ross Freeman-Marsh, RMT – ross@tidalelements.ca

Prenatal & Postnatal Massage

Pregnancy is such a wonderful, exciting time and also a time of many profound changes, both physical and emotional. Prenatal massage therapy can help to ease many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. During the massage you will be positioned for your optimal comfort using a special set of pregnancy body cushions.

Pre & Postnatal Massage can help with:

Reduce swelling by supporting venous return circulation
Decrease muscle, joint & nerve pain
Calm the nervous system & help you sleep
Help with low back & sacroiliac pain
Relieve anxiety & depression caused by hormonal changes
Helps with constipation
Decrease breast congestion (see article below on Breast Massage)
Give the Mother (and baby) an overall sense of well being

For specific questions, Email:
Lana Blain, RMT – lana@tidalelements.ca
Ross Freeman-Marsh, RMT – ross@tidalelements.ca
Tessa Ridley, RMT – tessa@tidalelements.ca

Visceral Therapy

Visceral Therapy consists of the specific placement of hands with gentle movements to encourage the natural mobility, tone and motion of the viscera (organs) and their connective tissues. These gentle manipulations can potentially improve the functioning of individual organs, the systems the organs function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.

This modality encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your organs, dissipate the negative effects of stress, enhance mobility of the musculoskeletal system through the connective tissue attachments, and influence general metabolism.

Do you or have you ever experienced any of the following?:

Digestive Disorders
Headaches and Migraines
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis
Fibroids and Cysts
Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cycles)
Bladder Incontinence
Effects of Menopause
Whiplash
Seatbelt Injuries
Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
Concussion
Pain Related to Post-operative Scar Tissue or Post-infection Scar Tissue
Bloating and Constipation
Nausea and Acid Reflux
GERD
Swallowing Dysfunctions
Emotional Issues
Anxiety and Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Somatic-Visceral Interactions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Peripheral Joint Pain
Sciatica
Constipation and Gastritis
Urinary Tract Disorders

Then Visceral Therapy may be able to help ease your symptoms.