Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Burnaby

Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Burnaby

Many often think of a massage as a luxury. It’s something you might do on vacation or for a special occasion. But massage therapy can be an important part of your health.

At Pacific Health and Sports Therapy, we offer a variety of services to meet your individual needs. Our registered massage therapists (RMTs) can guide you through a personalized treatment plan and help you achieve your goals, whether they’re related to recovery from an injury, management of a chronic condition, or simply relaxation and stress relief.

What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage is one of the oldest forms of healing, tracing its origins to ancient India, China, and Egypt. It has been practiced for centuries as a means of promoting circulation, reducing stress and relieving pain.

Massage therapy uses the hands to manipulate the body’s soft tissues (muscles, tendons, connective tissues, ligaments, and joints). In fact, the word “massage” comes from the French masser, meaning “friction of kneading”, which is assumed to have come from the Portuguese amassar meaning “mass, dough” or Arabic massa which means “feel” or “touch”.

Today, massage therapy is recognized as an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions. It is one of the most popular forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in North America.

Massage therapists use a variety of techniques to achieve their desired results, which can range from deep tissue massage work for pain relief, to more gentle styles to promote relaxation.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

There are many benefits to massage therapy, which is why it’s become such a popular treatment modality.

Our patients have reported improvements in a wide variety of health conditions including:

  • Anxiety
  • Chronic pain
  • Digestive disorders and stomach problems
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia related to stress
  • Muscle tension
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Paresthesias and nerve pain
  • Sciatia
  • Other sleep disorders
  • Soft tissue strains or injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Temporomandibular joint pain
  • Tension headaches

There are also a number of other potential health benefits, such as:

  • Enhanced immune function
  • Greater joint flexibility
  • Improved circulation/blood flow
  • Lowering a high heart rate
  • Calmed nervous system
  • Promotion of tissue regeneration
  • Reduced inflammation

Our Massage Therapy Services

We understand that everyone is different, and we tailor our treatments to each individual’s needs. These are some of our services and massage techniques:

  • Relaxation Massage

Relaxation massage is a gentle form of massage that is designed to promote relaxation and stress relief. Your massage therapist will help you relax and ease tense muscles.

  • Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage that helps relieve pain and tension. To do this, your RMT will use firm and targeted pressure.

  • Trigger Point Massage

Did you know that tight muscles can cause pain that travels to other parts of your body? Trigger points are usually caused by muscle overuse or injury. With a trigger point massage, your RMT will apply pressure to these areas to attempt to release the tension and knots.

  • Sports Massage

Physical activity can put a lot of stress on your body. Sports massage is designed to help your body recover from the stresses of exercise. It can help to improve flexibility, range of motion, and prevent injuries. For athletes, sports massage can be used before, during, or after competition to help improve performance.

  • Pregnancy / Prenatal Massage

Contrary to popular belief, massage during pregnancy is safe and can be very beneficial. Pregnancy massage is performed on specially designed cushions that cradle the belly and allow you to lay down comfortably. It can help to reduce stress, relieve aches and pains, and promote relaxation. 

  • Myofascial release

Chronic pain often results from myofascial restrictions, which are areas of tightness in the connective tissue. Myofascial release is aimed at releasing these restrictions and relieving pain. Your RMT will use gentle, sustained pressure to help stretch and release the fascia.

When and When Not to Seek Massage Therapy

In general, massage therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for most people. When you have specific health concerns or are taking certain medications, your massage therapist may have to modify their techniques.

If you have any of the following conditions, please let us know before your appointment so we can make appropriate accommodations:

  • Acute inflammation (such as that associated with an injury)
  • Blood clots
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Fever
  • Herpes simplex virus
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pregnancy
  • Severe osteoarthritis
  • Skin infections
  • Ulcers
  • Chicken Pox
  • Shingles

If you’re not sure whether massage therapy is right for you, please consult with your physician. They may have specific recommendations based on your health history.

Massage Therapy: How It Works and What to Expect

During a massage therapy session, your registered massage therapist will assess your individual needs and develop a treatment plan. It is important to communicate with your RMT about what you’re hoping to achieve from the session.

Your massage will be customized based on your health assessment and goals, but there are some general things you can expect:

  • We will ask you to complete a health history form. This helps your RMT understand any health conditions you have that may impact your massage.
  • You will remove clothing to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped throughout the session so that only the areas being worked on are exposed.
  • Your massage will be performed in a quiet, relaxing environment. You may choose to have soft music playing in the background to help you relax.
  • A session may last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your specific needs.

Massage therapy is not an overnight fix, but rather a tool that can be used to help you achieve your long-term health and wellness goals. Regular massage sessions can have a cumulative effect on your body, helping you to feel your best.

Pacific Health and Sports Therapy – Trusted Massage Therapists in British Columbia

We pride ourselves on being one of the most trusted massage therapy providers in British Columbia. Our patients know that they can rely on us for quality care and treatment, and we are dedicated to being with them every step of the way.

If you are looking for a massage therapist in New Westminster, Burnaby, or the surrounding area, we invite you to contact us today to book an appointment. We also offer a variety of other services, including chiropractic and physiotherapy.

Schedule an appointment!