News

May 2021

My Practice is Full

I am sorry to report that I am no longer accepting new clients into my practice. While I wish that I could provide treatments to more prospective clients, I am limited by the daycare available at this time. If you are not a current client, and are looking for an RMT, feel free to check back in September or October, when I will be able to increase my hours somewhat. Thank you for understanding; I hope that everyone can find the care that they need.

Oct 27, 2020

October is nearly over, and we are barrelling towards winter. This weekend we turn the clocks forward and lose an hour of light in the evenings.

If you are like me, you love to play outside and soak up the sun. The late fall means that enjoying the outdoors becomes more of an effort, and I personally tend to spend my evenings inside with the wood stove on. Unfortunately, less sunlight and less outside time means that many of us find our moods deteriorating as the season gets colder and darker.

You are familiar with massage therapy as a treatment for musculoskeletal disorders. Most people know that sessions with an RMT can improve muscular pain and imbalance. What some people don’t realize is that massage therapy has been proven to alleviate depression in a number of studies. In fact, in a broad meta-analysis of 17 scientific studies, massage therapy was found to be “significantly associated with alleviated depressive symptoms.”

Stave off seasonal affective disorder! Book some sessions this fall/winter to experience the benefits of improved physical and mental well-being!

Study cited: “Treatment effects of massage therapy in depressed people: a meta-analysis” by Wen-Hsuan Hou 1, Pai-Tsung Chiang, Tun-Yen Hsu, Su-Ying Chiu, Yung-Chieh Yen. Published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in March of 2010.

June 16, 2020

Hello All-

I just wanted to take a moment to humbly join the conversation around the Black Lives Matter movement as it continues to gain momentum. Black Lives Matter. Indigenous Lives Matter. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their communities and beyond.

As a massage therapist who works alone in a home-based business, it doesn’t take long for me to review my practices. I don’t hire; I don’t fire; I don’t promote or manage others. I always have and will continue to treat every client who walks in my door with respect and care. I hope that every member of our community regardless of ethnicity or gender feels comfortable receiving my services.

However, I think it is important to acknowledge my extreme privilege as a business owner in our community, as well as the degree to which privilege plays into accessing my services. I was born into a settler family who has been in Canada for a few generations at this point. Land which rightfully belonged (belongs) to First Nations in Saskatchewan was handed to my relatives, allowing them to flourish and accumulate wealth. This has turned into a pattern of multigenerational wealth and privilege which myself and my white relatives have taken advantage of.

As a result, my life has been relatively easy. I grew up in a comfortable home in a middle-class neighbourhood with plenty of food and recreation. I attended a well-equipped highschool and was encouraged to focus on my studies rather than working. My parents were able to support myself and my brothers as we pursued post-secondary education, further solidifying our position of privilege. My family is not suffering due to intergenerational trauma or current systemic racism. Because I have benefitted from the wealth of my relatives, I own a home in a desirable neighbourhood on Cowichan land. I am able to work part time and focus on my family (ensuring that my children are raised in privilege as well). I am as white as people come. No one has ever denied me a job, a place to rent, or any opportunity based on my skin colour. I have never been made to feel out-of-place or disrespected in my community because of my ethnicity. Police have treated me with respect at every encounter- even when I was in the wrong. I am not worried about my children being disrespected or harassed (or shot!) in my community.

I know that there are many people who live in the Cowichan Valley who are unable to pay $105 for a treatment, even when the need is great. I recognize that most people in our community do not have a substantial benefit package that allows them to access my services when the need arises. Massage Therapy is a service for the privileged, and I regret this very much.

If you have not enjoyed the privilege that I and other white settler folks have, and cannot access my services due to financial hardship or are worried about feeling comfortable in the treatment room, please contact me and let’s start a conversation.

Edit on June 23: I wrote this post in an effort to be transparent and to show my support for racial equality, but I realize that I likely have blind spots. If any of my words or actions are problematic or insensitive, please help me do better. I welcome criticism and conversation from anyone and everyone- feel free to drop me a line.

May 16, 2020

Beginning on May 19th, Registered Massage Therapists in BC are permitted to resume work, though it will look very different. I will be screening clients, wearing and providing personal protective equipment, and sanitizing myself and the space religiously, as well as taking many other additional measures to keep our community safe. When you book an appointment online, you will receive an email to confirm your appointment that includes information on the new procedures. Please read this email thoroughly to ensure that you are able to meet my requirements (as well as the BC Health Officer’s requirements) to keep my treatment space safe for everyone.

April 2020

Hello to all new and returning clients. I was hoping to welcome all of you to my new home-based treatment space in Cobble Hill this March. But as all of you are well aware, Covid-19 has put a bit of a wrench in the gears for touch-based business. Registered Massage Therapists are not permitted to give treatments during this time. It is my hope that everyone is able to find relief and relaxation via other means during this temporary halt to service. I will be open for appointments as soon as it is safe and ethical to do so. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay safe.