Clinical Care Meets Calm
20 years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist, now providing individualized care in Port Alberni, BC.
Supporting pain relief, recovery from injury, stress reduction, and those living with persistent pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Thanks to easy online billing platforms, I can direct bill so you don’t have to. Direct billing is available for most extended health insurance plans, MSP, RCMP and VAC. Coverage varies by insurance provider and individual plan.
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No.
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Massage therapy helps manage symptoms of physical pain and improves function. It temporarily alleviates mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety and stress. It also helps people experience pain differently. This is done through the skin with manual therapy (pushing, stretching, gliding, etc.). Stretch mechanoreceptors are stimulated which slows down noxious stimuli. Pain signals slow down that are transmitted from the area that hurts to the spinal cord. When touch feels good, feel good chemicals are also released from the spinal cord and brain stem, acting as an analgesic. An environment that supports trust and safety also significantly contributes to the release of neurotransmitters and feel good hormones, having an impact on our perception of pain and wellbeing.
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It depends. There are many factors that affect our health and wellbeing. Some options include: receiving monthly massages for maintenance or booking 3 sessions, 1-2 weeks apart to focus on a specific concern. Another great option is to book one massage per season or during predictable times of stress or activity. If you have questions, please contact me to discuss your specific needs.
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Many people have shared that they often feel obliged to keep a conversation going during a massage. Rapport building and relevant communication is helpful. However, too much talking interferes with the mechanisms at play during a massage that provide pain relief and relaxation.