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Ask A Massage Therapist: Should I Talk During a Massage?

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Talking is one of our main forms of communication. During your massage therapy visit, much of the conversation will occur at the beginning of the treatment when you enter the massage room. This is the time that is set aside to discuss your health care goals and for the therapist to perform any special tests to help assess your condition. This time is also ideal for addressing any concerns you may have regarding the massage.

As a massage therapist, I always appreciate any questions you may read more

Training for a Race Event on Vancouver Island

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Training for a Race

Vancouver Island is host to many amazing athletic events, from cycling to marathons to adventure races. If you haven’t participated in a race event before, I would encourage you to try one! There is a lovely camaraderie of friendly competition, but more than that, it’s the common goal of completing a physically challenging event. Regardless of the distance, time or difficulty, the satisfaction of finishing an event that may have taken months to train for is extremely gratifying. So, lace up those shoes and start read more

5 Tips For A Safe Hike

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5 Tips For a Safe Hike

As the weather warms up and the trails dry out, some of us will start exploring the vast expanse of hikes throughout Vancouver Island. Most of us will make sure to bring water, a camera and maybe some sunscreen, however, being aware of common potential hazards can save you from a disastrous experience. A wilderness first aid course is something to consider taking if you are an avid hiker, but even minor preparations can help make your trek one to remember and not one to regret.

Here is a read more

Massage Therapy for Digestion

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Massage Therapy for Digestion

Digestion is the process in which food is broken down into substances that can be used for energy and basic nutrients to feed the body.

Physically, food moves from your mouth, down your esophagus to your stomach where it churns and moves the liquefied food through your small intestines, into your large intestines, and finally out the “other end”. Anywhere along this line, digestive problems can crop up from ulcers, reflux, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhoea. Poor read more

What You Need To Know About Whiplash

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What You Need To Know About Whiplash

Whip·lash noun \ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip-\ : an injury to the neck that is caused by a sudden backward movement of the head

Most commonly, whiplash occurs in motor vehicle accidents. When a vehicle is rear ended, the impact causes the neck to suddenly hyperextend and can affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and nerves in that area. Rapid neck hyperextension can also be caused by sports-related injuries (i.e. rugby, football, boxing), trampoline accidents, being struck in the read more

Keeping Your Body Healthy When Traveling

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Keeping your body healthy when travelling

Travel. For some of us, travel is part of work. For others it’s an escape from the winter blues or the excitement of a road trip. Traveling by plane, car, bicycle or on foot can be hard on your body. Muscle aches and pains can ruin even the sunniest of vacation plans! Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy when traveling.

The most physically detrimental part of any travel plan is the extended periods of sitting, whether on a plane or in a vehicle. Sitting requires the muscles in read more

Water – How Much Do You Need?

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How Much Water Should I Drink?
We are fortunate to have access to decent drinking water here in Victoria, BC, Canada. We can get water straight from the tap, filtered water, water in bottles, and even from local streams! We all hear about the importance of drinking water, so how much water do we really need?

There is actually no scientific evidence that supports the claim that people should drink 8 x 8 ounce glasses of water a day to be healthy. Generally, if the “8 x 8” rule is not already part of your lifestyle, read more

Top 3 Running Injuries and Treatments

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Top 3 Running Injuries and Treatment

Running is one of the oldest and most rewarding sports. It’s relatively cheap to do and there are a variety of ways to run! You can run short distances, long distances, sprints, on treadmills, roads or trails.

There are many benefits to running, from burning calories and increasing your metabolism to cardiovascular health and strengthening your lower body muscles, and it elevates your mood and helps conquer stress.

Along with the vast benefits of running comes a risk of injuries, read more

5 Ways To Instantly Reduce Stress

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Ways to Reduce Stress | Massage Therapy | Brentwood Bay BC

Stress can surface in many different forms, but the body reacts the same way – by activating our “fight or flight” response. When this system is activated, it sends stress hormones through our bodies. These hormones cause an increase in heart rate, elevation in blood pressure, it diverts blood from our organs and can decrease the effectiveness of your digestive and immune systems.

Our “fight or flight” response was only meant to drive us into action for short periods of time, say, if read more

Ask A Massage Therapist: When To Apply Heat or Ice?

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When to Apply Heat or Ice to Muscles | Massage Therapy | Brentwood Bay BC

As a registered massage therapist, under certain circumstances, I will suggest that my patient(s) apply heat or ice after their treatment and/or between treatments. In response I often get asked, “Why heat?” or “Why ice?”. Let me explain.

Muscles have a range of motion, contracting and expanding. An unhealthy muscle loses its full range of motion due to injury, tension, stress, poor posture or a host of other reasons. Massage therapy in combination with home treatments, such as heat and read more