Marieta Akalski | Massage Therapy
Squamish Massage Therapy // Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Active Release // Sports massage for Skiing, Climbing, Biking, Running and other sports
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with every day occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions.
Massage therapy can be used as a treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. Squamish RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.
What is Sports Massage?
Sports massage therapy is a distinct form of massage aimed to effectively address a wide range of concerns in the muscles and joints of athletes of all skill levels. The primary purpose of sports massage is to alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity.
The techniques used are often specific to the athlete’s sport and are targeted at the areas of the body that experience the most wear and tear in physical activity.
Sports massage therapy focuses on the prevention and healing of injuries to your muscles and tendons by encouraging the circulation of blood and lymph and by reducing muscle tension. By improving circulation sports massage is both preventative and restorative.
Preventative sports massage can help to prevent buildup of lactic acid in muscles, help prevent cramps, and decrease the risk of injury.
Restorative sports massage can relieve muscle tension, improve recovery time, keep muscles and tendons flexible, and enhance training. Consequently, sports massage can support an athlete for optimum performance by reducing muscle tension and inflammation and increasing flexibility, range of movement and endurance.
What to Expect with Sports Massage?
• Health History – Before your massage, your massage therapist will ask you about your physical activities, and what symptoms you’re experiencing.
• Focused Treatment Area – Unlike stress-relief massages where you may cover many areas of the body, a sports massage is focused on your trouble areas and the compensatory structures.
• Multiple Massage Techniques – Your treatment will likely involve a variety of massage techniques and pressure levels to achieve the relief you’re looking for. As always, communicate clearly with your massage therapist about any pain or discomfort.
• Muscle Tenderness – A sports massage is a treatment that can involve stimulating trigger points or stretching tight areas. It’s common to feel a little sore 24 hours after a sports massage.
What if I'm Not an Athlete?
Although I take a special interest in sports injuries, I don't only treat athletes. My goal as your Squamish Massage Therapist is to help you live with optimum health, whether that's relieving your stress, improving your sleep, increasing your circulation, or decreasing your aches and pains from daily life or your office job.
Together we will come up with a treatment plan to achieve your health goals. Some days you may just need to relax, other days you may need pain relief.
Who Should See an RMT?
With Squamish's active population, Massage Therapy has been recommended to most of it's residents for a variety of conditions:
• Sprains & Strains
• Tendonitis
• Headaches & Migraines
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrom
• Disc Herniation
• Insomnia
• Whiplash
• Pre / Post Natal - Pregnancy
• Post Surgical Rehab
• Maintenance
• Preventative Care
• Relaxation
Why Choose an RMT?
Registered Massage Therapists in Squamish are licensed health care professionals who are regulated by the College of Massage Therapy of British Columbia. RMT's and all other health care professionals like your doctor and physiotherapist are governed by the BC Health Professionals Act in order to protect the public.
RMT's must complete a 3,000 hour program which involves human anatomy, physiology, neurology, pathology, kinesiology, assessment, therapeutic exercises and hydrotherapy before writing the provincial board exam to receive their license. In order to keep your licence active, an RMT must complete annual continuing education courses.
Do You Accept Direct Billing?
Squamish clients are fortunate that Massage Therapy is covered by most extended health benefits packages. It's best to check with your own provider for Massage Therapy coverage. Although you don't need one to see me, sometimes, insurance providers require a MD's referral. Please refer to your benefits package for more information.
I've been working really hard to set up a number of Insurers to be able to provide you the option of Direct Billing. Currently, I can direct bill for Sunlife, Manulife, Pacific Blue Cross, Green-shield, Blue Cross, RCMP and all others that fall under Telus Health.
