safety, Self-care, Treatments

Should You Try Manual Lymphatic Drainage After Surgery

The lymphatic system helps to filter excess fluid and return it to your circulatory system.  Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized massage technique (taught in Canada by Dr. Vodder School International) which systematically stimulates your lymphatic system to reduce congestion and swelling. Even before we had research demonstrating the benefits of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) … Continue reading Should You Try Manual Lymphatic Drainage After Surgery

Chronic pain, Treatments

Is Pain Affecting Your Work?

Chronic pain can affect workplace performance by limiting your work duties, interfering with sleep/leaving you fatigued at work. You might not be performing regular work tasks like sitting comfortably in a meeting, or being able to stand for long periods. In a physical job, you could be completely unable to work. A big part of … Continue reading Is Pain Affecting Your Work?

Self-care, Treatments

Lymphedema Treatment

If your lymphatic system doesn't have enough capacity to carry fluid away from an area, you end up with chronic swelling: lymphedema. As a Vodder-certified lymphedema therapist, I am trained to assess lymphedema using a series of measurements. ,I treat patients using manual lymphatic drainage (slow rhythmic massage that increases the action of your lymphatic system) and bandaging to bring down swelling.

Self-care, Treatments

Massage Therapy Helps Muscle Recovery

Massage therapy can help active people maintain flexibility and can help them feel better after strenuous activity. I've seen numbers as high as 60% faster recovery with massage therapy.

Chronic pain, safety, Treatments, Uncategorized

Safety and Consent for Massage Therapy Patients

As with anything else, there are benefits and risks with Massage Therapy. Because Massage Therapy falls under the Health Care Consent Act, it is absolutely mandatory that your massage therapist explains what they will do during the treatment, how your massage will help you to set healthcare goals, and risks or side effects of the … Continue reading Safety and Consent for Massage Therapy Patients

Chronic pain, Self-care, Treatments, Uncategorized

When Your Healthcare Team Isn’t Available

Finding a conscious and responsible balance between caring for my health, caring for my patients, and most importantly, never putting my patients at risk is a delicate balance. Like many of my patients, I have a chronic disease. In my case, it's neurological and not contagious, and 95% of the time is so well under … Continue reading When Your Healthcare Team Isn’t Available

Self-care, Treatments, yoga

Massage Therapy Homecare – Range of Motion Exercises

My patients are used to having "homework" as an important piece of their treatment plan. Hands-on massage therapy time is important, but to make progress, I ask my patients to be active participants. I assign different exercises and hydrotherapy depending upon the patient's condition, lifestyle, and stage of healing. A common first step is range … Continue reading Massage Therapy Homecare – Range of Motion Exercises

Chronic pain, Self-care, Treatments

Massage Therapy Homecare – Amazing Castor Oil Packs

My first ever Castor Oil experience was a castor oil pack assigned by my naturopath. I was still a student, and the instructions to soak a flannel, store it between treatments and layer myself with plastic wrap and towels confused me. Luckily I've since perfected an easier way. Now castor oil packs are an important … Continue reading Massage Therapy Homecare – Amazing Castor Oil Packs