Level Up Massage & Wellness

13/06/2023

Massage Monday- what I do and don't like about massage as a career:

What I don't love about massage:

1. You have to wait months to practice.

2. Massage therapists are sometimes seen as masseuses. RMTs are health professionals with professional boundaries. Our aim is to help heal soft tissue imbalances. We are healers. That is all.

3. We have high yearly fees when compared to other registered health professions.

💛💛💛💛💛

What I love about massage as a career:

1. Working with people directly & seeing impact

2. Flexible hours

3. Allows for financial freedom

4. I make my own treatment plans

5. Gives me a set time frame to complete my work (e.g. 60 min massage) which gives me better time management

6. It's an activity based job

7. Flexible locations☺️.

Have a great week!

05/06/2023

Massage Monday: a little about me

Hello!. June is is my birthday month and today I'd like to share 10 things that you may or may not have known about me.

1. I live and work in Dunnville ON - I moved back after my studies completed and it's always had a special place in my heart (Dunnville is beautiful 😍!)

2. I love to travel - with the housing market gone crazy and with the wise words of some friends 'not to waste my 20's', I choose to spend extra money on adventures big & small.

3. I believe in a higher power - for me this is God. I hope if anything you see Christ's love through me when I work with you and not my faults as something that showcases Christianity as a whole. I also love learning about different faith based/personal beliefs.

4. Family is important to me

5. I like plants but often have to get new batches because of lack of watering🫣 my goal this year is to do a small herb garden.

6. If you've gotten this far, I want to also share that I often struggle with anxiety. So if you are nervous, uptight or stressed about things or even about your first massage, I'm not here to judge. I've been there and want to make massage the best experience I can. Just let me know how to make that happen. If seeing a therapist you don't know personally also helps, reach out- I can hopefully set you up with another health professional that would benefit you.

7. I like to bike, hike and rollerblade

8. I still get to work with people with special needs and I love it. Having this steady income as well makes it so I don't book people for massage because I have to. Come if it's helpful/beneficial for you☺️. That said, I'm grateful that some of you have put your trust in me and kept me so busy! I'm currently booking ~2 months out at the clinic.

9. I used to work as a physiotherapist assistant before becoming a massage therapist. I strongly believe that physical activity is important for functional movement long term.

10. I enjoy authentic compliments. I would rather have someone give me honest constructive criticism than a fake compliment. ☺️

Thanks for reading this! Hope the week to come for you is amazing!

18/04/2023

14/03/2023

Monday massage moment

'Can you feel the tension' is a question massage therapists often get asked.

The answer is yes 😁.

During treatment: Often I'll use touch over sight to find tension. It challenges me to utilize my anatomy knowledge and visualize the soft tissues I'm working on. This also allows for potentially better body mechanics for myself throughout various parts of the massage (not craning my neck down for long periods of time).

A massage therapy trick for keeping ourselves in shape☺️.

Have a great week!

06/03/2023

Goal #3: Show the health benefits of massage to promote the profession

When you think of massage, do you think of a specific body area or type? Ahhh and the big question, do you see massage only as a luxury?

Massage can be very effective for reducing soft tissue pain and tension for the entire body - not just the back or neck😉. RMTs treat conditions and soft tissue compensation patterns in the arms, legs, neck, face, jaw, abdomen, feet and hands. RMTs also treat areas that are considered sensitive 1. if there is a clinical indication for doing so and 2. only if the client gives permission - areas like the glutes, inner thigh, chest wall, and breasts (treatment can be done directly to skin or indirectly through sheets).

Massage also greatly impacts the nervous system in the short term. This means it can be an effective treatment to add when considering stress, anxiety and/or depression management. It may help in conditions where these symptoms are present (mood disorders, hormonal imbalances where stress is involved etc).

You can ask that your massage be relaxing only. I like to do a combination - relaxing the nervous system while also providing deeper pressure to release areas of tension where needed. Ultimately as the patient, you have the right to tell your therapist if you would like deeper or less pressure.

Massage has a lot of health benefits. It may been seen as a 'luxury' but there are so many health benefits to it that it can be used as an effective tool for your health. If you aren't sure if it's the right fit for you, feel free to reach out! If I feel an alternative therapy can help as well, I will refer accordingly.

May you feel a sense of contentment for the week to come in whatever comes!

Happy Monday!

20/02/2023

Monday Massage Moment: Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman experiences both physiological and emotional changes that begin with the first week of gestation and can continue months after the baby is born.

Pregnancy massage takes into account 4 trimesters - 3 where the baby is yet to be born and the 4th which is post delivery (this can have a varied timeline). This takes into account the important nature of each trimester and highlights the very real feelings & needs & body changes still present in the mother after birth - changes that are beautiful but can sometimes be challenging.

Massage can help reduce tension, return blood flow, increase feelings of safety and relaxation and reduce levels of stress (cortisol). A good massage therapist will also take into account the potential complications of pregnancy when performing massage and adjust or refer accordingly. Prior to incorporating massage into their pregnancy plan, some women choose to also get the go ahead from their midwives or doctors for that extra feeling of security.

Positioning: With pregnancy pillows like the one I have above, a woman can take some of the pressure off the low back. Side lying can also be a comfortable way for patients to receive their treatment.

Any questions, feel free to text or DM me.

Note on feelings: Necessary changes associated with pregnancy can sometimes result in those down or scary feelings you maybe didn't think you'd have towards yourself or others - you are not alone! In my job I've gotten to hear of many different experiences. There are some pretty cool support networks and if ever you need to reach out just to connect with one of these, feel free and I will help direct you to the one I know.

As always, have a great week 🤗 (and a fantastic holiday!).

30/01/2023

Why I started Level Up Massage

Goal #1: To promote body neutrality NOT positivity.

Body positivity seeks to have someone love their body for what it looks like and is like. This can lead to feelings of shame or guilt when we don't love our body in the moment because we feel that our appearance or our function doesn't meet certain standards. It can leave people feeling more alone in the long run.

Body neutrality is the idea of looking at the body as something you have, not something that you are. When you know how amazingly designed the body is, even when things 'don't measure up' (and you feel frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed- it's okay to feel these feelings!), you may be able to appreciate it still for all that it is capable of doing (even if at a later moment).

As a massage therapist, my job is to help assess and treat soft tissue pain and dysfunction - not judge your appearance. I also see my job as a way for my patients to potentially get a better understanding of their body and get more comfortable within their skin.

In my opinion, we are wonderfully made and incredibly designed. You are not 'too much' or 'not enough'.

May you have a great week ahead!