Why choose a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) who is a professional member of the MTAA?
What is Sports Massage Therapy?
What Kinds of Athletes do you work with?
I Wouldn`t Consider Myself an athlete, but can I still benefit from sports massage?
How Often Should I have a Sports Massage?
Are There Times When I Shouldn’t Get a Sports Massage?
What Should I Wear to a Massage Therapy Session?
How Soon Will I See Results from a Sports Massage Therapy Session?
Do You Provide Sports Massage Therapy to Teams as well as to Individuals?
How does cupping feel? Is it painful?
What are those red marks left on the skin from cupping therapy?
Is Massage Therapy an Insured Health Benefit?
What Are Your Fees for Sports Massage Therapy?
What is your Cancellation Policy?
What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
Why choose a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) who is a professional member of the MTAA?
Did you know that there IS a difference in Massage Therapy care available in Alberta? The MTAA is the only provincial Massage association in Alberta that requires all members to demonstrate their ability to practice safely by completing an Entry-to-Practice Examination. This process ensures that each and every active member of the MTAA is minimally competent to practice safely and ethically in providing Massage Therapy care to the Alberta public. Once active membership has been granted with the MTAA, each Massage Therapist is obligated to maintain the MTAA Standards of Practice, uphold the MTAA Code of Ethics and is required to further develop themselves and the profession of Massage Therapy through participating in ongoing and continual Professional Development. These standards and commitments made by MTAA Massage Therapists make us THE Massage Therapists of choice by the Alberta public. The MTAA believes in accountability and protection of the public best interest when seeking quality Massage Therapy care in Alberta – this is demonstrated by not only their stringent membership eligibility and maintenance requirements but also by their transparent complaints and disciplinary processes which exist for the sole purpose of providing the public with a point of recourse should the care they receive from an MTAA member be questionable.
What is Sports Massage Therapy?
Sports Massage is a style of bodywork that addresses the particular needs of athletes. Sports Massage is a special form of massage therapy and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events, as well as off-season, pre-season and post-season.. The purpose of sports massage is to prepare you, as an athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent and heal injuries. Sports Massage utilizes a mixture of techniques ranging from Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Facilitated Stretching.
What Kinds of Athletes do you work with?
My clients range from the amateur athletes, weekend warriors to professional athletes like Ryan Whitney (Edmonton Oilers) & Heather Nedohin (National Curling Champion). Regardless, of your activity, everyone is an athlete is their own way.
I Wouldn’t Consider Myself an athlete, but can I still benefit from sports massage?
Absolutely! Sports Massage is suitable for everyone regardless of their sport or your chosen activity. Whether you are in an office based job, perform physical labour or are suffering from muscle stiffness along with aches & pains from working in the yard, sports massage will relax & release your muscles.
How Often Should I have a Sports Massage?
The recommended frequency of sports massage therapy sessions depends on several factors such as training volume and intensity, whether or not you have chronic pain or acute injury, and other factors depending on your goals and sport. For some athletes, a weekly massage gives huge results. Other athletes only get an occasional Sports Massage if they’re in pain. We can discuss your needs a goals when you come for you first massage therapy session.
The best way to reduce the effects of hard sports training is with regular sports massage. I suggest you try a series of 5 to 6 sports massages to see how you feel when the positive effects accumulate. Then you’ll be able to decide how often you need further sports massage therapy sessions. However, it is a fact that even getting massaged once a month regularly has long lasting positive impact for athletes.
Are There Times When I Shouldn’t Get a Sports Massage?
Yes. Contraindications are conditions when you should not be massaged. The most common condition among athletes is that of an acute injury or inflammation. Usually the first 72 hours after an injury are the acute stage. A visit to your physician or other medical professional is required to properly diagnose your injury. At that time you can discuss, if sports massage can be administered. After the swelling and pain begin to diminish, sports massage is indicated and can be quite helpful.
A partial list of contraindications for massage therapy for athletes are: fever, vascular conditions, severe heart disease, contagious skin conditions, inflammation, abrasions, cuts, hematomas, cancer, neuritis, recent surgery, infectious diseases, diabetes with vascular dysfunction, fractures, and acute injury. There are too many possible conditions to list here so it is your responsibility to advise me of any medical condition or injury before a massage begins. Some conditions are localized so massage may take place in all paces except in the affected area.
If you are unsure of whether massage therapy is suitable for you at this time, please contact me to discuss your specific situation.
What Should I Wear to a Massage Therapy Session?
Most massage techniques require the application of lotion so direct skin contact is ideal. You will be asked to undress to your comfort level, and you may choose to wear underwear or not. I will leave the room to give you privacy while you undress, and get on the treatment table, covering yourself with a sheet and blanket. I will then knock before I re-enter the room. I undrape only the area being worked on – your modesty is maintained throughout your massage therapy treatment.
How Soon Will I See Results from a Sports Massage Therapy Session?
How soon people experience results from massage is dependant on a variety of factors, including the severity of injury or condition and adherence to self-care programs. It is possible to feel tangible results after only one massage treatment, but more likely is results to be felt after three or four.
Do You Provide Sports Massage Therapy to Teams as well as to Individuals?
Yes, I am the Sports Massage Therapist for Team Canada (Heather Nedohin). Together, we can team up and create a sports massage program based to keep your players injury free and game ready!
How does cupping feel? Is it painful?
Cupping clients usually report lasting changes for the better (especially with cumulative treatments). Cupping has a sedating effect on the nervous system, and many people find it relaxing. After a session, clients typically report feelings of relief, muscular release, lightness, tingling, and freedom from pain and an increase in flexibility. Cupping is not generally painful.
What are those red marks left on the skin from cupping therapy?
In the areas of tissue tightness of dysfunction, cupping may leave a temporary mark that resembles a bruise that is not painful. This is an indication of stagnation within the muscles being pulled to the surface and restoring healthy blood flow. Bruises are a result of a trauma from impact which breaks blood vessels. Whereas cupping involves suction and can affect the body up to a depth of four inches into the tissue.
How long do the red marks last?
If any discoloration appears they are temporary and typically range from a light pink to a dark purple and can last between a few hours up to a week or 10 days before gradually fading away. Whether discoloration appears or not, just to reassure, pain or tenderness is not typically felt post treatment.
Is Massage Therapy an Insured Health Benefit?
Alberta Health does not cover massage therapy. However, being I am a Registered Massage Therapist with the Massage Therapy Association of Alberta (M.T.A.A.) my affiliation will allow you the opportunity to remit through your health benefits plan for reimbursement, in the event you are entitled to massage therapy coverage. Please inquire for your specific coverage through your extended health benefits plan with Alberta, Blue Cross, Sunlife etc.,
What Are Your Fees for Sports Massage Therapy?
60 minutes – $ 85
90 minutes – $125
Initial visit is 1 hour (includes assessment)
Do You Offer Packages?
Yes in a series of 5 one hour sessions for $400 or 10 one hour sessions for $795
What is your Cancellation Policy?
As you can appreciate, my appointments fill quickly. As a courtesy to others who would like to book, please give us at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel an appointment
What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
I accept cash,e-transfer, personal cheques, Visa, American Express and Mastercard.
How do I book an appointment?
For your convenience you may book online by clicking the following link
https://darleeannmathiesonrmt.fullslate.com
Or you may book an appointment by calling me at 780-910-2243 or by email at darleeann@shaw.ca
If you have further questions or want to book a massage therapy appointment, please contact me here.
