Benefits of Registered Massage Therapy

From relieving stress to treating physical injuries, massage therapy is generally regarded as one of the world’s oldest forms of healthcare. It has evolved from its humble origins into a sophisticated procedure with a plethora of benefits. Massage therapy is essentially the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues through manual techniques to relieve pain and stress and rejuvenate the body. You can book in with a top rated RMT Vancouver at our clinic.

A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is a professional registered with the Canadian Massage Therapists Alliance (CMTA). RMTs complete their education and training at a government-recognized institute. 

An RMT’s designation allows them to perform massage therapies. These therapies are dedicated procedures for the treatment of several conditions, such as lower back pain, inflammation, scoliosis, arthritis, and even cancer! Needless to say, an RMT plays a vital role in the healthcare system.

Massage therapy in Vancouver, Canada:

To work as an RMT in Vancouver, an individual has to have completed competency-based education at a recognized institute with 150 clinical hours. This healthcare professional has to display an adequate understanding of basic medical sciences and ethical studies.

RMT Vancouver are registered under the Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance (CMTA). The CMTA is a nationwide body that provides anyone registered to perform massage therapy with a forum for collaborative effort to advance massage therapy in Canada.

Other non-governmental associations, such as the Registered Massages Therapists’ Association of British Columbia (RMTBC), advocate on behalf of RMTs nationwide to recognize registered massage therapy as a vital component of healthcare services.

Mountainview Movement Massage:

Mountainview Movement is a leading massage clinic in Vancouver. We believe in customizing therapies for each client, ensuring that we effectively address their concerns and complaints.

Mountainview consists of a team of highly professional and qualified individuals. Our massage therapists strive to give clients the best possible treatment. RMTs at Mountainview are registered under the BC College of Massage Therapy and governed by RMTBC.

Our goal at Mountainview is to curate a personalized treatment plan that will get you back on your feet and doing the things you love pain-free as soon as possible! Our services include registered massage therapy, registered acupuncture, cupping massage, and relaxation massages.   

If you’re looking for a last-minute massage treatment by some of the best RMT Vancouver, come on over to one of our clinics in downtown Vancouver or give us a call at +1 978-674-5857.

Benefits of Registered Massage Therapists:

• ‘Emergency contacts’ for soft tissue treatments:

You’ve probably heard of or experienced your muscles tensing up. This happens primarily because of musculoskeletal injuries or soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, tendons and ligaments. A tense muscle is associated with inflammation and pain—leading to much more severe consequences.

Massage therapy relaxes muscles and relieves pain through several manual manipulative techniques, primarily by varying pressure. Pain is relieved by inducing endorphins, commonly referred to as pain-killing hormones. These hormones reduce swelling and edema (fluid) in tense muscles. 

Pain relief manifests as a state of euphoria. Along with relieving pain, an RMT will work on increasing flexibility and mobility. A chiropractic adjustment is an adjunct to soft tissue treatment for fast and effective treatment. 

A massage therapist can be considered as an emergency contact for the treatment of soft tissue injuries, given how massage therapy is often the first choice in the treatment of such injuries.  

• RMTs are trained to service different types of massages:

A common misconception is that massage therapy follows a universal treatment plan. As such, when searching for RMT Vancouver, you would expect a standard treatment. This is far from the truth.

RMTs are educated and trained to service several different types of massages. They can even customize therapies specifically for their clients. Think of it this way: if two people arrive at a massage clinic with the same complaint, chances are the nature and causes of that complaint are varied.

From prenatal massages to infant massages—there’s a treatment out there for everyone according to their age and systemic conditions. Please see our excellent article all about prenatal/pregnancy massage and all questions answered.

• They cater to a wide age range:

Massage therapy has been recognized in many nations as a formidable and effective treatment procedure for several ailments and mental conditions. Most insurance plans today offer consultations and appointments with RMTs.

Common complaints presented to RMTs include pain, insomnia, mental stress, and so on. Most parents will come into a clinic complaining that their infant has trouble falling asleep or cries uncontrollably. Likewise, elderly patients will present complaints that include postural dysfunction and soreness.

Given the complex nature of the job, an individual must undergo 150 clinical hours before becoming an RMT Vancouver. As an RMT, they are required to cater to clients of every age: from infants to the elderly.

• They provide treatment for multiple injuries:

The purpose of massage therapy is to eliminate tension in muscles by reducing swelling, edema, and relieving pain. In doing so, an RMT also increases flexibility, improves circulation, and relaxes the body as a whole. As such, massage therapy is a full treatment plan for multiple injuries.

Besides being regarded as a treatment option for acute injuries such as lower back pain, stiff joints, and headaches, massages can be beneficial for chronic diseases, such as tendonitis, arthritis, Parkinson’s, and even cancer.

In recent years, massage therapy has garnered attention in the field of athletic training. These massages are referred to as sports massages and can relieve pain in minor tissue injuries due to overuse or over-extension from strenuous physical activity.

• Aiding patients in post-surgical rehabilitation:

After surgery, the most common complaints a patient will present are scarring, lymph-edema, acute pain, and tissue in-elasticity. Massage therapy is an essential form of healing following surgery. Post-surgical rehabilitation is a dedicated course undertaken by RMT Vancouver and other areas of Canada.  

Massage therapy increases the temperature of collagen fibers, allowing them to realign following surgery. These realigned collagen fibers reduce tension and decrease scar formation.

RMTs can create friction on the body that increases blood flow. More blood flow means more oxygenation and increased nutrient supply, both of which are essential for the healing process.

Using massage therapy in tandem with acupuncture treatments or chiropractor readjustments can provide faster results. By stimulating lymphatic drainage, a massage significantly increases lymph flow and removes waste products, which had previously accumulated in lymphedema.

• Massage therapy focuses on your mental well-being as well:

You might be under the impression that it’s only acceptable to consult with an RMT Vancouver for physical ailments. However, the benefits of massage therapy are not restricted to physical complaints.

It has been proven that massage therapy acts as a treatment for people suffering from mental stress, primarily anxiety and depression. How? Well, a massage triggers the release of serotonin and dopamine—happy hormones. These hormones stimulate neuronal activity to induce feelings of euphoria.

• They establish healthy cortisol levels:

Stress is bad for your health. While most people consider it as a temporary issue, stress can often manifest as a chronic issue.

The principal hormone that your body produces under stress is known as cortisol. This hormone has several effects on your body, such as weight gain, poor metabolism, headaches, and insomnia.

RMTs can assess your condition beyond complaints of pain or soreness. They manipulate your body to relieve stress by promoting the release of endorphins. Massage therapy is a known stress reliever because it limits the release of cortisol.

• RMTs treatment for postural dysfunction:

Most back, neck and muscle pain does not arise from acute trauma or a chronic condition. The leading cause of such pain is bad posture habits caused by constant sitting, being overweight, or performing repetitive tasks.

Postural dysfunction can have several adverse effects on your day-to-day activities. For example, chronic lower back pain is the leading cause of disability in Canada. Etiological factors for this condition include poor posture and misalignment.

Massage therapy readjusts your muscles, thus bringing your body back to its proper alignment. It gives your body a chance to readjust itself into an organic and pain-free posture by loosening tense muscles.

• They bring back and enhance joint mobility:

Whether your joints become stiff after overexertion, lack of physical activity, or an underlying medical condition, you’ll feel an immense, sharp sensation and hypo-mobility in your bones.

RMT Vancouver tend to have cases of stiff joints on a near-daily basis. Stiff joints are one of Canada’s leading causes of visits to massage clinics. Massage therapy targets knots in your muscles. An RMT will vary pressure sensations to promote increased oxygenation brought about by increased circulation and lymphatic drainage.  

The associated temperature increase in your joints allows fibers to be readjusted and positioned for more flexibility. RMTs do not only bring back mobility and flexion in your bones, but they are also able to enhance them.

• Catering to non-functioning insomniacs:

The coveted ‘8-hour sleep’ rule didn’t come out of thin air. There’s evidence-based research supporting the fact that a proper night’s sleep is essential for healthy and active living. Should you fall short of adequate sleep for an extended period, you’ll eventually turn into a non-functioning insomniac.

However, in more cases than none, insomnia isn’t a ‘choice.’ There are quite a few insomniacs who are unable to fall asleep and require professional intervention. The expert in this scenario would be an RMT, for apparent reasons.

With the help of massage therapy, an insomniac would be relieved of underlying conditions such as pain or discomfort that might have kept them up at night. They do so by soothing nerves and activating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system.

• To treat circulatory conditions and lower blood pressure:

Besides being a ‘quick fix’ to several acute conditions, massage therapy has multiple lasting effects. Most of these effects are brought about by improved circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Massages rely on manual manipulation that primarily consists of varying pressure. With hands-on force, an RMT releases the same pressure blood would have on non-damaged and non-congested areas of the body. Proper circulation transforms stiff and tense muscles by bringing in blood supply required for healing.

Regular and consistent massage therapy has been linked to reducing blood pressure. The pulling and twisting effect of a massage relieves the muscles of accumulated lactic acid and improves lymphatic drainage of metabolic wastes, helping to lower blood pressure.

• Therapy boosts your immunity:

Stress and insomnia are potent factors for increasing the body’s vulnerability to many diseases and injuries. Consistent massage therapy alleviates stress levels and replaces stress hormones with more beneficial hormones.

However, the question arises: how exactly can massage therapy boost your immunity?

Studies have shown that regular massage therapy increases the body’s cytotoxic capacity. Your body consists of natural killer cells (NCC), which are responsible for eliminating pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Not only do these pathogens evoke diseases, but they also tamper with your body’s normal physiology to make it more vulnerable to injuries. Furthermore, massage therapies replenish oxygen and nutrient supply through an increase in blood flow. 

Frequently asked questions:

An RMT is a registered professional who has undertaken several hours of strenuous studies and exercises to understand and perform massage therapies. RMT Vancouver is regulated by Canada’s massage therapy alliance and several non-profit developmental organizations. 

Mountainview is a dedicated massage clinic with a commendable workforce of skilled individuals. Our dedication to relieving your complaint and providing lasting effects is what has garnered us an unparalleled reputation as a leading facility for massage therapies.