Even Santa Learns the Hard Way

(Archived from 2009)

Santa is a very hard working, high profile man.

His days consist of endless desk work and reading letters. During his peak season stress heightens as toy production increases.

Many months are spent watching the girls and boys, checking who’s naughty and nice. Then more planning, management meetings with his top elves, etc. He soon forgets to take deep breathes.

Finally, it’s Christmas time.

After the big day, he retreats on a hot summer vacation with the Mrs.

That’s when the problem starts. No sooner is he off the plane and ordering a ….. milk, his back goes out on him. He accepts it as part of the job and suffers. Never mind that Mrs. Claus is tapping her toes and biting her lip, disappointed that she’s missing out on the couples limbo party on the beach, again!

Every year it is the same story.


Well, one year the conditions were a bit extreme. The snow was a bit more slushy, the chimneys didn’t seem to be as clean, the head elf broke his arm and was out of work. Santa had a hard year.

During vacation, as Santa sat down at the…restaurant to order his…milk, he was in complete agony. Even as he sat, it took some careful maneuvering. Just as he thought about the future of Christmas with his terrible back health, a woman sitting near him spoke up.

He recognized her from a previous Holiday Icon Conference. It was none other than the Tooth Fairy.

He was shocked to hear that she, too had suffered from back pain. After all, what could be so strenuous about picking teeth from underneath pillows? She reminded him that due to inflation, her role is a stressful one. Combined with flying with lots of coins on one shoulder, she was a wreck.

She went on to tell her method of combating her pain. It included some pretty specific stretches and hydrotherapy. Santa decided to listen to her story and copy her routine. She looked like she knew what she was talking about, and she has remained on the ‘good’ list for centuries.

Day one of this new approach to Santa’s back health was OK. Day two was terrible. He could no longer walk, let alone lay in his lounge chair enjoying the beach. Mrs. Claus felt bad for him. She booked him an appointment with a registered massage therapist.

During the interview, he told his story in great detail, mentioning his new routine that he copied from his friend. The RMT stopped him and pointed to the muscle chart. Showing him the high number of muscles and potential different problems that he could have, he soon realized the mistake he had made.

After a successful first treatment, he listened carefully to the stretches given specific for his injury. He was somewhat embarrassed that they were almost opposite of what he had been doing before.

He hired an RMT to join his North Pole community and lived happily ever after.

One thing that Santa does do right is remember to laugh. (Endorphins, or ‘feel good’ hormones are released with laughter, just as with massage therapy.)

Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas from Celtic Knots Family Massage Therapy.

(*Names and exact locations may have been altered to comply with confidentiality standards.*)

Pregnancy Massage

“When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

With much anticipation for the soon to be newborn, concentrating on the mom’s well being is imperative to good health. Massage therapy during pregnancy is an excellent way to rest the body, soothe the aches and nurture the ever adapting and growing mother.

Back pain, sciatic pain and general discomfort due to the shifting weight distribution that comes with pregnancy can be reduced with relaxation massage. Enjoying an hour in a soothing, quiet atmosphere will help the mother to feel rejuvenated and refreshed. Massage helps relieve stress on weight-bearing joints and can help reduce swelling as well.

Cushions and pillows are added to assist the client in an effective side lying position leaving them well supported. With the comfort of soft music and recent adjustments in sleep patterns, clients often fall asleep during the session.

First trimester requires extra precaution and care. Abdominal massage is held off until second trimester. If a client is pregnant in their first trimester and is tempted to keep the news from the RMT in efforts to their privacy, it is strongly urged that they tell the therapist prior to the appointment. Confidentiality is a standard in the profession. Being safe during any treatment is a must for everyone.

RMTs trained in pregnancy massage will know when not to treat a client during underlying conditions or how to modify the treatment for their safety.

Trained therapists are well versed in the varying developing stages of pregnancy and know how to facilitate comfort during such challenges as fatigue, morning sickness, heartburn, postural changes, blood pressure issues.

Pregnancy massage training is covered in every massage college in Canada. Schools must prepare the student to be able to treat the pregnant individual. This means that all RMTs are capable to treat pregnant client.

There is optional training above and beyond the general offered in school, a 120-hour extended pregnancy course, such as the one offered through Trimesters Massage Therapy Education in Toronto, Ontario. Ask the therapist when booking the appointment if they work with pregnant clients. Some RMTs opt to not focus on pregnancy but may be able to refer potential clients to those RMTs in the area that do.

In addition to the treatment, the therapist can instruct the expectant mother self care exercises and hydrotherapy (the application of water, hot or cold) during pregnancy. These tips will help the pregnant client ensure some added comfort in between appointments.

Aquatic massage during pregnancy, particularly the last trimester, is an excellent alternative treatment which allows the mother to safely float on her back and enjoy the rewards of a massage in the warmth of a therapy pool.

RMTs cannot undo what Mother Nature has done – the body will grow, some muscles will tighten, some will stretch – but a good massage can make all the difference in comfort along the way.

Help “make Mama happy” and book a pregnancy massage today.

Aquatic Massage Therapy

Complimentary to the various styles of massage therapy in Carleton County, an aquatic massage therapy treatment is a productive way to spend some time nurturing the body.

This passive treatment alternative offers a deeply effective total body experience in the comfort of warm water (97 F). The client wears floatation straps on the legs while the therapist holds the body in various positions while supporting the face out of the water. Instead of feeling the pressure from above the client’s body, the therapists’ hands effectively work from underneath the person in conjunction with the buoyancy from the warm.

During the 50 minute treatment the client effortlessly floats while the therapist massages different areas of the body. The session involves a combination of range of motion exercises and superficial massage techniques in a fluid, gentle sequence. Often the quiet environment offers the client an experience of sensory isolation, allowing them to forget that the water or therapist is present. Low-gravity from the buoyancy of the warm water allows the relief of pressure on all joints simultaneously.

Aquatic massage is ideal for post surgery healing, arthritis and other joint conditions, pregnancy discomfort, neurological conditions, anxiety-based conditions such as insomnia and many other conditions.

Aquatic massage is an alternative option if table massage is too rigorous for a client’s preference or if a client is unable to lie on the table comfortably.

Clients also choose this type of treatment to help overcome fear of water, for general stress reduction and maintenance and for those for those who simply enjoy massage and water.

Like all types of massage, the aquatic treatment is not for everyone. Individuals with open wounds or sores, those susceptible to motion sickness and anyone with a medically supervised condition who does not have permission to proceed with an aquatic therapy treatment.

This technique was born from a combination of Watsu® and Jahara®, two aquatic therapies popular throughout the world. It was transformed into a massage modality by Claudia Salzmann, RMT of The Waters, Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Salzmann adapted her training from these two therapies to make aquatic massage touch appropriate, bio-mechanically safe and treatment-oriented. In 1999 Salzmann’s work was approved by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.

Celtic Knots is pleased to introduce this to New Brunswick and has gained immediate acceptance, both by the Association of New Brunswick Massage Therapists and various health insurance providers.

Treatments are available at a therapeutic pool at Riverside Court Retirement Residence, 870 Main Street, Woodstock.

Shed the tension of a chilly fall and enjoy an aquatic appointment today.

Reiki

If a massage therapy treatment is compared to a buffet meal, Reiki would be the ice cream Sunday dessert. It is a complimentary technique that is most versatile and beneficial.

Discussing energy in its simplest form is important when seeking to understand Reiki.

Everywhere we look there are examples of energy; when we go for a walk, a busy mall full of stressed out, hurried shoppers, a toddler bouncing about at a birthday party, a little shock from touching a television screen, and on and on. These forms of energy are obvious.

More subtle forms of energy exist around us as well. We are comprised of trillions of cells, and in each of those cells, many things are happening all at once, then all over again, continuously. Even when we are still, there is movement. There is a life force, an energy.

If someone's energy is low, then they are more likely to get sick or feel stressed. Reiki is a fantastic modality to combat these common occurrences.

In Japanese, rei means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and ki means "life force energy". It is practiced by the laying on of hands and is based on the idea that the unseen life force is a powerful and natural tool for healing and self-improvement.

Benefits of Reiki are similar to those of massage; it Induces relaxation, develops inner peace and self awareness, reduces stress, sooths anxiety, increases energy and a sense of well being. In addition to these, help shorten recovery time after surgery, and help cultivate compassion for all living things. Reiki compliments all other therapies as it is gentle and non invasive.

Reiki is not a religion. It does not hold any religious creed or doctrine to any one religious background or denomination. It can be practiced and experienced by anyone regardless of their religious orientation without conflict to their faith. It is however important for the client to feel comfortable receiving the treatment. A great web site further hammering out these details can be found at www.christianreiki.org .

Reiki is already used in our everyday lives, when we hug a loved one or kiss a child’s sore spot, when we place our hands on our chest in disbelief or awe, when we hold our head when it aches. When applied during a treatment setting, clients often experience a deep felt state of relaxation and recuperation.

There are a number of practitioners in Carleton County as well as opportunities for training in Reiki.

To learn more visit the Canadian Reiki Association at www.reiki.ca .

Massage for Seniors

Massage therapy is great for all ages, but a segment of the population that could benefit from it the most, use it the least. They have known the planet for many a spin around the sun, fittingly coined the golden age group.

With the elderly, there are a few general challenges in getting them in the clinic room door. Women who spent the majority of their adult years caring for others (often before themselves) are hesitant at the idea of receiving manual care. Gentlemen may be reserved about massage due to the reputation massage parlours have shed on the profession.

Commonly, massage is seen as a therapy that is not needed, something that, after a series of other medical appointments, and perhaps in combination with adjusting to the transition in control of life’s decisions to family members, they decline. Just as in paediatric massage, simply saying no to a treatment is at the very least claiming power, be it power to choose the treatment or power to refuse it.

Including regular massage in a senior’s life is well worth a second look. The regrettable, yet common occurrences in the senior’s age group of losing a spouse or pet can mean a new found lack of touch in a their life. Minimal or interrupted sleeping patterns also plague the elderly.  Pain becomes accepted as the norm. Touch, relaxation and pain relief are few examples of where older adults can reap the rewards of incorporating massage into their lives.

Registered therapists are trained in dealing with a myriad of conditions specific to the elderly, such as chronic pain, back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, headaches, diabetes and cancer. The preventative perks of a relaxation massage include reduction in stress, decreased blood pressure pain, increased circulation, increased skin temperature and overall wellness. Registered therapists know the precautions needed when clients are taking medications to adapt massage techniques appropriately.

An RMT confident in working with the senior population will offer assistance in dressing and undressing in a manner which preserves the client’s privacy and dignity. A robe should be on hand if the appointment needs to be interrupted for an emergency bathroom break.

There are also audio adaptations to be mindful of with the geriatric age group; conducting the health history form verbally if needed, facing the client when speaking and sitting to the side where hearing is intact are all indications of a well suited RMT.

Health insurance premiums are sometimes too high an expense when including extras such as massage therapy for a retired individual. Sometimes the cost of the treatment is enough to keep seniors away. Check around for a therapist that honours a seniors discount, and who offers half hour appointments.

Look for a therapist that enjoys offering the extras, such as a courtesy call the day before to remind client of appointment, the option to add extra warmth to the table and or room, and someone who can provide instructions, stretches and the next appointment in writing.

Insurance and the Initial Treatment

Roughly three quarters of individuals who frequent massage therapy do so through their extended health coverage. 

There are a variety of companies and just as many policy types.

Massage therapy is a common coverage, but it is not a basic service. It is advised that the potential client find out what the parameters of their coverage are before the first appointment. For example, a doctor’s prescription may be needed for the insurance company to reimburse the funds. Depending on  the coverage, individual and group plans vary.

The wide span of different coverages typically range anywhere from $300 per month to $1200. Other specifications include a percentage maximum. For example, an insurance company claim may only cover 80%. That means that for a $75.00 treatment, the insurance company will reimburse the client $60.

A commonly seen insurance coverage, Medavie Blue Cross, includes the convenience of the direct billing option. With the insurance card in hand, the therapist can log on to the computer and file the treatment immediately after the appointment.

The computer work is done in just minutes and eliminates the step of mailing the receipt for reimbursement. Ask your therapist if this service is offered.

With the clarity of the individual’s insurance policy, the completion of the health history form and assessments, the therapist will show the client to the treatment room.

Prior to the treatment, the positions and sequence of the massage will be agreed upon. 

The therapist leaves treatment room to wash their hands as the client gets undressed and onto the massage table. There is a top sheet and a bottom sheet for the privacy of the client.

Returning to the treatment room, the therapist will knock before entering and only uncovers what area of the body to be treated.  Placement of pillows will add comfort to the client as well.

An invitation to stop, change or modify any parts of the treatment is a responsibility of the therapist.

The beginning of the session generally is lighter, to warm up the tissue and get the client accustom to the therapists’ touch. If deeper techniques are performed without this step, the tissue itself will often either kick back or tighten up to prevent what the tissue senses as potential damage.

Once the deeper techniques are being used, a check in on the client to see if the pressure is satisfactory will help the therapist gauge whether or not to modify at that point. Clients are encouraged to speak up and express if the pressure is preferred or not.

The treatment will end with more subtle techniques again, allowing the body to cool down. After the treatment, the therapist leaves the treatment room to wash their hands and allows privacy for the client to get dressed.

Prior to the client leaving the clinic, the RMT will instruct on some useful stretching and exercise to enhance the therapy and the recuperation of the body.

Call the toll free number located on your insurance card to discover what your coverage is. Invest some time for yourself and book a massage appointment today.

Before the Table: Assessments

Massage therapy appointments can be generalized into two types; relaxation and therapeutic.

For a therapeutic massage treatment there is a bit more work to do before getting on the table. With the health history form complete, the therapist is then ready to start the investigation. This is done by a collection of the health history information, the interview process between client and therapist, and assessments, or tests.

Assessments are the foundation of the treatment process. It creates a guideline for tracking progress in the series of treatments for a specific condition. RMTs run tests to seek out what is going on to create the symptoms at hand. It is mostly like a process of elimination. Doctors are trained to assess as well as interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, and therefore diagnose conditions, RMTs are not.

Clients should be made aware of the general type of test they will do. This will allow an opportunity for the client to better understand the condition, there for allowing a more active role in the recovery process.

As mentioned before, the findings during the assessment phase do not permit the RMT to diagnose a condition. RMT’s don their investigative hat. They are trained to perform orthopaedic tests and interpret them. Even if a client arrives at an initial appointment with a diagnosis from a doctor, the therapist will likely want to run a few tests as well. This allows the discovery of what is potentially creating the problem and highlight other structures involved. The symptom area may not be the same area as the root of the problem. The therapist may treat both areas, or only focus on one.

Patience with the work at the assessment portion of the hour (or half hour) will make for the appropriate treatment. If the issue being addressed through massage therapy requires a series of appointments, the original assessments will serve as a reference point to chart progress further down the road. Reassessment after a series of appointments is good practice as well. This is a great way for the RMT to gage the productivity of the treatment plan and gives a chance for the client to see the positive effects (or otherwise) of the therapy.

The assessments vary with therapists regarding the amount, type and frequency of the tests. For example, one therapist may seek what they are looking for by a manual tests and another RMT might find what clues they need by simply looking at the structures of the body. The issue presented by the client will have an influence on which tests to perform.

It is ideal for the therapist to incorporate this foundational step into the first treatment and charge accordingly. If in doubt, ask the therapist if it is part of the hour, half hour, etc. Just as with the health history form, a solid understanding of the situation resulting in an efficient approach to the speed and accuracy of the recovery. 

Observe your body today and seek massage therapy to ease those aches and pains.

Worth the Work; Health History Forms

Our world is overrun with paper and many a tree has met an untimely end for a few moments of printed glory, only to be glanced at then merely tossed away.

Health history forms are worth the paper and they are worth the work.


Correctly filling out the health history, also termed client intake form or case history, is one use of paper that is worth its weight in gold. It is an important first step for an effective massage appointment. The initial interview between client and therapist can be very productive providing that the form is filled out in its entirety.

Honestly checking off diabetes, for example, would lead to the trained therapist to ask specific questions regarding the client’s history with the disease. A common side effect for diabetes is experiencing altered sensations in certain areas of the body. Those areas would then be treated with due caution and modifications would be made accordingly.

Another important section of the health history is the area to list medication use. In some instances there is a temptation to omit prescriptions. This is unwise. Being honest and upfront about which pills are being taken is very important for the best interest of the client’s health and the productivity of the treatment.

There may also be a tendency not to mention a drug in efforts to keep a condition private. A registered massage therapist is well educated in how to alter massage techniques to accommodate drugs in all of the systems of the body.

For example, there is a need for alterations in a massage treatment when a client is taking pain medication. In this case, the therapist’s pressure must be altered to ensure a healthy response from the tissues. If during a treatment the client is enjoying deep techniques, and the therapist is unaware of any pain killers, it is likely that the tissue may experience local trauma. The effectiveness of the drug may very well be disguising this local disturbance in the body. This could further impair the healing process for the original complaint as well as create further destruction to the system. In the days to follow the client could have likely have additional discomfort.

A prescription for mental illness is a commonly left out drug on the health history form. These conditions are very common and every client should be aware that massage therapists are strictly guided in maintaining high confidentiality concerning a client’s personal information. If a therapist is in breach of this standard please contact either of the two provincial associations to report any concerns.

Being as thorough and honest as possible while filling out a health history form is a wise first step in getting a treatment off to a good start. A more efficient beginning to massage sessions leads to a more productive set of appointments, naturally leading to an appropriate use of the client’s funds and ultimately a timely recovery.

Put good use to the paper in the yellow pages to find a massage therapist and book an appointment today.

Massage therapy in New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, massage therapy is making a move in the right direction as a health care profession. In 2004 massage therapy became recognized as a medical service under motor vehicle insurance policies, a positive step toward legislation in the province. Two associations are working together to ensure upcoming legislation to regulate the profession and the organizers are optimistic it will occur within the next couple of years.


Legislation is vital for all health care professions, as this serves as protection for the public where any issues should arise concerning the integrity of the professional or any treatment. As it stands today, any individual qualified or not, is able to set up a clinic and advertise as a massage therapist. The associations are working against this occurrence, but are not able to enforce a regulation without the law to protect it. Having legislation in place will eliminate the option for any unqualified individual to lead a client into a treatment that could potentially harm that client.

Stress reduction and relaxation are two very common goals for massage treatments, but these are merely the tip of the iceberg. It would be a more specific list to name the conditions for which massage would not be advised. High fevers, communicable diseases and advanced kidney failure are but a few. An educated therapist would know not to treat a person with such conditions which when combined with massage may put the client in danger.

The education standards in our province strictly follow those of Ontario, a province legislated since 1991. The minimum 2200-hour college certificate offers thorough training which covers extensive study of human anatomy, physiology, biology, pathology, neurology and pharmacology as well as practical courses, student clinic and community outreaches.

Massage therapy is suitable for all ages, ranging from pregnancy massage to geriatric massage. Additional training courses are plentiful and in fact are mandated by both associations.

In keeping with all health care professions, massage therapy is generally available during regular business hours. Some therapists opt to offer appointments after hours, in evenings and sometimes early mornings. Employers are encouraged to see massage appointments as productive absences from work. Visits are scheduled one client at a time so waits in the sitting room are short and minimal.

Most extended health care plans cover massage therapy. Depending on the insurance company and therapist, direct billing is a convenient payment method. Some health care plans require a doctor’s prescription before the initial treatment, others do not. The individual can contact their insurance provider for clarification. For motor vehicle accidents, a doctor’s prescription is a must.

The web site for the Association of New Brunswick Massage Therapists is www.anbmt.com and for the New Brunswick Massotherapy Association is www.nbma-amnb.ca . Readers are invited to visit these sites to seek a therapist in their area and enjoy a massage today.

A New View in the Valley

Carleton County is well supplied with registered massage therapists. This is great news for a potential client .Unlike other health care providers, there are options with selecting the right fit of therapist. Currently there are almost a dozen RMTs in the valley, from Florenceville to Woodstock. One could say that this is a competitive market. The reality is that competition in the valley is more related to tolerant individuals who accept chronic pain, a lack of awareness about the wide variety of applications of massage therapy and of course the reliance on pain medications.


Through this blog the intention has been set to broaden the understanding of the scope of the profession; the variety of treatments offered with massage, the conditions treatable, the therapists in the region and their specialties as well as answers to common questions and curiosities.


The history books reference massage in society in China as early as 3000 BC. More recently, during World War 1, soldiers suffering from shell shock were treated with massage. Eventually, massage lost its reputation from the deplorable image with the use of “massage parlours”. Leading in alternative therapies, massage therapy is making a reputable return to health care.


Combating stress through relaxation is best associated with massage therapy. A general treatment offers many rewards; relaxing tense muscles, renewing energy levels, increasing circulation,thus improving the immune system and aiding in removing toxins and waste products from the tissues. In combination with these benefits massage helps in restoring a calm mind and feeling of well-being.


Beyond pampering and relaxation, registered massage therapists are trained to understand, assess and treat symptoms of many conditions. It is important to note that within the scope of massage therapy, RMTs are not permitted to diagnose conditions.


Among the more common conditions are musculoskeletal injuries such as scar tissue or whiplash, overuse injuries such as tendinitis or frozen shoulder, postural dysfunction such as scoliosis, joint dysfunction such as degenerative disc disease, conditions of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis and conditions of the peripheral nervous system such as nerve lesions or carpal tunnel syndrome.


Of symptoms of conditions somewhat less commonly understood to be treatable by massage are respiratory pathologies such as sinusitis or asthma, circulatory pathologies such as hypertension or gastrointestinal concerns such as constipation or inflammatory bowel disease. Fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus, cancer – the long list goes on.


When seeking a RMT, prospective clients are suggested to ask what to expect during the session, if the therapists has treated the condition or complaint, if a receipt can be issued for insurance reimbursement, and if the therapist belongs to a provincial association.


Set sail for a journey through the vast and infinite sea on the particulars of therapeutic massage. In the weeks to come, enjoy a regular commentary on a wide variety of topics – from conditions to techniques, history and movement of the profession.


What is happening in our region concerning massage therapy? Curious? Find out first hand and book an appointment today.