Registered Massage Therapy

My Credentials:

• Registered Massage Therapy (January 2016)
• Trauma-Informed
• Cranial Sacral Therapy Center 2013 (Upledger, Robert F Harris)Muscle Energy Techniques 2017 (Anne Sleeper, RMT)
• Osteopathic Techniques 2019 (Ongoing)- Anne Sleeper, RMT)
• Stecco Fascia Manipulation 1, 2019
• Visceral Connections 1, 2022 (Heather Gittens, RMT)

Holistic Training:

• Certified Integrative Energy Healing Practitioner 2009 (Langara College)
• Certified Foot Reflexologist 2012 (Ontario College of Reflexology)
• Theta Healing Level 1 2014
• Therapeutic Touch Level 1 2014

Client-centered care is at the core of the experience. Each individual’s unique needs, preferences, and values are respected, allowing the client to play an active role in their treatment. The approach emphasizes collaboration between the client and therapist, creating a therapeutic partnership that respects the client’s autonomy, experiences, and goals.

Various soft tissue and manual techniques and modalities are offered, allowing the client to engage in discussions with the therapist to determine what best supports their care. Additionally, clients gain deeper insights into their current issue and are empowered with home care practices to support their healing process.

Neck pain is often a sign of an upper cervical injury, particularly affecting the C1 and C-Spine. Commonly caused by gymnastics, sports, falls, whiplash, or concussions, these injuries can go unnoticed for years. When the cervical vertebrae rotate or twist, tension can spread into the scalp, neck, and shoulder complex, and in more severe cases, may extend down to the lumbar and sacral spine.

A trauma-informed approach involves recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and understanding how it can affect individuals’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In a trauma-informed setting, practitioners prioritize creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel empowered and respected.

Taking a holistic, whole-body approach to injuries is essential. By integrating manual therapy with osteopathic techniques, I can help unwind joint complexes, target trigger points, prevent further injury, and maintain the musculoskeletal system.

My registered massage therapy treatments work with your body’s natural healing abilities, always considering the central nervous system (CNS), which records and navigates all mental, emotional, and physical experiences.

I focus on restoring joint balance and mobility by working with soft tissue and paying close attention to the subtle shifts that occur in the body. Each registered massage therapy treatment uses a variety of modalities, including muscle energy techniques, osteopathic methods, and cranial sacral therapy, to facilitate your body’s own healing response.

I take a comprehensive approach to each client, understanding that the body requires a sequential process to heal from injuries and restore musculoskeletal balance.

Through the use of non-invasive methods, I address the fascia to promote deep relaxation and parasympathetic healing. Most clients experience a deep sense of calm and lightness after their first visit.

Christina’s Registered Massage Therapy Rates:

30 min…..$ 73.45
45 min…..$101.70
60 min…..$135.60
75 min…..$169.50
90 min…..$203.40

Fascia, tendons, muscles, and ligaments are soft tissues that can be addressed through registered massage therapy and other modalities within massage therapy. Below is a list of conditions I have experience treating:

Sciatica

Common causes of sciatica are an imbalance of soft tissue affecting the spine, back, buttocks and legs. With a thorough assessment of the C-spine and hip complex, the origin of the issue can be addressed by soft tissue manipulations.

Sciatica is characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. It typically affects only one side of the body. The pain can vary in intensity, from mild to severe, and is often accompanied by numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg.

Restless Legs

Restless legs are primarily caused by dysregulation of the central nervous system, often linked to the autonomic nervous system. This imbalance typically stems from trauma related to a significant life-altering event that has impacted the individual emotionally, mentally, or physically. In my practice, I apply my own soft tissue techniques to address this issue gradually over time.

Whiplash & Neck Pain

Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully thrown backward and then forward, or vice versa, mimicking the motion of a cracking whip. This rapid movement often results in neck pain, which is most likely caused by an upper cervical injury, particularly affecting the cervical spine, which consists of 7 vertebrae.The most commonly injured vertebrae are C2 and C3, which can become rotated or subluxed. In addition to sprains or strains in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Plantar Fasciitis

While there are several causes of plantar fasciitis, the most common one is the misalignment of the hips or weak, tight, sore muscles in the pelvic bowl. Misalignment can lead to tight calf muscles or a tense Achilles tendon, which is commonly observed because of their connection to the fascia’s structure and its relationship to the hips.

The Achilles tendon carries a significant load, particularly if the body has a heavy bone structure or is affected by obesity, further increasing tension on the plantar fascia and making it more susceptible to injury. The weight and imbalance of the hip complex play the most crucial role in the development of plantar fasciitis.

Concussions

Concussions are typically caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the upper body. Common causes include contact sports, falls, car accidents, or being hit anywhere in the head or face. These incidents can lead to a range of symptoms such as headache, disorientation, memory issues, dizziness and balance problems, sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and visual disturbances.

Using soft tissue techniques, the focus is on relieving strain in the cranium, neck, and spinal column. By releasing the associated muscles and tissues, dizziness or vertigo related to a concussion can often be reduced. Frequently, an upper cervical vertebra becomes misaligned, placing pressure on the nervous system and causing pain and tension in the surrounding tissues.

My understanding of treating concussions stems from my personal experience with them. After a concussion, all the sensory receptors in the cranial nerve system are affected, but the impact goes beyond that—it extends to the entire spinal column. When the head is injured, it not only affects the neck but also has a ripple effect on the opposite end of the spine, including the sacrum and tailbone.The head, from the top down to the clavicles, is composed of muscles, ligaments, fascia, and a highly sensitive system of the 12 cranial nerves, which play a crucial role in the central nervous system.

Sensory receptors in this area process incoming information through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. After a concussion, these sensory receptors can become overly sensitive for an extended period as the brain heals. This can lead to symptoms such as sensitivity to bright light, spicy foods, loud or sudden sounds, vision changes, or strong smells.

The impact location on the head may also correspond to a meridian line or a specific organ or joint, as recognized in osteopathic medicine. Additionally, neck injuries are often associated with concussions and should be factored into treatment protocols, as they can affect underlying organs, nerve pathways, and meridian lines.

Neck Pain & Injuries to the neck

An upper cervical injury is often the result of whiplash or a concussion, but it can also occur from repetitive motions and movements affecting the spine, frequently associated with indoor or outdoor sports. This type of injury can lead to pain and tension in the head, jaw, shoulders, and neck, and may even radiate down the spine to impact the lower back. Upper cervical injuries often go undetected for years, gradually creating imbalances in the body that can manifest as anxiety, dizziness, and vertigo.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue capsule around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, limiting movement. While the causes can vary, I’ve often found that the root issue frequently originates from tension and discomfort in the hip complex. I use a series of manual techniques to release the shoulder complex.