Kelowna Massage Therapy

Okanagan Health and Performance is one of the leading providers of massage therapy in Kelowna and the surrounding Okanagan area. Our staff of highly qualified massage therapists can offer information and treatments for a variety individual needs. Contact us for more information on available services or to setup an appointment with a local Kelowna massage therapist today.

How massage therapy helps

Initial and Subsequent Visits

Subsequent visits can be 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. This is determined by the severity of the problem at hand, the number of areas to be treated or simply the amount of time you request. Each subsequent treatment will begin with a couple minutes discussing how you responded to your last treatment, how you have progressed or changed since the last treatment, and what your current condition is. The majority of the massage treatment will then be spent addressing the primary concern and again, as time permits, including any surrounding areas of concern and contributing factors or any new concerns that arose since the last treatment. There will be a few minutes reserved at the end of the session to show any relevant home care (stretches/ strengthening exercises) or discuss the need for ice/heat post treatment.

Cost

There is Medical Coverage by (in different proportions):

• Medical Services Plan (MSP)
  
• ICBC
  
• WCB
  
• DVA
  
• RCMP
  
• Personal Extended Health Plans (typically cover 80% to 100% of treatment costs)

History

Massage was widely used in the early part of the 19th Century by eminent English physicians and surgeons, particularly for the treatment of sprains and other injuries of the joints and soft tissues. Today in B.C. the practice of massage therapy has a rich tradition that dates back to the early 1900's. The grass roots of the massage therapy profession can be best traced from 1946 when nurses and remedial gymnasts founded the Association of Physiotherapists and Massage Practitioners of B.C. rehabilitating and restoring patients to optimal health.

Education

They also study clinical sciences like orthopedics, remedialexercise, and hydrotherapy and have practical training in chronicdiseases, injuries and the impact of long-term stress. The College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia - the equivalent to the College of Physicians and Surgeons (examines and licenses all therapists and acts as the profession'sregulatory body, ensuring the public receives safe and ethical care.(RMTs must abide by a strict Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Practice set out by the College.)

Scientific Research

Pain

• Massage therapy is more effective than acupuncture for treating chronic lower back pain. Patients who received massage therapy used less medicine and had the lowest costs for subsequent care. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001)
  
• Massage therapy is more effective than drugs when treating back pain for fibromyalgia. Over 40 per cent of patients who used deep-tissue massage said it helped them feel better, in comparison to on 35 per cent said prescription drugs were effective. (Consumer Reports magazine, 2000)
  
• Daily massage treatments reduced the pain and stiffness of people with fibromyalgia. (Field, 1996)
  
• Fifty-two patients with back pain, most of whom had tried other therapies without success, received eight massage therapy treatments over a one month period. Eighty-six per cent said they felt dramatically better following treatments. (Weintraub, 1994)
  
• Massage therapy increased the amount of beta-endorphins in the blood by 16 per cent. Beta-endorphins are believed to be responsible for pain relief and a feeling of well being. (Kaada and Torsteinbo, 1989)
  

Work

• In 1988, Baxter Corp., an Ontario pharmaceutical company, implemented a massage therapy program for employees. Over the next four years, the time taken off by employees for work-related injuries decreased by 25 per cent. Between 1988 and 1990, compensation claims at the company dropped by $200,000. (Financial Times, 1992)
  
• Employees who were given a 15-minute massage treatments twice-a-week for five weeks were more alert and exhibited positive changes in brain waves. (Field, 1997)
  
• Pepsi, Apple Computers and Merril Lynch and Co. are just a few of the major corporations that offer employees massage therapy as part of their benefits program. (Financial Post, 1989)
  
• Adults who were given 15-minute massage therapy treatments twice a week for five weeks, showed increased speed and accuracy on math questions and their job stress scores were lower. (Field et al, 1996)
  

Sport

• A study of females who had massage therapy treatments showed a significant increase in the range of motion of their hamstring muscles. (Crossman et al, 1984)
  
• A vigorous sport massage treatment two hours after a vigorous exercise reduced muscle soreness. (Smith et al, 1994)
  

Stress

• Young psychiatric patients who underwent massage therapy had lower stress hormone levels, better sleep patterns and less anxiety. (Field, 1995)
  
• Massage therapy resulted in lower anxiety and stress among children with conditions such as autism and children who were victims of physical and sexual abuse. (Field, 1995)
  
• Female patients suffering from chronic tension headaches who received 10 massage therapy treatments in two-and-a-half weeks experienced a significant long-term improvement of their headaches and moods. (Puusjarvi et al, 1990)
  
• Massage therapy promoted relaxation among patients between 56 to 96 years of age and reduced blood pressure. (Fakouri and Jones, 1987)
  

Disease

• In a study comparing massage therapy to Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation, patients with fibromyalgia who received massage therapy reported less pain, stiffness and fatigue. (Sunshine et al, 1996)
  
• Children with rheumatoid arthritis who were given massage therapy treatments had much greater reduction in painthan those involved in progressive muscle relaxation therapy. (Field et al, 1997)
  
• People with asthma who received weekly 15 minute massage therapy treatments reported reduced chest tightness, wheezing, physical pain and fatigue. (Munson and Yekyal, 1995)
  
• Patients with cancer who received massage therapy experienced less pain, improved mobility and less swelling, (Wilkinson, 1996)
  
• Young girls suffering from bulimia had lower depression scores, lower stress hormone levels and improved attitudes about eating and their bodies following 10 massage therapy treatments over five weeks. (Field et al, 1997)
  
• Massage therapy had positive effects on the immune systems and stress levels of people with HIV. (Field, 1996)
  

Pregnancy/Infants

• Many massage therapists have expertise in helping women before, during and after childbirth.
  
• Premature babies who received daily massages gained 47 per cent more weight and went home an average of six days sooner than those who did not receive massage therapy. The early return home saved about $3,000 (US) per infant in hospital costs. (Field et al, 1986)
  
• Women who received massage therapy during childbirth reported less pain and anxiety. (Field et al, 1997)
  

Cocaine

• Exposed premature babies who received massage therapy gained 28 per cent more weight and developed significantly faster. (Wheeden et al, 1993)