Calgary Maternity Massage Therapy - NW

I had the great pleasure of receiving a massage at the Calgary Maternity Massage Therapy clinic this past week.  The interesting thing, is that this was my first visit to the clinic, but not the therapist.

About 10 years ago, when I first wanted to join the Massage Therapy profession, I asked my Aunt Cathy if I would be able to accompany her on her next visit to see her Massage Therapist.  I found myself sitting in the treatment room, watching this therapist relaxingly massage my aunt, mostly sidelying, while listening to my first relaxation music album.

One of the oddest things, is that before going to Massage college, I had never experienced a massage session... ever.

Back to my session...

I must admit, finding this location was a bit tough. Although easy enough for Google Maps to direct me to the building, I was a bit confused when I walked in the front door.  At first glance, you have 2 options, the staircase taking you directly upstairs, or the main floor behind the staircase. After a quick call to my aunt, I discovered that there were stairs taking you to the lower floor, right behind the main staircase. (I don't think that I am thick headed, but even looking at the building directory did not help my confusion.. thank goodness for aunts and cell phones!!)  I made my way to the lower level, and then into a clinic, and then the more confusing part, through some french doors into another clinic. I was not sure if I would ever arrive!  However, once I made it, I was welcomed by Linda, my massage therapist for the day, and brought into the treatment room.

Now, although I am not pregnant, Linda was kind enough to accept me as a one-time client, just for the experience. Her room was organized and created to give the ultimate sense of at-home comfort. There was a little desk, with an aromatherapy/humidifier, music, a comfy-cozy recliner in the corner, a large bookshelf with her collection of pregnancy/massage related books, and her massage table (at quite a high height) into the corner of the room.

Linda and I spoke about my health history and after filling out my brief health history form, I was informed about the differences between the sidelying and regular massage sessions.  Having been a therapist for the past decade, and having taught pregnancy massage, I have always enjoyed the versatility of sidelying massage.  The main differences from what I have known, and the style used by Linda is the active motion of the client's limbs.


After getting on the massage table (thank goodness for the step stool next to the table), Linda placed the pillows and cushions to help support my leg and arm. The massage included both of my legs, back, shoulders, neck and arms. She uses a great memory foam pad that supports the whole upper torso, and allows for the shoulder to have minimal pressure.

What I really enjoyed with this style of massage was the amount and freedom of joint movement. While having my legs massaged, it was very nice to have the hip joints moved, and then while having my shoulders and arms treated, to have the shoulder joint manipulated. There were a lot of techniques which would have required more pressure, if being performed while lying on my stomach, and yet, while in the sidelying position, my shoulder blade was moved, and it created the opposing action to provide muscle relief.   This was definitely a great learning experience.

However, one of my biggest pet peeves includes having the feet massaged at any time other than the end of the massage. I know that most people have clean feet, but I still have never felt good about touching someone's feet and then massaging the rest of their body without washing my hands. This was the first time that I have had my feet massage at the beginning of the session. I am sure that there are many people out there who enjoy it, but it is not really for me.

The only other thing that I could comment on with regards to my massage experience, is that I tend to have some sensitivities in regards to scents.   Although I really enjoy aromatherapy, the oils that were being diffused in the room seemed to be a bit strong for me. It could be that due to my headache that was starting at the beginning of the day, that I might have been a bit over-sensitive to the scent, however, most clinics try to be "scent-free" to prevent this exact problem.

The great thing about the variety of therapists available in the city of Calgary, is that you can choose your therapist, and enjoy the very specific experience that works best for you.  I completely understand why my aunt has been a very dedicated client of Linda's, and can see why she prefers the positioning of the massage over conventional methods. I really enjoyed her beautiful energy and thought provoking conversation, and her ability to work with the body's muscles and create such relaxation.

Linda Hickey  became a massage therapist in 1995 after a 20-year career working with families in social services. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, she relocated to Calgary to be near the Rocky Mountains, a landscape she loves. Linda graduated from Mount Royal College's MassageTherapy Program and established her private practice specializing in maternity care.
Now, over 10 years later she continues to delight in and learn from the changing, flowing bodies and energy of pregnant women and new mothers nurturing themselves, their babies and children.

2-4616 Valiant Dr NW, Calgary, AB T3A 0X9 (403) 251-3671 () ‎ 

Chiropractical - Calgary (SW)

"No Frills" Relaxation

When I think back to my Massage Therapy session at the end of December, I have very good memories. As this Massage Therapist is a previous student of mine, I knew that it would be a good session, but the location took me by surprise. When I stated that this was a "no frills" session, that is based on the location, but this proved to me that the decor is not everything.

Chiropractical is a little clinic found on the corner of Southland Drive and Elbow Drive SW, in the little strip mall area that includes Bank of Montreal, Planet Organic and Pizza Hut.  With plenty of space in the parking lot, it was really easy to find the clinic, with nearby parking. As I entered the small reception area, I looked around and noticed a cramped front desk, a couple of chairs pushed against the front windows, and filing cabinets/shelves stuffed in the corner.  I filled out my health history form at the desk,  and was then escorted back to the massage therapy room by my therapist Christine.

As I am taken down the short hallway to the small room at the end, I notice the worn carpet and the basic decor. I enter a deep, dark colored room, with the massage table in the center, with thick blankets, and a light stand in the corner.  Although a smaller room, it is filled with soft, and gentle reminders that the focus is putting the client at ease, and to encourage relaxation. It is always great to see the time and effort put into the details of a room, despite the limitations that a location may provide.

After my basic client interview, and finding the areas that we would be working on, I was left alone to get onto the table. It was a quiet Monday afternoon, and through the wall, I could start to hear music from the business next door. Not sure what is was, but I started to think, that this might not be the best idea... My goal today was to relax, and this did not seem like a good start. And then my massage began.

Christine returned back to the room, and relaxation was the focus. She had some beautiful music, which due to the size of the room, filled the entire space, and the next door sounds became almost obsolete.  The extra blankets, soft lighting and music made the session feel like it could have been taking place in a spa. 

She focused her treatment on my areas of concern, and I felt like the hour was never ending.  A lot of therapists get carried away in one area, and are unable to deal appropriately with the time constraints, and then you hear the dreaded words "So, we can't fit in everything today.. What would you like to have omitted?". This was not the case with my session with Christine.  The session felt complete, and that always make you more and more relaxed.

I really enjoyed my session at Chiropractical, and that was all accomplished thanks to the extra effort provided by my therapist.  Without the attention to detail, it could have felt like a small, cramped room with paper thin walls. Instead, I shook my head at my inability to look past the cover of the book, and realize that the story within is what counts.

My thanks to Christine for this lesson, and I hope that her practice thrives in this small, yet "practical" clinical space in SW Calgary.

Christine Arndt, RMT, is a 2200 hour graduate from the Foothills College of Massage Therapy, and has been practicing for the past couple of years.

 

#385, 10233 Elbow Dr. SW
Calgary, AB, T2W 1E8

Phone: (403) 258-4422

www.chiropractical.ca

Elements of Health - High River, AB

Although I initially planned to only peruse Calgary based clinics, I realized that many of my current clients are from some of the city's  beautiful surrounding communities. I ventured out on Monday, Janurary 31st (a very last minute appointment) to visit the Elements of Health clinic, in the downtown of High River, Alberta.  I have to admit, that the only other time that I have visited the town was to recently purchase our newest vehicle, and that I had to research using Google maps as to their exact location. With very little effort, I easily found my way to this precious gem of a clinic.

Elements of Health is suprisingly tranquil, and despite having to search a bit for the clinic front on the street, and learning that it was on a one-way street, I was in their welcoming waiting area. While being surrounded by shelves of products, for both the clinic and their therapists (Chiropractor, Acupuncturist and Massage Therapists), the ambiance is quite peaceful.  After being greeted by a very friendly front desk receptionist, I had filled out my health history form (which was a very detailed and descriptive form - always good to see!). I relaxed on their very comfortable waiting area furniture, while listening to their calming music, and was able to enjoy a good 5 minutes of my new novel, before meeting Amanda for my massage.

I was escorted back to the massage room and entered into the peaceful room. While not over-extravagant, was tastefully decorated, and very calming. The warm tones and lighting instantly made me relax (always amazing when it happens - even if you are waiting for it). After thoroughly going through my entire health history form, and asking detailed questions, I was left alone to get ready for my session and to make my way onto the table.

Now, I am usually very cold, temperature wise, and since having a horrible experience years ago, where I shivered throughout an entire massage, I have hated massages without heating pads. I have even purchased a table heater for my clinical space, as I believe you should always be toasty warm for your session, which increases your overall relaxation potential. ( I know that this sounds like some extreme temperature theory, but it has had the most positive effect and responses from my entire clientele).  Having said all of this, I had no table heater or electric blanket, and surpringly, I did not feel the need for one, and did not realize that I had enjoyed the entire session without one!! The room was without drafts or fans, and provided a great ambient temperature, that I felt very comfortable.

This photo is not of me getting a massage (and to come to think of, it would have been an amazing feat to achieve this in the first place!!), but this is my therapist, Amanda, and the photos in this blog, well, I sort of borrowed from their website.. gotta love the internet!

The session was quite blissful, and I can be a tough client to encounter.  I have had my fair share of thearpists who have difficulty in finding the happy medium. And by happy medium, I mean, those that can provide the right depth, while respecting that I am not there to feel their elbow pushing through my back and trying to reach the table beneath me. It is also a true gift for a therapist to recognize when their client is not too interested in chatting, and is wanting to relax.  With both of these concepts to take into consideration, Amanda was a great therapist. Asking just the right questions, without trying to over-communicate.

Overall, this was an extremely enjoyable experience, and well worth the non-stressful drive to this enchanting little town. The prices are very reasonable, and it was great to see a clinic take the initiative to give a price break to new clients, as the best way to discover the right therapist is to try a couple, and pick the right fit.  I am quite envious of those lucky regular clients in High River. I definitely miss living in a small town, and the comfy, cozy feel of this clinic makes me miss it that much more. 

Amanda Andrews graduated from the Foothills College of Massage Therapy with her 2200 hour Diploma in Massage Therapy, and has been practicing with Elements of Health for the past year. Prior to working in High River, she practiced in the town of Okotoks, but has been enjoying her short commute recently while working in her home town. 

Elements of Health is located at 122 4th Ave SW  High River, AB T1V 1M6
(403) 603-3299
www.elementsofhealthhighriver.com