As SunLife sees massage as an essential service to the well-being of their clients, we were very happy to answer questions related to massage therapy for their Lumino Health - a platform that connects Canadians with local health-care providers, offers health-related content and shares innovate health solutions to help Canadians live healthier lives.
Sunlife: Tell me about your journey to becoming a health-care provider. What experiences and education led you here?
Shelly MacGregor: I have first hand experience how soft tissue work can change someone’s life. I had an accident that left me in wheelchair and a back brace for a short period of time - I fractured both feet and two vertebrae. My surgeon thought I would walk with a limp and never run again, but after a year of rehabilitation I was able to walk without a limp and a few years later, I ran my first half marathon.
For me, soft tissue work was instrumental in my recovery. This is what inspired me to return to school to become a massage therapist. I wanted to help others recover from injury and for 12 years I did that but I also realized the effects of massage therapy are more than rehabilitative.
Sunlife: What is the best thing about your job?
SM: I am surrounded by humans that have chosen a career that helps people live their best life. Our clients often come to us with pain, stress and injuries, and it is wonderful to know we are providing them with solutions to these ailments. Once a client has felt the results of massage therapy, they often consider us essential to their well-being.
Sunlife: How do you maintain your health?
SM: I believe health is a journey. Physical, mental and spiritual health are all important to living your best life. I weight train, enjoy road biking, eat well, have regular massages, meditate and see other health providers for ways to live in line with my goals. Every day on our journey, we are making choices that impact our health.
Sunlife: If you could tell people to prioritize three things about their health, what would they be?
SM: Be proactive and advocate for yourself; pay attention to the changes you feel or see; and see experts in the field of your concern.
Sunlife: Are you involved in any charities?
SM: Yes, we support many local charities - donating thousands of dollars every year through donations and time.
Sunlife: What do you do for fun?
SM: I truly enjoy being with my husband, walking our dogs daily, visiting with friends weekly and taking care of the needs of my mom, who has dementia. I am also involved with other entrepreneurs - I am a volunteer coach and sit on the board of The Entrepreneurs’ Organisation.
Sunlife: In three sentences or less, describe what massage therapy is.
SM: Massage is the manipulation of soft tissue. It creates change not only in the tissue but in the clients’ body and mind. Massage techniques aid in treating chronic and acute conditions, and increase circulation to the specific area you are working on. It also sedates the nervous system, preparing the body for a rested state. I think when most people leave the room after a massage they feel an overall sense of well-being.
Sunlife: What kinds of things can massage therapy treat?
SM: Massage reduces muscle pain, helps correct repetitive strain injuries, postural alignment, headaches, stiffness, tightness or a sense of restricted movement, increase circulation/inflammation response, promotes relaxation and provides an overall sense of well-being.
Sunlife: How often should people get massages?
SM: In my experience, clients that want solutions to their concern/injury will need a treatment weekly, until they can go 10 – 14 days without a reoccurring pain or symptom. Depending on their condition, being treated every 2 weeks, with treatment intention to solve the recurring problem, then 3 or 4 weeks without pain or recurring. If clients are choosing massage therapy for stress management and prevention, I would suggest every 6 weeks.
Sunlife: What is your philosophy on how healing and massage therapy work together?
SM: I believe there are four stages to healing through massage:
· Relief
· Correction
· Strengthening
· Maintenance
First, it is about getting relief from the pain. This happens during the first few massage treatments.
Next - correction, the therapist can work on the underlying cause.
Now, the therapist can work on strengthening the surrounding tissue, enabling it to provide adequate support for the injured area.
Maintenance is the final stage and it is about preventative care. I recommend getting a massage every 4-6 weeks to help prevent other issues.
Sunlife: Are there any myths about massage therapy that you would like to debunk?
SM: It is hard to debunk what someone claims they felt or experienced. I support science-based research, but I also had a surgeon tell me I would never run again. I prefer to stay open to the possibilities of helping people. As different as people are, so will be their treatment.
Shelly Macgregor is the Owner of Apex Massage Therapy Ltd. and the Founder of Spagoes and Spa 901 in Fernie BC.
