About | belmontmassagetherap

What is Massage Therapy?

"...the assessment of the soft tissues and joints of the body and the treatment or prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function and / or relieve pain..."

-Massage Therapy Act 1991

Why you might seek
Massage Therapy Treatment:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Fibromyalgia

Back & Neck Pain

Stress Management

Headaches / Migraines

Acute and Chronic Pain

Sports Related Injuries

Accident / Whiplash

Sciatica

Relaxation

Pregnancy

HISTORY OF MASSAGE

Therapeutic massage is believed to have developed from East Asian folk medicine. Written records began around 2000 BC. To ancient Roman and Greek physicians, massage was a principle method of healing and relieving pain. The Foundation of Swedish technique was translated from an ancient Chinese book. It is believed that massage began in Ontario around the turn of the 20th century.

In 1953, the Board of Directors of Masseurs was born and massage therapy became a self-regulated profession. The new Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) is a step forward in the quest to be recognized as professional healthcare providers.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF MASSAGE

To develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical functioning, relieve or prevent physical dysfunction or pain, and to enhance the well being of the client. In addition, massage relaxes or stimulates the nervous system and muscles. Massage therapy care is based on promoting health, preventing illness and helping individuals attain and maintain the highest level of health possible.

CODE OF ETHICS & ETHICAL PRACTICE IN ONTARIO

Massage therapists shall act in a manner that justifies public trust and confidence, enhances the reputation of the profession, and safeguards the interests of individual clients. Massage therapy is a regulated profession with a governing body comprised of elected and appointed officials. Professional training is provided by five Colleges (in Ontario), licensed by the Private Vocational Schools Act, through a 2200 hour curriculum. Massage therapists are registered initially via an entrance to practice examination administered by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.

Massage therapy is a growing field that takes the approach of offering holistic treatments for a variety of health concerns rather than approaching these difficulties with traditional treatments such as oral medications.

Jennifer Sykes, RMT, has been a resident of Belmont for several years and operates a very successful Massage Therapy Clinic at 14090 Belmont Road. She graduated in 1997 from the D'arcy Lane Institute, one of Ontario's top massage schools where graduates are required to complete an intense 2300 hour curriculum. Jennifer began her career working in London while she diligently worked to build her clinic in Belmont.

Zach Sporbeck, RMT, joined the practice March 1, 2022. Zach graduated from the Massage Therapy program at Fanshawe College in 2021 where he completed the same credentials.

Jennifer's dedication to her profession is one of the reasons she is so successful. "I'm always looking for new ways to help my clients," she says. "I always want to keep current on the most innovative strategies for massage, and have completed a course and am able to offer hot stone massage to my clients." Hot stone massage is an ancient technique that has recently been revived in North America. For those who have had this type of massage, it is described as decadent. The treatment is done with a combination of heated basalt stones and massage therapy techniques. Stones are placed in key areas and left to transmit the heat while others are used by the therapist to massage with. Jennifer explains, "It is a very relaxing massage and the heat works to loosen tight muscles and increases circulation." The treatment itself is 60 minutes in length. Response of clients to the hot stone massage has been overwhelmingly positive. Since most of Jennifer's massage treatments are therapeutic, hot stone massage is a nice change for her practice and offers clients an alternative choice.