The Benefits of Massage Therapy

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

You don’t need to be an elite athlete to benefit from Massage Therapy. From achy backs to depression, the practice is an effective treatment for people suffering from a number of everyday conditions. These are some of the many different people seek out the services of Registered Massage Therapists:

Office Jockeys

The modern workplace is not conducive to musculoskeletal health. Many studies have shown that people who spend their entire workday sitting at a desk have a higher frequency of neck pain and lower back pain. Massage Therapy can ease the achiness of that deskbound lifestyle, helping employees focus on work instead of their discomfort.

Rec League Champions

Professional athletes aren’t the only people with sore muscles. Massage Therapy is useful for anyone engaged in any level of physical activity, from recreational sports to those going for hikes on the weekend. A good Registered Massage Therapist will allow you to perform your best in any situation, regardless of your level of commitment.   

Pregnant Women

Pregnancy can be demanding on the bodies of even the healthiest individuals. That’s why many women rely on Massage Therapy to address the potential pain, depression, and anxiety they experience before, during, and after labour. A Registered Massage Therapist will be attentive to the health needs of the mother and the child, with custom tables and unscented oils that make the experience as comfortable as possible.

The Chronically Ill

From Alzheimer’s to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Massage Therapy can relieve the symptoms associated with a range of chronic medical conditions. In the case of MS, which affects the muscular system, the benefits seem obvious. However, Massage Therapy has also been shown to lessen agitation for patients with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, which only highlights the many applications of the treatment.

Stress Relieved

Massage Therapy isn’t just good for the body, it’s good for the mind, as well. The practice can reduce cortisol levels and alleviate the physical complaints that accompany everyday stresses and anxieties, making it easier to relax and release the tension at the end of a long day!

Massage Therapy is truly for everyone. There are Registered Massage Therapists who specialize in a wide variety of conditions, so don’t be afraid to reach out and find the RMT who’s right for you!

Interested in pursuing a career as a Massage Therapist? It’s easier than you think! Contact us at [email protected].

Learn about our other students who found their path at WCCMT by checking out our blog. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more inspiration!

Study Tips!

Studying can be difficult and, unfortunately, there is no one magic solution to help you ace that final exam. However, there are many studying tips and tricks that can help you study smarter, work more efficiently, and retain more information. Here are some of our favourites.

1. Take good notes!

Taking good notes is probably the most fundamental studying advice around. If you don’t take good notes in the first place, then no amount of cramming, flash cards, study groups, or wish fulfillment will get you that A.

Taking good notes isn’t necessarily about writing down every single thing the instructor says, either; you’ll likely wind up running on autopilot, and won’t absorb the information being provided. Instead, learn to pick out the most important points. Is the instructor writing something down on the board? That’s likely to be an important piece of information. Are they putting up slides that are going to be available online after the lecture? Don’t waste your time copying them down – print them at the library after class.

Listen carefully during lectures, and pay attention. Ask questions as they come up, and keep your brain engaged with the material being presented to you. This will make recalling the information easier when you sit down to study.

Finally, use shorthand as a tool to help you efficiently write faster so you can spend less energy writing, and more energy listening. There are many ways to use shorthand, whether it’s the deceptively simple Gregg shorthand or the adaptable style of Teeline shorthand. Find the technique that works best for you, practice it, and employ it regularly. It could prove to be a huge time-saver.

2. Go over your notes regularly.

Now that you’re taking such good notes, don’t let them sit there collecting dust until the night before your exam. Review your notes regularly to keep the information from falling into the back end of your mind. Whether you read them over a few times immediately after class, make time to read through all of your notes once a week, or find it more helpful to rewrite them when you get home from lecture, go over them and engage with them. This will help the material stay fresh in your mind so you have an easier time recalling the information when it really counts.

3. Find out what learning style you’re best suited to.

Everyone’s brain processes information a little differently. Therefore, we all have different learning styles that benefit us; whether we’re visual or verbal learners, or any of the other sub-categories that encompass different learning styles, there’s a distinct way that our unique brains process and absorb information. There are many quizzes and questionnaires available online, including the VARK Questionnaire, that you can take to help you learn a bit more about how you absorb information.   

4. Set up study groups and meet regularly.

Our lives can be hectic, especially if you’re multitasking your academic life with other obligations like work or family. So finding the time to meet with a study group can be difficult, often leaving studying to the last minute before an exam. Do the best you can to set up a study group with some classmates, and meet as regularly as your schedules allow. Work together to quiz each other on the material you covered in class that week, or to practice new techniques on one another so you get a more practical understanding of the subjects you’re covering. No person is an island, so why study like one?

5. A healthy body means a healthy mind – take care of yourself!

Like taking good notes, this is probably one of the most fundamental tips for effective studying. Eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise, and get enough sleep. An exhausted brain will not adequately retain let alone recall information, nor will one that’s fuelled by pizza and Mr. Noodles. According to the National Sleep Foundation, anyone between the ages of 18 and 64 should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, with 6 hours being the bare-minimum appropriate amount.

When it comes to food, a good rule of thumb is to eat as Michael Pollan, author of Cooked and In Defense of Food, suggests: eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Make sure you’re putting green on your plate for every meal, that you’re getting a solid source of protein, and that you’re eating some grains, too.  

When you have some spare time, walk, or take the stairs if you’re not running late. Incorporate exercise into your commute if you can; walk to class or work if you’re not too far. This will save you time in the long run, so by the time you get home your workout for the day is already done!

Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times and make sure you’re drinking enough. The standard rule of thumb to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water a day is a good guideline, but it may vary from person to person. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men need approximately 3.7 litres of water a day, whereas women need closer to 2.7 litres.

We hope these tips, tricks, and bits of advice have been helpful. Try them out, find out what works best for you, and happy studying!  

Are you a current student of CCMH/WCCMT studying Massage Therapy? We want to hear about your experience! Contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about other students at CCMH by checking out our blog and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Veteran Massage Student Knows the Benefits of Massage Therapy

This September 2017, Toronto will host the Invictus Games – a celebration of the strength of injured service members and veterans from over 17 allied nations.The event was established by Prince Harry in 2014 and is the only international adaptive sport event for injured active duty and veteran service members. In honour of the Invictus Games, CCMH/WCCMT will share interviews and stories of veterans who have graduated from our College and students with military backgrounds.

Today we spoke with Allan Kobayashi, a future student of WCCMT Victoria. He decided to pursue a second career as a RMT after serving nearly 21 years in the Army. We spoke with Allan about his service, the injuries he incurred during his service, his personal experience with Massage Therapy, and why he wants to become a Registered Massage Therapist.

Allan joined the Canadian forces (1 Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry) two weeks after graduating high school – at just 17 years old. After operational tours in Kosovo and Afghanistan, multiple natural disasters, and other deployments, Allan transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2004. Next year in March 2018, Allan will be released from the armed forces for medical reasons.

During his service, Allan endured multiple injuries including broken bones, knee surgeries, and multiple concussions. He suffered additional injuries while competing in high level sports, also during his service. As a result of those injuries, Allan discovered the benefits of Massage Therapy firsthand as a patient.

“I had been diagnosed with syndromes, chronic this and or that, and it was suggested that I try a session with an RMT. Historically, relief of pain after rehabilitation had eluded me; with great trepidation I agreed to try Massage Therapy. I received an extensive 90-minute treatment and was astonished with the intensity, thoroughness, and the explicit knowledge demonstrated. I recognized the benefits immediately, both physically and mentally, adding monthly treatments to my training regime. Stridently, I have credited Massage Therapy for my many quick recoveries and multiple successes in endurance events.”

Allan greatly benefitted from Massage Therapy and grew more and more fascinated by it, since it helped him to recover from injury and finally find relief from pain. Ultimately, his experience as a patient inspired him to become a Massage Therapist.

“After years of receiving treatments from various therapists across Canada, I became adamant of the importance of Massage Therapy in maintaining good health. Becoming increasingly passionate, my own interest in becoming a Massage Therapist grew. I collected anatomy apps for my smart phone, bought anatomy and physiology coloring books, and even completed a three-day Introduction to Massage Therapy course. Having discovered my newfound interest, I felt a certain pride in knowing what I wanted to pursue as a second career.”

Allan’s decision to pursue a career in Massage Therapy was easy for him to make – all it took was 90 minutes of hands-on experience to inspire him:

“From receiving my first 90-minute treatment, to completing the Introductory to Massage Therapy course, my decision to pursue a future career in Massage Therapy was cemented. Followed by years of being a patient, I have a good understanding of the profession. When I was presented with an opportunity to begin school, fully supported, I did not hesitate and began the enrolment process.”

Allan will begin his studies in 2018 and he couldn’t be more excited to get started. He finds the stories of the RMTs he’s encountered uplifting:

“I am inspired by stories of Therapists helping bridge the mental-physical gap and the benefits to patients recovery. I believe this is where I will expand into. ”

Allan cannot wait to complete his studies and begin his career as a Registered Massage Therapist. He is most excited about the prospect of improving his future clients’ lives through massage:

“The thought of being able to directly help someone, to improve their quality of life invokes incredible feelings of happiness.”

Allan’s story is unique, but many of WCCMT/CCMH’s students enrol for the same basic reason – to help others. If helping your community inspires you, a career in Massage Therapy might be the right path.

For more stories and inspiration from WCCMT, please check out our LinkedIn page, our New Westminster Facebook Page or our WCCMT/CCMH Facebook Page.

Massage and the Mind-Body Connection

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This September 2017, Toronto will host the Invictus Games – a celebration of the strength of injured service members and veterans from over 17 allied nations.The event was established by Prince Harry in 2014 and is the only international adaptive sport event for injured active duty and veteran service members. In honour of the Invictus Games, CCMH/WCCMT will share interviews and stories of veterans who have graduated from our College and students with military backgrounds

Today we spoke with Amanda Kihn, a current student of WCCMT Victoria. She enrolled at WCCMT after serving for nearly 10 years in the Navy. We spoke with her about her transition to civilian life, her studies and challenges, why she loves Massage Therapy, and her aspirations for the future.

Hi Amanda. Can you tell us a bit about your experiences in the military?

I have sailed virtually every sea port on the Pacific from Alaska to Chile! One of my most memorable port visits was to Pearl Harbour, where I ate a mango that fell out of a tree on the base at Hickam. My favourite port to frequent was San Diego, the only place I have ever watched a professional baseball game. Go Giants!

Sounds like you got a lot of travel experience through your service! What led you to pursue a career in Massage Therapy?

I needed a drastic career change. When I left the Navy, I felt like a shadow of my former self. Massage Therapy seemed like a profession where I could continue to take care of people. When I was offered a vocational rehabilitation opportunity by SISIP/Manulife, I started looking for ways to serve humanity. This program was my answer.

We’re so glad you feel that way! Are there knowledge or skills from your past work and life experiences that carry over into Massage Therapy?

My skills are always a work in progress. Continuing education and professional development come naturally to me. I’m always ready to drink from the next fire hose. The military prepared me for studying long hours, dedication to the profession, and above all else, teamwork. This program can be stressful, but it’s only a fraction of the stress that I was used to when it came to my military experience. It’s still challenging, but I have faith in my own resilience. 

Sounds like you were well prepared for your studies here! Why did you choose to study at WCCMT in Victoria?

The budget and timeline were perfect for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. I was honest with them about my concerns transitioning back to civilian life, and the administration has always been on my side as I navigated some challenges. 

It would be quite a transition! What are your aspirations for your career as a Massage Therapist? 

I am open to all possibilities. Working with veterans with PTSD on releasing trauma registers pretty high on my radar these days. Exploring the mind-body connection and reintroducing therapeutic touch as a means of supplementing deep psychological healing is where my passion lives. I don’t know what my answer to this question will be a year from now when I graduate, but I know my work will be as unique as I am. 

We can’t wait to see where your career takes you! What excites you about working in Massage Therapy?

I love how magical it feels to treat someone, even just once, and have them leave feeling better than when they arrived. I get even more excited when they come back the next week so I can pick up where we left off. The real magic is that I know this profession is my vocation and I am elated every time I am able to help decrease someone’s pain or increase their physical or mental well-being. 

How fulfilling! Is there anything else about you that you think our readers may be interested to learn?

I’m a mom. I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old. My husband is in the Navy. Studying in such an intense program isn’t easy, but when my husband sails, sometimes it feels impossible. Teamwork is the answer. My support team in the class and my extended family have helped me be all that I can be… and more!

We wish you all the best in your studies and career, Amanda! Thank you for speaking with us.

Want to share your story? Contact [email protected] to be featured in our blog. WCCMT would love to see you on LinkedIn, our New Westminster Facebook Page or our WCCMT/CCMH Facebook Page so you can stay connected with our community.

The Survey Results are In! A Pulse on WCCMT Victoria

To commemorate our 70th Anniversary, we invited past and current CCMH/WCCMT students to participate in a survey designed to find out about their learning experience and what they’ve been up to since or plan to do after graduation.

WCCMT - The Survey Results are In! A Pulse on WCCMT Victoria

There’s never been a better time to study Massage Therapy. CCMH/WCCMT has offered outstanding Massage Therapy education since 1946 to students of all ages, skills and educational backgrounds.

If you are interested in a career path as a Massage Therapist or learning more about WCCMT, follow us on Facebook. If you’d like an opportunity to visit our campus, email us at [email protected].