Registered Massage Therapists

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in British Columbia are health care professionals committed to restoring and maintaining optimal health and pain-free function of the body.

They are educated and trained to accurately assess and treat with techniques that include massage and manual therapy, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, and rehabilitative exercise such as stretching, strengthening, postural exercise and patient education.

Massage Therapy is an effective approach to pain management and rehabilitation. RMTs are effective in treating and providing relief for a wide range of conditions such as migraine headaches, tendonitis, arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, as well as many other common conditions related to soft tissue and joint dysfunction.

In British Columbia , over 75 percent of medical physicians regularly refer their patients to a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) – and they make these referrals because massage therapy is both accessible and effective in the treatment of their patients’ conditions. Today, RMTs use a blend of modern science and ancient philosophies, utilizing specific techniques and modalities to treat many conditions.

Massage therapy is also remarkably effective when used as part of a preventive care program. Some examples of general wellness care include pre or post-natal care (pregnancy), infant massage, stress management, sports training, injury prevention and performance enhancement.

 

Here’s some information about the Spruce RMT’s and Spruce Body Work Therapists:

Ryan Seitz RMT

Graduating from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, Ryan has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2002. He started off practicing at Spa Ethos and soon a private practice where he continued until 2005. At the early stage of College and his RMT practice, Ryan and his partner had a vision to create a clinic that embodied the best of a spa and vice versa. Finally in 2005 Spruce Body Lab opened its doors. Ryan is pleased to have a team of RMTs as colleagues along with Body Work Therapists, Skin Therapists, Medical Practitioners and Reception staff.

Ryan has recently completed a series of cadaver pro-sections and one dissection. The opportunity to study anatomy through the use of a cadaver has been truly enriching for Ryan. It has deepened his understanding of anatomy and of the term “continuous connection” as it applies to his practice of massage therapy. Ryan would describe himself as a well rounded Massage Therapist applying a number of different modalities to reach the desired treatment goal. Some modalities are Deep Tissue Therapy, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Active and Passive Stretching, Joint Mobilization, Postural Corrective Techniques, Pre-Natal massage, Sports and Athletic Massage and Preventative Maintenance. What is always common in Ryan’s treatment is the application of Swedish Massage techniques to blend modalities together and to add a relaxation element to all treatments. Ryan understands the negative impact that stress and tension has on our bodies and our health, so he therefore always employs an intent in his treatment to counter stress and bring on a state of well being.

In his spare time Ryan enjoys training in the gym on his own or with the team at Kalev Fitness Solution. He recently learned to ski (a snow board convert) and has developed a passion for it. Ryan also enjoys hiking, swimming and snorkeling in warm clear water, travel, running, going for regular massages and facials, reading, watching movies and listening to music. Ryan also likes to cook and spend time with friends and family.

 

Cody A. Cummings, RMT

What to expect: If you are looking to have a ‘pampering spa day’, Cody is probably not the best fit for you. Cody is offering Spruce Body Lab clients a more clinical experience. With the broader knowledge and spectrum of techniques Cody is adding to his practice, he aims to move closer to the truer causes of his clients’ symptoms. His treatments are a global approach to the body. Treatments involve a detailed interview/ history taking, orthopedic testing and assessment, treatment, as well as home care for clients to continue progressing on their own.

Although some people would not consider Cody’s treatments to be traditional massage, the long-lasting effects are nonetheless sedating and equally effective.

Education: Cody graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, class of 2003, where he obtained a full spectrum of Massage Therapy assessment and treatment skills. Cody is currently completing year three of a five year program at the Canadian College of Osteopathy (www.osteopathie-canada.ca). In 2006, Cody became a certified yoga instructor (classical Hatha, Vinyassa and Power based practice.)

Cody’s current training (at the Canadian College of Osteopathy) is allowing him to further develop his assessment and treatment techniques and fine-tune his palpation skills, enabling him to be more specific and precise.

Cody’s strengths include:

• Structural work, Myofascial release techniques, Muscle Energy Technique, osteo-articular techniques (joint mobilizations), and craniosacral techniques. To restructure and align, addressing holding patterns and improving overall function.
• Therapeutic exercise for rehabilitation, health maintenance and injury prevention.
• Pain and stress management, providing clients with tools to inhibit pain, and empowerment through self-observation.
• Neural re-education techniques to improve kinesthetic and proprioceptive awareness.

Cody is eager and committed to applying his knowledge of yoga, Massage Therapy, and the knowledge he is acquiring in school, to instill self-empowerment and a pro-active attitude towards attaining and maintaining healthy and balanced life habits for his clients.

Here’s a link to an article about osteopathy that Cody recommends. : http://www.alive.com/8013a20a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=8

 

Julie Gardiner RMT

As a therapist specializing in deep tissue and connective tissue massage, I am passionate about seeing positive results- fast. I have been a Registered Massage Therapist for eight years, mostly focusing on sports and deep tissue massage.

As an avid long distance runner, I have had first hand experience with overuse injuries and effective treatment and recovery.

Although I have spent the majority of my time as a RMT doing sports massage, I am passionate about relieving day-to-day pain such as headaches, hip and knee pain as well as pain related to pregnancy.

Overall, I believe that massage therapy is an excellent way to maintain optimal health and balance.

 

Tania Torres RMT

Tania successfully graduated from WCCMT and has been practicing since 2006.  She addresses the body with regard to structural alignment and posture, fascial restrictions, range of motion and the activities of daily living. Her wellness practice ranges from pain reduction and rehabilitation therapy to preventative and maintenance healing. She has focused in the areas of pre and post natal therapy and tempomandibular joint dysfunctions (TMJ).Tania facilitates the healing process through deep tissue, myofascial release and craniosacral therapies.  She is committed to improving the health and wellness of her patients

Dave Butt RMT

Dave graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2004. He has been working as an RMT in one of the leading physiotherapy clinics in Whistler for the past four years. Working closely with physiotherapists, he is experienced in the rehabilitation of many sports related injuries, as well as motor vehicle accidents and overuse conditions.

The modalities of treatment that Dave incorporates into a massage therapy are deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point release, swedish massage, and joint mobilizations. His goals are to relieve pain, restore normal range of motion, improve tissue quality and circulation, and educate his patients on home care.

Dave loves the outdoors and nature . He is into x-country mountain biking, snow boarding, hiking, working out, horseback riding and travel.

Irina graduated from Utopia Academy in 2010. She brings a great understanding of treatment modalities including myofascial, neuromuscular, joint mobilization and lymph drainage for the management of injuries, correcting postural imbalances and the maintenance of good physical health.

Irina also has a particular interest in massage therapy for the treatment of women’s issues. In October 2010 she had a paper published with regard to using a spectrum of techniques to reduce the impact of dysmenorrhea, demonstrating that it is possible to radically reduce the pain for women who suffer from this condition. As well, she works with pre and perinatal care in managing the pains and discomforts that accompany pregnancy. Above all, Irina believes in the value of massage therapy for restoring and maintaining a healthy body and mind.

 

Devon Lachance RMT

Devon is a graduate of the West Coast College of Massage Therapy. With a keen interest in health and wellness, Devon practices yoga regularly and is formerly a competitive athlete. Aside from his many travels, Devon has spent most of his life in the Lower Mainland and has a great appreciation for what this part of the world has to offer.

While each treatment is focused to specifically address the issues of the individual at hand, Devon uses a variety of massage therapy techniques that include deep tissue, myofascial release, joint mobilizations, and trigger point therapy techniques in order to achieve maximal potential in recovery and relaxation. Because he believes it is important for everyone to be active in their own rehabilitation, Devon is eager to work with his clients in order to motivate them and helps provide tools such as stretching, strengthening and hydrotherapy in order to encourage optimal health.

Jill Propp RMT

Jill Propp graduated from Utopia Academy’s 3000 hour Massage and Hydrotherapy program in 2010.
After a receiving Massage therapy for an injury, Jill discovered its true healing power and began her journey into the world of massage therapy.  Jill has always had a passion for helping others and is proud to have played a large part in setting up a very successful clinical outreach for Onsite Detox and Treatment Centre at Utopia Academy.
Treatments with Jill consist of a variety of different techniques to help her clients achieve their health and wellness goals. Some of the techniques she enjoys are Swedish massage, myofascial release, stretching and triggerpoint work.  She has training in stress management, injury rehabilitation, and peri-natal care.
Jill likes to spend her spare time biking, roller skating, drawing and just being creative in general.

Marcia Roland RMT

Ryan Carmichael RMT

Ryan graduated from Utopia Academy’s Faculty of Massage Therapy in 2010. Ryan came to Massage Therapy as a natural extension of his own healthy lifestyle and with a genuine desire to aid others in achieving their own optimal health. A former competitive downhill ski racer, competitive swimmer, and ski coach Ryan continues to lead a very active lifestyle. An avid cyclist and hiker, in his time off of work he can often be found partaking in multi-day bicycle tours or hikes. In his treatments Ryan employs a variety of modalities including myofascial release, trigger point therapy, swedish relaxation, stretching and joint mobilization. Ryan believes that self care is an essential element in long term health and as such, will work with clients in developing their own self care regimes.