Christina Baptista, RMT

Benefits of Massage Therapy

• decreased perception of pain.

• decreased stress-induced sympathetic nervous system firing.

• increased parasympathetic (relaxation) nervous system response.

• improved sense of physical well-being.

• increased functional mobility.

• decreased perception of stiffness.

• improved joint range of motion.

• improvement in sleep quality.

• improved mood/mental well-being.

• improved circulation.

• decreased edema (swelling).

Why Choose a Registered Massage Therapist?

To become an RMT, I was required to successfully complete a comprehensive 3,000-hour program.

During this program, I obtained over 1,000 hours of hands-on training including:

• Swedish massage

• Neuromuscular techniques

• Myofascial release

• Trigger point release

• Muscle energy techniques

• Joint mobilizations

• Hydrotherapy

• Therapeutic exercise

As well as an introduction to:

• Visceral manipulation

• Manual lymphatic drainage

• Craniosacral techniques

• Breast massage

I also received an in-depth education in subjects such as:

• General anatomy/physiology

• Neurology

• General pathology

• Clinical assessment & management

• Professional development

• Orthopedic pathology

• Neurological assessment

• Regional orthopedic assessment

• Spinal orthopedic assessment

• Musculoskeletal anatomy

• Kinesiology

• Nutrition

• Medications

Massage therapy students have the opportunity to practice on the public, under supervision, in the student-intern clinic and in-reach programs at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, as well as at the many organized out-reaches (e.g. sporting events, extended care facilities, etc.).

Upon completion of the three-year program, I obtained a Diploma in Massage Therapy. 

College graduates are required to complete board-certified examinations, administered by the College of Massage Therapists' of British Columbia, in accordance with the Health Professions Act of British Columbia. This process consisted of three written examinations and one oral-practical examination.

Once the board examinations have been successfully completed, only then may a graduate earn the title of "Registered Massage Therapist". 

This rigorous training and examination process ensures that RMTs are very highly educated health-care professionals.

Benefits of Seeing a Registered Massage Therapist

• Registered massage therapists (RMTs) are regulated health care professionals, who are governed by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, who set strict ethical and professional guidelines.

• RMTs must adhere to the Health Professions Act of British Columbia.

• RMTs have an assigned practitioner number, which is required by extended health care plans, MSP, ICBC and WorkSafe BC to provide coverage to individuals for their massage therapy treatments.

• RMTs are required to complete continuing education, to maintain their registration.

• RMTs have a thorough understanding of what is outside of their scope of practice and when to refer on to another health care practitioner.

• RMTs are trained to recognize when it is contraindicated to provide treatment and what precautions are needed to be taken with certain health conditions (e.g. semi-sitting position for respiratory conditions, modified massage techniques applied when hypertension is a concern).

• RMTs are qualified to take blood pressure readings.

• RMTs are required to be certified in Standard First Aid and CPR level C (with AED).

Massage Therapy Experience

I began practicing massage therapy in 2003. My first two and a half years of practice were spent treating patients in a clinical setting, improving my clinical reasoning skills, building confidence in supporting patients with their health goals and learning from the experience and expertise of other health care practitioners, such as other registered massage therapists, a kinesiologist, a Jin Shin Do acupressure practitioner and chiropractors, in local multidisciplinary clinics. 

As a result of working with these other practitioners, I gained valuable clinical knowledge and practical skills; I have been building on this knowledge and these skills ever since.

In March 2006, I opened my own massage therapy practice in my home; however, life circumstances changed in October 2009, at which time I joined another RMT at "Energia Massage Therapy", a peaceful home-based clinic in the Gordon Head area of Victoria, B.C.

In January 2018, I relocated my massage therapy practice to the Westshore (Langford). I enjoy being a part of the "Station Wellness Collective", a group of holistic, alternative healthcare practitioners, focusing on whole-body health and wellness.

Over the years, I have had experience providing treatment for:

• Acute & chronic conditions

• Adhesive capsulitis (“frozen shoulder”)

• Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoariatic arthritis)

• Back/neck pain

• Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue

• Headaches/migraines

• Motor vehicle incident (MVI) related whiplash/trauma

• Neurological conditions (Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, disc herniation & cerebral palsy, sciatica)

• Post-surgical joint/muscle rehabilitation

• Pregnancy related discomfort

• Repetitive strain injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis)

• Sports injuries (strains/sprains)

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

Teaching Experience

I have over five years of experience teaching at the "West Coast College of Massage Therapy" (September 2008 - April 2011, as well as January 2017-June 2019), both as a clinical supervisor in the student intern clinic and as a teaching assistant in a classroom setting.

 I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my knowledge and skills with the Massage Therapy students. I found teaching in an adult education environment to be both challenging and rewarding.