Massage Therapy Canada

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Contributor to Our Profession: Fall 2002

I love the outdoors, and the arts. Walking Signal Hill, hiking the East Coast Trail, cross country skiing in Pippy Park, all help keep me sane. I need that movement in the woods and wilds, and that fresh air. Drawing, sculpting, sometimes writing, are creative outlets that keep me focussed, and yoga practice keeps me balanced and connected.

September 16, 2009  By Massage Therapy Magazine


pam  

 

Tell us a little about yourself?

I love the outdoors, and the arts. Walking Signal Hill, hiking the East Coast Trail, cross country skiing in Pippy Park, all help keep me sane. I need that movement in the woods and wilds, and that fresh air. Drawing, sculpting, sometimes writing, are creative outlets that keep me focussed, and yoga practice keeps me balanced and connected.

Professional Profile:

For the first eight years of my practice I was the only massage therapist working in the province of Newfoundland. I had graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, passed my board exams and moved to St. John’s in 1979. In 1989, four other therapists arrived in town and, after a year of discussions, we formed the Newfoundland Massage Therapists’ Association (now NLMTA). I was the first president and have been a volunteer ever since, both provincially and nationally. There is so much we can do to improve and promote our profession. I encourage everyone to give some of their time and talent to help promote and improve massage therapy in Canada. You will make friends, learn new skills and be rewarded in many ways.

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Influential people or experiences leading you to this profession and career:

I have always been fascinated by the mind/body/spirit connection and after working in publishing and educational television, I was looking for a change. My sister introduced me to massage therapy by becoming a therapist herself. I think now that I lucked into a career that has suited me more than I ever imagined. Most cherished experience or accomplishment. Why?

I am very proud that Newfoundland and Labrador has become the third province to regulate massage therapy in Canada. I think regulation gives status to the profession. As more provinces become regulated we will take the next step, a national examination, that will put us more on a par with other regulated health care professionals.

Hope for our profession in the near and distant future:

Research and more extensive education are the keys to earning a respected position in health care. As co-chair, with Trish Dryden of the CMTA research committee, I am thrilled that we have been recommended for funding from HRDC pending ministerial approval” to educate massage therapists, and other complementary health care professionals, in research literacy. Not only do we need to do more research on massage therapy, but we need to know how to read and evaluate the research, how to use it in our practice. This is just the beginning. I think as we study and produce more, research will become more integrated into our regular practice. It will be an integral part of a wider curriculum as massage therapists move to develop a degree program.

Words of wisdom:

These sound like clichés. They are truths I have learned. Our clients are our best teachers. Listen to the body. Don’t be afraid of your mistakes, but let yourself learn from them. Trust your hands.


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