Pain changes everything. Living with pain and the resulting tension can negatively affect your workday, as well as your family and social life. It drags you down and impacts your wellbeing.
Due to current-day technologies receptive action injuries, neck and back tension, and postural aches and pains are becoming more common even among our teenagers.
Michelle Wakelin, a 20-year veteran Registered Massage Therapist, leads a therapeutic clinic in downtown Bolton. “We focus on rehabilitation” explains Michelle, speaking about the primary treatments offered by herself and the 6 other RMT’s that work alongside her in her popular, well-established clinic. “For example, before and after surgery, sports injuries, work-related issues, and the postural issues that are affecting people at a younger and younger age.”
“Some of my clients have been seeing me regularly, some every 4 to 6 weeks, for 20 years” she goes on. “They have recognized that a preventive, proactive approach can relieve stress and keep problems from developing.”
Michelle has a definite edge, having studied the human body for 4 years. In early years she did a co-op in Physio but decided it wasn’t really for her. So she went into Kinesiology, the study of the mechanics of the human body. Michelle earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at Guelph University.
It was while working as an Athletic Trainer with the varsity sports team while at University that Michelle’s interest in therapeutic massage peaked. “When the Massage Therapist came in every week all the guys would line up to see her because the treatments were beneficial, and free. I thought wow, there’s a field where I could use my brains and my hands at the same time. I really couldn’t see myself spending life sitting at a desk, that’s not me.” she smiles.
Michelle went on and took the 2-year RMT course to add to her 4 years of Kinesiology, and the rest is, as they say, history. She stresses that her multi-discipline clinic does therapy. “We don’t do hot stones or couples massages or those types of things. We are first-line. If you hurt yourself and can’t get in to see your doctor right away, for example, we want you to come here. It’s very likely we can help you.”
“You know it’s hard to quantify the value of human touch” Michelle goes on. “When I first started I went to fall fairs and trade shows and every opportunity that came along, where I could plop down a table and help people. It gave me a lot of experience quickly. And once people felt my hands they’d be back. And often refer someone as well. I always gave out 2 cards, one for the client, and one for a friend or for their doctor. I’d tell them that if what I was doing helped them they should let their doctor know.”
Although Michelle has a strong sports background (having volunteered her services at the Winnipeg Pan Am Games, the Women’s World Hockey Championships, and the Women’s World National Championships), her basic philosophy is simple and relates to all clients. “I think that effective Therapeutic Massage is science and art together”, she smiles. “You need a science background and you need to be great with your hands.” “I also believe that treatment should be accessible and affordable for everyone. In my opinion we have extremely affordable rates, in fact to my knowledge we have the best rates, and, as well, we offer discounts to our seniors as they are often able to fill less busy time slots during the day.”
Michelle, who moved to Caledon in Grade 8 and attended Humberview, is proud that all 6 of the RMT’s at her clinic live in Caledon. They encourage you to listen to your body, stay out ahead of that tipping point, and watch out for your “check engine light”.
You can reach Michelle and her team at 905-951-7051 or visit AlbionHillsMassage.com
