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In many cultures, a thin line exists between medical practice and traditional healing. Vida Spa, Whistler
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or centuries, Europeans have sought treatment for their ailments by “taking the waters” in towns and villages built around thermal springs. Traditional Turkish hammams use steam to melt away aches and pains, while ancient Ayurvedic and acupuncture practices are said to ease health conditions, even today. In North America, too, that division is disappearing, as more and more consumers embrace health and wellness beyond their doctors’ offices — especially since the global pandemic hit. Canadian spas are expanding their repertoire by adding specialized treatments for allergies, rheumatism, osteoarthritis, stress and even cancer. According to the Ontario Blue Cross, a provincial insurance agency, there is growing evidence that doctors are coming on board, often prescribing massage therapy to individuals with injuries, illnesses and chronic health conditions. Allison Hegedus, president of Vida Spas (which has three locations in B.C.) says, “Prior to the pandemic, and now during the pandemic, we have seen an increased focus on self-care awareness and the benefit of stress reduction through touch therapy. Health professionals, including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, are increasingly recommending spa therapies to their patients, [as] part of the overall goal of continued health and wellness.” This trend was growing even before COVID-19. “Alternative treatments are playing an increasingly important role in Canadians’ overall health care,” says Nadeem Esmail, co-author of a study by the Frasier Institute, which found that 79 percent of adult Canadians tried at least one form of complementary or alternative medicine in 2016; spending was an estimated $8.8 billion in the first half of the year (an increase of nearly $1 billion since 2006). In 2015, the American College of Physicians showed its support by putting out new guidelines for lower back pain that recommended non-invasive, alternative approaches like
acupuncture, massage, exercise, tai chi, heat wraps and mindfulness/yoga, before prescribing drugs as the last resort. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING Vida’s founder and education director, Colleen Fraser explains that the spas’ therapists are specially trained in treating clients with debilitating conditions like temporal mandibular joint disorder, cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, plantar fascia, stroke, whiplash and stress, for which massage is one of the more popular treatment modalities. Massage therapy treatment from a registered massage therapist can treat clients who present with symptoms related to back and neck pain, sports injuries, epilepsy, headaches, whiplash and many other common issues. It is also an effective form of treatment for other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, stress and even some diseases, such as cancer, stroke and arthritis. “If a spa client has any of these conditions and is looking for a relaxing and restorative treatment, a spa therapist can help soothe the client just by working indirectly through the benefits of a full-body massage,” Fraser notes, adding that therapists must be cautious when treating clients with health issues. “All Vida spa therapists avoid massage therapy directly over known tumors and sites where metastasis may be predicted. Caution is exercised in patients with boney metastases, who may be prone to fracture. Currently, no evidence indicates that massage promotes tumor
“Alternative treatments are playing an increasingly important role in Canadians’ overall health care.” – Nadeem Esmail, Frasier Institute S p a I nc .c a
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