RMT Jennifer

03/22/2026

03/19/2026

What Is Migraine Aura, Really?
Spoiler: it’s not just “sparkly lights.”

Migraine aura is a set of temporary neurological symptoms that occur before - or sometimes during - the painful headache phase of a migraine.

Aura reflects changes in brain activity and is often an early warning that a migraine is beginning. These symptoms are fully reversible and typically resolve on their own within 5-60 minutes.

What’s Happening in the Brain?

Aura is linked to a process called “cortical spreading depression” - a slow moving wave of electrical activity across the brain, followed by a brief period of reduced activity.

As the wave moves through different regions of the brain, it temporarily disrupts their functoin. This is what causes the wide range of neurological symptoms which can include:
• Visual disturbances
• Numbness or tingling
• Speech or language difficulty
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Weakness
• Smell or sound disturbances
Symptoms vary depending on which part of the brain is affected.

How Common is Aura?
About 25-30% of people with migraine are diagnosed with aura. However, many experts believe it is under-recognized, especially when symptoms are not visual.

Types of Migraine Aura

Visual Aura (Most Common)
Occurs when the visual cortex (back of the brain) is affected.
Visual Aura Symptoms:
• Crescent that shimmers or is colourful
• Zigzag or jagged lines “fortification spectrum”
• Flickering or shimmering lights
• A Blind spot, dark patch, or multiple spots floating in your vision
• Objects that appear blury, wavy, distorted, or fragmented

Sensory Aura
Sensory Aura is characterized by physical sensations that spread gradually across the body, usually in the face, hands, or arms.
Sensory Aura Symptoms:
• Tingling or pins and needles that spread slowly from the fingers up toward the face
• Numbness in one side of the face, lips, or tongue
• A feeling of heaviness or unusual warmth in the affected area

Speech & Language Aura (Aphasic Aura)
Affects communication and can feel alarming
Aphasic Aura Symptoms:
• Struggling to find words mid-sentence
• Words come out jumbled
• Unable to respond clearly
• Difficulty reading or writing

Motor Aura (Hemiplegic Migraine - Rare)
Motor aura is rare subtype of migraine characterized by temporary muscle weakness typically on one side of the body.
Hemiplegic Migraine Symptoms:
• Weakness or heaviness on one side of the body
• Difficulty gripping or lifting objects
• Dragging of one leg or arm
• Rarely, temporary paralysis on one side
This type of migraine requires higher level medical evaluation and ongoing management

Brainstem Aura (Previously “Basilar Migraine”)
Originates from the brainstem, affecting coordination and sensory processing.
Brainstem Aura Symptoms:
• Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Unsteadiness or loss of balance
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Changes in hearing

Retinal Aura (Ocular Migraine)
Retinal aura affects only one eye, not both visual fields.
Retinal Aura Symptoms:
• Temporary vision loss or blind spots in one eye only (scotoma)
• Flickering or dimming vision in one eye (scintillating scotoma)
Important: Always assess new single-eye vision loss or changes with your doctor.

Auditory Aura
Auditory aura affects what you hear and manifests as part of the vestibular migraine in 40% of people with vestibular migraines. Auditory aura is easily confused with other conditions like Tinnitus or Meniere’s Disease, proper medical evaluation is important.
Auditory Aura Symptoms:
• Ringing, buzzing, or humming (tinnitus)
• Muffled hearing
• Phantom sounds
• Fullness or pressure in the ear
• Sound sensitivity (phonophobia)

Olfactory Aura (Phantosmia)
Olfactory aura is characterized by unpleasant odours with no source. It’s less common and often under-reported.
Olfactory Aura Symptoms:
• Smelling smoke, burning, or chemicalls
• Metallic or unpleasant odours with no source

Aura Without Headache - Silent (Acephalgic) Migraine
Aura can occure without headache, known as silent (acephalgic) migraine.

This can be confusing and is often misdiagnosed, especially when symptoms are neurological but not painful.

Migraine Without Aura: (Common Migraine)
About 70-75% of patients with migraine do not experience aura.

However, they may still experience premonitory phase hours to days before the headache.
Premonitory Symptoms in Common Migraine:
• Fatique
• Yawning
• Mood changes
• Food cravings
• Neck stiffness.
• Light & sound sensitivity
• Changes in digestion
• Increase urination

What To Do When Aura Starts
Aura can act an early warning window. While short, it’s an opportunity to act.
A Simple Migraine Response Plan:
• Take prescribed medication early.
• Reduce sensory input (dim lights, quiet enironment)
• Hydrate
• Eat if blood sugar may be low
• Pause activities requiring focus (e.g. driving) and get somewhere safe

Important: When To Seek Medical Attention

Because aura symptoms can overlap with serious neurological conditions such as stroke
• If symptoms are new, unusual, or severe
• If they don’t follow your typical pattern
• If you’re unsure what you’re experiencing
Seek urgent medical evaluation immediately.

03/17/2026

Do you ever notice yourself doing this?

• Clenching your teeth while working
• Waking up with jaw tightness
• Clicking or popping when you chew
• Tension headaches around your temples

Most people don’t realize jaw tension is one of the most common triggers of chronic headaches and migraines. They have a bidirectional relationship.

I’ve opened a rare Saturday Shift with only a few appointment spaces for people dealing with persistent headaches, migraine, or jaw pain.

If you'd like to book one of these spots, or if you’re unsure whether massage therapy is appropriate for what you’re dealing with, reach out - I’m always happy to answer questions.

03/16/2026

Migraine is a complex neurological disease affecting over 1 billion people globally. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide for women aged 18 to 49. It is NOT just a headache. ❌

Help us break down stigma and encourage public education around migraine during Brain Awareness Week, March 16-22.

We are offering a free migraine Q&A session with a neurologist on Friday 20th, and have lots of free resources to help you spread awareness in your community.

https://brainfoundation.org.au/brain-awareness-week/

03/16/2026

Top 10 Migraine Triggers

1. Stress 79%
2. Hormone changes in women 65%
3. Not eating - skipping meals 57%
4. Weather changes especially low barometric pressure 53%
5. Sleep disturbances 50%
6. Perfume or odour 43%
7. Neck Pain 38%
8. Lights and visual stimulus 38%
9. Alcohol 37%
10. Smoke 35%

Which trigger hits you the hardest?

If you’re unsure whether massage therapy is appropriate for what you’re dealing with please reach out - I’m always happy to chat and answer questions.

03/11/2026

2 Min Read ⏳ The Hidden History of RMTs in BC.
How the profession evolved — and why worker protections lag behind.

1900s–1930s
Massage Therapy wasn’t its own profession yet
Massage practitioners originally worked alongside physiotherapists and remedial gymnasts.

1937
BC practitioners formed a joint organization that included:
• physiotherapists
• massage practitioners
Massage was considered one of several rehabilitation techniques, not a separate profession.
Key takeaway: Massage therapy had no independent identity yet.

1940s–1970s
Early regulation begins
Massage practitioners and physiotherapists were regulated together under provincial law.
During this period:
• massage therapy gained legal recognition
• training programs slowly developed
• the profession remained relatively small
Most RMTs worked through doctor referrals.
Key takeaway: Massage therapy was seen as an auxiliary healthcare service, not an independent field.

1980s
The legitimacy battle
By the 1980s massage therapy was growing rapidly in BC.
At the time:
• RMTs could bill MSP
• physiotherapists could also bill MSP
• both professions competed for the same rehabilitation funding
Tensions emerged.

In 1987, a physiotherapy council member wrote to the BC Trial Lawyers Association accusing an RMT of misrepresenting qualifications, creating negative publicity for the profession.
Massage therapists responded with:
• public relations campaigns
• political advocacy
• formation of stronger professional organizations
Key takeaway: The profession’s main goal became proving legitimacy in healthcare.

1990s
Professional recognition is achieved

1994
Massage therapy officially became a designated health profession under BC’s Health Professions Act.
The profession now had:
✔ protected title
✔ regulated education
✔ defined scope of practice
✔ a regulatory college
To strengthen credibility, BC created one of the longest massage therapy training programs in the world (~3000 hours).
Key takeaway: The profession secured professional recognition and high education standards.

2000s
A major shift: MSP coverage disappears
Massage therapy gradually lost broad coverage under BC’s Medical Services Plan.
The profession moved toward:
• private clinics
• extended health insurance
• contractor-based work
This dramatically changed the profession’s economic structure.
Key takeaway: Massage therapy transitioned from a partially public healthcare service to a private healthcare model.

2010s
Education changes and labour mobility
Canadian trade agreements (Agreement on Internal Trade → Canadian Free Trade Agreement) required provinces to recognize professional credentials across Canada.
As a result:
• BC training programs were redesigned
• total hours decreased from ~3000 to ~2200
• competency-based education replaced hour-based models
Key takeaway: Education standards began aligning with national labour mobility policies.

Today
A strong profession — but an unfinished chapter
BC RMTs now have:
✔ stronger education (sort of - but that's another topic)
✔ professional regulation
✔ strong public demand
✔ high clinical standards
But one major issue remains underdeveloped > worker protections for practitioners.

Most RMTs work as independent contractors inside clinic businesses, often without:
• worker protections
• correct worker classification
• worker safety & labour protections
• predictable income structures
• fair labour practices
• workplace standards & occupational health and safety
• clear power balance between clinics and practitioners

The Missing Chapter
During the profession’s development, most advocacy focused on:
• legitimacy
• education
• regulation
• public credibility

Very little attention was given to:
• labour standards
• workplace protections
• worker safety and rights
• contractor classification
• long-term career sustainability and transferability

Not because those issues didn’t matter —
but because the profession was busy answering a more fundamental question:

“Do massage therapists belong in healthcare?”

The Next Phase of the Profession
Many healthcare professions evolve in three stages:
1️⃣ Legitimacy
2️⃣ Professional recognition
3️⃣ Worker protections

Massage therapy in BC has successfully completed the first two.
The third stage is still developing.

That means the current generation of RMTs has an opportunity to shape what the profession looks like next.

Why this history matters >
Without understanding the history, it’s easy to assume that the current system was designed intentionally.

In reality, many of today’s challenges are simply side effects of how the profession evolved.

Understanding where we came from helps us ask a better question: What should the profession look like going forward?

03/09/2026

Did you know that I review all my case files in advance including all new patient health history forms? Sometimes I review in the garden or home office.

Prior to your first appointment, you’ll receive a health history form to complete.

This important document allows me to review your current concerns, overall health, and goals before you arrive.

Reviewing all new patient health history forms in advance allows us to use your appointment time for assessment and treatment rather than paperwork.

You’re welcome to share as much or as little background as feels relevant — we’ll focus on what’s most helpful for that day.

Your appointment includes time for assessment and discussion before any hands-on treatment begins, as well as home exercise planning.

03/08/2026

Many people are surprised to learn that some muscle and joint creams contain concentrated salicylates, which can pose a risk of accidental poisoning if misused.

Methyl salicylate is a topical salicylate related to aspirin. It is extremely concentrated — one teaspoon contains roughly the equivalent of about 9,800 mg of aspirin (20–30 adult tablets).

Oil of wintergreen is the natural source of methyl salicylate and is composed of approximately 98–99% methyl salicylate. In many products these terms refer to the same active ingredient.

Methyl salicylate can be absorbed through the skin, and absorption increases when:
• large amounts are applied
• applications are repeated frequently
• the product is used with heat (heating pads, hot baths/showers)
• the product is applied under tight wraps or bandages

Because of its high concentration, methyl salicylate products can pose a risk of poisoning particularly for children and pets if accidentally ingested.

Salicylates have also been associated with Reye’s syndrome in children, so products containing methyl salicylate should be used cautiously and kept out of reach of children.

In my practice, I generally prefer menthol-based topical products rather than those containing methyl salicylate, as they can provide similar sensory relief without salicylate exposure.

Always read product labels carefully and use only as directed, and seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional if you are unsure whether a product is appropriate for you.

Muscle Cream Safety Handout:
https://1drv.ms/w/c/1795727ef3b4f416/IQAicGiF6DdPSpyYjqj7LbJJAbOQ2YDxX2xl_QfC6k2zaLo

03/03/2026

Many people I see are already working with dentists, physicians, or specialists and are looking for supportive care as part of a broader management plan.

I frequently support people recovering from injury or surgery as they transition back to normal movement and activity.

Education and self-management strategies are often an important part of care alongside hands-on treatment.

Assessment helps determine which factors may be contributing and guides an individualized treatment approach.

Recovery happens gradually, with the right pacing and support along the way.

03/02/2026

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing people return to activities they’d been avoiding — work tasks, sleep comfort, exercise, recreation, hobbies, or daily routines.

Recovery often happens gradually, with the right pacing and support along the way.

03/01/2026

Many people aren’t sure what to expect when booking a first appointment for migraines, persistent headaches, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Before any treatment begins, we go through a structured health history and assessment so I can understand your current concerns, overall health, and goals.

You’re always in control of what you choose to share, and what treatment you receive; consent is ongoing throughout treatment.

My role is to listen carefully, assess thoughtfully, and work with you at a pace that feels appropriate.

If you’ve been unsure whether my approach or massage therapy in general is a good fit for what you’re experiencing, I’m always happy to answer questions before you book an appointment.