She's been called "a force of nature" by her peers,and last month that moniker was officially recognized as the Massage Therapists' Association of British Columbia (MTABC) named Susan Chapelle the province's best registered massage therapist.
"It is an incredible honour to have even been considered for this award," said Chapelle, an 11-year resident originally from Ontario. "B.C. is one of the most amazing places to work, and as a result is filled with fantastic and inspiring therapists. I did not expect to be considered and definitely didn't expect to be honoured like this."
The honours follow nearly 10 years after founding Squamish Therapeutic Massage on health principles that were recently built right into her new Garibaldi Highlands clinic's walls.
Not only was it built entirely of local wood, it's also made of only recycled materials, including floors made out of recycled wine cork. And there are no chemicals, solvents, or glues used in the construction of the space, which means therapists and patients can breathe in a relaxed environment all day.
Chapelle has diligently maintained the practice's principles throughout the years as the clinic has expanded to service 1,800 patients.
"Squamish Therapeutic Massage Therapists are hired to reflect my philosophy of treatment," she said. "All the therapists have over five years of experience and a deep knowledge of anatomy."
Chapelle's recognition also reflects her work as a volunteer for the Squamish Nation's Women Centre, where she teaches new mothers massaging techniques for colicky babies, according to David DeWitt, MTABC communications manager.
Chapelle has also become an outspoken advocate for massage therapy as a post-cancer and post-surgical treatment, educating medical practitioners here and beyond on its healing merits.
"I believe all patients should have access to education and soft tissue treatment after undergoing any surgery," she said. "I believe that soft tissue treatment is not an 'alternative' treatment, but a necessary and essential part of health care.
"The relatively new concept of connective tissue and the lack of research available for clinicians on how we actually affect tissue is a constant motivator to provide evidence that massage therapy is an effective treatment. We all know it works, we need to work on providing evidence based research to help integrate our practice into the mainstream medical system."
She's completed a study on therapeutic massage as a soft tissue protocol for post treatment breast cancer patients, which has received funding and has "incredible support from the medical establishment and her patients," said DeWitt.
"This is an exceptional achievement for a registered massage therapist," he said.
With this initiative, she became the first "alternative" practitioner to be invited to the Squamish General Hospital (SGH) as well as to various medical continuing education seminars.
"I presented my protocol at the International Fascia Research conference in Amsterdam last year. As a result I have partnered with some amazing international scientists, InspireHealth clinic in Vancouver and the Utopia Academy to develop and research the protocol," she said.
She said she hopes this latest recognition from the Registered Massage Therapists of B.C. will pave the way for much needed grants to continue her research, including a mastectomy study she'd undertaking locally.
"I am seeing four to six patients from our cancer clinic once a week to measure the effects of massage therapy on their post-surgical symptoms," she said, adding, "the women up here are so brave and amazing."
For information on Squamish Therapeutic Massage treatments or therapists, go to their website, www.squamishmassage.com.
