Sarah Martens RMT

08/07/2025

Heads up I will be leaving for my maternity leave end of September.

If you don't have an appointment - put yourself on my cancellation list.

I will be taking a full year off. And I will be posting on this page when I am coming back!

Going to miss everyone!

07/17/2025

*UPDATE*

The rest of my August and September schedule is now live for online booking for subsequent patients only!

Experience tailored massage therapy at Island Optimal Health and Performance in Nanaimo, BC. Enhance your well-being with personalized sessions. Book your appointment today.

07/17/2025

06/19/2025

The Island Optimal Environment

03/11/2025

I graduated with Kira from West Coast College in Victoria! She's an amazing RMT and putting out such useful information for people! Too many people come in with this exact issue. thanks for sharing Kira MacFayden, RMT

02/27/2025

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 💪

is a combination of 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒 & 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡. Includes more patient engagement and active techniques.

When booking this treatment people should be prepared to participate in home exercises: 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠, 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, & 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠.

𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥: to move through your physical limitations and help you meet your specific goals.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
🤜you have physical restrictions that feel better after massage but return shortly after.
🤜you have chronic pain that limits certain ranges of motion
🤜you seek an in-depth, active, personalized approach to manual therapy
🤜 you want to maximize strength & mobility
🤜 you want to be INVOLVED in YOUR treatment

𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭!
https://islandoptimal.janeapp.com/locations/island-optimal-health-and-performance-dufferin-location/book #/discipline/24/treatment/279

02/27/2025

Yay! There's now an app version of Jane so you can book your appointments right from your phone! 🙌

➡️Client booking UPDATE!! JANE mobile app now available, for ease of booking & managing your appointments! 📲👍

HERE’S HOW:

1. First, patients can download the app on their mobile device
2. Next, you will be asked to create a unique profile specifically for the app and link any existing accounts you may already have with other clinics
3. Then, you will be able to book and manage appointments in one place

02/25/2025

Yes! I did it again!

For those of you that follow me here and also have been getting a notification on instagram about me having an account - I go back and forth. I deleted the instagram once again. And will not be getting an account for good. I have this internal battle of how much social media is harmful.

We live in this hyper-digital world, with mindless scrolling, and the need to feel like we're missing out if we don't have all the social media platforms.

I believe doom scrolling harms our social connection & our ability to fill our free time with more creative activities.

How did I start a digital declutter? Below is a great book by Cal Newport. And if you are the type of person who has to check your phone every time you see it, or scroll every time you have a free moment - I would consider a digital declutter and this eye-opening read.

Im an advocate for simple & attainable health. A part of this is monitoring social media use.

My own parameters:
- Facebook only: separate work & personal
- no social media apps on my phone
- access only is through a computer
- content creating 2-3x/wk during work hours.

This declutter journey has increased my attention span, focus, creativity, decreased stress, increased motivation, and has contributed to me building more meaningful relationships.

Shout out to a patient to opened my eyes to this informative book.

Safe scrolling everyone!

02/22/2025

Shout out to Dr. Abe Avender!

🏆 Congratulations, Dr. Abe Avender! 🏆

We’re thrilled to celebrate our very own Dr. Abe Avender, who has been voted the 2024-2025 PACWEST Men’s Volleyball Coach of the Year!👏🙌🏐

This well-deserved recognition is a testament to his dedication, leadership, and impact on the game. His passion for developing athletes both on and off the court continues to inspire.💫

Join us in congratulating Coach Avender on this incredible achievement! 👏🏐

02/20/2025

Happy Birthday to my place of work Island Optimal Health and Performance !!

Fun fact: Right out of RMT school I started working for IOHP - going on almost 5 years now. Thank you IOHP for fostering an environment of growth and education. I have learned so much from all of the amazing practitioners and it has helped me shape my practice. I look forward to many more collaborations.

🎉 Happy 17th Birthday, IOHP! 🎉

17 years of dedication, growth, and making a difference—what an incredible journey! Thank you to the many people within our community who have been part of IOHP’s success, from our team to our supporters, and patients. Here’s to many more years of loving what we do, helping our community move & live optimally!💫🙏💪🏻

02/18/2025

**Continuing Education Resource!**

I have taken a few of these courses now and Eric Purves RMT has done a lot of work in the field of massage therapy, especially on the island to offer continuing education thats both evidence based and relevant for RMT's.

Recently I just finished his "Research to Practice: Neck & Shoulder" webinar where Eric presents the most credible and valid assessments and research connected to massage treatment.

I truly believe the future of massage needs to include continuous evidence based practice.

This in person 2 day course includes the current science and best practices for assessing, treating and managing TMJ and head pain. Includes practice of intra oral and external hands on techniques for the jaw, head, neck and throat.

02/16/2025

**LOCAL BUSINESS SHOUT-OUT goes to...**

Orangetheory Fitness Nanaimo

I finished my first 1/2 marathon in October 2024 and after that I did'nt really know what type of exercise I wanted to incorporate next.

I looked at gyms, but none of them had the nightclub, upbeat, motivational energy I was looking for. After my first class at OTN I was sold! The owners & staff provide a welcoming environment for any level you're at. The members are so kind and cheer each other on.

It has been a positive place to continue my strength training journey.

The methods they use are science & evidence based, heart rate monitored, and overall just damn fun.

Contact:

Find studio hours, location information, class schedules and more for our Nanaimo studio in Nanaimo located at 5765 Turner Rd, Unit 2