Kashka Zerafa Registered Massage Therapy

05/26/2023

Recent Testimonial!

“Kashka has a highly developed knowledge of the human body. She is able to visualize the areas that need corrective action, and focuses her treatment to ensure results. Her ability to sense how much pressure you would like, or not, is borderline telepathic! The last time I saw her, I think she took 2 years worth of stress away!”
Darren Sutton

Positive and enthusiastic feedback after a massage is common. But sometimes clients have such notable and positive experiences that they write later, asking for a way to share their experiences and support of your work. This testimonial was a result of such request.

I now have a google business page up so you too can share your experiences.

06/17/2021

Weekend appointments in Nelson on Baker and more hours to come in the fall.
Kashkazerafa.janeapp.com

What drives my work is my passion for the bodies innate capacity to respond to touch and my fascination with the bodies ability to manage pain, promote health and in some cases heal. Dependent on the therapeutic goal, I will use various modalities to address both the complaint or intention behind th...

11/26/2020

A peak inside the new location in the beautiful heritage 1930’s Medical Arts building on Baker st Nelson BC. My first room of my very own! So spacious. One day I will even be able to teach infant massage group classes again inside it!

09/26/2020

11/02/2019

Making Sense of Pain: FREE 4-week course starting November 18th.

Sponsored by Pain BC for self identified indigenous people (status card not required to participate); join us and meet others dealing with chronic pain, connect, learn and build your pain management tool-box.

Food, travel allowance and snacks provided.

Facilitated by Dr. Rodica Janz (MD Specializing in Chronic Pain Management) & Jessica Bamford & Kathryn McCooeye (Indigenous Medicine Practitioners).

Registration required. Spaces limited so please call Solis Integrative Health Centre at 778-774-7442 to reserve your spot.

09/14/2019

Kashka Zerafa, Solis Integrative Health Centre’s Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), has a passion for pediatrics and infant massage, which is exemplified in her RMT practice treating infants and children, in an International Peer to Peer Massage program in schools and while teaching infant massage classes to parents and caregivers in the community.

Treating children and infants with massage can provide benefits for a wide range of therapeutic needs, contributing to healthy development, as well as teaching children early about consensual touch.

It’s not uncommon for people to wonder why such new and young bodies would need massage. The answer is multi-faceted including treatment of symptoms, supporting growth and development, as well as preventative care. Of course there is the more obvious need for treatment of injury, systemic illness, post surgery, supporting athletic performance, and common pain from growth and development, as well as treatment or supportive management of torticollis, digestive function, headaches, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Although children often have a faster recovery, supporting healthy healing can have positive impacts throughout on-going development.

Touch has long been known to contribute to neurological development and bonding as early as infancy and birth, which has influenced hospital protocols regarding separation and skin-to-skin contact, especially for premature babies. Infant massage can be a great way to integrate more touch stimulation outside of just holding babies. Infant massage across cultures is a common practice often provided by grandmothers but has not continued much after transition to childhood, despite the benefits continuing to be relevant.

One of the more under-considered benefits more recently being discussed is the protective nature of introducing positive, consensual and therapeutic touch in the early years. The idea is that as children in our culture grow, it is not uncommon for touch to become less and less common, even though many humans are still hard wired to seek touch. Providing children with experiences that encourage skills communicating consent, directing touch and feeling in control of their bodies, leaves them less vulnerable to other touch that does not empower them.

Even if children don’t have an orthopedic or illness related need for treatment, Kashka promotes the use of occasional massage in childhood. Establishing familiarity and autonomy within registered massage therapy can make it more likely that they will be open to and comfortable with treatment when it is needed for other reasons. Parents or caregivers are in the room during massage and the treatment in this context is over clothing. Half hour session lengths are suggested unless there is a condition that requires more thorough assessment, in which case 45 minutes is more useful. Children are often included in their parents and family’s insurance plans and the therapeutic use of introducing touch during a relaxation massage occasionally is a great use of this coverage.

Children Who Receive Massage Therapy May Experience The Following Benefits:

• Decreased anxiety and stress hormones
• Reduced aggressive behaviour
• Enhanced respiratory function
• Production of optimal hormone levels
• Increased body awareness (visual, tactile, proprioceptive input)
• Improved muscle tone and muscle relaxation
• Improved joint mobility
• Reduced hypersensitivity to tactile input
• Increased quality and quantity of vocalization
• Enhanced body image and self esteem
• Increased bonding
• Increased healthy sense of boundaries

**Sourced from Tina Allen of Liddle Kidz Foundation. Kashka was taught infant massage alongside Tina and has also taught with Tina as an ambassador during International Outreach projects**

Kashka Zerafa has recently left Solis on a maternity leave for 6 months to a year, however, Kashka looks forward to teaching infant massage classes to parents and caregivers in the community, as well as a Massage in Schools program to elementary children in the new year.

We’re all eagerly awaiting the birth of our first Solis baby!!

08/31/2019

Solis Integrative Health Centre is pleased to announce that the first of our 6 week introductory series on chronic pain will start on Wednesday, September 11th. This program will help to prepare and inform first time patients prior to their initial appointment with Dr. Rodica Janz (GP with focused practice in chronic pain).

How does acute pain become chronic?
Will I always be in so much pain?
Is it true that other factors influence my pain, like diet, thoughts and emotions?
Why don't the pain medications take my pain away?

During this weekly 1 ½ hour class the group participants will be meeting in the first 30 minutes with Dr. Rodica Janz and she will explore these and many more questions and answers associated with chronic pain.

Stu MacDonald (Physiotherapist) and Natasha Edney (Psychotherapist) will be instructing the group in the final hour of the class. j’.

September 11 to 25 - Stu MacDonald - “Back-in-Me Program”.
This class is based on the ContAct model or the Contemplative Activities model that includes: Yoga, meditation and Qigong. These practices have become increasingly popular in western culture due to the now evidenced array of health benefits that cover the three domains of physical, mental and cognitive health.
All sessions will begin with a focus on attentive diaphragmatic breathing as a means of calming the nervous system. This slow controlled breathing helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which can help reduce physical and mental stress as well as help reduce your overall pain experience. Participants will then move through a number of safe movements designed to bring awareness and strength to key muscles that support the spine. All sessions will be guided by registered Physiotherapist, Stu MacDonald.

October 2 to 16 – Natasha Edney
If you live with chronic pain you will know that it involves so much more than experiencing physical pain - its effects can be far-reaching into your life and well-being. Weeks 4 to 6 of the course include group sessions with Natasha Edney, Psychotherapist, Mindfulness Teacher, and Chronic Pain Support Group facilitator. She will introduce you to a range of practices and treatments that attend to potential underlying causes of the chronic pain as well as peripheral symptoms such as anxiety, depression and social isolation.

Using a combination of teaching and experiential practices you will gain an understanding of the layers that contribute to your experience of living with chronic pain. You will learn about the psychophysiology of stress and how it impacts healthy functioning and well being, and the role of trauma. You will then be introduced to different tools and resources for managing chronic stress, chronic pain, and resolving trauma; all aimed at supporting you improve your quality of life and well-being. Resources will include building upon the Mindfulness practices introduced in the 3 week Physiotherapy component of the course. Guided audio meditation will be provided as part of the course materials.

To attend this course, Solis Integrative Health Centre must first receive a referral to Dr. Rodica Janz from your doctor. Once the referral is received please contact the clinic at either reception@solishealth.ca or 778-774-7442 to schedule into the class. Please note that the number of seats is limited.

DR. JANZ WILL EXPEDITE INITIAL PATIENT APPOINTMENTS FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND THIS 6 WEEK CLASS.

07/22/2019

RMT Maternity Locum available from Sept for 6months-1yr in Nelson BC with potential for staying on, capacity dependent. Solis Integrative Health is located on Baker st and is a multidisciplinary chronic pain clinic comprised of wonderful healthcare practitioners. https://solis.janeapp.com/locations/solis-integrative-health-centre/book

Open to new grads. Looking for the right fit. Professionalism, clinical passion and patient centred care important qualities. Full days and half days available throughout the week including weekends is desired. Flexible days if you are working somewhere else at the same time. Would like to have a minimum commitment to take up to 3 half days and 1 full day. Or 2 full days and 1 half.

The room is upstairs in a shared room of a heritage house. There is a electric table that has a compressed air assist to semi fowlers back support and many bolsters (including, prone system, side-lying system, two king pillows and two regular, cervical pillows for shoulder support, and a big triangle for supported hip flexion and lumbar traction.) Sheets provided. You are responsible for doing your own laundry but machines are in house. Jane system is used for booking. Reception is for MD’s only so other practitioners handle their own bookings and payment.

Must have valid BC registration/license that is in good standing and be able to show proof of license. Must have own liability coverage & you must have a clear criminal record. Please email your cover letter, resume and references including subject :Maternity Locum Application. Emails without resumes will not be considered.
Email: kashka.zerafa.rmt@gmail.com

06/15/2019

To say pain is produced in the brain is not to say it’s in your head. The many factors that contribute to the experience of pain can also be many aspects of your pain plan to resolve it. New post from our Solis Integrative Health clinic regarding chronic pain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_3phB93rvI

06/01/2019

In 2017 I went to India and traveled as one of the Liddle Kidz Ambassadors treating, teaching and promoting paediatric massage. It was a honour and a life changing experience to be a member of that team of 30 touch therapists traveling for 3 weeks throughout India. Now you can get a glimpse of the work we did and the seeds we planted through the passion of Liddle Kidz Foundation. So grateful.

"Liddle Kidz® in India" was shot in full HD 1080p on a Digital SLR Camera by Laki Karavias and Melanie C Brown using a Sony Alpha a7S Mirrorless Digital Came...

05/25/2019

Its easy to feel resistant to change. But the changes to what you can expect from your RMT regarding how you consent to new treatment plans, has proven to be so worth it for clients. Blog article in more detail below.

Here's what Kasha Zerafa, Registered Massage Therapist has to say about the new regulations from her governing body in British Columbia, the College of Massage Therapy:

It's no secret that I'm passionate about consent. I believe that improving communication around consent contributes to body autonomy, improves our societal relations and can provide safety from harm......but even I felt the potential inconvenience of the new consent bylaws handed down for Registered Massage Therapists to implement this year. However, my clinical theme this week has shown me that not only do clients actually appreciate the time taken to gain consent from them, but access to treatment is improved for those who have felt traumatized by the lack thereof in past treatments. Writing the consent form establishes that sense of maintaining control over your body despite the vulnerability inherent in being massaged. I hope that it also sets the foundation for mainlining that throughout by improving the treatment and the effectiveness of techniques.

The College of Massage Therapy is the government body responsible for protecting the public by essentially interpreting, implementing and regulating the government health act for RMT’s. They saw the need to recently hand down a new standard of practice consent bylaw on January 15, 2019 which further defines practice expectations for RMT’s in terms of how we obtain consent for delivery of massage. How this has looked different for some practitioners is that rather than just obtaining verbal consent, RMT's are now required to flush out clear details of what consent entails related to a specific treatment plan and the form is signed in person before the plan is implemented.

This signed document occurs after the medical history is taken, treatment reason is provided and clinical assessments are made. Details cover the clinical impression made, what treatment modalities are purposed and why, as well as the area of the body techniques are applied to, what the draping would look like and what the consequences of treatment might be including negative or uncomfortable ones. If the RMT wants to treat a part of the body and uses techniques not previously agreed upon via the signed consent then the RMT needs to follow the same protocol verbally and make sure to chart it afterwards in their treatment notes. The signed consent document happening before treatment only needs to occur prior to an initial treatment and when a new treatment plan occurs.

Originally I worried that it would take more time than clients would be happy about, as it already takes 5-10 minutes before treatment for proper intake. However, I had quite a few clients express appreciation for the clarity of my verbal communication of what we were doing and why, then being reinforced through writing, as well as having the opportunity to ask questions or express concerns. I also had two clients who were quite scared to receive treatment because of recent negative experiences. They felt like they had not been given clear information of what was going to happen during a treatment, nor were they prepared for the amount of pain they experienced during and after. Already being in chronic pain and having multiple experiences where consent was loosely applied or completely neglected, caused them to be in a highly elevated fight or flight nervous system response when they walked into my room. Despite my confidence in being able to address some of their complaints through direct soft tissue techniques, the intensity of their fear meant that multiple treatments were needed to first calm their nervous systems as well as to reestablish autonomy and trust.

The new guideline protocol has served as an incredibly effective tool in contributing to patient/RMT conversation and establishing the patient's control over the process. Although I am a skilled verbal communicator, the process of having another opportunity to go over the details in writing really opens up a patient's ability to assert concern and empowers them to feel like they can be active participants throughout. The few extra minutes that the consent form takes protects people in their vulnerability in receiving touch, as well as contributes to their treatment being more effective because they are in a more relaxed state. It is your right to have these steps taken. For more information about the recent changes please utilize the CMTBC web site that is meant to provide you with direct information about standards of care. https://www.cmtbc.ca/registran…/resources-for-registrants/…/

05/20/2019

Movement practices can be a challenge when you are in chronic pain. But what if they are lead by a Kinesiologist and a MD who specialize in chronic pain and integrate mindfulness? Great opportunity at Solis with some spots left.

Dr. Rodica Janz (GP WITH FOCUSED PRACTICE IN CHRONIC PAIN) and Jennifer Potts (Kinesiologist) are by popular demand once again offering their “Intricacies of Movement” course…FOR FREE! There are only a few spots left in this exercise class/course so if you’re interested, please contact Solis Integrative Health Centre as soon as possible. The first class in this 3 week series starts next week!

One of the previous class participants wrote a testimonial that we’re very pleased to share with you. This is their list about how the class helped them:
➢ Small class size and one-one attention helps me to know I am doing the exercises correctly and modifications are suggested for my particular body needs.
➢ I am gaining more strength and flexibility, able to walk a little more, decrease in some areas of pain.
➢ I think the most helpful part to me is the encouragement and affirmation.
➢ I like that there is freedom to do what I can – no pressure to do a certain amount, just encouragement to be consistent.
➢ I no longer fear hurting myself if I exercise.
➢ I am more accepting that exercise will be an on-going part of my life, rather than sporadic.
➢ I am moving from fear and discouragement to hope and motivation.
➢ I am so thankful for this opportunity, really and truly I am. I appreciate you both so much.

This class is being held on May 22, June 5 and June 12 at Solis Integrative Health Centre from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

05/04/2019

After years of having this book out to read I’m finally cracking it these days. Any human interfacing with pain can benefit from his work. Even the videos a great place to start.

Dr. Rodica Janz, Chronic Pain Specialist at Solis Integrative Health Centre, says "For those of you who haven't met Professor Lorimer Moseley, please let me introduce him to you. He's a front line Australian physiotherapist and a researcher into chronic pain. Not only is he a brilliant observer of chronic pain with decades of working with people who are in pain, but he's also funny!"

If you have a chance, try and request his book "Explain Pain" as an interlibrary loan or our Nelson Public Library has his funny book "Painful Yarns". Both of these books are excellent resources for anyone living with pain.

Brief highlights of Professor Moseley's book "Explain Pain":
•Explaining Pain (EP) is not a technique but a range of educational interventions.
•EP aims to change understanding of the biological processes that underpin pain.
•EP emphasizes the distinction between nociception (sensory nervous system's response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli) and pain.
•EP emphasizes that pain is a protective mechanism, not an indicator of tissue damage.
•EP increases pain-related biological knowledge and decreases catastrophizing.
•EP presents a biology of pain that underpins a biopsychosocial (of, relating to, or concerned with the biological, psychological, and social aspects in contrast to the strictly biomedical aspects of disease) approach.

Below are two youtube videos by Lorimer Moseley on pain. The first one is funny and informative and the second one is informative in a more formal way. Please check them out and remember to get up from the computer and move and stretch if you want to watch them both - movement is so important in keeping our muscles and fascia (the filmy covering of our entire muscular system) pliable and healthy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjes9CuN6Ko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikUzvSph7Z4

04/27/2019

Very excited about this new beginning back in Nelson, BC. So grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Solis team and new clinic home.

What drives Kashka Zerafa’s work is her passion for the body’s innate capacity to respond to touch and her fascination with the body’s therapeutic ability to manage pain, promote health and in some cases heal. Dependent on the therapeutic goal, Kashka will use various modalities to address both the complaint or intention behind the treatment as well as look for underlying causes, influences and connections that span the body as a whole.

Kashka began treating people in Nelson, B.C. in 2005, after completing a year long Neuro Somatic Therapy program with Michael Smith, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner and Dan Last, Registered Massage Therapist. After falling in love with body work and its various modalities, Kashka decided to join the profession of Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) to learn more. She graduated from the Registered Massage Therapy program at the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy in 2011 with an awarded scholarship from the Massage Therapy Association of B.C for her paper on the importance of research to the future of massage therapy. Kashka also won third place for her graduating case study on ‘Breast Massage: Approach to reduced ROM and Pain Post Breast Cancer’. Immediately after graduating, Kashka was selected to participate in a research study on The Effect of Massage on the Autonomic Activity in Critically Ill Children in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the B.C. Children's Hospital.

While managing her clinical practice in Vancouver, Kashka gained ample experience treating complaints pertaining to pregnancy and postpartum as well as supporting q***r and trans individuals and families. During this time she also taught infant massage, a massage in schools program, couples massage for labour and a siblings prep class, as well as supervising high risk pregnancy and postpartum student massage clinics at the Royal Columbian Hospital for Vancouver College of Massage Therapy.

In the fall of 2017 Kashka went to India and volunteered as an RMT with the Liddle Kidz Foundation where she taught and promoted infant and paediatric massage. While in India she also discovered a Hospice where she offered her services. Kashka traveled with a medical doctor and nurse, providing massage for palliative care patients during home care visits.

At Solis Integrative Health Centre, treatments with Kashka will utilize a patient’s thorough history, along with feedback and reassessment at each visit in order to adapt to inherent changes. She blends evidence based knowledge with her innate intuition that arises from the openness created between patient and practitioner.

All theoretical and clinical decision making regarding modalities, approach and areas treated, are always shared with the patient. Kashka is committed to engaging consent before and during treatment and often employs a teaching component to make these goals more successful. When health circumstances are degenerative or palliative, solving or healing discomfort may not be the main goal. In these cases, comfort and pain management is what drives continued treatment in order to uphold patient centred care.

Kashka has had really positive learning experiences within multidisciplinary clinical environments and integrative care models. She feels that patients stand to benefit from diverse approaches and different scopes of practice and knowledge bases that are communicated among professionals and individuals who collectively hold the patient at the centre of their care.

Kashka is looking forward to contributing to the Solis team and working with patients managing chronic pain, as well as continuing to serve others who will benefit from her therapeutic approach.

04/25/2019