Our Staff
Our Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) are all in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of BC and have all completed the 3 year/3000 hour Registered Massage Therapy diploma course. Registered Massage Therapists in BC have the highest level of Massage Therapy education in North America. RMTs in BC may now put their education towards a Bachelors Degree in Health Science through Thompson Rivers University.
Peter Lie, RMT
Peter has been a practicing registered massage therapist since 2005. His areas of interest are rehabilitation and restoring function, and has focused his continuing education to the pelvis and low back as well as the neck and shoulder complex. Peter graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2005 and has had the opportunity to return to the college on several occasions as a clinical instructor. Though Peter looks like he’s 12, he is wise beyond his years and is ready to answer your many questions.
Since graduating from the Massage therapy program in 2005, I have taken a keen interest in pre and post-natal care as well as the management of pain symptoms for the computer worker. I have taken post-graduate classes in pre and post-natal massage therapy and fitness, infant massage, shoulder girdle rehab and stabilization, fascial release of the spine and ribs, and sports physiology, research methods, and pain science. I grew up competing with my horses in the disciplines of Dressage and 3-Day Eventing and have an excellent grasp of the issues riders deal with. I am recently back to riding (hunter/jumper) after a 17-year hiatus.
When not working most of my spare time is spent with my two boys playing soccer, dreaming of travel, and watching movies.
Melanie Barnabé, BA, b.hsc, RMT
Melanie Barnabé graduated from the 3000 hour massage therapy program at West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2005. She is currently enrolled in a B.HSc. program at Thompson Rivers University and she holds a B.A. from the University of Manitoba. Melanie maintains her registration by taking courses that are research-based and clinically relevant to her massage therapy practice. She has enhanced her practice with courses on the shoulder, the ankle and foot, the pelvic girdle, the viscera, on low back disorders and the nervous system. To parallel her practice, she has added Crossfit Endurance and Crossfit Mobility. She’s attended the 3rd Fascia Congress and the Pain Management conference in Vancouver. Melanie’s interests are postural concerns, sport injuries, overuse or repetitive strain injuries, pain management, and movement patterns for overall functionality and movement. At play, Melanie trains and learns full body exercises to target various body systems. She can be found XC Mountain Biking, hiking and Nordic skiing. She has also completed long distance cycling activities such as the Test of Metal and the Grand Fondo Whistler.
Luis Crudo, B.Ed, RMT
Luis graduated from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2007. His techniques are varied, employing many different modalities to achieve the desired results. He has completed the level 1 and 2 requirements for systemic deep tissue therapy (SDTT) and is currently enrolled in a 3 year, monthly mentorship program. Luis’s focus is also on athletics; helping runners, triathletes and athletically minded individuals to return to activity after injury or manage their aches and pains while they participate in the activities they enjoy. Whether it’s running marathons, playing sports, or being able to work pain free, Luis will help you get there. He takes pride in identifying and targeting problem areas and muscle imbalances with deep therapeutic techniques while providing a relaxing, flowing massage to provide relief from hectic everyday life. When he’s not working, Luis is usually hanging out with his wife, son, and daughter but also enjoys playing soccer, hockey and training at the gym.
Kara Loy, M.RSc, B.hSc., RMT
Kara graduated from the 3-year Massage Therapy Program (3000 hours) at West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2005. Kara finished her Bachelor of Health Science degree from Thompson Rivers University (2007) and in February 2018, Kara completed her Master’s in Rehabilitation Science from the University of British Columbia. The Master’s program included a focus on leadership, interprofessional practice and the development of multi-faceted rehabilitation programs. The development of these rehabilitation programs incorporates a patient-centered focus, cultural considerations, change management strategies while choosing effective methods to evaluate patient and program outcomes.
Kara’s clinical experience includes working with sports related injuries, overuse injuries, postural complaints, muscle imbalances and prenatal care. As a therapist, Kara is committed to working cooperatively with her patients as she selects treatment techniques to suit each individual's needs. These techniques may include myofascial release, trigger point, visceral, deep tissue, relaxation, craniosacral and postural awareness.
When not treating patients, Kara loves to travel and she maintains an active lifestyle (playing volleyball, other team sports, kickboxing, long-distance running, triathlons and also practicing yoga/pilates).
