Kristine Cline

Hi, I am Kristine Cline!

I'm a Registered Massage Therapist here at Summit Physiotherapy!

Red Deer has been home for me since 2008 and is a community my family has grown to love. I earned my diploma in Fitness Leadership and used those credentials to gain experience working as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

Once my family was complete by adding two boys to the mix, I worked at a multidisciplinary clinic as an exercise therapist/clinic assistant. There I learned a great deal about the rehabilitation setting and, after 4.5 years in that role, decided to pursue a career in Massage Therapy.

In 2017, I graduated with honours from NIMT with a Advance Therapeutic Massage Diploma and have completed training in the following specialties: Cancer Care, Oncology Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Pre-Natal Massage and Myofascial Cupping.

I have always been a fan of outdoor activities. I enjoy walking, hiking, camping, downhill skiing and gardening. I am also a huge Nascar fan and love watching the races whenever possible.

I am passionate about helping people return to their daily activities after injury or illness and will work with individuals until the best results are achieved.

Specialties 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) uses light pressure and rhythmic movements to stimulate lymph flow. It is a safe, effective, yet gentle approach to cleansing the body’s tissues. MLD drains excess fluid from the tissues and also has a detoxifying effect. Individuals who have had a mastectomy or surgical procedure where lymph nodes have been removed are at higher risk for increased swelling and lymph accumulation in the area. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is all about moving fluid, and moving fluid requires a skillful touch, gentle manipulations of the skin and slow movements.

Individuals that suffer from any of the following may benefit from MLD:

  • individuals who frequently experience fluid retention
     
  • lymphedema
     
  • have sinusitis or seasonal allergies
     
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • fibromyalgia
     
  • carpal tunnel syndrome, golfers/tennis elbow
     
  • easy bruising and edema

Post-injury

MLD can be used as part of a post-sports and post-injury RICE protocol when clients are unable to receive deep tissue or other massage that would be contraindicated.

Before or after surgery

Pre/post surgery as a way to prepare tissues for incision. MLD also promotes healing and tissue health post-surgery, helping prevent infection and complications.

For pain relief

MLD stimulates the vital functions of the skin, tissues and internal organs and also helps eliminate cellular waste and stimulate the parasympathetic relaxation response, inhibiting muscle tension and pain.

Oncology Massage

Oncology massage is a comfort care specialty service that considers the side effects that cancer patients may experience during cancer treatments. Massage therapy has been classified as a complementary service that is highly beneficial to people who have experienced a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are currently undergoing treatments, or have been cancer free for a period of time, massage therapy can help manage symptoms and get you back to your new normal. Oncology Massage will not claim to cure cancer but rather help reduce symptoms associated with certain treatments and medications. The overall goal with oncology massage is to work with your specialized medical team to provide care by helping to manage side effects, such as:

  • Stress
     
  • Anxiety
     
  • Nausea
     
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle Tension
     
  • Scar Tissue
     
  • Depression
     
  • Pain

An Oncology massage will take into account the client's current medications and how the body responds to them, adjusted positioning to accommodate surgical sites, medical hardware, treatment sites and other pathologies known to arise in individuals undergoing treatments.

A massage treatment plan will be discussed to promote the most beneficial results for the client. As the motto of oncology massage is to “do no harm” a progressive plan is ideal once the individual response to massage has been determined. Oncology massage starts with light, gentle pressure as the body may not respond the same to pressure once undergoing medical treatments.