A massage therapist from Windsor will have an opportunity to show her skill before an international audience.
Carrie Deslippe, a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and the founder of Above and Beyond Message Therapy Clinic, has been invited to compete in the International Massage Association's (IMA) Sixth World Championship in Massage, set for later this year in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Deslippe told Windsor's Country morning host Morgan Ryan that her road to Denmark went through a competition that was based in the States.
"What happened is the founder of the massage festival decided to become part of the massage association," said Deslippe. "He contacted me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of the first American massage championship. And at the time, I was kind of like 'I don't really know how a massage can become a championship.'"
According to the American Massage Championship rules, there was a total of eight categories RMTs could choose from, with no more than two allowed for each. The categories are Swedish, Asian, Wellness, Eastern Freestyle, Western Freestyle, Chair, Sports, and Facial. Deslippe ended up winning a silver medal in the Chair Massage category.
"When you go into the room, you're treating someone," said Deslippe. "There are about five or six judges who walk around, and they know what you're doing, so they have a checklist and follow a point system. And after a while you end up winning."
Massage therapists are judged on technique, ergonomics, flow, innovation, client contact, and recipient feedback.
The World Championship in Massage is scheduled to run June 30 to July 2 in Copenhagen, with participants representing countries such as Canada, the U.S., France, Australia, Denmark, the Philippines, South Korea, Norway, and others.
Monday was Deslippe's 15th anniversary as an RMT.