Tianna Rice, Registered Massage Therapist | Barrie

My Approach to Massage Therapy

My approach to massage therapy is focused on treating each client as an individual to address their primary complaint, whether that is relieving pain, treating dysfunction, or decreasing general tension. I believe that treatments should be a collaboration between the client and therapist, rather than a cookie-cutter routine the therapist uses on everyone. 

When I work with a client, I start by doing a thorough health history review, followed by questions about what specifically brings them in to see me that day. I want to understand exactly what is bothering them and what their goals are from the treatment. This helps me form a targeted treatment plan that both reflects their goals and needs. 

Every treatment is unique based on the discussion with the client and assessment findings. I typically use a combination of techniques, such as neurofascial reset, assisted stretch, and cupping, alongside therapeutic massage, depending on what is appropriate for the client and their goals. Before getting my clients on the table, I always take the time to discuss what techniques I will be using during the treatment. 

My goal is to help clients feel better, whatever their definition of better may be. I want my clients to leave the treatment feeling heard and validated while also taking steps to accomplish their treatment goals.

My Experience as a Registered Massage Therapist

I became a Registered Massage Therapist in 2018 after 3 years of massage training at the D’Arcy Lane Institute. Since then, I have worked in multiple cities in Ontario as well as spending a few years in Manitoba.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in chiropractic clinics, physiotherapy clinics, and independently with a variety of clients, from athletes to desk workers to seniors. These experiences have contributed to my treatment philosophy and have helped me grow both as a person and as a practitioner. I’m certainly not the same therapist I was in 2018, and I'm very grateful for that. 

One of the most notable turning points in my career was when I started my training in RAPID Neurofascial Reset. This changed my treatment approach and how I think about the body. It has given me the framework to treat quickly and efficiently while keeping the client’s goals in mind. 

Today, I bring my varied experiences and skills to my practice at Rapid Relief Massage Therapy.

What I Can Help With

I work with a lot of different people. I’ve worked with different age groups, from children to seniors, and different activity levels from marathon runners to people who spend most of their time behind a desk. I’ve helped people who work in construction with overuse injuries, people with carpal tunnel from computer-related jobs, and professionals who have general tension from high-stress careers. Some people come to me with chronic issues they want help managing, while others are only looking for help with a specific issue. There’s no right or wrong way to be a client, and I believe almost everyone can benefit from massage therapy in one way or another. 

Some of the concerns I commonly work with include:

The list above is certainly not exhaustive, nor is any list on my website. Every client is different, and whether massage therapy is appropriate for you depends on your unique health history. If you're not sure whether I can help with your particular concern, please feel free to reach out.

Teaching Massage Therapy

In 2023, I began teaching massage therapy. Teaching is something I have always been interested in. The idea of being able to share knowledge and watch people discover their passion for massage therapy was truly rewarding. 

Teaching has given me the opportunity to strengthen my knowledge and understanding, both practical and theoretical. I particularly enjoyed when students started to truly enjoy the material. I once had a student say something along the lines of “how dare you make me care about this topic” and there is no bigger compliment they could have given me.

Teaching has also influenced my own practice as a Registered Massage Therapist. Being able to collaborate with the other instructors has opened my eyes to different ways of draping, assessing, and even thinking. Even the students would often come up with neat ways to approach things that I never would have thought of on my own. 

I will always be grateful to both the students and instructors I had the pleasure of working with during my time teaching. 

A Little More About Me

When I'm not working as an RMT, I enjoy quite a few different hobbies. I am certainly guilty of picking up a hobby for a month, then letting the supplies collect dust for years on end. A few that have stuck are reading (mostly fantasy), hiking, quilting, and ball hockey.

I’ve always been passionate about improving access to healthcare in the North. While working in Thompson, Manitoba, which is already arguably very far North, I had the opportunity to travel to Churchill, Manitoba to treat clients. Churchill is very remote and at the time did not have a massage therapist. For me, getting there involved a 16-hour train ride as Churchill isn’t accessible by road. Getting to experience the northern lights, polar bears, and beluga whales all while providing a much-needed service was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

Although Churchill is now too far for me to travel to, I have started going to Wawa, Ontario to work for short periods of time. This has given me another opportunity to provide services where there is a shortage of massage therapists and a need for massage therapy services.

Massage Therapy in Barrie

Being a registered massage therapist in Barrie has been a challenge. Before moving to Barrie, I had mostly worked in Northern areas where I was one of the only massage therapists accepting new clients. The transition to a bigger city has been a struggle at times, and I had to learn a lot about marketing very quickly. I’ve worked very hard to build up a client list and find a treatment space that feels right. I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished. 

In June 2026, I moved my practice to an office located within Victoria Village. Being independent rather than working with a clinic gives me full control over my schedule, and I have a larger treatment space than I’ve previously had. This has allowed me to expand my hours to accommodate more clients, and has given me the space to introduce new techniques, like cupping and hot stones. 

If you're looking for a registered massage therapist in Barrie who takes the time to understand your individual needs, I’d love the opportunity to work with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, or to book an appointment.

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