Melissa Page Massage Therapy

Clients see the session.
Therapists run the whole practice.

When we are setting our rates, we are are not only pricing the minutes spent at the table.

That rate may also need to support the treatment space, supplies, laundry, administrative work, payment fees, licensing, insurance, education, taxes, cancellations and the time a human body needs away from hands-on work.

This is not a formula for what anyone should charge. It is a reminder to calculate the complete cost of providing the service.

This is an interesting website

Types of Hernias in Females: A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms and Treatment in 2026 - brisbaneherniaclinic Did you know that nearly 20% of women presenting with chronic pelvic pain are actually suffering from a hernia that was initially misidentified? It's...

The Fallacy of Static Imaging.

Why your lying-down ultrasound was clear.

Standard ultrasound and CT protocols are performed while lying flat and relaxed. Gravity pushes hernia contents back into the abdomen, hiding the hole. If an abdominal wall defect is suspected, gravity and intra-abdominal pressure must be applied to see it.

The "Occult" Hernia Explained

What makes a hernia 'Occult'?

"Occult" simply means hidden. An occult hernia doesn't produce a visible or easily palpable bulge on the outside, but it pulls, pinches, and burns on the inside. Never assume you don't have a hernia just because you can't see a lump.

Inguinal vs. Femoral: What’s the difference?

Inguinal hernias occur above the inguinal ligament, while femoral hernias sit just below it in the femoral canal, adjacent to major blood vessels and nerves. Because the femoral canal is tight and rigid, femoral hernias carry a much higher risk of strangulation - yet they are significantly harder to feel on physical examination.

The Physical Demands of Bodywork

As a massage therapist, my workday involves heavy lifting - moving laundry, helping elderly or mobility-impaired clients on and off the table, and sustained standing. When you have holes in your abdominal wall, everyday occupational strain becomes unsustainable. Taking care of others starts with honouring your own physical limits.

Ep 14. Medical Trauma and Occult Hernias | Dear Diary: What The Nuck!!! B6 Toxicity and Me | What The Nuck!!! · Episode

The Unseen Statistics

40% of femoral hernias are diagnosed in the ER.

Studies show that up to 40% of femoral hernias aren't caught until an emergency department presentation for bowel obstruction or strangulation. We need better outpatient protocols and dynamic imaging so patients don't have to reach crisis point to get diagnosed.

The High-Lipase Mystery

Not all elevated lipase comes from the pancreas.

Did you know an obstructed or pinched bowel from a femoral hernia can cause blood lipase levels to skyrocket? When emergency scans look at the pancreas and see nothing, the root cause - a transiently incarcerated hernia - can be completely missed once the bowel slides back in.

The 30-Year Journey

30 years of symptoms. Ovarian scans showed polycystic ovaries but they didn't reflect my pain.

How do you live with intermittent severe abdominal pain for 30 years without a clear diagnosis? Because hernias reduce when you lie down. Every ultrasound, CT, or colonoscopy done flat on my back came back clear because the hernia contents slipped right back into place. Clear scans do not always mean a healthy abdominal wall.