It's November 13, 2020. I had a major lower back twist/sprain injury 4 months ago, in July, that has caused me non-stop discomfort and 24 hour pain. I have been prescribed Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant, that totally knocks you out and makes you drowsy the next day. That makes it a no go except for weekends. Every night I took 12 hour Ibuprofen for the pain, and I slept with a pillow under my legs to relieve the strain. I have had difficulty getting out of bed and for three months had to slide off and bend over the side of the bed in order to lever myself up to stand. I saw a great chiropractor who adjusted me, but he could not help the muscle spasms or pain. Today I had a 30 min appointment with Bill Melathopolous at Richmond, and for the first time in 4 months I have been able to lie down without pain. I waited so long to see a massage therapist because I have had mediocre massages in Toronto, years ago, after whiplash. However, the pain really became too much to bear and I knew I had to take a chance. While desperately searching for a massage therapist I noticed that Bill had courses in Orthopedic techniques and I knew he was a good risk. That's the kind of knowledge required for my injury. Bill does not charge extra for the first visit and he accepts 30 minute appointments. The cost of the 30 minute appointment is about half, which leaves more sessions for those on insurance or makes it very affordable for those on fixed incomes. I surmised that a 30 minute session is all that was required for a person like me who had been injured in a specific area of their body. I did not require the candle/hot rocks/scents/feathers/ and other fluff stuff that one hour sessions in Toronto pad time with, or slow circular massage. I needed serious help for my lower back injury with sufficient force applied to be able to relieve the major muscles like Psoas and Gluts, and 30 minutes was exactly sufficient. The 30 minutes did not go fast and it was amazing. Bill cares about his patients, teaches how to stretch, makes therapy affordable, and does stellar work. I consider him to be a Master of Massage. I had my son take the next time slot after me and my son was extremely pleased as well. It was his first massage and I'm glad he had a super positive experience. While there I saw other very happy patients who were seen by a physio and a Masseuse. Richmond Physiotherapy & Massage - 5 Stars for those of us who need medical help and not beauty treatment. ...although they do beauty treatments as well. read more