Massage therapy is the assessment and manipulation of soft tissues and joints of the body to affect a therapeutic response in the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction. Massage can be preventative or restorative, helping to maintain, rehabilitate, augment, physical function or relieve pain.
Techniques Used
Most massage therapists are trained in Swedish Massage. This form of massage uses:
- Effleurage (gliding strokes)
- Petrissage (kneading & lifting)
- Percussion
These are the primary techniques.
Special Techniques
Special techniques incorporated into Swedish Massage are:
- Hydrotherapy
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Myfascial Release (connective tissue)
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Rhythmic Mobilizations
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Remedial Exercise
- Hot Stone Massage
- Thai Stretching Massage
- Prenatal Massage
- Cupping Therapy
Request any of these techniques when booking an appointment and we will schedule you with the appropriate Registered Massage Therapist.
What Can Massage Help With?
Massage can alleviate soft tissue discomfort, muscular overuse and chronic pain
Massage can assist in recovery from accidents involving trauma and injury if utilized early enough, thus reducing the chances of painful muscular patterning.
Treatment also enhances an individual’s overall sense of emotional and physical well being and quality of life.
How Often Should You Visit Your Massage Therapist?
Massage is most beneficial when employed as health care maintenance following the recovery of acute conditions. Massage is also beneficial as a preventative measure. On your first visit, you and your therapist will discuss and design a treatment plan to fit your goals, physical condition and lifestyle.
Education
In Ontario, students must obtain 2,200 hours of schooling before being permitted to stand before the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario for examination. Registration exams consist of a written and practical portion.
“Following a 15 minute, on the job massage, employees exhibited reduced saliva levels of cortisol (stress hormone), felt more alert, which was borne out by a EEG study that showed brain waves consistent with increased alertness, and were ale to solve computerized problems in half the time with 50% fewer errors.” ~ Turnbull
Every day, the average person’s muscles work as hard as if they were placing 2,400 pounds on a 4 foot shelf.
Massage Therapy has many positive effects at all stages of life, from newborns to seniors such as:
- Facilitate weight gain in preterm infants
- Reduce stress hormones
- Alleviate depressive symptoms
- Reduce pain
- Improve immune function
- Alter EEG in the direction of heightened awareness.
There are over 650 muscles in the human body. Massage Therapy is able to have a postitive effect on all of them.