What is Massage Therapy? 

"Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including, muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage Therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions."



​Registered Massage Therapists of Ontario, Retrieved March 10, 2015. 
https://secure.rmtao.com/massage_therapy/what_is_massage_therapy.htm
​Prenatal Massage 
​
Massage therapy can be provided to women in all stages of pregnancy. Positioning for these sessions is usually side - lying, and on the back but depending on the client's comfort she may be able to use a pregnancy pillow and lay on her stomach. 

In a prenatal massage our main goal is to provide relaxation, as well as reduce chronic aches and pains. 
Myofascial Release

Fascia is the most abundant type of tissue in the body that appears like a spider's web. There are superficial and deep layers of fascia. The superficial layer is directly under the skin, and the deep layer surrounds the muscles, holding them together as well as separating them into functioning groups. 

When your body does not have a balanced posture the fascia becomes the supportive structure which causes restrictions in the tissue. In order to treat these restrictions the therapist uses the following techniques:
Stretching, Rolling, & Holding the tissue. 

Swedish Massage ​

The main purpose of this type of massage is to promote relaxation, as well as reduce stress and tension, Long gliding strokes are performed in order to return blood to the heart. The benefits of this type of therapy are that the level of oxygen in the blood is increased, the metabolic toxins are decreased, and circulation and flexibility are improved.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue sessions are similar to a Swedish massage. 

We begin these sessions with warming up the superficial tissues using various techniques including myofascial release. The focus for this session is on the deepest layers of the muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia. The benefits of this type of therapy are that we can assist with relieving chronic pain, release tension, improve flexibility, as well as break down scar tissue and adhesions. 

Trigger Point Therapy 

Trigger points are an irritable spot either in the muscle or the fascia (please refer to myofascial release for information about fascia). When applying pressure on a trigger point it will feel tender for the client, and it may only be in that exact area, or it can refer to a different area of the body. 

To treat trigger points we begin by warming up the tissues, followed by applying alternating or prolonged compression. 

Hot or Cold Stone Therapy

Hot or Cold Stone Therapy is a relaxing and/or therapeutic treatment.

Benefits of Hot Stone Therapy:
  • Improves pain, especially in the back, shoulder, and neck
  • Improves lymphatic circulation
  • Increases circulation
  • Decreases menstrual pain
  • Decreases joint pain
  • Decreases tension headaches
  • Decreases sciatic pain
  • Promotes increased well - being and vitality
  • Promotes grounding due to the high magnetic field inherent in the stones
  • Reduces overall stress

Benefits of Cold Stone Therapy:
  • Treats local swelling, inflammation, or redness
  • Treats acute injuries
  • Helps with tension headaches
  • Helps with sinus congestion
  • Helps to tone and stimulate the body



Dynamic Cupping 

Picture

















​Cupping therapy is an ancient method favored by many due to it's remarkable results.

The silicone cups are suctioned onto the tissues. The negative pressure draws the tissues into the cups; this causes local congestion with the use of vessels. The different layers of tissue are separated, which reduces adhesions/restrictions.

Cupping is a very safe and comfortable treatment. Its main benefits are as follows:
- It releases adhesions in the tissues.
- It mobilizes stagnation, waste, and toxins which allows the circulatory and lymphatic systems to clear them.
- It increases vasodilation and activates the release of synovial fluid in joints to improve discomfort (effective for conditions like arthritis).
- New blood is brought to the area which encourages healing.
- It benefits gastrointestinal disorders by the stimulation of peristalsis and secretion of digestive fluids.
- It assists the respiratory system by mobilizing congestion and reducing restrictions found in the ribcage due to long term coughing.
- Topical muscle rubs absorb faster providing better overall results.
- It engages the parasympathetic system which allows for deep relaxation.
- Clients experience longer lasting results from their therapy sessions.

Marks can occur from cupping therapy. They are not bruises. They are metabolic waste, toxins, and other stagnant material that have been brought to the superficial layers. These marks can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. As treatments continue the marks will occur less. The marks are not tender to touch.