What is Massage?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues and joints of the body. Treatment procedures aim to rehabilitate, maintain, or improve physical function and reduce pain and stress. Besides the hands on nature of massage therapy, treatments may also include remedial exercise and the use of hot and cold modalities.

Benefits

Massage therapy acts directly upon the systems of the body it assist in rehabilitation of physical injuries and to improve health. Effects of massage are to decrease pain, swelling, stiffness, adhesions, muscle hypertonicity, anxiety, stress, fascial restrictions and muscle spasms. Massage can also increase relaxation, mobility, strength, circulation, lymphatic drainage and the quality of sleep. Massage therapy is known to stimulate or soothe the nervous system, assist the digestive and respiratory systems in the body, increase nutrition to inactive or atrophied tissue, as well as induce the feeling of general wellbeing

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release therapy is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore movement. This may also be referred to as Trigger Point Therapy.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an ancient technique that was used to treat an array of illnesses. Cupping therapy is a form of soft tissue work, the cups use a negative pressure, creating a vacuum-like suction on the area being treated. This negative pressure decompresses the soft tissue releasing the fascia and muscle tissue underneath the cups helping to breakdown fascial restrictions, scar tissue and adhesions that may be present. It can also promote relaxation, decrease muscle tension and increase circulation. Cupping therapy may treat: tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder and many more.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

This is a type of massage that will encourage the natural drainage of the lymph which carries waste products away from the tissue back towards the heart. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure and a rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow. A condition that is commonly treated with manual lymphatic drainage is edema.

Pregnancy and Infant Massage

Pregnancy massage is very beneficial for the body as it is undergoing a lot of stress. Massage is safe during pregnancy and reduces back pain, joint pain, edema, muscle tension and headaches, as well as more. Treatment is highlightly recommended when you are pregnant. Infant massage is also recommended as it benefits the mother and the child by forming the foundation of relationship building that will last a lifetime. Nurturing touch between a parent and an infant enriches physiological, emotional and mind, body and spirit connection for the infant being massaged. This treatment is not only beneficial for the touch, but for the additional concerns new mothers may have. Some infants may have torticollis, as well as certain rotations happening in their joints. Some forms of treatment can be too abrasive for the young infants, therefore massage therapy is recommended as it is a gentle approach of treatment.

Joint Mobilizations

Joint mobilization is the careful use of skilled graded forces to move a joint in a desired direction. Unlike stretching of a muscle, joint mobilization is specific to the capsule of the joint itself. Gliding of the joint is usually used to improve motion and normalize joint function. This technique also has added benefits of controlling pain, moving superficial fluid back to the joint space, reducing tension on the muscles involved and improving range of motion. Keep in mind that this is not an adjustment as a chiropractor would perform.

Remedial Exercise

This is generally a part of a treatment plan which includes specific stretching and strengthening techniques that the client is able to do at home. With this self-care plan the client is able to understand what he/she can do to maintain the body and functional movements on a daily basis to prevent or improve injury.

Overuse Injuries and Conditions

This is specific to the stage and type of injury or condition that the client is presenting with. With this, the therapist will follow through specific assessments to present a clinical impression on the injury or condition. Depending on your injury the therapist may work with several massage therapy techniques in order to ensure the client is treated appropriately and can return to their active daily living with less dicomfort.