Registered Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and skin. Treatments aim to alleviate pain and improve physical function by enhancing the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. A variety of techniques may be utilized depending on individual needs, including trigger point therapy, fascial work, deep tissue therapy, muscle stripping, joint play, stretching, and muscle energy techniques. The ultimate goal is to eliminate pain, restore mobility, improve posture, relieve mental and physical stress, and assist you with ways to maintain good health. Often pain and dysfunction occur as a result of muscle imbalance. We help to identify and treat the cause of the problem in order to prevent its recurrence.
Sports Massage
The prevention and rehabilitaion of injuries, quick recovery times, and high performance are important to every athlete. A Certified Sports Massage Therapist carefully coordinates the athlete’s treatment plan with their training and recovery cycles and with their competition or racing schedule. Sports massage, when provided at sporting events, requires specific techniques appropriate for either pre or post event treatments and sometimes ‘during’event treatments too. In addition to fine-tuning the athlete physically, the sports massage therapist understands the psychological component of athletic performance and is trained to prepare an athlete mentally as well.
Pregnancy Massage and Labour Support
Although pregnancy can be a wonderful time, it can also be a physically uncomfortable time. Massage therapy during pregnancy has been shown to decrease pain, stress hormones, anxiety, and obstetrical complications. Having a therapist certified in labour support (doula) present through the labour and birthing process can greatly benefit the labouring mom with hands-on massage and counter-pressure techniques. Your therapist works with you to provide an effective, safe, and comfortable treatment that will enhance your pregnancy and birth experience.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is often referred to as passive yoga. It combines the principles of yoga, acupressure, energy meridian work, and reflexology to induce deep relaxation, increase energy flow through the body, and improve range of motion and flexibility. The therapist moves the client (wearing loose, comfortable clothing) through a variety of postures and positions on a mat on the floor. Pressure points along Thai lines are worked on while the muscles, joints and limbs are slowly, rythmically, and passively taken through their full range of motion. The end result is often as relaxing as it is energizing.
Hot Stone and Thermal Palm Massage
Hot Stone Massage combines Swedish massage with a technique that uses smooth, heated basalt stones placed on specific acupressure points on the body and are used to apply long, soothing massage strokes. Thermal palm massage is applied in a similar way, but rather than stones, soft, heated, hand-held modalities (small pillows of oatmeal) are used which contour to the shape of the body. Deeply relaxing, hot stone and thermal palm massage melt away tension and stress.
Reflexology
Reflexology originated in ancient Egypt and China. It works on the premise that there are zones and reflex points in the feet and hands which correspond with every part of the body. Using fingertip pressure to manipulate these points, circulation is improved and energy meridian lines are cleared which allows the body to not only relax and find balance, but to naturally heal and restore itself. In essence, reflexology treats the whole person via the feet. It is a great complement to massage therapy and one more way to move towards optimal health and wellness.
Bowen
Bowen Therapy or "Bowenwork" is a gentle, non-invasive, hands-on therapy developed by Tom Bowen in Australia. It is often referred to as the “homeopathy of bodywork” for its ability to draw on the body’s natural desire to heal itself and return to a state of wellness. Using small, measured inputs or “moves”, this technique is done on specific areas of the body (over muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve), in specific sequences, delivering signals to the nervous system that relay information about areas of tension, pain and injury. The body is then allowed to respond in its own time, to begin healing itself, often profoundly. There are very few contraindications and this therapy is appropriate for all ages.
On-Site Chair Massage
Specialized massage chairs are portable and allow relaxing massage therapy to be provided at any number of venues. The corporate setting has become an increasingly popular place for massage therapists to work and many companies are offering this service to their employees on a regular basis. In addition to the workplace, chair massage can be a welcome addition at special events such as tradeshows, conferences, conventions, and golf tournaments. For additional information, click here.
Pilates
Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-tees) is based on the premise that building strong core muscles through a series of controlled movements can bring mind, body, and spirit into balance. It is a complete body workout that stretches and strengthens muscles at the same time, making the technique safe and highly effective. Ballet dancers, for example, have known about the benefits of Pilates for decades. These techniques have continued to evolve and gain wider popularity, in part because participants finish each session feeling relaxed and refreshed rather than tired and worn out. Today, enthusiasts include athletes, fitness trainers, health-care providers, and individuals interested in restoring, maintaining, and optimizing personal health. For additional information, click here.
Reiki
Reiki (pronounced “ray-kee”) is an energy therapy which is used to help heal and prevent disorders and maintain wellness by stimulating and directing the electro-magnetic fields of the body. Completely safe and non-invasive, reiki reduces physical and emotional stress leaving you feeling relaxed, more emotionally balanced and revitalized. The practitioner works either in the auric field surrounding the body or by laying their hands lightly on the body. Reiki can be performed anywhere, anytime, with anyone while standing or sitting and through clothing.
Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage includes massage to the neck, shoulders, arms and head. The techniques used, which originated over 1000 years ago in East Indian culture, are both soothing and invigorating at the same time. In addition to the many physical and psychological benefits of any massage treatment including improved lymphatic circulation, muscle tone, and range of motion, this specialized treatment has some very specific benefits as well. Due to increased blood supply and oxygen to the scalp, Indian Head Massage can help promote hair and scalp health. Fatigue, eye strain and headaches can also be diminished and some even report clearer thinking, alertness and concentration.
TMJ Treatment
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ Disorder describes acute or chronic inflammation of this joint which can occur for a variety of reasons including injury, whiplash, grinding or clenching of teeth, postural dysfunctions and stress. Symptoms include pain in the jaw, throat, ears and face, deep-seated headaches, clicking, popping, grating sounds in the jaw, locking of the jaw, difficulty chewing, toothaches, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Massage therapy is a highly effective treatment for TMJ Disorder. The therapist works to reduce tension in the muscles of the jaw including important muscles on the inside of the mouth (intra-oral massage).
Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiotaping is a technique that naturally integrates with the body’s sensory system to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals. Highly specialized tape which is designed to be the same weight, thickness and elasticity as the skin is applied directly to the body allowing for free and comfortable movement without any feeling of restriction. The impact of the tape on the neurosensory system can be profound and because it can be worn for up to 5 days, this continuous and uninterrupted sensory input is highly effective for breaking the cycle of pain and dysfunction common in chronic and acute pain situations. Normal muscle activation is restored allowing for speedier recoveries from injury or surgery. When applied for structural purposes it serves to prevent harmful ranges of motion during healing and it can be used improve muscle imbalance, biomechanics and posture. The effect of kinesiotape on swelling and bruising is visually impressive. These are greatly reduced when the tape is applied specifically for enhancing circulation and lymphatic flow. Anyone looking to speed recovery, find drug-free pain relief, maintain an active lifestyle, prevent injuries, or enhance athletic performance, both at the recreational or elite level, can benefit from kinesiotaping.
Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. —Jim Rohn
