Therapeutic & Relaxation Massage
The practice of Massage Therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body, and applying the proper treatment for any physical disfunction or pain that may be present. It is also effective in prevention of such physical disfunction and/or pain of our soft tissue and joints through specific techniques designed to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or improve physical function and relieve pain.
Your RMT has completed the 2200 hour Massage Therapy course and is highly trained in massage assessment, techniques, proper draping and remedial exercise, as well as educated in anatomy, physiology, pathology, neuro-anatomy, and pathophysiology.
The role of your Registered Massage Therapist is to:
1. Perform assessment, to further understand the areas of disfunction or pain. This may include range of motion testing to involved joints, postural analysis, gait assessment, and a variety of special tests including orthopedic tests and length/strength testing of the muscles.
2. Apply therapeutic or relaxation massage techniques to improve function and decrease pain. Most of the techniques used by your RMT are known as swedish or non-swedish techniques. Swedish techniques are generally rythmical and can be either stimulating or relaxing, depending on the desired effect. The types of techniques include stroking - which is performed using light pressure, effleurage - which is a long, smooth, gliding technique, tapotement is a technique that is percussive and rhythmic and is often used as stimulating, other techniques using deeper pressure include kneading, muscle squeezing, muscle stripping and wringing. Non-swedish techniques are utilized to compliment swedish techniques. They include deep breathing, static pressure techniques, lymphatic drainage, and trigger point, fascia/connective tissue and joint mobilization techniques.
3. Provide instruction for remedial exercise and hydrotherapy that may add to the benefits of massage and further aid in healthy tissues and improved mobility.
Massage Therapy is utilized as both rehabilitative and as a preventative treatment. It can provide patients with improved overall health and well-being, and complements other forms of professional healthcare such as Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and so on.
Your RMT has completed the 2200 hour Massage Therapy course and is highly trained in massage assessment, techniques, proper draping and remedial exercise, as well as educated in anatomy, physiology, pathology, neuro-anatomy, and pathophysiology.
The role of your Registered Massage Therapist is to:
1. Perform assessment, to further understand the areas of disfunction or pain. This may include range of motion testing to involved joints, postural analysis, gait assessment, and a variety of special tests including orthopedic tests and length/strength testing of the muscles.
2. Apply therapeutic or relaxation massage techniques to improve function and decrease pain. Most of the techniques used by your RMT are known as swedish or non-swedish techniques. Swedish techniques are generally rythmical and can be either stimulating or relaxing, depending on the desired effect. The types of techniques include stroking - which is performed using light pressure, effleurage - which is a long, smooth, gliding technique, tapotement is a technique that is percussive and rhythmic and is often used as stimulating, other techniques using deeper pressure include kneading, muscle squeezing, muscle stripping and wringing. Non-swedish techniques are utilized to compliment swedish techniques. They include deep breathing, static pressure techniques, lymphatic drainage, and trigger point, fascia/connective tissue and joint mobilization techniques.
3. Provide instruction for remedial exercise and hydrotherapy that may add to the benefits of massage and further aid in healthy tissues and improved mobility.
Massage Therapy is utilized as both rehabilitative and as a preventative treatment. It can provide patients with improved overall health and well-being, and complements other forms of professional healthcare such as Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and so on.
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Benefits of massage include:
(but not limited to this list) - Relaxes the body - Calms the nervous system - Stretches connective tissue - Reduces chronic pain - Relieves tired, achy and overused muscles - Improves red blood cell count and overall circulation - Improves muscle tone - Relieves muscle cramps/spasms - Increases tissue metabolism - Speeds elimination of metabolic waste - Increases lymph circulation, boosts immune system - Stimulates release of endorphins - Reduces swelling and inflammation - Improves posture - Speeds recovery from injury - Reduces anxiety - Provides a feeling of well-being - Reduces mental stress - Improves productivity |
Massage can help with:
(but not limited to this list) - Tension or Migraine headaches - Tendonitis - TMJ disfunction - Repetative strain or sports injuries - Scoliosis - Strains, sprains and scar tissue - Whiplash - Plantar fascitis - Frozen shoulder - Iliotibial band contracture and Piriformis syndrome - Hyperlordosis and Hyperkyphosis - Degenerative disc disease - Arthritis - MS and Parkinsons - Thoracic outlet syndrome and carpel tunnel syndrome - Sinusitis - Constipation - Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome - Side effects from cancer treatments |
There are some conditions for which massage may not be appropriate, or that may require modifications to the specific treatment plan.
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Some Contraindications:
- Contagious or infectious conditions - Acute conditions requiring first aid or medical attention - i.e. Anaphylaxis, Heart attack, Stroke, Seizures, etc - Acute pneumonia - Advanced kidney, respiratory, or liver failure (a very modified treatment may be possible with medical consent) - Hemophilia - Hemorrhage - Post-heart attack or stroke where the condition is not yet stable - Severe atherosclerosis (blocked arteries) - Severe, unstable hypertension (high blood pressure) - Significant fever - Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) or Aneurysm - Sepsis - Shock - Diabetes with complications such as gangrene, advanced heart/kidney disease or very unstable/high blood pressure |
Instances for Treatment Modification:
- Flare-ups of conditions like Rheumatoid Arthristis and Ankylosing Spondilitis - Post-surgery - Local contagious condition - Open wound, sore, or decubitus ulcer - Radiation therapy (no massage directly at the site) - Recent burn - MS, Parkinsons, spinal cord injuries, and Cerebral Palsy may require modifications to position - Hypertension or Hypotension - Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis - Cancer (Oncologist approval may be requested) - Conditions involving immunosuppression or individuals who are immunocompromised - Medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, anti-coagulants and analgesics/pain killers - Pregnancy and post-partum - Pitted Edema |
At any time, the client or RMT has the right to refuse or stop treatment. If the RMT feels the treatment may be harmful or inappropriate they are entitled to refuse treatment at their discretion.
