Registered Massage Therapy: Overview

Using a range of techniques that focus on the muscles and surrounding tissues, massage therapy is both a science and an art.

Massage therapy helps to reduce stress, relieve aches and pains, and promote healing.

Whether your need is to have a moment of relaxation, to reduce muscle tension, or to address chronic pain, a regular therapeutic massage can enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical wellbeing.

Registered Massage Therapists are different than those who call themselves masseuses or body workers.  When you're looking for a massage therapist, find a Registered Massage Therapist -- their high-level of training makes them experts in hands-on treatment, injury rehabilitation and prevention. The term "Registered" tells you that the person has years of training and is a member of the Regulatory college.

Registered Massage Therapy: What to Expect

After filling out your intake form on your first visit, your Massage Therapist will ask questions and perform some physical tests to help determine which areas need treatment. You and your Therapist will discuss your treatment, and then you will be left alone in the room for a few minutes to get yourself ready and on the table.

For you to get the most out of your massage it is important that you be comfortable and relaxed during the treatment. We have clean sheets on our tables to cover you, and only expose the areas that we are working on. You may undress to your level of comfort, including staying fully clothed, with the assurance that you will not be exposed unnecessarily.

Once your therapeutic session begins, all you have to do is relax on the table. You do not need to move in order to help us, we will move you or ask you to move if it’s needed. If you feel you need to adjust your position to get more comfortable, by all means do so. If you like to talk, feel free to do so. If you prefer to remain quiet, or even doze off, that is welcomed too.

Massage Therapy will feel different depending on the techniques used. Often a session may start with broad, flowing movements that will help calm overall muscle tension. As your body relaxes, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas. Often, a light lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction on the skin. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention any discomfort you feel so that the Massage Therapist can use another approach or technique.

After the Massage portion you may be shown exercises or activities designed to help alleviate your problem areas. Then you and your Therapist will determine a treatment plan for follow-up care if it is necessary.

Registered Massage Therapy: Conditions Treated

Massage Therapy acts directly upon the muscular and circulatory systems to rehabilitate physical injuries and improve health. Massage therapy can positively affect muscle tension, joint mobility, pain perception, circulation and lymphatic drainage and even your frame of mind.

Relax… that may be the most common reason. In fact, you may even find that you leave relaxed after a massage no matter why you had one. Here are some of the other common ways our patients use massage therapy:

Low Back Pain

Massage Therapy plays a key role in low back pain rehabilitation by decreasing muscle spasm and pain, restoring pain-free range of motion, correcting muscle imbalances and eliminating soreness.

Whiplash

While whiplash strikes in the neck, it also affects muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, joints, causing an overall discomfort. Massage Therapy treatments alleviate pain and restore movement and function to get Whiplash patients moving again.

Pregnancy

Massage Therapy is a soothing and natural treatment for the swelling, muscle tension, circulation and general discomfort associated with pregnancy. We may offer various tips on remedial exercise, self-massage and posture correction to help pregnant women be more comfortable at home, on their own, between treatments.

Posture, Ergonomics and Every Day Life

Often, what people do at work or home can lead to pain, injuries and illness. Lifting, reaching or repeating movements may cause strain or injury. Problems may arise suddenly or gradually over a period of weeks, months and even years and shouldn't be ignored. Common warning signs are numbness, tingling, pain, decreased range of motion and headaches. Conditions such as tendonitis, bursitis or carpal tunnel syndrome may develop if neglected, affecting your ability to work or do your simple daily activities. We will develop unique treatment programs depending on your problem.