Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, specifically the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Massage therapy treatment has a therapeutic effect on the body and improves health and well-being by acting on the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. Massage can help alleviate the soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday stress, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes. If employed early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury, massage therapy can greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning.

A wide range of techniques are used during massage. These techniques stretch and loosen connective tissues and muscles, affect movements that assist the action of the joints, and combine to increase function and range of motion thereby reducing muscle tension. Your treatment may involve a few of the following techniques:

• Trigger point therapy
• Hydrotherapy (the use of heat and cold)
• Myofascial therapy (connective tissue work)
• Deep tissue massage
• Joint mobilizations
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Passive stretching

A massage therapist is a regulated health professional who has received comprehensive training before completing written and clinical licensing examinations, and registering with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Through the College, all massage therapists participate in a quality assurance program that ensure high professional standards and quality client care.

Massage on normal tissue is almost always a pleasant sensation. Massage in the area of an injury or chronic pain may at first cause some discomfort which usually lessens noticeably in the first few minutes. Massage therapists know ways to minimize pain, and will work carefully within what feels right for your treatment needs. Always tell your massage therapist if you feel any discomfort so they can make adjustments.

There are some conditions for which massage is not appropriate. Always tell your massage therapist if you have any concerns regarding medical conditions, even a minor one.