Category: Massage Therapy

How to get the most out of your Massage Therapy session

1. Communication is key

Your visit to your RMT and the outcome of how effective the treatment will be, heavily depends on communication before, during, and after your treatment. Before your treatment, make sure you communicate clearly what your goals are and what you hope to achieve through your treatments.  This will help your RMT formulate a treatment plan taking into consideration what you want.  It is our priority to provide you with the safest and most effective treatment possible while achieving your goal. During your session, do not shy away from providing input concerning discomfort, pain, or pressure.  Nothing is worse than enduring an hour of unnecessary pain.  Make sure to share which techniques you liked and what you found to be most effective. After your treatment, provide input into how you feel and make sure to discuss future treatments.  Your RMT will demonstrate using heat or ice, stretches, and exercises which will help you maintain and improve your overall health.  Do not be afraid to voice your concerns or ask questions.

2. Do not neglect your home care remedial exercises

It is imperative that everyone does their home care stretches and exercises.  The purpose behind remedial exercise is to make sure you continue forward and not backwards in your progress.  You may feel instant relief, but without proper remedial home care, you may end up back where you started or worse.  Make sure these exercises become a part of your daily life.

3. Breathe, relax, and enjoy

Whether you are receiving a light Swedish massage or a deep rigorous massage, it requires complete relaxation.  Achieving this is much easier said than done.  In order to get the full benefit out of a treatment, you need to relax and avoid tightening or contracting muscles which is counterproductive.  Learn how to breathe deeply and rhythmically to relax the mind and your body.

By: Jonathan Chang, RMT.

Book a massage today with one of our 3 Registered Massage Therapists here!

Osteoarthritis – “A pain in the joint”

As the most common type of arthritis affecting 1 in 10 Canadians primarily women, Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage which protects then ends of your bones starts to break down. Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, crepitus, bone spurs and reduced range of motion commonly felt in the knees, hips, hands, neck, back and toes.

Osteoarthritis tends to develop slowly and worsen over time.

Although weather affecting joints is considered scientifically hypothetical, you can’t deny the fact when our grandparents would be predictors in rainy weather forecasts.  Some theories are that changes in barometric pressure and in nerve sensitivity can occur and irritate the joints.

A study in the effects of massage on those who suffered from OA performed in North America revealed that over a span of 4 to 8 weeks receiving hourly massages once a week significantly helped diminish the symptoms by increasing local circulation to affected joints, improving muscle tone, enhancing joint flexibility, but most importantly, relieving pain.

References:

https://arthritis.ca/understand-arthritis/types-of-arthritis/osteoarthritis

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=769544

By: Jonathan Chang, RMT

Learn more about Massage Therapy here!

If you have any concerns or questions contact us to book your free 15 minute consultation today

A Relaxing Massage this February!

Top 10 reasons why you should treat yourself to a massage

Top 10 reasons why you should treat yourself to a massage:

1. Increases range of motion

Tight or stiff muscles can restrict movement of your joints affecting your range

2. Eases any postural related stress

Muscles can get tight during prolonged sitting causing imbalances that lead to discomfort and pain.

 3. Decreases muscle pain

Relaxed muscles are never painful, why tolerate pain if you don’t have too.

 4. Improves circulation

Massage moves blood around the body, creating warmth in otherwise cold extremities.

 5. Decreases inflammation surrounding the joints

Connective tissue becomes inflamed from tight muscles pulling on joints, relaxed muscles don’t pull therefore decreasing your risk of inflammation

6. Prevents injuries or illnesses

Avoid reoccurring injuries caused by muscle tightness

7. Helps with tension headaches

Tight muscles in your neck, shoulders and jaw can be causing your headache. Massaging and stretching those muscles can help reduce the pain.

8. Reduces stress

Shrugging your shoulders is a common stress reaction, massaging these muscles helps to reduce the tension in this area where we carry our stress the most.

9. Facilitates relaxation.

Muscle release during a massage helps you feel more relaxed.

10. IT FEELS WONDERFUL AND ENHANCES YOUR MOOD!

By: Viola Gabriel RMT.