MASSAGE THERAPY

Therapeutic massage and injury recovery treatment includes a full orthopedic assessment specific to the injury and presenting symptoms, treatment and active self-care rehabilitation to correct dysfunction and dyskinesia followed by exercise protocols for restoration of movement for injuries and post-surgery rehabilitation.  

There is significant evidence supporting the inclusion of massage therapy for many health treatments, including those for chronic pain management (such as back pain, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, neck and shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, and hospice care), rehabilitation/physical training (athletic training/injury treatment, ergonomics and job-related injuries, cardiac rehab, joint replacement surgery, and scar tissue management.

From beginners to elite athletes, massage therapy has been shown to be effective for athletes of all levels of participation and ability in their chosen sport. Massage therapy treatments can help athletes improve sport performance, prevent injury, aid in injury recovery, and contribute to an overall level of health and wellbeing. 

Many sports teams and athletic centres employ massage therapists, and athletes visit massage therapists to help them get back in action so that they can continue to play the sport that they love. Massage therapy can be effective at all stages for an athlete, from the pre-game work out, to treating post-game injuries. 

Massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful complementary choice for prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling) is used to help the pregnant woman feel more comfortable throughout the pregnancy. This is accomplished primarily by managing common musculoskeletal complaints and other symptoms. 

Relaxation massage to provide stress relief from our fast-paced lifestyle, address minor muscle and joint issues and to assist with maintaining your health and wellness goals. Relaxation massage has been shown to help with behavioral health treatment (anxiety and stress, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder recovery).

Hot stone therapy combines massage with the application of heated stones which are either massaged over the body or placed upon specific areas of the body.

The application of heat to the body causes vasodilation. As a result, there will be increased sweating and metabolism, as well as relaxation in the muscle tissues. Benefits of hot stone therapy : increases circulation, decreases joint pain, promotes increased well-being and vitality, reduces overall stress, reduces pain .

Hawaiian lomi lomi massage is one part of traditional Native Hawaiian medicine and was only passed down in families until the early 1970s, when a few Hawaiian teachers began teaching this massage therapy technique to non-Hawaiians. The popularity of this technique spread quickly, and it's now widely available.

Massage Therapist begin a lomi lomi session by placing their hands gently on you and remaining still for a few moments. They may ask you to breathe deeply to help you relax. 

Often, more of your body is uncovered during this massage than during a typical Swedish or deep tissue massage. That's because therapists rarely massage one body part at a time. Instead, they move in long flowing motions that, for example, may start at the top of your shoulder and go all the way to your foot. Our therapist use massage sheets in the usual way, just uncovering larger areas of your body at once. 

Lomi lomi is best known for long, flowing, dance-like strokes, often using the forearms and generous amounts of oil. But, because there are so many styles, the specifics of a massage can vary. Gentle stretches and joint rotations are common in this massage, as is the massage therapist massaging two parts of your body at same time, for example, using one hand or forearm on your shoulder while simultaneously massaging a hip with the other hand or forearm.

Both massaging two areas at the same time and the long flowing strokes are believed to promote harmony and balance in your body. Traditional lomi lomi always includes abdominal massage because Hawaiian tradition considers the colon part of a person's soul or heart.

The physical benefits of this massage are the same as other types of massage in terms of relaxing muscles, promoting circulation and releasing blocked energy. The difference lies in the Hawaiian traditions woven into the massage, including the belief that "loving hands" help you release not only physical tension but also mental, emotional and spiritual blockages.

Indie Head Massage is an ancient practice that began in India over 500 years ago. Indie Head Massage is a form of massage based on the ancient Ayurvedic healing systems, which focuses on the muscles and connective tissues of the face, neck, scalp, upper back and shoulder area. The techniques used, which originated over 100 years ago in East Indian culture, are both soothing and invigorating at the same time. Indie Head Massage is used to reduce stress and improves tissue health and circulation. Techniques are aimed at promoting relaxation while effectively easing muscle pain. It is especially useful in treating migraines, sinus inflammation and anxiety. It has a balancing effect on the nervous system and it helps to release stress and tension creating a sense of peace.

BENEFITS:

-  Relieves stress, and promotes deep relaxation and well-being 

- Helps prevent headaches, migraines, sinusitis, insomnia 

- Relieves muscle tension, eye strain, jaw ache, fatigue and mental tiredness 

- Increases blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain 

- Promotes hair growth and gives your hair a healthy feel and beautiful shine

- Calms, revitalizes and uplifts the spirit•

Please note: Indie head massage involves oil being poured directly on the scalp, leaving hair and scalp covered in oil. We do NOT have shower facilities at the clinic so please plan accordingly, Bring a hat/towel or hair tie for the trip home!

Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body.

The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from the bodily tissues. Some health conditions can cause lymph fluid to build up. Lymphatic drainage massages can benefit people with  lymphedema, fibromyalgia, and other conditions.

While the heart continuously pumps blood through the blood vessels, the lymphatic system relies on the movement of smooth muscles to transport fluid through the lymph vessels.

Health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, causing lymph fluid to build up in a particular area of the body, often in the arms or legs, where it can causing swelling. This condition is called lymphedema.

People can develop lymphedema as a result of infections,  cancer treatments that involve the removal of lymph nodes, and any condition that damages the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic drainage massage can benefit people who are experiencing the following:

• lymphedema
• fibromyalgia
• swelling or edema
• skin disorders
• fatigue
• insomnia
• stress
• digestive problems
• arthritis
• migraine episodes

People should not have a lymphatic massage if they have congestive heart failure, blood clots, kidney problems, infections, or circulation problems. If a person has any medical conditions, they should talk to a doctor before trying a lymphatic massage.

Trigger point therapy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on on detecting and releasing trigger points. Located in the skeletal muscle, trigger points are spots that produce pain when compressed. In many cases, trigger points form as a result of trauma to the muscle fibers.

Typically used to treat pain-related conditions, trigger point therapy is sometimes referred to as myofascial trigger point therapy or neuromuscular therapy. There are two primary methods for treating trigger points, Manual Trigger Point Therapy and Dry Needling.

Clinically, myofascial trigger points are easily identified as painful areas in a muscle. These microscopic changes occure in muscle fibers causing them to contract and chronically shorten. This is usually due to the overloading or incorrect loading of the muscle. One theory suggests that oxygen and nutrients that are supplied to the trigger point are constantly compromised. This leads to a sustained contraction, that is unable to resolve itself.

As mentioned above, myofascial trigger points are a major cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain. However their significant role in pain management wasn't been identified for a long time. This could be due to the fact that trigger points may not be painful other than to direct pressure. They refer pain elsewhere to adjacent or remote areas. The origin of the pain and the area where it manifests can be different. For example low back pain may be related to trigger points in the abdominal muscles, while headaches can be related to trigger points in the neck muscles. The referred pain is a characteristic feature of myofascial trigger points. It forms the basis for its name "Trigger Point ", since it relates to one area triggering pain elsewhere.

The goals of myofascial trigger point therapy: 

• improve blood circulation to the trigger zone
• stretching of the taut band 
• release of surrounding fasciae

There are several ways to treat trigger points. Manual Trigger Point Therapy, Dry Needling and the combination of these two techniques, have been shown to be highly effective. Manual Trigger Point Therapyincludes specific manipulations to the muscles, fascia and connective tissues. Dry Needling includes the use of sterile disposable acupuncture needles to improve circulation and blood flow to the affected muscle trigger point areas. This helps to promote healing and reduce pain. The more accurate the treatment is on the affected trigger point, the better the results.

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that originated in China. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate healing with blood flow.

The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system . Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and even cellulite. 

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Reiki is best held in a peaceful setting, but it can be carried out anywhere. The patient will sit in a comfortable chair or lie on a table, fully clothed. There may or may not be music, depending on the patient’s preference.

The practitioner places their hands lightly on or over specific areas of the head, limbs, and torso using different hand shapes, for between 2 and 5 minutes. The hands can be placed over 20 different areas of the body.

If there is a particular injury, such as a burn, the hands may be held just above the wound.

While the practitioner holds their hands lightly on or over the body, the transfer of energy takes place. During this time, the practitioner’s hands may be warm and tingling. Each hand position is held until the practitioner senses that the energy has stopped flowing.

When the practitioner feels that the heat, or energy, in their hands has abated, they will remove their hands and may place them over a different area of the body.