MASSGE 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.

Energy imbalances are one of the greatest causes of health issues. Reiki "The Universal Life Force Energy" is an ancient Japanese healing system founded by Dr. Mikao Usui. It is a nonphysical universal vital energy source that vibrates higher than personal energy. Reiki is a holistic method and does not involve physical medicine and can be used alone or alongside any existing medical treatment. It is a positive channeled energy and does not interfere or cause any harm, rather accelerates the healing time and process. It also helps the human body to stay balanced by working with the Chakra system, which are the wheels of energy located throughout the human body. Reiki uses a hands on technique to heal and balance these life force energy centers by clearing any blockages, allowing energy to flow freely.. resulting in optimal health and helping to treat the condition. One of the best health benefits that Reiki provides is stress reduction and relaxation. By restoring the patient's emotional and physical well-being, it strengthens the immune system.. giving the body an ability to naturally heal and assist in maintaining a better state of health.

Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. It's based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems.

The body has the ability to heal itself. Following illness, stress, injury or disease, it is in a state of “imbalance” and vital body systems can be blocked, preventing the body from functioning optimally. Reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body’s natural balance and facilitate healing. For each person, the application and the effect of the therapy are unique. Sensitive, trained hands can detect tiny deposits and imbalances and by working on these points, the Reflexology Therapist can release these blockages.

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.1 

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.