The practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body. Soft tissues include the skin muscles, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue and membranes. Following the assessment, the actual application of massage is via a process of manual manipulation of the body’s muscular and soft tissue structures through a variety of techniques ranging from relaxation to clinical and therapeutic applications. The benefits are relaxation, increased range of motion and flexibility, stress reduction, and improved circulation helping to achieve an overall feeling of well-being. Massage therapy treats and prevents physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints.

Massage therapy also develops, maintains, rehabilitates or augments physical function and relieves pain. Massage therapy treats problem specific areas as well as whole-body metabolism by normalizing the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular and nervous systems. Massage therapy can exert a stimulating effect or soothing effect on the nervous system. It can improve circulation to various tissues and organs. For example, it can aid in digestion by temporarily increasing the vascularity to digestive organs; it can also improve circulation through muscle, improving healing and recovery to damaged tissue. Massage has also been shown to improve the movement of blood and lymph to the heart, allowing the heart to beat more efficiently.

• What conditions can be treated with massage?
• What are the massage contraindications?
• What are common massage techniques?
• What are the qualifications of a massage therapist?
• What are the Benefits of Sports Massage?

What conditions can be treated with massage?
Most people think of the 'relaxation' massage when asked about massage therapy. While this is one of the major uses and benefits of massage, its usefulness does not end there. Today, massage is commonly used to treat everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to tendonitis to breathing difficulties. A few of the conditions that massage therapy can help relieve includes: adhesive capsulitis, sprains and strains, osteoarthritis, sciatica, headaches, iliotibial band syndrome, chrohn's disease, menstrual difficulties, pregnancy and much more.

What are common massage techniques?
Our massage therapist utilize Swedish massage, trigger point techniques, and manual lymph drainage. Swedish massage uses a variety of manipulations that include effleurage (gliding), petrissage, which includes kneading, squeezing, wringing, picking up, and skin rolling techniques, tapotement (percussion), shaking, stroking, and vibration. The uses of these techniques are many and varied depending on the goals of the treatment. Thermophores (heating pads) are a form of moist heat used on various areas of the body to help relax deep muscles. Cold and ice are also used to help decrease any swelling or inflammation. Trigger point techniques are often used to rid a muscle of any trigger points. Trigger points are a hyperirritable spot within a taut band of muscle or fascia that are painful on compression. The techniques used include muscle stripping, direct compression and stretching. Manual lymph drainage is used to help decrease edema (swelling) caused by trauma. Drainage is performed by lightly compressing lymph nodes located in the area of congestion thereby creating a passage so that the lymph may drain. Other techniques used by the massage therapists include deep tissue and fascia mobilization, and friction therapy.

What are the qualifications of a massage therapist?
In Ontario, the minimum requirements to practice massage therapy are quite high. In fact, the only place that has higher qualifications in the world is British Columbia. Presently, the therapist is required to undertake a minimum of 2200 hours of intense academic training, where the student learns anatomy, physiology, pathology, massage treatment & assessment skills, and many other topics. In addition, the student must also complete a minimum of 150 treatment hours with members of the general public. The student is then required to pass a comprehensive exam prepared by the attending school. Upon passing the exam the student is then required to take a two-part exam with written and oral-practical components. Successful completion of this exam bestows the title of massage therapist along with the rights and responsibilities of the profession.