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. It treats and prevents physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints. Using numerous non invasive techniques, your Massage Therapist can help relieve soft tissue and joint pain, decrease swelling, aid with restoration of joint function and mobility.

The Therapist will answer any questions you may have regarding the treatment and your condition to the best of their ability as well as give you exercises to aid in the progression. Massage therapy develops, maintains, rehabilitates, or augments physical function, and relieves pain. Massage therapy treats problem specific areas as well as the whole metabolism, by normalizing the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, and nervous system. 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 vascularization 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.

Medical Acupuncture is the biomedical, evidence-based adaptation of Chinese Acupuncture methods, and is an effective and simple treatment approach based on current concepts of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and pathophysiology. As in traditional Acupuncture, Medical Acupuncture involves insertion of solid needles at relevant points on the body in combination with manual needle stimulation or electrical stimulation. Medical Acupuncture does not involve tongue or pulse diagnosis. Rather, a diagnosis is attained through thorough history taking and physical examination. Based on this process, anatomical points that are relevant to the condition are selected for needling.

Medical Acupuncture is generally considered to have non-specific effects. This means that in addition to addressing acute injuries and symptoms, it can have generalized benefits for the body as a whole.

Acupuncture can be very effective for treating both acute injuries and chronic conditions. When utilized by a trained health-care professional, it is very safe. Although Acupuncture may help with many conditions and injuries, it will not cure a serious underlying problem, such as lung disease, heart disease, tumors or cancers. Therefore, it is imperative that you continue to consult your medical doctor, and maintain all essential medical treatment if you have a serious medical problem. In addition, Medical Acupuncture’s popularity has been bolstered by the increasing attention it is being paid in scientific circles. Numerous trials demonstrating its effectiveness have recently been published in major medical journals, with more to come. Other interesting lines of research currently in progress include investigations into the biomechanical effects of Acupuncture on connective tissue structure, function, and healing, and its impact on the peripheral and central nervous systems.

CST is an extremely gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system (by touching the cranium, spine and connective tissues) to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. Anyone from newborn babies to the elderly may benefit from this technique because the pressure is so gentle.

By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction. Some of these include headaches, migraines, neck pain, back pain, emotional difficulties, stress and tension related disorders, fibromyalgia, and more.

After a treatment, most patients report feeling completely relaxed and renewed, with pain levels decreased.

Myofascial Release (MFR)

MRF is a highly successful and popular technique, especially with people noticing any restrictions in their muscle's ability to stretch and strengthen. 'Myo' meaning muscle and 'fascia', a connective tissue overlaying the muscles, tend to stick together which causes postural tension and stiffness, muscle pain, and reduced muscle strength. Myofascial restrictions develop in the body as a result of poor posture, dehydration, stress, trauma or injury causing scarring. This technique slowly yet effectively releases adhesions between the muscle and fascia by using firm pressure and no lotion. The result is reduced pain and tension and an increase in the muscles' capacity to stretch and strengthen.

Trigger Point Therapy

A trigger point is a hyperirritable area usually found in a band of tight muscle or fascia, commonly felt as a knot. These points can be tender when touched and may refer pain to predictable areas elsewhere in the body. A trigger point may also affect the strength and length of a muscle, limiting your flexibility. Trigger Point Therapy reduces the pain of the point (and any referring pain) and diminishes the knot. As tension headaches are often the result of trigger points in the shoulder and neck, trigger point therapy is also a highly effective technique to eliminate and prevent headaches. Trigger points can be found on any muscle in the body and therefore the referral zone of a trigger point has dozens of corresponding locations, for example, the forehead, the base of skull, the lower back and so on.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is designed to support and prepare the body for the conditioning ahead. The aims are to flush from the athlete's body the causes of muscular fatigue, spasm and soreness, due to fascial restrictions, trigger points, that can potentially lead to injury. The athlete returns to training able to perform at maximum capacity. Sports massage can be incorporated at various stages of the athlete's program.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Fluids released from the blood vessels into the body's tissues are gathered up and carried back again to the blood by the lymphatic system. As this is a passive system there can be times of fluid build-up when the body experiences swelling in an area that is not clearing itself of lymph fluid. Specific massage techniques, using far less pressure than in usual Swedish massage, move lymph by mechanically pumping the lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic capillaries. This is used to reduce swelling and ease the pain caused by it, lower the chance of scar tissue formation and remove metabolic wastes produced by swelling and inflammation.

Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)

The jaw is frequently unacknowledged as a source of pain in many head, neck and face conditions. TMJ work can help clients that have: jaw pain and/or tension associated with headaches; TMJ dysfunction; motor vehicle collisions; sport-related injuries; work injuries; grinding and clenching their teeth during sleep or stress; or have had dental or orthodontic procedures. Assessment begins with looking at how symmetrically the mouth opens and closes. The function of the sinuses, ears, cranial bones, speech and breathing patterns will be considered. The Massage Therapist can treat the TMJ much in the same way as other soft tissue disorders- massage, active stretches, and fascial release. The therapist will often offer (with full explanation) an intraoral treatment (using gloves) as an option for the patient depending on their comfort level.

Pregnancy Massage

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes tremendous changes for the body to adjust in a relatively brief period of time. Pregnancy massage aims to lessen any musculoskeletal pain that the mother is experiencing, as well as promote a healthy pregnancy by inducing relaxation. The massage can focus on any area that is in discomfort, such as lower back pain or sciatica (leg and hip pain). The goals of the massage can be to decrease muscle tension, spasm, or swelling or simply to promote relaxation. At home pregnancy-specific stretches and hydrotherapy suggestions are given to the mother to prolong the beneficial results of the massage.

Activator Method of Chiropractic Technique

The Activator Technique incorporates the latest advances in orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examinations along with a unique system of administering spinal adjustments. Using the Activator instrument, we can restore proper spinal balance, safely and comfortably. You will also be pleased to know that this method is one of the most scientifically researched techniques in chiropractic.
One of the unique features of the Activator Instrument is that we can zero in on the exact area that is causing your health problem without interrupting the body mechanics of nearby vertebrae. Your body may have a natural tendency to tighten up and resist the thrust of a manual adjustment. Because Activator® adjustments are so quick and controlled, your body's reflexes are less likely to resist, allowing for a more precise and exact adjustment. By pinpointing and correcting the exact area of spinal joint dysfunction with the Activator Technique, your problem is less likely to return!

Registered Massage Therapy Association of Ontario (RMTAO)
Massage Therapy FAQs