What might I expect in a treatment?

RMT's apply movements based on Swedish techniques. All RMT's are trained exclusively in Swedish massage because it is the most well known and studied, and has basic techniques that can be used alone or built upon. The objective is to mimic both active and passive exercise to help relax muscles, stimulate circulation, and increase the range of motion.

 Is massage therapy right for me?

An RMT should obtain your proper health history before proceeding with a massage treatment. There are many precautions or contraindications to massage therapy, which means it is either unsafe to proceed, or some modifications to treatment need to take place. Modifications can include a shorter duration of treatment, changing your position, or modifying the massage techniques used. Some precautions include disease states like metastasizing cancer, advanced kidney, liver or respiratory failure, an acute flare-up of inflammatory arthritis, hemophilia, and diabetes with complications such as gangrene. Certain medications such as analgesics, anti-asthmatics, anti-coagulants, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants may also pose complications for massage therapy. This is why it is important for you to provide your RMT with an accurate and up-to-date health history. The therapist will then assess your range of motion (active and passive), strength/resistance by muscle testing and perform any other tests necessary to determine the probable cause of your pain or condition for which you are seeking treatment. The RMT will tailor a treatment plan to suit your specific needs.

 Does massage therapy actually work?

Over the last few decades, many research teams have been studying the effectiveness of the above-mentioned treatments, with many more studies on the way. The Touch Research Institute (www.miaini.edu/touch-research/home.html)has found some major advantages to massage therapy. Some of their studies have been published in credible journals. These studies show support of massage for the facilitation of weight gain in preterm infants, the reduction of stress hormones, the alleviation of depressive symptoms, the reduction of pain, the improvement in immune function and the alteration of EEG tests in the direction of heightened awareness. Further, a study conducted by staff of the University of Illinois, analyzed the results of 37 studies on massage therapy. (See www.massagemagazine.com) It showed that "massage has a significant overall effect on people, specifically in the reduction of anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, depression and pain."

 How often should you have massage therapy?

Some people believe that one treatment is enough. However, massage therapy is most beneficial in acute conditions when used over a series of treatments and then followed up with maintenance or preventive treatments.

 What is Trigger point therapy?

This is used for the relief of soft-tissue pain and dysfunction. It works on "trigger points" or small areas of tightness within muscles~ This tightness creates tight bands ("knots" or tiny bumps) because of the contraction of the muscle fibers. A trigger point can refer pain to other muscles. This is why a pain in your head can originate from a sore neck muscle or a sore hip muscle can trigger a pain in your low back. This massage application helps to alleviate muscle spasms and cramping which has reduced blood flow and restricted oxygen to the affected area. This approach helps to re-educate the fibers to align properly so that the muscles can relax and the pain can dissipate.

 What is Joint Mobilization and Joint Play ?

This is a passive movement performed by the therapist using an oscillatory motion or a sustained stretch to increase range of motion and decrease pain. Some conditions which are indicated for joint play are muscle guarding and stiffness, adhesive capsilitis (frozen shoulder), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and properly healed fractures. In cases of disease, joint play cannot change its process but it can help to maintain available range of motion. It is important to know that joint mobilization or play is different from joint manipulation in that the passive movements are short and at a higher velocity making it difficult for the client to prevent the motion. Joint manipulation is usually preformed by chiropractors.

 What is Deep tissue massage ?

This can be described as a more aggressive petrissage. It includes techniques which can be considered painful such as trigger point therapy and fascia work (a technique that continued... 8stretches connective tissue to break some of the bonds in order to soften and lengthen the tissue). This treatment is usually specific to areas of the body where pain exists as opposed to a full body treatment. Usually with a deep tissue massage a normal feeling of tenderness may be experienced one or two days following treatment.

 What is Hydrotherapy?

- This is a specialized therapy following a massage treatment. It is the application of water (ice, liquid or vapour) taken internally or used externally for treating trauma and disease. Hydrotherapy can be included in a massage therapy treatment or given as part of the client's homecare. Some examples of hydrotherapy include ice packs, baths, heating packs, paraffin wax and inhalations. Hydrotherapy helps to increase muscle tone, improve nerve atrophy, improve digestion, increase elimination of waste, increase circulation and metabolic rate and it provides an overall sense of well-being.

Through mutual discussion, your massage therapist can help you establish a program which fits your physical needs and lifestyle.