Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of healing, as the practice of therapeutic massage can be traced back nearly 4,000 years. Statistics from both Health Canada ¹ and the American Massage Therapy Association ² show that millions of North Americans use it today.

Massage therapy refers to a comprehensive health management strategy focusing on the application of various techniques to positively affect the soft tissues and joints of the body. Massage techniques most commonly include pressure and compression, kneading, friction, and mobilizing to improve the health and condition of the muscles, tendons, skin, fascia or connective tissue of the body.

Today massage is thought of as a holistic therapy that complements medical treatment. The "Physician's Guide to Therapeutic Massage" shows that massage can decrease pain, improve range of motion, improve mood, aid in the circulation of blood and lymph flow, reduce muscle and joint soreness, and improve sleep.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a general term covering a range of strategies that deal with assisted muscle release at a deeper level. Other systems that include deep tissue massage are Rolfing, Soma bodywork and Sports Massage.

Neuromuscular massage techniques are employed to detect muscle tissues that have become distressed. Effective manipulation of stiff or painful musculature using specific hand positions, strokes and specifically developed techniques, bring about relief from muscle tensions and increase flexibility. Treatment for low back and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel, sciatica, headaches, knees and neck are amongst the common complaints that Deep Tissue specialists treat.

Micro scarring is caused by injuries and often surgery. This ailment is commonly benefited from this type of therapy. Often the treatment and pressure begins gently and can gradually escalate to points of temporary discomfort. Treatment ranges from generally therapeutic to corrective in nature. Deep tissue massage can cause an increase in muscle strength and length appreciably and rapidly.

Deep Tissue Massage therapy usually involves warming the skin and superficial soft tissue of your body prior to the therapist using greater pressure to access the deeper connected tissue underneath. 

Thai massage is a system of massage and manipulation developed in Thailand, and influenced by the traditional medicine systems of India, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as by yoga. The massage recipient changes into loose, comfortable clothing and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor.The receiver may be positioned in a variety of yoga-like positions during the course of the massage, but deep static and rhythmic pressures form the core of the massage. The massage practitioner leans on the recipient's body using hands and usually straight forearms locked at the elbow to apply firm rhythmic pressure. The massage generally follows designated lines ("sen") in the body. The legs and feet of the giver can be used to position the body or limbs of the recipient. In other positions, hands fix the body, while the feet do the massaging.

The claimed benefits of Thai massage include relief from asthma, migraines, sprains, bruises, anxiety, relief of physical and emotional tension, improved sleep, improved flexibility, greater awareness of body and mind, and a release of blocked energy.

While Swedish massage permits the recipient to zone out and relax, Thai massage encourages the recipient to become more engaged and energized, for increased mindfulness.

Chi Nei Tsang  is a holistic approach to the healing touch modality of old Taoist Chinese origin. It integrates the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our being. CNT goes to the very origin of health problems, including psychosomatic responses.

Chi Nei Tsang literally means “working the energy of the internal organs” or “internal organs chi transformation.” CNT uses all the principles of Kung-Fu and Tai Chi Chuan known as Chi-Kung; therefore, CNT is a form of “applied Chi Kung.”

CNT practitioners are trained in Chi-Kung and work mainly on the abdomen with deep, soft and gentle touches, to train internal organs to work more efficiently. Unprocessed emotional charges are also addressed in this manner, as well as all of the body systems: digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, muscular-skeletal, and the acupuncture meridian system (Chi).

I am training in  couple of other modalities( Cranial Sacral , Acutonics) which are still fairly new to me I will post them as soon as I feel confident in my ability to offer them as treatments .

Plan to determine the type of bodywork best suited to your needs by visiting our Appointment Book to book a session with us.

Deep Tissue Massage - Correct Posture... Release Chronic Muscle Tensions...

¹ Health Canada (2003)Health Policy Research Bulletin. Retrieved May 10, 2005, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iacb-dgiac/arad-draa/english/rmdd/bulletin/mainstream.html#page6
² American Massage Therapy Association. (2001). Massage Therapy Consumer Fact Sheet