What is Massage Therapy

The manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints, for the purpose of assessment and treatment. Registered massage therapy takes an evidence-based approach to address everyday occupational stresses caused by over use. Massage therapy works to alleviate discomfort and chronic pain conditions.

Some benefits of massage therapy:

• Improved circulation.

• Decreased muscle stiffness.

• Decreased joint inflammation.

• Better quality of sleep.

• Quicker recovery between workouts.

• Improved flexibility.

• Less pain and soreness.

• Strengthened immune response.

Different types of massage therapy

Swedish massage is typically a gentle, relaxing massage. Swedish massage is a great option if you are trying out massage therapy for the first time, or looking to relieve some stress. The massage therapist will use a combination of: kneading, long, flowing strokes in the direction of the heart, deep circular motions, vibration and tapping, passive joint movement techniques.

Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s a good option if you have muscle problems, such as: muscle soreness, injury, trigger points, muscle imbalance, muscle tightness, or chronic muscle pain. During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use a combination of broad and specific strokes to relieve tension from the deeper layers of soft tissue and connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. While deep tissue may be more intense, you shouldn’t feel any pain or soreness above a 6/10 on the pain scale. It's important that you and your therapist maintain communication throughout the treatment to ensure pain levels are managed appropriately.

Sports massage is a good option if you have a repetitive use injury, such as a muscle strain from playing a sport. It’s also a good option if you’re prone to injuries, because it can be used to help prevent them. You do not need to be an athlete to get a sports massage, if you have pain in a specific muscle, this could benefit you as well. Sports massage can: increase flexibility, improve athletic performance, relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and release muscle tension. A sports massage can be done with a general to specific approach, working on larger areas and transitioning to specific muscles. Deep pressure may be alternated with soothing strokes to give the patient periods of relief, depending on your needs.

Myofascial release therapy is another type of massage that involves releasing stiffness in the fascia, the connective tissue system that contains each muscle in the body. This form of massage typically targets superficial tissue under the skin. Your therapist will massage and stretch any areas that feel tense with techniques such as skin rolling, pinching, or holding a sustained stretch of the skin. Specific conditions that may benefit from myofascial therapy include: myofascial pain syndrome, headaches, venous insufficiency.

Cupping therapy is modality that is often incorporated with massage therapy. It is the use of suction cups on the areas being treated, the negative pressure created from the suction pulls blood to the surface and creates tension on the superficial tissues such as the skin and fascia. Cupping is often used to promote healing, reduce pain, tension, and muscle soreness. The marks left behind after cupping are due to broken blood vessels, much like bruising. This is what stimulates the healing process. Cupping can cause some discomfort through the suction process, however it should remain within the patients pain tolerance.