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What Does Massage Therapy Treat? Massage therapy melts away stress and tension, relieving associated headaches and muscular aches & pains. By encouraging the body's own healing processes to act, massage therapy, reduces injury healing time. Massage therapy aids in the healing process from injury or over-use, and is an excellent form of preventive health care. Massage Therapy is Recommended for:
Massage Therapy Frequently Asked Questions Q What can I expect when I go for a massage appointment? A On your first visit you will complete a confidential health history form. Your therapist will assess and create a treatment plan for you. At this time it is important to inform your therapist if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications. To fully understand your position your Massage Therapist listens to your concerns and your individual needs as well as other factors that may be contributing to your situation. With your health history information your therapist will develop a treatment plan with you so you receive the appropriate treatment that will help you a return, as much as possible, to your normal activities.  Q Do I have to disclose all my health conditions on the Health History form for my Massage Therapist?
A It is best if you can give an accurate picture of your health and injuries on your health history form. This enables your therapist to design the most appropriate and effective treatment for you Q Should I eat before I come for a massage? A It is best to not eat for at least 90 minutes before your massage treatment and only a light meal at that time. The body needs time to digest your food. This is the same caution you would take when you go swimming or exercising. The digestion process directs the blood flow away from your peripheral tissues and concentrates it on digestive tract. Massage draws the blood flow to the area tissues being worked on therefore draws the blood away from the digestive tract causing poor digestion and possible discomfort. Q Are there any preparations I need to make before my appointment?  A Make sure you have Epsom Salt (a 2 kilo gram container) at home for your hydrotherapy home care following your treatment. If you don’t have it already at home remember to pick some up at the clinic. These are magnesium salts and they sooth the muscles and nerves by drawing the lactic acids (metabolic wastes) out of your body during a prescribed hot bath. This bath can enhance the benefits of your massage. To enjoy the full effects of your massage you can plan for at least 30 minutes of quiet time or rest after your appointment. Again it is best not to eat for at least 90 minutes before your massage treatment.
Q Do I need a doctors’ referral? A There is no requirement to have a referral to see a Registered Massage Therapist. Extended health care plans, and insurers may require a referral before you will be covered. You need to check with your policy to see if you need one to be reimbursed for the treatments. Q Do Provincial Health plans (OHIP or BCMP) cover Massage Therapy? A Currently there are no Provincial Health plans that cover Therapeutic Massage but many work place or private Extended Health Care Insurance programs have full or partial coverage. In many provinces Worker’s Compensation Insurance, Work Place Safety Insurance WSIB (ON) and Auto Insurance cover the cost of massage therapy for injury rehabilitation. Before you go for your Therapeutic massage treatment your details of coverage should be arranged with your insurance representative.  Q What if I am uncomfortable with my body? Do I have to undress?
A Let your therapist know your comfort level. It is possible to work on a client who is dressed. Direct skin contact is best with an application of oil or lotion. However you’re Massage Therapist is required to cover/drape you so only to expose the area which they are working on. So opting wear your clothes is fine, bring clothes that you can get oil on like a bathing suit or shorts and a tank top. Q Does the gender of the massage therapist make a difference? A This is an issue of personal preference. Q I bruise easily, can I still get a massage? A It is important to let your massage therapist know (this will be one of the questions on the health history form you will be asked to fill out on your first visit). Massage therapy is not recommended for people who suffer from haemophilia. Q Am I expected to talk during the massage?  A If you wish to have silence, you should say so at the beginning of the treatment. The therapist may, however, require verbal information pertinent to health findings during the treatment.
Q After my appointment, is there anything I need to have on hand or anything specific I should do? A Plan for 30 minutes of quiet time right after your treatment. An Epsom salt bath is recommended to soothe and to calm muscles, and enhance the benefits of the massage. It will help alleviate stiffness you may feel the next day, and it is also recommended for use after workouts for the same reason. Make sure to drink water to keep your tissues hydrated.  Q How long has massage therapy been regulated in BC? A In 1919, the Drugless Practitioners Act was passed and the Board of Regents was established to regulate massage therapy and other drugless health professions in BC. In 1994 the Regulated Health Profession Act was proclaimed and the Drugless Practitioners Act is revoked.  Q Are there any ailments or conditions Massage Therapy is not a recommended treatment?
A Yes. Please consult with our Registered Massage Therapist Q How often should I have massage treatments? A A mutual consultation with your Massage Therapist can help you establish a treatment program which fits your lifestyle and physical requirements. Your massage therapist is on your team and is involved with your repair, rejuvenation and in the maintenance of your health. Your choice of RMT assures you that your recommendation for further treatment is being made by a qualified health professional and is made with your preeminent care in mind. Q Is one massage therapy treatment enough? A Yes, if you just want to experience massage therapy to relax. However, to have a longer term therapeutic affect one treatment may not be enough. Take note: massage therapy is most beneficial in both acute and chronic conditions, when used over a series of treatments and then followed up with maintenance or preventive treatments. (Acute conditions are recent, occurring within a week to a month, and can be severe to mild but are sudden in onset. This could describe anything from car accident to a muscular sprain. Chronic conditions are present for several months or years.) Massage Types Offered at Enhance Studio Cranio-sacral Therapy A technique developed by many (Upledger, Milne, Sutherland) to correct cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages. The treatment is geared toward moving the soft tissue, correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. This system consists of working with the soft tissues, membranes, energy, and cerebral fluids surrounding the cranium, spine, and sacrum. Because of the creation and re-absorption of cerebral fluid there is a dynamic rhythm which radiates through out the body. The rate, amplitude, symmetry, and quality of this rhythm gives distinct information about the health and functioning of the entire body. By monitoring the cranio-sacral rhythm through palpation (subtle touch by the practitioner), the therapist can locate the part of the body which may be holding physical or emotional trauma. Once identified, further application (gentle compression and stretching) stimulates the body to make corrections and readjustments in the form of physical movements or emotional release. Cranio-sacral therapy takes many years of practice and learning to be a qualified practitioner. It is my personal opinion that therapists taking a weekend workshop are not qualified to call themselves a cranio-sacral practitioner. True expertise comes with years of practice and learning. Aromatherapy Massage Combining the therapeutic properties of essential oils with specific Massage techniques to promote health and well-being. Relaxation Massage This traditional European massage calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and improves circulation, leaving you feeling peaceful yet revitalized. Deep Tissue Massage Massage applied to the deeper, core layers of the body often using the elbow as well as the usual thumb, finger and fist pressure. Greater awareness is often needed to go into the deeper tissues without hurting the client. Deep tissue work helps with chronic pain and injury rehabilitation. Pregnancy Massage Massage therapy techniques geared toward the expectant mother. There are many health concerns and complications to take into consideration when working with a pregnant woman. Most techniques are done in the side-lying position as they are unable to lay prone. In most cases massage can be done right up to and including delivery. Shiatsu A Japanese healing modality similar to Chinese acupressure utilizing a Japanese healing philosophy of ki (life energy). Shiatsu literally means "finger pressure". This form of acupressure is a combination of many different techniques including pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing, and sometimes walking barefoot on the patients back, legs, and feet. It is applied with comfortable pressure to all parts of the body with thumbs, palms, and elbows where the body is gently stretched to loosen joints and muscles. Shiatsu treatments promote good health by strengthening the body and stimulating its self-healing abilities. It is traditionally performed on the floor with the client comfortably lying on a futon with both client and patient dressed comfortably in a kimono (Japanese robe). Shiatsu is considered a special kind of dance between giver and receiver where a unique rapport develops between the practitioner and client because shiatsu relies on the simple but powerful experience of touch to awaken the client's own self-healing powers. This "touch communication" between practitioner and client is foundational to all healing methods. When the independence of ki is restored to a free flowing state throughout the body, it touches the physical, emotional, and spiritual sensitivity of the person, and the natural healing flow is restored. Soft Tissue Release Sports injury technique developed by Stuart Taws while working with the British Athletic Team. Uses techniques to break up chronic scar tissue adhesions and followed up with specific stretches that involve 3 different levels. Sports Massage Massage applied to serious athletes for training, injury prevention, rehab, pre and post event strategies. You have to know what you are doing to work with athletes as their life depends on their bodies. Working too deep before an event may leave them weak and unable to compete. They work themselves to exhaustion and do it all over the next day. Swedish Massage A collection of techniques designed for relaxation, using massage oils to reduce friction. Many of the therapeutic effects include increased circulation, increased flexibility, removal of lactic acid and toxins, relaxes nervous system, and stimulates the skin. Techniques can be modified to treat injuries and muscular related problems. Geriatric Massage Geriatric massage presents a challenge, because many of them have physical problems that complicate and interfere with diagnosis and treatment of any single illness. Diseases of one organ system place stress on other systems. Many older people also have nutritional deficiencies because of limited incomes, poor dental status, and other problems. The elderly also run increased risks of complications from surgery, and convalescence takes longer because damaged tissues recover more slowly. The longer periods of bed rest can also lead to pneumonia, bedsores, and circulatory disorders. Medications are metabolized more slowly, as well, and their effects are prolonged in the body. Massage can greatly assist and bring relief from the above listed problems and by preventing strokes, relief of joint pain, and remove toxins from lymphatic system that may otherwise increase disease.  Hot Stone Massage Uses heated basalt lava massage stones with traditional Swedish massage techniques to relieve muscular tension and melt away stress. It is a popular spa therapy. The stones are sanitized and heated in 120 and 150 degree water before the massage. The therapist places them on areas of the your body to open up meridians, loosen muscles and increase circulation. They are usually left on you for about 20 minutes before the massage starts. Loosening the muscles with heat first makes it easier for the therapist to work deep muscle tissue. The therapist then uses the stones to massage you. The stones are never rough and with a bit of oil glide nicely across the skin. Sometimes cool stones are used to treat muscle injuries. This form of massage helps sedate the nervous system, detoxify the body, increases lymph flow, and causes you to relax more deeply. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Lymphatic Therapy A therapeutic, relaxing and cleansing treatment for mind and body. It works all lymphatic, nervous and circulatory systems. It is primarily a detoxification therapy working on the lymph. Hydrotherapy The use of water as therapy. Water can be used in many ways and forms as a treatment method. Ice therapy, heat therapy, steam, baths, poultices are just a few of the ways. Can be done in a treatment or done by the client at home to continue healing. Contact us for more information on any of our treatments! |
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