What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft-tissues. It helps to ease stress and muscular tension, relieve pain from injuries, and speed healing from certain acute and chronic conditions. Chiropractic and massage are both a form of regular health-care maintenance.

Today there are some 80 different types and related forms of massage therapy. Our registered massage therapy clinic in Mississauga will offer most of these techniques are that generally organized into five broad categories:

Traditional European massage therapy. This includes methods based on conventional Western concepts of anatomy and physiology. Five soft-tissue manipulation are typically used: effleurage (long, gliding strokes); petrissage (kneading and compression strokes); friction (deep circular rubbing); tapotement (percussion tapping); and vibration (very fine, rapid shaking movements). Swedish massage, the most widely employed massage technique in the world today, is the primary example of traditional European massage.

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Contemporary massage therapy. Also based on modern concepts of anatomy, this category includes a wide variety of manipulation that go beyond the original framework of Swedish massage. These include neuromuscular massage, (a form of deep massage that is intended to reach the connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, and release knots of tension called trigger points); sports massage (a combination of Swedish massage and deep tissue techniques that deals specifically with the effects of athletic performance on the body); myotherapy (a specialized form of muscle massage and stretching that uses deep manual pressure to release trigger points).

Structural realignment and movement integration. These techniques place an emphasis on body structure and movement. The methods organize and integrate the body in relationship to gravity through manipulation of the soft tissues and/or through correcting inappropriate patterns of movement. Examples include: Hellerwork, Rolfing, Feldenkrais, and the Alexander technique.

Oriental massage therapy. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, Oriental massage will assess and restore the vital energy that is believed to flow through invisible channels. These methods include acupressure and Shiatsu.

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How Does Massage Therapy Work?

Massage therapy affects the body the help when muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasms. In general--and Swedish massage in particular--improves blood and lymph circulation and brings fresh oxygen and other nutrients to the affected tissues. Our staff will advice your how to best help to flush out the toxins and enhance recovery after your mississauga massage therapy.

Tense muscles may also compress blood vessels and stretch nerves, restricting blood flow and causing pain. As the affected area is massaged, the muscles gradually release their strangle hold on the irritated nerves, and the pain eases. The same mechanisms also make massage helpful in the recovery process for an injured muscle.

In addition at our mississauga massage therapy clinic has been shown to increase the body's production of pain-killing endorphins and the mood-altering hormone serotonin. It can also slow the release of the stress hormone cortisol. For this reason, soft tissue therapy is often prescribed as an adjunctive therapy for people whose immune systems are compromised by stress.

What You Can Expect

Our registered massage therapist will explain to you what happens during a treatment depends on the type of massage you choose. To find out what you can expect from various techniques.

On your first visit, the massage therapist will probably begin by asking you about your medical history, although a registered massage therapist is not licensed to make a medical diagnosis. Then will come some questions about your current physical condition, your lifestyle and stress level, any pain you may be experiencing, and why you're seeking treatment. This information will help the massage therapist determine what techniques to use and how to structure the session.

The room in which you will receive the massage will typically be warm and softly lit. The therapist may play soothing music (if you enjoy it), and/or burn candles or incense to add a pleasant scent. Often aromatic essential oils or lotions will be used to enhance the massage experience and prevent friction when the skin is rubbed.

You will probably be asked to disrobe partially or completely (in private) and you will be given a sheet or towel to drape over the areas of your body that are not being massaged. You will then be asked to lie down on a comfortable sheet-covered table. The table may have a special face-rest, which allows you to lie face-down without turning your head or neck.

The number of visits you'll require with a registered massage therapist can vary widely. If you are using massage for stress relief, you may want to visit a therapist as often as once a week. For acute injuries, the number of treatments will depend on the nature of your condition. Often massage therapy is prescribed by MD's and DC's to complement conventional care.

Health Benefits

Massage therapy believed to positively affect everything from circulation to the body's metabolism. Swedish technique in particular has been shown to relieve muscle pain, reduce stress, and improve immune function. It can also enhance respiratory function, reduce edema (swelling) due to blocked lymphatic vessels, and aid in the healing of soft-tissue injuries.