Registered Massage Therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) with the intention to promote a person’s health and well-being.
There are many different of types of massage therapy methods (aka modalities) that are used to access the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Massage actively stimulates so many of the body’s different systems all at the same time! The muscular, circulatory and lymphatic systems are worked on to help send information to the central nervous system, encouraging whole body awareness & healing.
In this modern world, the human body exerts a significant amount of physical energy every day (even sitting at a computer all day is output!) causing significant muscle tension. Most people do not have daily self care practices in place to help release that tension that has built up, so the electrical signals from the brain to the muscle continue to fire day in & day out. Daily emotional & mental stresses also contribute to chronic pain and tension in the body, causing these tension patterns to mount even more.
Many people live day to day, for years on end, with chronic, deep muscular pain, headaches, numbness/tingling in their hands & feet, restricted movement patterns from old injuries all because no one ever educated them that direct manual treatment to the body could help them.
We have been taught to adapt to our pain perception by ignoring it or masking it with medication. Some intended surgeries can even be postponed or completely avoided altogether with the application of massage therapy and an active participation in daily self care practices.
Massage Therapy has been scientifically shown to decrease the predominant stress hormones in our body & it is vital that human beings are educated about avenues where they can release the tension that has built up within their tissue systems.
Massage therapy is one of those avenues.
Different Methods of Registered Massage Therapy offered by at Yaletown Naturopathic Clinic:
Deep Tissue / Myofascial Release:
A very effective approach to relieving pain in the musculoskeletal system. Long, broad strokes are combined with gentle sustained pressures and localized, friction style massage techniques to eliminate pain & restore motion in the body. Deep tissue massage helps to: break down adhesions that can develop between muscles & connective tissues, improves blood flow through the muscle itself, realigns joints & relieves tension overall.
Used to treat issues such as:
- Sport Related Injuries
- Bio-mechanical Misalignments/Joint Pain
- Sciatica/Hip Pain
- Numbness/Tingling
- Headaches
- Tissue Inflammation
Scar Tissue Mobilization:
Various techniques are applied to scar tissue formations and surrounding structures to help encourage the body’s natural ability to break down & dissolve adhesions, while creating functional, mobile tissues. After being assessed, scar tissue treatment can be introduced as early as 3 weeks post surgery or accident. Self massage techniques are encouraged to do at home to help speed recovery & stimulate body consciousness.
Used to treat issues such as:
- Post Cesarean Section
- Post Breast Implants
- Post Breast Reduction
- Post Surgical Intervention
- Organ removal
- Invasive Scoping
- Cosmetic Surgery
Relaxation Massage:
A combination of rhythmic & gliding strokes to help calm the fight or flight response in the human nervous system. Focused massage to the hands, feet, face & scalp can be included into any treatment to help you reconnect to your whole body. Lights are dim, gentle music is playing, silence & deep breathing is encouraged. Relaxation of the nervous system is inevitable when you take the time out of your busy life to nurture your body. Getting a Relaxation Massage at least once a month can have incredible effects on your over all constitution & stress levels. Connecting to your body in quiet, gentle moments can help you feel more grounded and can assist you in creating a daily wind down self care routine.
Used to treat issues such as:
- Post Surgical Emotional & Mental Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Poor Sleep
- Headaches/Migraines
- Body Dysmorphia/Eating Disorders
TMJ Release & Scalp Massage:
Gentle, specific massage techniques are applied to the outside of the mouth, scalp, neck & chest to help decrease tension in the muscles of mastication (aka. chewing muscles) that can become tight from stress, post dental work, clenching during sleep
Used to treat issues such as:
- Headaches/Migraines
- Sinus Pain
- Tinnitus/Ear pain
- Jaw Clenching/Tooth/Jaw Pain
- Neck Pain
- Poor Sleep
- High Stress
Breast Massage:
Gentle, specific massage techniques are applied to the chest & back muscles, breast tissue is lifted and separated from surrounding muscles, and adhesions between muscle & connective tissues can be mobilized. Rib pain & tension is addressed & self massage education is introduced.
Used to treat issues such as:
- Chronic Mid Back & Chest Pain
- Breast Feeding Issues
- Delayed Milk Letdown
- Blocked Ducts
- Mastitis
- Galactocele Inflammation
- Post Surgical Scar Tissue Build Up
- Post Breast Implants
- Post Breast Reduction
- Post Mastectomy/Post Lumpectomy
- Post “Top Surgery”
Pre-peri-post Partum (Pregnancy) Massage:
Get support for your whole pregnancy! Effective massage techniques are applied to the pregnant body for the purposes of relaxation, pain relief & body consciousness.You can read more about the benefits of Registered Massage Therapy during Pregnancy here:https://yaletownnaturopathic.com/the-benefits-of-registered-massage-therapy-during-pregnancy/
Pelvic Health Massage:
Various, gentle massage techniques are applied to the pelvic & abdominal muscles to assist in tension and pain reduction.
Used to treat issues such as:
- Chronic Low Back & Pelvic Pain
- Painful Menstrual Symptoms
- Constipation / Digestive Issues
- Post Partum Abdominal & Organ Tissue Restrictions
- Post Partum Pelvic Muscular Tension
- Incontinence (urine leakage)
- Urinary Frequency/Urgency