Massage

Check out what the mayo clinic has to say about massage:

Benefits of massage

Massage is generally considered part of integrative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Massage benefits can include:

Reducing stress and increasing relaxation
Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension
Improving circulation, energy and alertness
Lowering heart rate and blood pressure
Improving immune function

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:

Anxiety
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Insomnia related to stress
Low back pain
Myofascial pain syndrome
Nerve pain
Soft tissue strains or injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
Upper back and neck pain

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection.

Swedish Massage

Known as a “classic massage” in many countries, the Swedish massage is the best known and most widely practiced type of massage. There are a variety of techniques used in Swedish massage including circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, light tapping, and more. A Swedish massage is designed to relax the entire body by rubbing the muscles in long, gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But the benefits of Swedish massage go beyond relaxation. It can help increase the level of oxygen in the blood and improve circulation and flexibility.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage centers on realigning the deeper layers of connective and muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the tense areas, either following or going across the fibers of the muscles, tendons and fascia. It is particularly helpful for continually tight and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.

Deep tissue massage is much more than just a “hard massage.” In contrast to only relaxing muscles, the specific lengthening of fascia, muscles and tendons offers many benefits such as increased joint movement, quicker injury recovery, better posture, as well as feelings of well-being.

Relaxation Massage

The emphasis for this massage is to help you relax – the goal is not to target chronic underlying muscle adhesions, knots or issues. Relaxation massage is performed using slower pace and light pressure and is not designed to deal with chronic muscle pain and discomfort. Relaxation massage uses a tempo of a lighter touch that combines soothing, long gliding, sweeping and rhythmic strokes to help you relax, unwind and let go.

Sports massage

Sports massage focuses on the prevention and healing of injuries to your muscles and tendons by encouraging the circulation of blood and lymph and by reducing muscle tension. By improving circulation sports massage is both preventative and restorative. Preventative sports massage can help to prevent buildup of lactic acid in muscles, help prevent cramps, and decrease the risk of injury. Restorative sports massage can relieve muscle tension, improve recovery time, keep muscles and tendons flexible, and enhance training. Consequently, sports massage can support an athlete for optimum performance by reducing muscle tension and inflammation and by increasing flexibility, range of movement and endurance.

Remedial Exercise

Remedial and rehabilitation exercises, a potential part of your healing plan, are a daily form of self care for your use at home. It is an important to be an active participant in your own health and recovery and doing these prescribed remedial exercises can help to quicken your recovery time. Exercise programs can be site specific for neck rehab or can be for the entire body, like postural exercises, they can include stretches or strengthening exercises for the muscles that are designed to address imbalances with counter balance movements, which will then, over a period of time, return the muscles to their balanced state.

15 minute head, neck, and shoulder massage ... $20 (available as an addition to your reiki treatment)

30 minute upper body OR lower body focus massage ... $38

45 minute full body massage ... $55

60 minute full body massage ... $70

Initial Assessment (or after 6 months without treatment, new injury/condition) 75 minutes ... $85

45 minute full body Massage + Reiki & Rest (90 min total) ... $115

**Additional travel rates apply if you would like to book Gordon and/or Carina to come to your location.

Book your Massage session now by emailing healthyself.skinner@gmail.com or calling 647-389-0307

What you can expect during a massage

You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage session starts, your massage practitioner will ask you about any symptoms, your medical history and what you're hoping to get out of massage.

In a typical massage session, you undress or wear loose-fitting clothing. Undress only to the point that you're comfortable. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. Your massage practitioner will leave the room when you undress before the massage and when you dress after it. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed.

Depending on preference, your massage practitioner may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Tell your massage practitioner prior to treatment if you might be allergic to any ingredients.

A massage session may last from 10 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you should feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage. Breathe normally throughout your massage.

Your massage practitioner may play music during your massage or talk to you, but you can tell him if you prefer quiet.

If the practitioner is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while he works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.

Risks of massage

Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have:

Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication
Burns or healing wounds
Deep vein thrombosis
Infections
Broken bones (fractures)
Severe osteoporosis
A very low platelet count (severe thrombocytopenia)

Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or if you have cancer or unexplained pain.

Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn't ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away.