ABOUT MASSAGE THERAPYABOUT MASSAGE THERAPYMassage Therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy helps alleviate the soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions. If employed early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury, massage therapy can greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning.
A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) can help relieve:
If you've never been to a massage therapist before, you are in for a treat. Regardless of whether you are coming for therapeutic reasons or just to relax, massage can have an amazing curative effect. Many people who have received a massage experience releases of tension and pain in muscles, improved circulation, increased flexibility, reduced mental and physical fatigue, and a general sense of calm, focus and well-being. Therapeutic massage is one of the most effective means available to combat stress.
What is
the first appointment like?You will begin your first appointment at Absolute Health Clinic by filling out a health intake form. Please arrive about five minutes early to allow time for this. After it is complete, you will be introduced to your therapist who will lead you to your massage room. He or she will ask you any questions pertinent to the session after reviewing your intake form. The therapist will then instruct you how to position yourself on the massage table, and will leave the room while you undress to your comfort level.
You will relax on a padded table designed for stability and comfort and cover yourself with the sheet. The room will be warm with soft music to set a relaxing mood.
Upon the therapists return, the session will begin. The massage is done with professional massage lotions or light oils that are good for your skin and absorb easily. Some forms of massage do not require the use of oil or lotion. A typical one-hour body massage covers the neck, back, arms, legs, face, upper chest and scalp. Some clients like to receive massage over their stomach area, some do not, so please communicate your likes and dislikes with the therapist. If you have any sensitive or ticklish areas that you want avoided, tell the therapist. You can talk during your session, or remain quiet. After your massage is finished, you will be given privacy while you dress.
After a session, most people feel extremely relaxed and sometimes feel a little fatigued. Many experience freedom from aches and pains that have built up over weeks and months from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, clients often experience an increase in energy that can last for several days.
An hour is the usual length of your treatment. This gives time for a deeply relaxing full body massage, or more in-depth work on a particular area, for example back, neck and shoulders.
Massage is a wonderful way to relax, relieve pain and discomfort, and help you cope with stress and fatigue during pregnancy. Massage helps relieve pain in your muscles and joints that must support extra weight and helps increase flexibility, making it easier for your body to adjust to additional weight. Massage therapy is one of the ideal natural therapies for management of chronic conditions and prevention of illness. Regularly scheduled massage treatments are particularly essential since many medications that are considered relatively safe or acceptable to control these symptoms and discomforts (such as pain killers, anti-inflammatory, laxatives, sleeping pills) are not recommended (or desirable) to take during pregnancy.