Our Frequently Asked Questions, below, will answer most of your massage queries:

What is massage therapy?

Massage Therapy is the manipulation of the superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function and promote relaxation and well-being.

The word Massage comes from the French word massage “friction of kneading”, or from Arabic massa meaning “to touch, feel or handle” or from the Latin word massa meaning “mass, dough”.

Massage Therapy involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure; structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving and tension, motion, or vibration, done manually. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints or other connective tissues. Massage Therapy can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows and forearms.

In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself

How does massage therapy work?

Massage therapy improves circulation by bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues.

It relieves muscle tension and pain, increases flexibility and mobility, and helps clear lactic acid and other waste, which reduces pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.

Why do people get massage therapy?

People get massage therapy for relaxation or for a variety of health conditions:

  • Back pain
  • Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis
  • Stress relief and stress-related conditions
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains
  • Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Circulatory and respiratory problems
  • Post-injury and post surgical rehabilitation
  • Pre / post natal

Massage therapy relieves stress. It is thought to help the body’s stress response by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol.

Massage therapy also appears to enhance immune function.

What a typical massage therapy session is like

A typical massage therapy session is between 45 and 90 minutes. Your massage will begin with a brief consultation and review of symptoms, medical history and lifestyle.

You will be asked to undress to what you are comfortable in (while the massage therapist is out of the room), lie down under a sheet on a padded massage table.

The massage therapist will knock on the door to make sure you are ready. The massage therapist re-enters the room and will then adjust the face cradle, bolsters and pillows to ensure that you are comfortable and properly positioned. Tell the massage therapist if you are too warm or cold.

The massage therapist uses waxes or oil on the skin and begins the massage. You are underneath the sheet at all times, only the part of the body being treated at any one time is uncovered.

After the massage, the massage therapist leaves the room so you can get changed.

Take your time getting up. If you sit or stand too quickly you may feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Will massage therapy hurt?

Massage therapy shouldn’t hurt. Occasionally there is mild aching when the massage therapist applies pressure over “knots” and other areas of muscle tension. If the pressure is too strong for you, let the massage therapist know.

How will I feel after a massage?

Most people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment. Some people may experience mild temporary aching for a 24hrs to 72hr period following a deep tissue / trigger point therapy massage.

Precautions

Massage therapy is not recommended for certain people:

  • People with infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
  • Immediately after surgery
  • Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
  • People prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage

Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumours, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Additional massage tips

Don’t eat a heavy meal before the massage.

If it’s your first time at the clinic, arrive at least 5 minutes early to complete the necessary form.

  • Drink plenty of water after the massage to flush out toxins released during the treatment.