Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies , with the intention of positively affecting the health and well being of the client.

Benefits of Massage:

Everyone can benefit from a professional massage. Massage can:

• provide anything from soothing relaxation to deeper therapy for specific physical problems.
• relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety.
• increase the nourishing blood supply to your tissues.
• improve energy and alertness.
• aid your recovery from pulled muscles or sprained ligaments.
• ease many of the uncomfortable stresses of child bearing, including edema, backaches, and exhaustion.
• relieve certain repetitive motion injuries related to on-the-job activities.
• greatly reduce your pain, if you suffer from such problems as temporal mandibular joint dysfunction(TMJ) or carpal tunnel syndrome.
• compensate, at least part in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction if you’re a person who, because of age, injury, or illness, is forced to remain inactive.

Response to massage:

Once your massage is underway, a whole range of beneficial reactions is set in motion. The therapy can:

• hasten the elimination of waste and toxins stored in your muscles.
• increase the interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells.
• heighten the oxygenation of tissues.
• stimulate the relaxation response within your nervous system.

All these responses can:

• help to strengthen your immune system.
• improve your posture.
• increase your joint flexibility and range of motion.
• lower your blood pressure.

There are some instances when the use of massage might not be appropriate. It is wise to consult your physician before initiating a massage program. An experienced massage therapist will also be able to tell you when massage is not indicated.

What to Expect:

Your massage therapist will do everything possible to ensure that your experience is positive and rewarding. You may be asked about your reasons for getting a massage, current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress level, areas of pain, and other pertinent topics. You’ll be asked to undress in private and drape yourself with the sheet. Your may leave your undergarments off or on, at your discretion. You’ll lie down on a comfortably padded massage table. The therapist will undrape only the part of your body being massaged, ensuring that your modesty is respected at all times.

For more information or to book a massage please contact Shelley at 786-8940 x4590 in the Hope Healing Room.

*Above information provided by the American Massage Therapy Association.