Call Us - Hunt Club613-224-2077 Call Us - Kanata343-309-9654 Book Online Today 8 Benefits of Massage Therapy Indulge in your health and wellness Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle can often come with aches and pains. Just because someone is active and healthy doesn’t mean they don’t experience their fair share of stress and sleepless nights. If your busy schedule is taking a toll on your body, you should consider massage therapy. Who doesn’t love a gentle, relaxing massage? But not everyone realises that regular visits to your massage therapist could have other unexpected health benefits. Today, massage therapy is more popular — and accessible — than ever before. It’s grown to be a staple in many healthcare regimens. What is massage therapy? Massage therapy is a regulated healthcare approach that promotes a balance between a patient’s mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It’s performed by a registered massage therapist (RMT), who must be registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario to legally practice massage therapy in the province. RMTs work with patients to design a personalised treatment plan for illness, injury, rehabilitation and disability. There are several types of massage regularly used by RMTs, depending on the patient’s needs. These include deep tissue massage, sports massage, prenatal massage, scalp/facial massage, relaxation massage and myofascial release. RMTs can safely and effectively treat infants, children, and the elderly. In fact, age-related health conditions, such as arthritis and muscle tension, are best treated with massage therapy. If your condition would be better treated by a different healthcare professional, your massage therapist will be happy to make the appropriate referral. What can massage therapy do for you? 1. Reduce and eliminate pain Whether you suffer from chronic pain, an acute injury or even just those pesky aches and pains of everyday life, one of the biggest benefits of massage therapy is pain relief. Massage therapy is so effective against pain because it targets the root of the issue rather than simply treating surface pain. Massage also stimulates the release of “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and serotonin, reducing the sensation of pain. An unexpected but critical long-term benefit of massage therapy associated with pain relief is improved circulation. This happens over time and is more noticeable in patients who receive massage therapy on a regular basis. Improved circulation causes a snowball effect, removing lactic acid from your muscle tissue while allowing blood to circulate more freely to heal damaged, stiff, and tense muscles. 2. Reduce stress, anxiety and depression Alongside pain relief, a reduction in anxiety, stress and even depression is one of the benefits that research has linked to massage therapy. Studies have shown that relaxation massage increases blood flow to areas of the brain and nervous system that are associated with mood and stress regulation. This causes cortisol levels to drop and alleviates other symptoms of stress, such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and shortness of breath. If you suffer from panic attacks or bouts of extreme depression, regular visits to your massage therapist can have preventative benefits. 3. Better quality of sleep Relaxation massage helps encourage restful sleep by eliminating sleep disturbances like pain and stiffness. Additionally, it also helps relieve suffering from conditions that don’t allow you to rest comfortably. For example, it can be particularly effective for cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. Massage is also beneficial for infants, helping them sleep more deeply and even cry less often. 4. Improve joint mobility Patients suffering from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even IBS and Crohn's disease often experience stiff, sore joints. This can severely limit your range of motion. To treat these conditions, your RMT can use a variety of massage types of moderate pressure to avoid potentially worsening flare-ups. 5. Reduce muscle tension For many people, the average workday can consist of sitting at a desk for eight hours a day. For others, it requires manual labour. Either way, it’s difficult to remain conscious of your posture all day. These repetitive activities can lead to back pain and muscle tension throughout your shoulders, neck and legs. Deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure strokes to reach deeper into the muscles, which can reduce muscle soreness by up to 30% and even improve your range of motion. It’s also useful for pregnant women who experience increased stress on their back, shoulders, neck, and abdominal muscles. 6. Increase sports performance Before massage therapy became a go-to for your average joe, athletes were using it to not only treat sports-related injuries but also to improve their overall game. Depending on what sport you play, a sports massage specifically targets the group of muscles you use the most. This can help increase your blood flow, improve your range of motion and treat injuries. Sports massages are even useful for decreasing your risk of injury. Sports massages are similar to deep tissue massage, with faster strokes and additional techniques like compression and pressure point therapy. If you are heavily involved in sports, your RMT may recommend that you visit as often as three times per week. 7. Break down muscle knots and adhesions Muscle knots and adhesions can affect your range of motion, and cause pain, inflammation and even affect your circulation. This can either be a result of scar tissue build-up or painful bands of rigid tissue. Both can be physically broken down with a deep tissue or trigger point massage to bring better mobility and relief from pain. If you’re prone to knots and adhesions, your RMT may recommend more frequent visits, or prescribe preventative exercises to do at home. 8. Normalise lymphatic system Some health conditions — like fibromyalgia and lymphedema — can cause lymph fluid to build up in your bodily tissues. This can make it difficult for your body to efficiently remove waste and toxins, resulting in a painful build-up. Lymph fluid accumulation causes inflammation in the affected area, most commonly the arms and legs. It’s also common with infections, and among cancer patients who have had their lymph nodes removed. A lymphatic drainage massage slowly eases the muscle around the affected area with long, gentle strokes, allowing the lymph fluid to circulate freely and ultimately reducing the pain and swelling. Contact us today to schedule an appointment Name* Email* Phone* Choose location*West Hunt ClubKanata Choose service*PhysiotherapyChiropractorAcupunctureMassage TherapyDietitianYogaCold PlungeInfrared SaunaIV Therapy Message* Input this code: Thank you for requesting an appointment We usually respond within one business day. If you’ve messaged us outside of normal business hours, we will be happy to help you once we’re back. Please note that no bookings are final until we have reserved a time slot using your credit card. Hours of operation Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: Appointment only Sunday: Closed Please be aware of our cancellation policy. Ready to book your massage therapy? Many people have preconceived notions that massage is only a feel-good way to pamper yourself. Instead, think of it as a tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being. Your massage therapist can even teach you helpful tips for using massage at home, with a partner or even by yourself. Whether you’re looking for ways to treat a specific health condition, or simply find some much-needed stress relief, massage therapy might be the missing puzzle piece you need. Contact us today to book a massage! Contact us today to schedule an appointment Book online now