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Treatment
Massage therapy can be an effective treatment for a number of conditions. It encourages your body to heal itself by increasing circulation and blood flow to injured or aching areas. It can also relieve stress and tension, reduce insomnia and generally help you feel supple and more relaxed!
When you come for an appointment, your RMT's selection of treatment or massage type depends on you. Specific strains, stresses or injuries are more appropriate to some types of massage than others. You may have a specific reason for wanting a massage - anything from relief of physical discomfort/pain in a specific area to general relaxation.
The RMTs at A Natural Alternative will work with you to identify what you need and want from your treatment and recommend a treatment plan. Recommendations may include alternative therapies and some homecare exercises.
Please feel free to discuss the treatment recommended by your RMT so that you understand and are comfortable with your visit here! For more information about the types of treatments we offer, please click the links below.
Types of Massage
Baby Massage/Massage Lessons
Baby massage and massage lessons use light pressure and a warm, quiet environment. Learning to use massage with a child can help to strengthen mother-child and father-child bonds, reduce irritability and improve sleep habits. Studies show that baby massage for full-term and preterm infants increases weight gain and motor skill development.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is best for relieving severe tension in the muscles and tissues. The RMT's goal is to access and manipulate different and deeper levels of connective tissue (or fascia) and muscles to relieve pain or speed rehabilitation.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a specialized massage technique in which the application of pressure, skin rolling and stretching (or tension) in different directions allows the fascia to release. The RMT stretches the fascia (a layer of fibrous connective tissue throughout the body) to release unwanted, often motion-restricting bonds between fascia, muscles and other tissues. The Therapist's goal is to relax these unwanted bonds and contracted muscles to restore range-of-motion, increase circulation, realign posture and speed healing.
Pregnancy Massage (Body Cushion)
Pregnancy massage can help reduce discomfort associated with pregnancy, ease labour, enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of the mom-to-be and improve neonatal health and development. Specially designed, ergonomic body cushions (allowing mom to lie on her stomach), are used to ensure the patient's safety and comfort during treatment.
Relaxation Massage
A relaxation massage has only one goal - to promote relaxation. The RMT will typically use lighter pressure, gentle kneading, smooth rolling of the muscles and/or rhythmic rolling to help relieve anxiety, distress, hypertension, insomnia or high blood pressure.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is used to help relieve pain and support the full functioning of muscles and joints. There are five specific strokes used in Swedish massage: effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fibre) and vibration/shaking.
Trigger Point Therapy
Knots, cramps or nodules may form in muscles tissue. These lumps can be quite painful and can transfer referral pain to other joints and muscles in the area. Trigger point therapy locates and releases these "knots" through the application of deep tissue and myofascial techniques directly to the site. Often there is a "twitch" associated with locating, pressing and releasing the trigger point.
Cranial Sacral Therapy
The cranial sacral system includes soft tissue and bones of the cranium (head), the spine and pelvis. Cranial-sacral therapy (CST) aims to relieve blockages in the tissues and fluids around the brain and spinal cord using light touch. The intent of the treatment is to allow the body's natural fluids to move freely to promote health and well-being. (www.craniosacraltherapy.org)
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