Why Registered Massage Therapy
The perfect match for this type of therapy (versus chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture, etc.) is someone who is looking for care that honours the fact the body is a sum of all its parts and needs care based on "everything is connected". RMT accesses and works with all systems, skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory to achieve desired outcome.
Because Registered Massage Therapists are professionally accredited (mine are posted below) They can credibly assess, so you don't have to know how to get what you need. You just have to be willing to communicate your sense of self and what changes or results you want.
Really, the hardest part is finding a therapist whose style resonates with you. Actually, that sounds like fun!
Let's connect.
Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
Here are some details to let you know what RMT is and what you can expect.
Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage
These techniques are almost always used together. Deep tissue breaks up adhesions in the muscle and surrounding connective tissue (fascia). The RMT works layer by layer, superfically to deep releasing fascial adhesions (stuck bits) and muscle contractures (knots). I use this a lot with chronic aches and pains or contractured areas allowing for a restoration of function and sense of ease.
Swedish massage is a combination of massage movements: Effleurage (long fluid sliding), Petrissage (kneading and rolling), Tapotement (drumming or tapping), Frictions (static pressure). Combinations of these movements leave you feeling more energized and "lighter".
Myofascial Release
Myofascia is connective tissue that surrounds and innervates muscles. When the tissue is rigid or "stuck" it can cause pain. Myofascial release aids the tissues and supporting sheath with light pressure, releasing the "stuck bit" and providing relief and eliciting "ah...that feels better already". Typically it is done at the beginning of the treatment session.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are spots in muscles that cause pain when compressed (when you use your muscle).They refer pain to other areas of the body and often are not on your radar. Trigger point therapy releases the fiber of muscle that is causing the pain and you "lose the headache/sore back/numb fingers you've had all week!".
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM)
This is a manual therapy that uses stainless steel tools to perform muscle and fascial mobilizations. Used mainly by chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, physiotherapists and some licensed Canadian massage therapists. I am one of them.
I love the way that it can elicit release in seconds, whereas I need multiple minutes when I use my hands. The therapy is very specific and precise and causes less pain - you are more comfortable during the therapy, enjoying fast, effective results.
