|
Massage Therapy
See Visiting Info for Dr. Stewart's Massage Therapy clinic hours.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissue structures in the body to prevent and alleviate pain and dysfunction with the use of Swedish and non-Swedish massage techniques. Massage therapy seeks to restore tissue health, flexibility, and balance to optimize health and prevent injury.
What are the benefits of Massage Therapy?
Regular care from your Registered Massage Therapist can improve the function of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous system as well as improve the rate at which the body heals from injury and illness. More specifically, massage therapy will reduce muscular tension, relieve stress and anxiety, prevent the progression of pain syndromes, and improve quality of life.
Massage therapy can be used in both acute and chronic stages of a condition. It is beneficial for people of all ages.
What do Massage Therapists treat?
Registered Massage Therapists can treat the following conditions:
|
Muscular dysfunction/Tension/Spasms
Edema
Headaches
Stress and Stress Related Conditions
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Bronchitis/Asthma
Sinus Congestion
Discomforts associated with Gastrointestinal Disorders/Constipation
Circulatory and Breathing Problems
|
Dysmenorrhea/Menstrual Cramps
Postural Imbalances
Pregnancy Support
Palliative Care
Multiple Sclerosis
ALS
Depression/Anxiety
Repetitive Strain Injury
Post-Surgical rehabilitation
|
How does massage therapy offer pregnancy support?
Massage therapy is a great and effective way to alleviate stress, depression, and anxiety associated with pregnancy. Research has shown that massage therapy can reduce labour pain, improve maternal mood, and improve neonatal health and development. Massage therapy throughout pregnancy also offers postpartum benefits including shorter labour, reduces length of hospital stay, and decreased risk of postpartum depression.
What massage styles are used?
Please click on the links below to learn more about the massage styles used by Dr. Melanie Stewart:
Swedish Massage
This refers to a variety of techniques designed to increase blood flow, encourage lymphatic flow and relax the
muscles of the body by compressing and kneading the muscles in a rhythmic fashion using varying pressures. These
techniques are applied in one direction to encouraging blood flow back to the heart.
Deep Fascial Massage
This refers to a massage technique designed to stretch, release and realign the fascia (connective tissue) that
surrounds all organs and muscles of the body. Force and depth of application will vary depending on the clients needs
and comfort level. Gentle assisted stretching is also applied to release the fascia. When fascia gets tight and
restricted, it can cause pain, pinch nerves, restrict normal movement patterns, and cause limitations in daily living
tasks.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
This is a gentle type of massage that is used to encourage the natural circulation and return of lymph throughout
the body. The technique involves light stroking of the skin to push the lymph through the vessels. This technique is
often used to control the fluid build up (edema) that occurs in the legs and arms with pregnancy, sports injury,
post-surgery, poor circulation, diabetes, and prolonged sitting.
Insurance receipts will be issued for all services.
|