Massage Therapy

What is Chinese Massage?

Massage therapy has been used for more than 3,000 years as a healing art.

Massage is used to improve circulation and reduce pain.

Massage is a non-invasive therapy that aids relaxation, alleviates mental stress and can help to relieve the everyday discomfort of overworked muscles, strained joints and ligaments and different types of chronic aches and pains.

If massage therapy starts soon after injury it can also help limit scar tissue and prevent other muscles from overcompensating for the trauma-affected joint.

How Massages Work

Massages increase blood flow to the specific muscles, allowing nutrients to be delivered more quickly while removing metabolic waste that can cause pain and delay recovery. If you don’t move much during the day, blood flow naturally decreases, so massage is an excellent method to get everything pumping again.

Being stationary all day can cause muscle fibres to become stuck together, known as an adhesion. These adhesions restrict movement and if untreated can lead to whole muscles becoming hypertonic and eventually painful. A precise massage can work on the problem tissue, lengthening it and breaking down the adhesions until a normal range of movement can be restored.

Massage Therapy Specialties

Insomnia

Anxiety

Pain Relief

Insomnia

Anxiety

Pain Relief

Massage Benefits

Massage therapy can aid in the recovery of injured tissues and overused muscles in the body.

Massage therapy can aid in the recovery of injured tissues and overused muscles in the body. In addition, registered massage therapy can complement other forms of therapy including physiotherapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture by speeding up the recovery process and preventing future re-injury. Other benefits include:

Relieving muscle tension
Promoting relaxation
Reducing pain and inflammation
Increasing blood circulation
Increasing lymph circulation
Speeding up healing of injured tissues
Stimulating neural connections to your tissues
Providing greater flexibility and joint range of motion
Reducing nerve compression

Conditions Treated

Massage therapy is frequently used to treat stress-related symptoms; it can also be used to treat chronic and acute conditions that cause pain, as well as a variety of other health conditions that can impair your overall wellness. It is a great option for:

Massage Results

Some results you may notice from massage therapy can include:

Relaxation

Massages have a way of softly lulling us into a state of relaxation that calms our nervous system. This is referred to as the relaxation response. The relaxation response is a state in which the pulse and breathing rates slow down, the body starts to relax, stress hormone production decreases, blood pressure drops, and the muscles begin to let go of their subconscious tension and relax.

The relaxation response also typically raises the available level of serotonin, a chemical in your brain that has a positive effect on emotions and thoughts.

Potential Side Effects

While negative reactions to massage treatment are quite uncommon, some rare problems can occur. These are some of the varying risks in undergoing deep tissue massage:

Problems are rare, and usually entirely avoided by a careful assessment of your condition before any massage therapy.

Massage FAQ

Should I eat before the massage?

Avoid having a massage on a full stomach. It is best to have a light meal about one to two hours before the session. However, you know your body best, so don’t go hungry to avoid the possibility of feeling lightheaded.

When should I arrive for the scheduled appointment?

It is best to arrive about 10 ahead of time so you have a chance to breathe and relax before your session. In addition, arriving early also avoids the unnecessary stress of running late. After all, you’ve come to the massage session to help you relax.

How else can I prepare before my massage?

If it’s possible, a warm shower will help relax your muscles and your mind.

What else should I keep in mind before receiving a massage?

Please avoid using strong perfume or aftershave as some people, including massage therapists, can be allergic to the scent.

What should I do during the massage session?

Relax, breathe and be honest about your pain levels. This helps our professional massage therapist to customize the massage session. Also, let the massage therapist know what part of your body you want more focus on and where you prefer less. If something doesn’t feel good, just say so, the massage is for you.

What should I avoid during the massage session?

Please avoid any distractions. Turn off your phone or any other electronic devices and just enjoy the massage.

If I feel lightheaded after the massage, what should I do?

Sometimes after a session, clients feel lightheaded. If that’s the case, then please let us know that you’re dizzy and you can rest until the feeling passes.

Is there anything that I need to avoid after my massage session?:

It is best not to exercise right after a massage. Since your muscles are already relaxed, an exercise session right after a massage may strain them. The more intense the massage style, the more time the body needs to relax. Typically twelve to twenty-four hours are needed for the body to rejuvenate after a deep muscle massage.

How often do I need a massage to take advantage of its benefits?

Massage can be considered as a support of your long term well-being. To keep receiving the massage related benefits, it’s recommended to have a massage at least monthly.

Should I make conversation during the massage?

Although some people prefer to talk throughout the massage, don’t feel like you have to make conversation. Many people close their eyes and relax. Deep tissue massage and sports massage may require more feedback when the massage therapist works on deeper layers of muscle and will want to ensure that the pressure is comfortable.

Where are Best of Chinese Medicine Clinics?

Find us in one of our two convenient locations :

Book your Massage Therapy appointment today.

We develop individual treatments to address each patient’s unique needs. We take the time to get to know you with a thorough consultation.

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