evolve Nurturing Vitality

Questions & Answers about Massage Therapy

1. What is Massage Therapy?
2. What conditions do massage therapists treat?
3. What should I expect the first massage therapy visit?
4. Will my skin have a reaction to the massage oils used?
5. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?
6. What is CranioSacral Therapy?
7. What is Lymphatic Drainage Therapy?
8. What is Muscle Energy Technique?
9. What is Visceral Manipulation?

1. What is Massage Therapy?

Massage Therapy is an effective approach to pain management and overall well-being using a variety of techniques, including massage, manual therapy, and rehabilitative exercise such as stretching, strengthening and patient education.

While massage is often used to treat medical conditions, it is a key element in helping to achieve overall well-being by increasing the body’s range of motion and flexibility, helping to reduce stress, and improving circulation.

2. What conditions do massage therapists treat?

Registered Massage Therapists are trained to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:

• headache/migraines
• post injury rehabilitation
• post surgical rehabilitation
• sprains and strains
• fibromyalgia
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• lymphoedema
• back pain
• tendinitis/bursitis
• neck and shoulder tension
• muscle spasm
• pain due to pregnancy
• whiplash
• sports injuries
• temporomandibular joint pain

3. What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?

In your initial visit you will be asked to fill out a health history form and undergo a physical assessment to evaluate your condition. This will help your massage therapist to assess your condition and needs, and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to disrobe, and allow you to position yourself on the table under a sheet.

Your massage therapist will suggest a starting position and if s/he wants you to adjust your position during the treatment, s/he will either move you or will ask you to move. Otherwise, you may change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable.

Your massage therapist may use a light oil or lotion, depending on the technique used. Be sure to speak up if you feel any discomfort so the massage therapist can use another approach or technique.

4. Will my skin have a reaction to the massage oils used?

Most therapists use hypoallergenic massage oils or lotions, however, be sure to let your massage therapist know if you are sensitive to certain types of oils or lotions as most practitioners have an assortment on hand.

5. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?

A massage usually leaves most people feeling very relaxed. Some patients find that they no longer experience the long-term aches and pains that had developed from tension or repetitive activity. And while there is sometimes an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often find that their energy increases, their awareness is heightened, and they feel more productive.

Massage therapists recommend that you drink plenty of water following your massage, to flush the toxins that are released from your soft tissues.

6. What is CranioSacral Therapy?

The craniosacral system is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the spinal cord and brain.  With a very light touch, CST practitioners evaluate and enhance a patient's craniosacral system by releasing restrictions within it.  This promotes the body's natural healing process and helps to restore correct function to the central nervous system. It is used to remedy a wide variety of medical conditions and improve resistance to disease. Commonly treated problems are:

• Migraines
• Scoliosis
• Trauma to the spinal cord and brain
• Autism
• Post-surgical recovery
• Chronic Pain
• Emotional Difficulties
• Nervous System Disorders

7. What is Lymphatic Drainage Therapy?

LDT is a technique of manual lymphatic drainage, created by Bruno Chikly, MD. Using extensive knowledge of anatomical science, the massage therapist detects the depth, rhythm and direction of the lymph flow throughout the body. The gentle touch of hands and fingers is used in Manual Lymphatic Mapping, which determines circulation and supports alternate pathways for draining stagnations and removing blockages.

With soft, wave-like movements, the massage therapist encourages fluid circulation, improved function of the immune system, detoxification of the body, tissue regeneration and other benefits, such as:

• relief of chronic pain
• reducing symptoms of insomnia or chronic fatigue
• aiding to diminish swollen areas of the body, such as hands or ankles
• relief of bronchitis and other chronic or acute inflammations

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is offered at our clinic by Lori Main, RMT.

8. What is Muscle Energy Technique?

Muscle Energy Technique, or MET, is a manipulative technique in which a patient, on request, actively uses his or her muscles from a controlled position in a specific direction against a distinct counterforce applied by the practitioner. It is used to gain motion that is limited by restrictions of neuromuscular structures.

9. What is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral Manipulation is performed by using specific and light manual forces to encourage the normal mobility, tone and motion of the viscera (the internal organs of the body). Gentle manipulations can potentially improve the functioning of individual organs, the systems the organs function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body. It encourages your own natural healing abilities and helps to improve the functioning of your organs, dissipate the negative effects of stress, enhance mobility of the musculoskeletal system through the connective tissue attachments, and balance general metabolism.