Descriptions......

Massage Therapy

It is the assessment and manipulation of the soft tissues and joints of the body including muscle, ligaments, tendons, and fascia for the prevention and treatment of physical dysfunction and pain.  There are many physical and psychological benefits.  It can help increase circulation and lymphatic flow.  It can help decrease muscle tension, stress and pain.  There are a whole variety of medical conditions that may also be helped with Massage Therapy: circulation problems, soft tissue dysfunctions, strains, sprains, stress, frozen shoulder, headaches among many, many other conditions!

In Ontario, Massage Therapy is performed by a registered massage therapist (under the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario).  Massage Therapists are regulated health professionals and have undergone at least 2200 hours of training, plus completed provincial written and comprehensive examinations.  MT’s are also required to keep all information confidential by law.

Hot Stone Massage

This is a style of massage in which heat-treated basalt lava stones are placed at specific sites on the client's body and held in the therapists hands to promote relaxation and to help open up the merdians (energy pathways). Many people find the warmth of the hot stones to be comforting. Hot stone massage is suited to people who tend to feel chilly or who have cold feet. It's also suited for people who have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage. The heat relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist to work the muscles without using deep pressure.   There are a variety of conditions that Hot Stone may help with: back pain and aches, poor circulation, osteoarthritis and arthritis pain, stress, anxiety and tension, insomnia and depression.

Reflexology

This is a holistic treatment based on the theory that there are "reflex" areas on the foot and hand that correspond to every area of the body. Applying pressure to these areas on the foot or hand is believed to stimulate the related body regions or organs to promote healing. The treatment, however, is used primarily to stimulate circulation, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy massage is massage therapy but with highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, added to the massage oil or lotion.  Each essential oil has different healing properties but once inhaled, the scent of the oils may affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system.  There has been scientific research with the effects of essential oils.