What is deep tissue massage?
The term can encompass several different techniques such as trigger point therapy , myofascial release, shiatsu, and neuromuscular therapy to name a few. Therapists often apply deep pressure with their fingers, knuckles, forearms and elbows. The techniques should be performed with intention and at a slower pace.
With these techniques, not only are the superficial body structures addressed, but the therapist also accesses deeper structures of read more
An average working day is 8 hours long. For an office worker, the majority of that time is spent at a computer. With the advancement of technology, we are also spending our spare time interacting with screens. Poor ergonomics and lack of movement negatively impacts our body, from our muscles to our organs. Many people suffer from headaches, neck and shoulder pain, wrist and elbow pain, low back and leg pain….all from sitting too long in one position! What is even more intriguing, is that read more
Registered massage therapists here in British Columbia have been trained to use many diverse techniques. There are dozens of techniques to be learned and variations of each of them. As a therapist grows into their training, they typically drift towards the techniques that they feel to be the most effective for their practice. Therapists often combine several techniques within one treatment to address the concerns of their clients. For example, if a client presents with a swollen ankle, the read more
Whip·lash noun \ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip-\ : an injury to the neck that is caused by a sudden backward movement of the head
Most commonly, whiplash occurs in motor vehicle accidents. When a vehicle is rear ended, the impact causes the neck to suddenly hyperextend and can affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and nerves in that area. Rapid neck hyperextension can also be caused by sports-related injuries (i.e. rugby, football, boxing), trampoline accidents, being struck in the read more
Travel. For some of us, travel is part of work. For others it’s an escape from the winter blues or the excitement of a road trip. Traveling by plane, car, bicycle or on foot can be hard on your body. Muscle aches and pains can ruin even the sunniest of vacation plans! Here are a few tips on how to stay healthy when traveling.
The most physically detrimental part of any travel plan is the extended periods of sitting, whether on a plane or in a vehicle. Sitting requires the muscles in read more
We are fortunate to have access to decent drinking water here in Victoria, BC, Canada. We can get water straight from the tap, filtered water, water in bottles, and even from local streams! We all hear about the importance of drinking water, so how much water do we really need?
There is actually no scientific evidence that supports the claim that people should drink 8 x 8 ounce glasses of water a day to be healthy. Generally, if the “8 x 8” rule is not already part of your lifestyle, read more
Running is one of the oldest and most rewarding sports. It’s relatively cheap to do and there are a variety of ways to run! You can run short distances, long distances, sprints, on treadmills, roads or trails.
There are many benefits to running, from burning calories and increasing your metabolism to cardiovascular health and strengthening your lower body muscles, and it elevates your mood and helps conquer stress.
Along with the vast benefits of running comes a risk of injuries, read more
Stress can surface in many different forms, but the body reacts the same way – by activating our “fight or flight” response. When this system is activated, it sends stress hormones through our bodies. These hormones cause an increase in heart rate, elevation in blood pressure, it diverts blood from our organs and can decrease the effectiveness of your digestive and immune systems.
Our “fight or flight” response was only meant to drive us into action for short periods of time, say, if read more
As a registered massage therapist, under certain circumstances, I will suggest that my patient(s) apply heat or ice after their treatment and/or between treatments. In response I often get asked, “Why heat?” or “Why ice?”. Let me explain.
Muscles have a range of motion, contracting and expanding. An unhealthy muscle loses its full range of motion due to injury, tension, stress, poor posture or a host of other reasons. Massage therapy in combination with home treatments, such as heat and read more