1-416-489-8888 info@achievahealth.ca

MASSAGE THERAPY

Relaxation of the Muscles

Massage Therapy is the practice of manipulating the body’s soft tissue structures to prevent and lessen pain, soreness, muscle spasms, and stress as well as maintaining health and wellness. This involves accessing and manually holding, moving and/or applying pressure to most of the body’s soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and other connecting tissue.

Is Massage Therapy Right for Me?

Massage therapy can help to relieve chronic conditions associated with traumatic injury, overuse, and stress and can include lower back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue and more. It has been shown to improve blood and lymphatic 

circulation, and the function of the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems which in-turn helps the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness.

Improved blood circulation helps reduce swelling, accelerates healing (enhanced delivery of nutrition to cells and removal of cellular debris), and lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Enhanced lymphatic circulation improves the function of the immune system by increasing the delivery of white blood cells and natural killer T cells-immune cells that attack viruses and other foreign pathogens. In the event of injury, either from repetitive strain such as poor posture or from trauma such as an accident or surgery, massage therapy can manually stretch muscles, reduce muscle spasms, increase the range of motion of joints and help to break down scar tissue.

A relaxing massage also has psychological benefits such as reducing emotional stress. This will reduce or eliminate the production of stress chemicals which, over a period of time, can be harmful to the body. Physical touch is also recognized by health professionals as an adjunct to pain relief, whether physical or emotional.

A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is trained in a variety of techniques ranging from a relaxing approach (Swedish) to a deep and vigorous massage (Shiatsu). Techniques also include pressure point therapy for certain conditions and injuries and contemporary sports massage that focuses on muscles related to a particular sport. Regular massage therapy has been used by many as a form of body maintenance for the continuance of good health.

Who can benefit most from Massage?

Everyone can benefit from massage but it can be most beneficial to those that those suffering from soft tissue injury, muscular tension, and nerve compression.

Pregnancy and Massage

Massage is especially beneficial for reducing muscle tension and nerve compressions (sciatica) associated with altered body posture and mechanics. Women are treated lying on their side, back or stomach depending on the stage of the pregnancy.

Seniors and Massage

Massage therapy is very helpful for seniors. Modified techniques are used to treat the special needs of older adults including those who are fragile. Massage helps to ease physical discomfort from conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis and aids in increasing general circulation.

Conditions that May be Helped by Massage Therapy

Massage therapy treats a wide variety of conditions related to muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments and connective tissue. Click here for conditions that may be helped by Massage Therapy.

Appointments

Massage therapy treatment sessions vary between 30 to 90 minutes depending on the condition treated. Each client is assessed and treated for their individual and specific needs.

Payment Coverage

Most progressive extended health benefit plans cover massage therapy treatments when provided by a Registered Massage Therapist and most do not require a physician’s order to do so. It is currently not covered under OHIP, however, but WSIB may fund Massage Therapy with prior approval by Case Managers. If you have been injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident, you may be entitled to receive Massage Therapy funded by your insurer.

More Information

If you would like more information on Massage Therapy or would like to arrange an appointment, please call us at 416-489-8888 or email us at info@achievahealth.ca.

Profiles

Click here to see profiles of our Massage Therapists.