Whether searching for a way to deal with the stresses of daily life, seeking relief for a medical condition or wanting to maintain health and balance in their lives, more and more Canadians are turning to therapeutic massage. Massage is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Research has shown therapeutic massage relaxes muscles, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, improves healing time of strained ligaments and muscular tissues, reduces inflammation in joints, improves range of motion, reduces the heart rate, increases endorphins which is the body's way of reducing pain.

TECHNIQUES USED
CROSS FIBRE MASSAGE In a perpendicular direction, friction is created by rubbing across sore muscle fibers, helping to release muscles from adhesions and scars.

DEEP COMPRESSION MASSAGE A rhythmic pumping action which helps flush metabolic wastes.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY Direct pressure is applied to anesthetize or desensitize trigger points-highly sensitive areas in the muscles and connective tissue.

HYDROTHERAPY Water-cold or hot, fresh or mineral-is often used in several therapeutic ways.

CRYOTHERAPY/ICE THERAPY The application of ice to the body with ice packs/blocks, commercial gel packs & immersion in ice water

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
WHAT IS DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE? Involves dynamic techniques for advanced soft tissue manipulation. This sophisticated treatment affords a neuromuscular based method of dramatic muscle tension reduction. Deep tissue massage has been found to increase muscle strength or length significantly and rapidly. It will help athletes to increase flexibility and prevent injury.

THAI YOGA MASSAGE
WHAT IS THAI YOGA MASSAGE?
HISTORY: Thai Yoga Massage (TYM) roots back to 3000 BC as an ancient healing practice used by Buddist monks. Preserved in Thailand, it is closely related to Ayurveda, Yoga Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Shiatsu.

BENEFITS: The main focus of TYM is to attain and maintain physical, mental and emotional balance. The treatment affects both the superficial and deeper layers of muscles, ligaments, joints and connective tissue. It aids in the release of tension by gently stretching and lengthening muscles. TYM eases inflexibility by creating mobility in tight joints. The changes are gentle yet immediately noticeable.

TREATMENT: TYM is tailored to the individual's needs. The recipient wears loose, comfortable clothing, preferably made from natural fibres. The bodywork is done on a mat on the floor to allow the practitioner and the recipient to move freely. The practitioner works around the body while applying rhythmic pressure to energy points as well as facilitating deep assisted stretching.

CRANIO - SACRAL THERAPY
WHAT IS CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPY? Cranio-Sacral Therapy is a non-invasive technique used by accredited therapists to assess and treat restrictions and altered patterns of cerebrospinal fluid flow.

Restrictions are caused by physical or emotional traumas. For instance, neck injuries from a car accident are locked into the body. So are sports injuries, accidental falls or birth complications such as forceps deliveries. Emotional traumas are also stored. The events are essentially "frozen" into our bodies until they are released.