Massage therapy is the manipulation of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. Massage techniques include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, lymphatic massage, shiatsu, Chinese Tuina, and others.

2. What is a Registered Massage Therapist?

Massage therapy is a regulated health profession in Ontario and as such, massage therapy should be performed by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).

A Registered Massage Therapist is an individual who has:

Completed competency-based education at educational institutions
recognized by the government of Ontario;
Studied anatomy, physiology, pathology, physical assessment, neurology, treatments, ethics and other subjects;
Completed a minimum of 150 clinical hours;
Successfully completed examinations from and has been "registered" by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (the College) in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Massage Therapy Act;
Maintained their registration by participating in continuing education and a quality assurance program that assists in the maintenance of high professional standards and quality care of clients.

Only members of the College are permitted to use the title, “Massage Therapist” or “Registered Massage Therapist” or the designation of “RMT” or “MT”. All members of the Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario must be registered with the College and are therefore licensed massage therapy practitioners.

3. What is Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage is the most common type of massage that one might receive at a spa. Swedish massage combines various hands-on techniques including gliding, kneading, and cross-fibre friction to break up muscle knots, called adhesions. Swedish massage is based on the Western medical philosophies of anatomy and physiology. Swedish massage can be slow and gentle, or vigorous and bracing, depending on what the therapist needs to achieve. The therapist will typically use massage oil to lubricate the skin. A whole-body massage will usually take 50 to 60 minutes to complete. Swedish massage is performed by a trained and licensed Registered Massage Therapist.

4. What is Shiatsu?

Shiatsu is a Japanese term, meaning "finger pressure". It is a type of alternative medicine consisting of finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques. Shiatsu may help people relax and cope with issues such as stress, muscle pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression.

5. What is Chinese Tui Na?

Tui na or tuina pronounced is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with other Chinese treatments, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, fire cupping, herbalism, t'ai chi, and qigong. Tui na is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese taoist and martial arts principles in an effort to bring the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into balance.

The practitioner may brush, knead, roll/press, and rub the areas between each of the joints, known as the “eight gates”, to attempt to open the body's defensive (wei) chi and get the energy moving in the meridians and the muscles. The practitioner can then use range of motion, traction, and massage, with the stimulation of acupressure points.

These techniques may aid in the treatment of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions.

6. What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as a Swedish massage, but the pressure used will generally be greater. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesions.")

7. Will A Deep Tissue Massage hurt?

It should not hurt, but it is likely to be somewhat less comfortable than a classic Swedish massage. You should always feel free to speak up if the amount of pressure being used is causing pain.
It is important to drink a lot of water after a deep tissue massage to help flush lactic acid out of the tissues. If you do not drink enough water, it is more likely that you will be sore the next day. It is possible that you will feel some soreness the day after a deep tissue massage even if you DO drink enough water. This typically means that a lot of waste products were flushed out of the tissues. Residual soreness should pass within a day or two.

8. What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function, or health.

9. What is Hot Stone Massage ?

A hot stone massage uses smooth, flat, heated rocks placed at key points on the body.

Stones (usually basalt) are placed into a purpose-built Stone Heater which is filled with water. The water is typically heated to 50-53 degrees Celsius (122-127 degrees Fahrenheit).

Once the stones have heated sufficiently, some are placed onto specific points of the body (such as the back, hands, etc.) and others are held by the massage therapist and used to work the muscles.

10. What is Reflexology?

Reflexology, or zone therapy, involves the application of pressure with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques to the feet, hands, or ears, without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on what reflexologist state is a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the idea that this causes a physical change to the body.

11. What is Paraffin Treatment?

A paraffin treatment requires the use of warm oil-based wax to provide pain relief to hands, feet, and sore joints and muscles. This treatment has skin-softening benefits as well.

A paraffin treatment soothes chronic joint pain and relaxes stiff muscles, and improves blood flow to the treated area. It increases the range of motion for people with arthritis, bursitis, and other chronic conditions that cause pain and stiffness. Paraffin treatments also smooth and soften dry, chapped, rough, and scaly skin. It can be helpful for chronic skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, and is often used for the following conditions:

Arthritis
Bursitis
Eczema
Fibromyalgia
Fibrositis
Inflammation
Muscle Spasms
Overworked/Fatigued Muscles
Psoriasis
Scar Tissue
Stiff Joints
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow

And more…

12. What is Prenatal Massage?

Massage during pregnancy is a therapeutic type of bodywork that is designed to address the massage needs of the pregnant woman as her body goes through the typical changes of gestation. Massage can be received in all stages of pregnancy and is quite safe and often recommended by physicians, obstetricians, midwives and other related professionals.
Although massage therapy is very safe during the entire pregnancy, it must be performed by a trained professional. Massage during pregnancy can greatly improve your pregnancy experience and help your body get ready for labour. A pregnant woman's body is stressed in many ways during pregnancy and a prenatal massage can often be beneficial.
Prenatal massage can help with the following conditions:

Sciatic Pain
Low Back Pain
Constipation and Indigestion
Swelling of Face and Extremities
Headaches
Insomnia
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Hip and Leg Pain
Muscular Cramping
Depression
Sleeping Problems
Cardiovascular and Circulatory Problems

Ensure you hire an RMT with specific prenatal massage experience because they know how to address specific pregnancy-related needs. An experienced prenatal massage therapist knows how to avoid massaging in such a way that could potentially cause risks to the pregnancy. In addition, pregnant women have areas of their body that are more sensitive due to the changes of pregnancy, so make sure to tell your massage therapist if in any way you feel uncomfortable.

13. How will Massage Help a New Postnatal Mother?

Postnatal massage is one of the best ways to care for yourself and help you be a happier mom. Your body is now going through significant changes after delivery feel very uncomfortable. As a new mom, you need to take care of yourself while caring for your newborn. Postnatal massage can help you decrease the discomfort of afterbirth, and can help you relax and feel cared for during this difficult period of time.

Postnatal massage during the postpartum period can help with:

Low Back Pain
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Scar Healing
Headaches and Wrist Pain
Postural Dysfunction
Depression
Weakness and Fatigue
Pelvic Structural Integrity
Healthy Lactation
Reduction of Stress Hormones.
Before starting postnatal massage sessions, it is best to wait for at least 2 weeks after giving birth or when any incision is properly healed.

14. What is Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy?

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a very gentle hands-on technique that stimulates the activity of the lymph vessels and manually moves lymph fluid. Applied correctly, a series of MLD treatments will generally decrease the volume of the affected extremity to normal or near normal size. Long cloth bandages may be applied toward the end of this treatment program to achieve improved results (see Combined Decongestive Therapy, below).
In the 1930s, the techniques of MLD were first introduced by Dr. Emil Vodder, Ph.D., MT, from Denmark. MLD is becoming widely recognized as a treatment for many pathologies, including post-surgical swelling, post-traumatic edema (e.g. sports injuries), migraine headache, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. MLD is also used to promote general relaxation, and for cleansing (detoxification) of the skin and superficial fascia.
Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is a very successful treatment for chronic lymphedema. Long cloth bandages are applied in a specific manner to achieve and retain the reduction in edema. Graduated compression garments may then be worn to maintain the reduced limb and are designed to replace the bandages that were used earlier in treatment. Post-mastectomy lymphedema and other related conditions respond extremely well to this gentle, non-invasive, and highly effective therapy.

15. What are the benefits of Massage and Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy?

A massage and manual lymph drainage by a skilled professional can work wonders for:

Increasing relaxation
Increasing body immune ability
Reducing pain
Reducing stress
Reducing muscle tension
Reducing anxiety and depression
Improving joint mobility
Improving circulation
Minimizing scar tissue and increasing local area circulation
Minimizing Keloid scars, and
Reducing edema (swelling), thereby minimizing the incidence of various skin diseases

16. Why is Therapeutic Massage and MLD an important part of your health maintenance plan?

Therapeutic massage is an important part of your health maintenance plan, by:

Reducing or eliminating pain
Improving joint mobility
Improving circulation
Improving immune system function
Increasing lymphatic drainage
Reducing depression and anxiety
Reducing tension within muscles
Increasing body awareness

Registered Massage Therapy focuses on relieving painful muscle tension, improving circulation, and increasing joint flexibility.

17. What is acupuncture? How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture originated around 100BC in China, around the time The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing) was published. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles or the application of heat or electrical stimulation at acupuncture points to encourage the body to heal itself and to improve functioning. These acupuncture points are located along channels of energy, called meridians, which run in regular patterns through the body. The acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions and re-establish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments help to correct imbalances in the function of internal organs in the body. According to modern research, the acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain that change the experience of pain and trigger the release of hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.

18. What is Cosmetic Acupuncture?

There are many benefits to facial acupuncture, but the most obvious include:

Having softer, more firm skin
Reduction of deeper wrinkles
Potential elimination of finer wrinkles
Improvement in jowl lines.

Although not as visually dramatic as a surgical procedure, cosmetic acupuncture can have a more dramatic overall effect as a number of very healthy benefits occur. Besides cosmetic changes, clients often report improved digestion, improved sleep quality, reduction of hot flashes, elimination of mild depression and anxiety, improved energy, and an overall sense of well-being. Clients not only look more radiant but may feel healthier too.
A 1996 report in the international journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that among 300 cases treated with Cosmetic Acupuncture, 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment. The effects include: The skin becoming delicate, improvement of elasticity of facial muscles, ruddier complexion, and overall rejuvenation.

19. What are the benefits of Breast Massage?

Massage therapy is a gentle and effective way to promote breast health and help relieve breast tissue symptoms, such as congestion and tenderness, breast trauma or medical procedures for cosmetic, diagnostic, or treatment purposes, and a variety of breast discomforts.

20. What kinds of problems can be treated with Breast Massage?

Congestion and swelling
Discomforts of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weaning
Premenstrual and menopausal tenderness
Breast pain
Breast injuries
Post-surgical symptoms
Discomforts of cancer treatment
Client likes the holistic aspect of breast treatment in massage
Assistance with breast monitoring

21. What are the contraindications for Breast Massage Therapy?

If you have any of the following conditions or diagnosis, breast massage is not recommended:

Current active infection
Abscess or undiagnosed lump
Artificial implant

22. What is Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a broad range of medicine practices sharing common conceptswhich have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (Tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy. The narrow sense of TCM is focus on herb medicine, which is this website using.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage
http://www.livestrong.com/article/217736-what-is-paraffin-treatment/#ixzz26nAnbk6X
http://spas.about.com/od/swedishmassage/a/Swedish.htm
http://www.pregnancy-to-childbirth.com/massage-during-pregnancy.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/193086-what-are-the-benefits-of-paraffin-therapy

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