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Page Title
York Health Services "Better Health In The Palm Of Your Hands." |
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| 143 Cow Bay Road Unit A Eastern Passage Nova Scotia (902) 293-5657 |
MASSAGE THERAPY
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage is recognized as one of the oldest forms of treatment in health
care. Massage Therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of
the body, to achieve a therapeutic response and maintain, or improve
physical function. It enhances the function of muscles and joints,
improves the circulation of blood and lymph, and relieves pain and stress.
Massage Therapy was once viewed in Canada as a “feel good” treatment
used mostly as a way to relax or pamper yourself. Due to the required
education, increased emphasis on assessment and treatment of various
conditions, and knowledge in anatomy and physiology needed to become
a registered massage therapist today, massage therapy is being utilized
more and more as an important part of the increasingly accepted multi-
disciplinary approach to healthcare.
Massage is recognized as one of the oldest forms of treatment in health
care. Massage Therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of
the body, to achieve a therapeutic response and maintain, or improve
physical function. It enhances the function of muscles and joints,
improves the circulation of blood and lymph, and relieves pain and stress.
Massage Therapy was once viewed in Canada as a “feel good” treatment
used mostly as a way to relax or pamper yourself. Due to the required
education, increased emphasis on assessment and treatment of various
conditions, and knowledge in anatomy and physiology needed to become
a registered massage therapist today, massage therapy is being utilized
more and more as an important part of the increasingly accepted multi-
disciplinary approach to healthcare.
Massage… Reduces Stress
Probably the most well-known and accepted benefit of massage is it’s ability to invoke
relaxation. It is estimated that somewhere between 70-90% of visits to general practitioners are
for conditions related to stress. Research has consistently shown that massage therapy lowers
the level of blood Cortisol (stress-hormone).
Massage… Decreases Pain
Massage Therapists are trained to specifically address a wide range of painful injuries and/or
conditions (see above list).
Massage… Increases Circulation
Massage temporarily increases local circulation. By increasing circulation you improve soft-
tissue health in general. An increased circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are
available to the tissue, also that metabolic waste products (which build up as a result of normal
bodily processes) are removed from the muscles where they can do damage and cause pain.
Massage… Helps Improve Posture and Movement
By relieving tight fatigued, fibrous muscle and connective tissue, massage therapy helps you to
address imbalances in your soft-tissue, allowing your body to resume a more energy-efficient
natural posture which in turn will decrease your likelihood of re-injury or chronic pain.
Probably the most well-known and accepted benefit of massage is it’s ability to invoke
relaxation. It is estimated that somewhere between 70-90% of visits to general practitioners are
for conditions related to stress. Research has consistently shown that massage therapy lowers
the level of blood Cortisol (stress-hormone).
Massage… Decreases Pain
Massage Therapists are trained to specifically address a wide range of painful injuries and/or
conditions (see above list).
Massage… Increases Circulation
Massage temporarily increases local circulation. By increasing circulation you improve soft-
tissue health in general. An increased circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are
available to the tissue, also that metabolic waste products (which build up as a result of normal
bodily processes) are removed from the muscles where they can do damage and cause pain.
Massage… Helps Improve Posture and Movement
By relieving tight fatigued, fibrous muscle and connective tissue, massage therapy helps you to
address imbalances in your soft-tissue, allowing your body to resume a more energy-efficient
natural posture which in turn will decrease your likelihood of re-injury or chronic pain.
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