Massage benefits...

Apart from the obvious pleasure of receiving a massage, the actual effect on the body is quite dramatic. The benefits are many and all contribute to the definite feeling of well being experienced by the person being massaged. The following is a list of the most important beneficial effects of a massage:

· Massage dilates the blood vessels - improving the circulation and relieving congestion throughout the body.

· Massage acts as a mechanical cleanser - stimulating lymph circulation and hastening the elimination of wastes and toxic debris.

· Massage relaxes muscle spasm and relieves tension.

· Massage increases blood supply and nutrition to muscles - without adding to their load of toxic lactic acid, produced during voluntary muscle contraction. Massage therefore prevents the buildup of harmful 'fatigue' products resulting from strenuous exercise or injury.

· Massage improves muscle tone - and helps prevent muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity.

· Massage can compensate (partially) for lack of exercise - especially in persons who are forced to remain inactive due to unfortunate circumstances such as injury, illness or age.

· Massage helps return venous blood to the heart and so eases the strain on it.

· Massage may have a sedative or stimulating effect on the body - depending on the type and length of massage given.

· Massage increases nutrition of the tissues - as a result of improving general circulation. This also causes increased interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells heightening tissue metabolism.

· Massage increases excretion of fluids and waste products via the kidneys - such as inorganic phosphorus and salt.

· Massage stretches connective tissue, improves its circulation and nutrition - breaking down or preventing the formation of adhesions and hence reduces the danger of fibrosis.

· Massage improves circulation and nutrition of joints - hastening the elimination of harmful deposits. This helps decrease inflammation and swelling of joints and so alleviates pain.

· Massage disperses edema following injury to ligaments and tendons - lessening pain and facilitating movement.

What can I expect on my first visit?

On your first visit, your therapist will require you to fill out a "Health History" form. Your therapist will also do a postural assessment and possibly orthopedic testing if necessary. The entire process usually only takes a 5-10 minutes and should not substantially cut into your massage time. The therapist will then explain to you the course of action for your massage, and ask for you to CONSENT TO TREATMENT. They will also be out of the room while you are changing.

The therapy room will be clean and private and the table or mat will have fresh sheets. Some therapists use music, candles, aromatherapy or relaxing sounds to assist your relaxation and enhance your massage. If you don't want any of these enhancements, please advise your therapist. If you are getting a treatment for relaxation, there can be little or no talking.

For deep tissue work the therapist will be checking in with you to make sure you are tolerating the work and to remind you to breathe and relax. Sometimes light conversation is used to distract clients during the deep work. At ANY time during the treatment, should you wish the session to end or pause, please do not hesitate to indicate this.

How can I enhance the massage treatment?

· Accurate health information is a MUST.

· Do not eat just before a massage session.

· Please be on time. If you arrive in late and in a rushed state, it will not only take longer to relax, but also you may lose this time.

· If you DO NOT want to remove all of your clothing, wear clothing that you will be comfortable in during the massage that will allow the massage therapist to touch the areas of your body you expect will need to be worked on. Don't be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns.

· Good communication is very important. Let your massage therapist know what your needs are. During the massage session you are encouraged to report any discomfort, whether it is from the massage or due to any problems or distractions related to the environment, e.g., room temperature, music volume, lighting, etc. Feedback (i.e.: pressure, speed, and areas of tension/pain/relaxation etc.) is vital in order to receive the best massage possible.

· Some massage therapists will play relaxing music during the massage session. You may also choose to bring your own musical preference. If you find music distracting, let you massage therapist know and they will turn it down or off.

· Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. The choice is entirely up to you and you should let your therapist know what works for you. Sometimes talking can be a way of letting go whereas being silent can be a way of holding back and not letting go. For others the opposite is true. One way to test what works best for you is to try both ways during 2 different sessions.

· Breathing is vital in the facilitation of relaxation. Pain and anxiety are just two feelings that often cause people to limit how much they breathe. If you realize you are stopping your breathing, let yourself breathe. Often taking a deep breath forces you to concentrate on relaxing and will get you through the sensation.

· Tightening up and/or flexing your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. This may be due to pain, ticklishness, or sensitivity. Let your massage therapist know this is happening. They may need to change the massage technique or pressure being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

· If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more body-centered and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

· At ANY point during the massage you have the right to ask the massage therapist to pause or stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

· Drink extra water after a massage.

· Allow for some "down time" after your massage session if possible. A hot Epsom salt bath is the perfect compliment.

· Massage has its greatest benefits over time, as the therapeutic effects are cumulative. The more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one's body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.

· Regular monthly massages can be viewed as preventative medicine that greatly reduces the build up of stress and stress-related issues. Regular massage also lessens the chances of injury on or off the job, and helps you to become more aware of your body.

FAQs

Please call Basic Kneads or e-mail your appointment request. Appointment availability varies greatly and although same day appointments are often available, a days or more notice ensures that you will receive your preferred appointment time.
Often if we are with clients you may be required to leave a detailed message. Your call will be returned promptly.

Q: What forms of payment does the clinic accept?

Currently Basic Kneads accepts Visa, Debit card, cheque and cash. We are unable to directly bill your private health care insurer, but we do provide receipts with proper therapist accreditation.

Q: Do I need to wear specific clothing for my appointment?

Massage Therapy: It is your decision to wear undergarments during a massage session. If you are having specific work done to the legs/pelvic/buttock region, loose fitting or stretchy undergarments may be more comfortable. With massage therapy, only the area being worked on is exposed, as the rest of your body is covered with a sheet and/or blanket. If you are opposed to removing clothing, your therapist can alter the method of treatment to allow for this option.

Both therapies are designed with the individual client's needs in mind. Neither has to be painful. Let your therapist know what your tolerances are, and your unique treatment plan will be implemented.

Deep tissue work and or trigger point therapy is generally perceived as a "good hurt". Tenderness following this type of work generally does not last longer than 24 hours, and the benefits outweigh any negative reactions. It is important to recognize the difference between constructive and destructive pain, and relay this to your therapist.

Q: How soon can I expect to see results?

Tangible results vary from person to person and are dependant on the factors that have caused you to seek out our clinic. Relaxation and stress management benefits are seen almost immediately, whereas injury requires more treatment depending on severity. Your initial health and compliance with self-care programs at home or work, will determine the number of treatments and or rate of regular care recommended.

Q: How often will I have to come for therapy?

Your therapist will recommend a course of treatment related to your specific condition and or your desired outcome. It may be suggested that you come for several treatments in close succession to aggressively treat a painful condition, or a regular schedule of maintenance may be recommended to help avoid injury and positively affect overall health.

Q: Does OHIP or Insurance cover the cost of therapy?

Many "Employee Health Benefits" include coverage partially or fully. Check with your employer/plan administrator for details and inquire as to whether or not you require a medical referral. Shiatsu may/may not be included.

Regrettably OHIP does NOT cover the cost of Massage Therapy or Shiatsu.

Motor vehicle accident benefits may cover the cost of rehabilitative massage therapy. Talk to your insurance adjuster, and or your physician, chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Pregnancy massage

Congratulations! You are now living, eating and breathing for two! With so many changes ahead of you, now is the time to find ways to honour, calm and revitalize your body.

Pregnancy massage is designed to safely and effectively ease the discomforts commonly associated with pregnancy. You need and deserve support as your entire body adapts to the wonderful new life growing inside.

All of our therapists are trained to work with pregnancy, however Sarah Cloake M.T. and Dora Jackson M.T. have taken advanced training and may be more suitable for complicated or specific situations.

Benefits during pregnancy:
· Stress management - physical and emotional relaxation
· Fatigue reduction and especially helpful for insomnia
· Pain reduction - as the biomechanics of the body change, muscles can get stiff, tight and achy
· Relieves tension headaches & headaches caused by any toxic wastes that can build up in the body
· Increased circulation - increases oxygen to baby and slows progress of varicosities and aids in the reduction of swelling
· Increases flexibility
· Eases constipation, gas and heartburn
· Reduces excess fluid retention
· Enhances self-esteem and body awareness at a time where the body's shape is changing daily
· Helps maintain skin elasticity and may help to reduce uncomfortable tightness

Benefits related to labour:
· Reduced tension and pain associated with the lower back, abdomen, inner thighs
· Enhanced ability to recognize tension and consciously release it. (in order to birth, the muscles of the legs, back, abdomen and pelvic floor need to relax and allow the uterus to labour without resistance)
· Opportunity to practice focus and relaxation breathing techniques during your massage

Benefits post-partum:
· Reduces pain often caused by breast-feeding positions
· Pain reduction
· Fatigue reduction
· Emotionally and psychologically uplifting
· Stimulates and revitalizes the body
· Stress management

Contraindications

(If you are experiencing any of the following complications, we require that you consult with your M.D. or Obstetrician prior to treatment. Participation may be possible with resolution of condition or physician's release.)

· Threatened Miscarriage
· Early Labour
· Placental dysfunctions
· Pre-eclampsia
· Eclampsia (Toxemia)
· High Blood Pressure
· 3rd Trimester heart disease
· Kidney/Bladder Diseases
· Any infectious disease
· Cancer or undiagnosed lumps

High Risk Pregnancy complications include:
· Gestational Diabetes
· Pre-Pregnancy diabetes
· Cardiac, pulmonary or liver disorders
· Chronic Hypertension
· Previous problematic pregnancy
· Multiple pregnancy
· Asthma
· Risk of fetal genetic disorders
· Convulsive disorders
· Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Contraindications for affected areas only:
· Severe varicose veins
· Thrombophlebitis
· Skin irritation and/or discharge

Please call or e-mail us if you have any questions or concerns about treatments relating to your specific needs.