MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy is a comprehensive intervention using a range of techniques to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the body. The purpose of massage therapy is to prevent, maintain, rehabilitate, develop, or augment physical function and relieve pain. It is a clinically-oriented health option that achieves undeniable results in the relief of an array of discomforts stemming from stress, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes.
Stress, injury, illness, heavy exercise - they can all wreak havoc on your body's musculoskeletal system. The result is often painful, tight muscles and fascia (a tissue that surrounds muscle fibres and bundles). Headaches, neck and back pain and muscle cramping, burning and radiating pain are symptoms of muscle dysfunction or muscle spasm.
Therapeutic massage can help relieve pain from muscular dysfunction and fascial restrictions. The manipulation of the affected soft tissues helps to increase the circulation of both the blood and lymphatic systems to the muscles, which in turn helps to restore normal muscle function. Massage therapy can help with acute muscle spasms as well as chronic muscle tightness and pain.
At Bragg Creek Physiotherapy, the primary focus of massage is on three areas:
1. Therapeutic Massage: for injury rehabilitation ie: headaches, neck and back pain, carpal tunnel, arthritis. Often, massage therapy will be used in conjunction with physiotherapy to provide a balanced approach to treatment.
2. Sports Massage: Exercise - whether for competition or for health and recreation - produces micro-tears in the muscle fibres. Strength gains occur from repetitive tearing and rebuilding of muscles, which occurs with frequent exercise. However, sometimes the rebuilding is not exactly perfect and the results of frequent exercise can leave muscles tight and "knotted." Massage therapy is effective in breaking down taunt bands within the muscle tissue to improve the overall health of the muscle and allow for optimal muscle rebuilding.
3. Relaxation: Stress, poor work station ergonomics and injury can contribute to tight muscles that leave you feeling achy and tired. Regular massage can help work out the knots and refresh your muscles.
