Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of healing, as the practice of therapeutic massage can be traced back nearly 4,000 years. Statistics from both Health Canada ¹ and the American Massage Therapy Association ² show that millions of North Americans use it today.

Massage therapy refers to a comprehensive health management strategy focusing on the application of various techniques to positively affect the soft tissues and joints of the body. Massage techniques most commonly include pressure and compression, kneading, friction, and mobilizing to improve the health and condition of the muscles, tendons, skin, fascia or connective tissue of the body.

Today massage is thought of as a holistic therapy that complements medical treatment. The "Physician's Guide to Therapeutic Massage" shows that massage can decrease pain, improve range of motion, improve mood, aid in the circulation of blood and lymph flow, reduce muscle and joint soreness, and improve sleep.

Many people benefit from Massage Therapy. Whether you are in search of help in injury recovery and rehabilitation, looking for a healthful way to deal with day-to-day stress or simply interested in maintaining good health, Therapeutic Massage is a safe and effective form of health care.

Massage Therapy has been shown to provide relief from the following disorders:

Back pain
Headache
Muscle pain

Joint pain
Limited Joint Mobility
Chronic Muscle Fatigue

Treatment Choice

Therapeutic Massage may also be considered an important treatment choice for the following conditions:

Anxiety
Depression
Tension
Mental Stress
Insomnia
Arthritis

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Circulatory Problems
Asthma

In addition, Massage is frequently recommended to improve the rate of recovery from injury.

Minor Sports Injuries
Recurring Stress or Repetitive Strain Injuries
Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorders

Note: More and more Therapeutic Massage is being prescribed by physicians to complement traditional medical treatments for illness, injury and pain relief . Always seek the advice of your physician before starting any new treatments.

¹ Health Canada (2003)Health Policy Research Bulletin. Retrieved May 10, 2005, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iacb-dgiac/arad-draa/english/rmdd/bulletin/mainstream.html#page6
² American Massage Therapy Association. (2001). Massage Therapy Consumer Fact Sheet