Victoria East Chiropractic Clinic
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Through the Life Span
The Touch Research Institute, University of Miami, has completed many research studies on massage therapy. These researchers have found evidence that massage has significant benefit for babies, children, adults, and elderly persons. Massage therapy has been shown to enhance growth in premature babies in the hospital, calm aggressive adolescents and help kids with Attention Deficit Disorder. Elderly persons in nursing homes have responded to massage with decreased agitated behaviour.
On the Job
Corporations and other institutions are discovering that massage therapy programs for employees pay off. Job stress has been identified as a serious health care issue that relates to decreased productivity, decrease job satisfaction, increased work related injury, errors and absenteeism. Research reported in the Financial Times 1, and in Massage Therapy: The Evidence for Practice 2 show that massage is a good tool for reducing work stress.
Sport
Athletes, coaches, and professional trainers use massage. Massage therapy is used at sporting event to help athletes performance and to help prevent injury. Massage may improve muscle recovery and decrease muscle soreness after exertion. Athletes also benefit from the therapy's positive effects on heart rate and blood pressure, and the general relaxation response that reduces anxiety and improves mood.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Receiving Massage therapy is safe and beneficial during pregnancy. Many women enjoy the skilled care of a massage therapist to help to alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain associated with changes in the body during pregnancy. The general benefits of increased circulation and enhanced well-being are valuable therapeutic effects. Specially trained massage therapists can even participate during childbirth to help decrease pain and anxiety.
1 - Financial Times (1992)
2 - Rich, G. (Ed.). (2002). Massage Therapy: The Evidence for Practice. Toronto,ON
3 - Sports Medicine, (2005);35(3):235-56
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage is a safe and effective form of healthcare
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.
Provide Relief
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
Improve Recovery Rate
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.
After the Massage
What to expect after treatment
It is not uncommon to experience muscle soreness a day or two after your massage treatment. The soreness is a result of direct contact with spasms in the muscle, as well as accumulated waste products in the tissue being naturally released into your system. This is similar to what many people experience after strenuous activity.
Recommended after treatment care
Drinking plenty of water will help flush the released toxins out of your body, and soaking in a warm bath with Epson or mineral salts will assist in alleviating any soreness.