What is Massage Therapy? Massage Therapy, provided by a Registered Massage Therapist includes manipulation of soft tissues of the body. These soft tissues may include muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments, and connective tissue. The therapist will use a variety of different massage techniques and provide pressure to alleviate pain, discomfort, and stress. For example, some of the most popular massage therapy techniques include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, trigger point release, and myofascial release. How was massage created? The concept of therapeutic touch and a healing touch in relation to massage therapy can be dated back in time to over 5 000 years ago. It was found to relieve pain, help to heal, reduce stress and increase relaxation.  Historically, in China, these methods were thought to fix the flow of energy throughout the body and realign the body’s natural state. However, in India, it was practiced as a sacred method of…

What is Massage Therapy?   Massage therapy offers many benefits for recovery.  This type of treatment involves the hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body.  These tissues include:  Muscles Tendons Connective tissues Ligaments What is the purpose of massage therapy? The purpose of massage therapy is to help improve the physical condition of the body.  This is achieved through by improving: Tissue flexibility Joint movement Circulation Stress Are there different types of massage therapy? Swedish Massage Most common type of massage therapy It involves soft, long and kneading strokes of the muscles This type of treatment may also include joint movement and stretches The focus of Swedish massage is the relaxation of the muscles Deep tissue Massage This type of massage aims to get into deeper layers of the soft tissues It uses deeper pressure and may be more painful than a Swedish massage but can be helpful…

Gardening Injuries What has led to the increased interest in gardening?  Interest in gardening and farming has increased in North America, especially during the pandemic.  Lots of people have taken to gardening for several different reasons.  For instance, for some it is to develop a green thumb.  Meanwhile for others it is to reduce their stress level during these difficult times.  However, because gardening can be very physically demanding, it can lead to gardening injuries. Most commonly affected joints in gardening injuries Back and Sacro-iliac (SI) joint Hip and Knee joints Wrist and hand Neck and shoulder Back and SI joint injuries Examples include discogenic pain, sciatica, sprain, strain, and mechanical low back pain. Sacro-iliac strains are commonly seen conditions.  Prolonged bending or repetitive bending is a major trigger for back and SI pain.  Pain and stiffness are usually felt at the end of the day or the next day. …

Whiplash What is whiplash? When your neck is suddenly and forcefully jolted forward or backward, there is a possibility that you had a whiplash. It typically causes an intense stretch on the soft tissues around your neck, beyond the normal range of motion. As a result, there is acute pain, stiffness or tightness around your neck. Whiplash injury There are different categories of whiplash. The Quebec Classification of Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) classifies it as-• Grade 0: No complaints about the neck. No physical sign(s).• Grade I: Neck complaint of pain, stiffness or tenderness only. No physical sign(s).• Grade II: Neck complaint AND musculoskeletal sign(s).• Grade III: Neck complaint AND neurological sign(s).• Grade IV: Neck complaint AND fracture or dislocation. What are the causes of whiplash? Most commonly, whiplash is caused during car accidents. However, it can also be caused by other reasons like–Fall from a…

FIBROMYALGIA Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. It is often associated with widespread symptoms including fatigue, pain and sleep disturbances.   Causes and Risk Factors It is unclear as to what causes fibromyalgia. However, there are some causes which might be increasing your risk of getting fibromyalgia: Genetics- You could be ay a higher risk for fibromyalgia if it runs in your family Stress- Emotional or physical stresses have been known to aggravate or cause this condition Age- Women have been found to be at a higher risk Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: The symptoms may vary from individual to individual but, following are some of the commonest symptoms- Fatigue- One of the commonest symptom is fatigue Pain- Pain that lasts > 3 months and widespread pain at several sites in the body Sleep disturbances-  You could have sleep disturbances or non restorative sleep (sleeping for long but not feeling rested) Reduced exercise…