Message Therapy

Ottawa Mall Healing Arts Centre is unique in its wide range of therapeutic massage techniques. Our three therapists each have their own special interests in their profession.

Ms. Rodica Dinu uses a more European style therapeutic massage. She also incorporates aromatherapy in her technique. Rodica is also trained in reflexology, craniosacral therapy and shiatsu therapy. She has a combination therapy where she incorporates Swedish style with Shiatsu, aromatherapy and reflexology. She has also developed a therapy, which she calls Yoshiro, which combines yoga stretching techniques with therapeutic massage. Visit Rodica's bio.

Ms. Mamie Lo is a registered massage therapist and also incorporates aromatherapy into her Swedish style massage. Mamie also has training in a hot stone massage and prenatal care. Visit Mamie's bio.

Ms. Samantha Gerassimou is a registered massage therapist. She also incorporates aromatherapy with her techniques. Visit Samantha's bio.

Whether your lifestyle is active or sedentary, stressful or relaxed, the beneficial effects of massage can enhance your daily living.

Here’s what massage can do for you:

1. Dilates blood vessels to improve circulation.
2. Aids in the cleansing action of the body’s lymph system by speeding
   elimination of wastes and toxic debris.
3. Relaxes muscle spasm; relieves tension.
4. Increases blood supply and nutrition to muscles without
   adding the toxic lactic acid created by voluntary muscle contraction.
5. Helps reduce muscle fatigue from strenuous exercise or injury and
   decreases recovery time.
6. Depending on type and length of treatment, massage has a sedative
   or stimulating effect, on the nervous system.
7. Stretches connective tissue and improves its circulation and
   nutrition to reduce the danger of fibrosis.
8. Decreases inflammation and swelling and produces endorphins
   to alleviate pain.
9. Disperses fluid following injury to ligaments and tendons. This eases
   pain, facilitates movement

MUSCLE TENSION

Muscles in the course of their work, use oxygen and nutrients and produce carbon dioxide and waste products. The principle waste product of muscle metabolism is called lactic acid. Nutrients and wastes are transported to and from muscles by the blood circulation, and so the efficiency of their transportation system is dependent upon good blood flow. Poor or insufficient blood flow causes an accumulation of lactic acid, producing tension in muscles.

MUSCLE PAIN

There are many types and causes of muscle pain, but all of us are familiar with the stiff, achy feeling of a muscle which is reacting to an unusual level of exercise, a chronic strain or build-up of stress-related tension. This achiness compounded by the fact that a tight muscle clamps down on its supply blood vessels and impedes drainage of its own tissue.

MASSAGE

Massage acts on the tight achy muscle in several ways. It helps relax tension and spasm and promotes the release of lactic acid from the tissue. This relaxing action automatically enhances the function of the supplying blood vessels. In addition, massage actively increases the rate of blood flow to and from the area.

EPSOM SALTS

Epsom salts baths are recommended after each massage.

Epsom Salts promote the release of lactic acid from the muscle tissue. An Epsom Salts bath can be helpful any time you are suffering from achiness and muscle strain. It is also an excellent idea for the evening after you have had a massage because it helps to clear out released lactic acid. Without this, there may be a temporary generalized soreness following the massage treatment of a particularly tight area.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BATH

Epsom Salts are readily available at your local pharmacy. Use 2 kg. In a full bath, the temperature of which is as hot as you can comfortably tolerate. You must soak in the bath for a minimum of 20 minutes, without adding any bathing solutions or oils and without using soap, as these substances will alter the chemistry of the water. After soaking for 20 minutes, you may wash or rinse off as you wish. To replace the fluid you lose as perspiration, keep a cup of cold water beside you and sip it during the bath. If you like, you may also wring a towel in cold water and wrap it around your neck. As with any hot bath, make sure you get out of the tub slowly and carefully.

CAUTION: If you are over 65 or have diagnosed heart trouble, you should moderate the water temperature and avoid submerging your body above heart level. You should definitely use a cold towel around your neck, keeping a bucket of cold water available beside the tub for wringing. If you have any concerns about whether a hot tub will affect you adversely, please consult with your doctor before using the Epsom Salts bath.

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