Kent Massage Therapy & Wellness Centre

Registered Massage Therapy

RMTs are trained in a variety of manual techniques that can be used to evaluate and manipulate the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, connective tissues, ligaments and joints) in order to optimize function, mobility and overall health of an individual.

These techniques can be applied at different speeds, pressures and frequencies in order to achieve the goals set out by a therapist and their client.  Massage therapy treatments are often classified by the types of techniques that are commonly used. However, what works for one person, may not work for another, as our bodies and our histories are all different.

Swedish Massage - General rhythmical techniques performed with a moderate pressure - Helps to relieve muscle tension, decrease stress and promote total mind and body relaxation

Deep Tissue Massage - A deeper pressure therapeutic massage focusing on the tissues under the superficial layer - Includes specific work to relieve areas of tension and the release of myofascial restrictions and trigger points (knots) in muscles - Helps alleviate stiffness and pain associated with muscle spasms, stress, inflammation and tissue damage

Myofascial Release (MFR)  - A specialized soft tissue technique applied at a slow pace with light to deep pressure, targeting the body's fascia - this connective tissue envelopes, nourishes, supports and separates all the body's muscles, organs, bones, etc. - Releasing restrictions in fascia can help improve posture as well as general biomechanics and organ function

Sports Massage - A therapeutic massage that can include stretching and myofascial techniques - Helps rehabilitate soft tissue dysfunction that can result from physical labour, weight lifting or sports related injuries - Helps to increase flexibility, reduce local inflammation and relieve muscular tension and fatigue - Beneficial for athletes looking to improve performance and to prevent or treat injuries

Lymphatic Massage - Very gentle stroking techniques used to move fluid from areas of congestion and improve circulation - Very useful in the acute stages of injury or post surgery

Craniosacral Therapy

Also known as cranial sacral therapy or CST, this is an extremely gentle and effective modality that has it's roots in Osteopathy. It follows the principle that everything in the healthy body is connected and in motion. Using a very light touch, the therapist tunes into the subtle fluid motions of the body as a whole, and specifically, the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid which nourishes and protects the brain and spinal column. Restrictions in the body's deep connective tissues can interfere with this fluid rhythm and may present as discomfort, pain or illness.

The goal of cranial sacral is to restore healthy movement and function of the body and all of its parts and systems by freeing restrictions in the connective tissues.  CSTis beneficial for anyone looking to improve their overall health and well-being (physical, mental and emotional), and specifically useful for trauma, concussions, TMJ/jaw problems, sleep or digestive issues, headaches, stress, pregnancy, postpartum and for infants.

Prenatal and Postnatal (Pregnancy) Massage

Prenatal massage is focused on relaxation and the physical changes associated with pregnancy and birthing.  Pregnancy is a wonderful time to make subtle changes in a mother's body because of the hormone relaxin that is present. This hormone helps to loosen ligaments and joints to accommodate the growing baby and prepare the pelvis for birth.  Massage and craniosacral techniques can be used to gently mobilize restrictions in the body (ie. abdomen, diaphragm, pelvis) to optimize space for baby in utero and pelvic mobility for birthing. 

Pregnancy massage can help relieve pain and fatigue often encountered in the lower back, neck, hips and legs as well as decreasing swelling, carpal tunnel and restless legs symptoms.  It is also good for assisting in relaxation and promoting better sleep.

Postnatal treatments are useful in restoring healthy pelvic and core function after birth as well as helping mothers maintain good posture while caring for a new infant.  These treatments can include breast massage to help improve flow by decreasing congestion or blockages.

Infant Craniosacral Therapy and Massage

Birth and early life, while beautiful and amazing, sometimes come with complications.   Babies today are frequently being diagnosed with latching issues, tongue ties, colic, acid reflux, plagiocephaly (flat-head), torticollis (wry-neck) and craniostenosis, among others.  Many of these conditions are functional impairments that can be relieved by improving the mobility of the structures at issue.

Using CST, we can gently help restore proper mobility and function to these tiny beings, as well as incorporate tools for parents to use when positioning and playing with baby. 

The earlier we can correct these structural imbalances, the better, as they can interfere with breastfeeding, sleeping and general growth and development. Craniosacral can also be helpful for babies who have sustained some form of birth trauma whether physical or emotional.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine.

The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits. Treating both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient.

In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is one of the treatment modalities used in naturopathic medicine. It is a system of therapeutics based on the principle that like cures like, and established for about 200 years. It uses natural remedies to stimulate the body’s self-healing powers. It is a holistic medicine which treats the symptoms of the body and mind as a totality.

Homeopaths recognise that symptoms of ill-health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person, and that the whole person needs treatment, not just the isolated symptoms of a particular illness. The correct homeopathic remedy is chosen according to the person’s whole symptom picture, physical, mental and emotional. The remedies are made from dilutions of plant, mineral or animal substances and do not have any toxic pharmacological side-effects.

Acupuncture

Naturopathic doctors are trained in acupuncture and traditional chinese medicine.  Acupuncture is a 2000 year old medical practice from China, which uses a detailed case taking and observation of subtle diagnostic techniques that have been refined over centuries.

Traditional acupuncturists believe that the underlying principle of treatment is that illness and pain occur when the body's qi, or vital energy, cannot flow freely. There can be many reasons for this: emotional and physical stress, poor nutrition, infection or injury are among the most common.

By inserting ultra-fine sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, a traditional acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of qi to restore balance and trigger the body's natural healing response.  A growing body of evidence-based clinical research shows that traditional acupuncture safely treats a wide range of common health problems.