Full Body Massage
Care With Thermal Therapy
What is Massage?

Massage therapy is a therapeutic approach to heal the soft tissue of the
body. The origin of the word massage is derive from either the Arabic
"mass" to touch or the creek "massein" to knead. Kneading, pressing,
rubbing, anointing in the world's literature is mentioned as a healing
practice.
Physicians now are discussing the benefits of massage with their patients and
are referring them to Registered Massage Therapist. It assists in dealing
with stress and pain management and almost all conditions. The massage
therapist has the responsibility to the public to know when massage is safe
and appropriate and when to refer.
Massage therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissue of the body
(muscles, ligaments, and tendons) which improves health and well-being by
acting on the muscular, nervous, immune, endocrine, systems and circulatory
system. This type of body work can produce a range of normal and healthy
responses on both physical and emotional level.
Treatment by Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is covered under most
extended health care plans.
Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario must have 2200 completed hours of
extensive training approved by the College Of Massage Therapist of Ontario
(CMTO) and have passed the provincial registration exam.
Importance of having...
Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu Massage Therapy
Shiatsu Therapy, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a powerful form
of massage that works to heal on both a physical and energetic level. The
therapist applies finger and palm pressure and incorporates stretches to
stimulate and balance the meridians in the body which are pathways for
energy called "chi". An imbalance or deficiency of this energy shows in the
body as pain or as symptoms arising from stress, tension, or an illness.
Shiatsu Therapy relaxes and revitalizes the body, and complements Western
medical care in people of all ages including adults, the elderly, infants,
children, and pregnant women.
A Shiatsu treatment can last anywhere between 10 and 90 minutes and is
performed on a floor mat, massage table, or in a specially designed chair.
The pressure can be light or deep depending on needs. There is no oil used
and clients wear their own comfortable, loose clothing.
Benefits of Shiatsu
Shiatsu Therapy is effective in treating and managing many acute and
chronic conditions including:
Back, neck, and shoulder pain
Arthritic conditions
Muscular tension
Stress
Post-traumatic stress
Insomnia
Fatigue and chronic fatigue
Headaches and migraines
Indigestion and digestive problems
Intestinal disorders
Sinusitis
Respiratory difficulties
Whiplash
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Anxiety and emotional difficulties
Detoxification
Menstrual problems
Pre-and post-natal care and labour
Shiatsu is a therapy that works on the individual as a complete being – not
just the physical body but also on an emotional and/or mental level. The
philosophy underlying Shiatsu is that vital energy flows throughout the
body in a series of channels known as meridians. This energy it is believed
must flow freely throughout the body to promote good health and vitality.
The Shiatsu practitioner may use an appropriate variety of techniques to
improve the energy flow. These may include, pressing with the palms,
thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet on the meridians and may also
include more dynamic rotations and stretches.
Conditions helped by Shiatsu treatments include:
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Tiredness
- Back pain
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Poor digestion
- Many other conditions
What is Shiatsu Massage
Therapy?
The technical definition of the word Shiatsu is finger pressure. (‘shi’
meaning finger and ‘atsu’ meaning pressure). This is the most basic
definition, and it lends an idea as to what Shiatsu massage therapy is all
about. Shiatsu massage therapy is an ancient form of healing that involves
applying pressure to various points on the body combined with other massage
techniques.
Known also as acupressure (not to be confused with acupuncture), shiatsu
massage therapy is intended as a healing method, not just a relaxation
tool. It was founded on the traditional Chinese belief in
Qi
(pronounced chi). Qi
is the natural energy that flows through all living things.
In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, it is believed that this
energy creates health and well-being, and if this energy flow is disrupted
in some way (disruptions can be caused by many things, including negative
thoughts, tension, and more), the body will react in illness and bad
health.
Shiatsu massage therapy is used to continue the proper flow of Qi
and prevent illnesses, as well as to heal and restart the proper flow when
it does get interrupted. The main goal of Shiatsu massage is to bring the
body back into its natural balance and let nature continue its course.
How does Shiatsu massage therapy help the flow of Qi?
Shiatsu massage therapy helps the continuation of the flow of Qi
based on the meridian system. Meridians are pathways in which the Qi
flows throughout the body. There are twelve main meridians throughout the
body, and these each connect to specific organs. When the flow of Qi
through a meridian is disrupted in some way, the organ that correlates to
that meridian will not function properly. The meridian system is not only
used in Shiatsu massage therapy, but is used in many other therapies as
well.
There are over 300 acupoints
all over the body that practitioners are aware of and manipulate using
Shiatsu massage therapy to help regulate or repair the flow of Qi.
Practitioners of Shiatsu massage therapy not only apply pressure to some of
these acupoints,
they may use many other methods of manipulating them to correct the flow of Qi
in a person’s body. This can include such things as rubbing, pinching,
squeezing, tapping, and more.
Once the proper flow of Qi
is restored, the patient should then be cured of most ailments.
How was Shiatsu massage therapy formed?
While Shiatsu massage therapy is known to be a Japanese form of healing, it
was actually adopted from Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Japanese took
some methods from the Chinese and combined with it some of its own
techniques, creating a new form of healing known today as Shiatsu massage
therapy.
What happens during a Shiatsu massage?
While each practitioner will incorporate his/her own techniques, the
most common attribute of Shiatsu massage therapy, or acupressure, is the
focal point on acupoints.
Each practitioner may try to heal differently depending on the illness or
each individual’s flow of Qi,
but it is to be expected that there will be manipulation of these points on
the body.
In most situations, the Shiatsu patient will lie either on a mat on the
floor, or will lie on a table. During Shiatsu, the patient is usually
clothed (wearing loose-fitting clothing), so this makes Shiatsu massage
therapy appealing for individuals who are too modest to get a massage
because they don’t want to have to be undressed.
The surrounding atmosphere is usually calm and relaxing, possibly with soft
music or silence and dim lighting. During the therapy, the practitioner
will place their hands on many of the pressure points on the body. They may
manipulate them in a variety of ways during the Shiatsu massage treatment,
all meant to heal the body.
What are the benefits of Shiatsu massage therapy?
The most obvious benefit of Shiatsu is the healing and relaxation that it
provides, and the continuous flow of energy throughout the body. But, there
are other benefits as well, and just a few are listed below:
Relieves stress and tension
Reduces blood pressure
Reduces anxiety
Increases mental and spiritual awareness Treats many specific disorders and
illnesses
Can help reduce labor
pains
Increases energy
Maintains regular menstrual patterns
Whether you are in need of healing, are trying to prevent conditions from
occurring, or simply need to relax, Shiatsu massage therapy can help.
Schedule your Shiatsu massage today!
Lymphatic Massage
What is Lymphatic Massage?
The use of massage as a healing therapy dates back centuries. Lymphatic
massage was developed in the 1930s and is a delicate form of massage that
stimulates the body’s lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction
through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.
Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping
movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be
significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to
eliminate waste and toxins.
A strong immune system makes you feel balanced, happy and whole.
As with most massage, it is vital to drink lots of water after a lymphatic
massage to flush away toxins that have been released.
Lymphatic Massage – What can it be used for?
Lymphatic massage has been used for years to enhance the quality of the
skin.
• Lymphatic massage aids the increase of lymph flow. When the lymph is
flowing as it should, cells are bathed in fresh fluid making the skin look
fresh and alive.
Lymphatic massage is also useful for people with sports injuries.
• When applied after neuromuscular massage, lymphatic massage helps to clear
the tissue of debris and reduce the minor edema that can occur after deep
tissue massage.
• Repeated lymphatic massage whilst healing from a sports injury can help to
enhance the tissue regeneration process by keeping the tissue as healthy as
possible.
It is thought that lymphatic massage can also help the scarring process by
enhancing circulation and immunity.
• Increased lymph flow around the scar stimulates damaged lymph vessels to
heal.
• Increased lymph flow draws away toxins improving the health of the
tissues.
Another common use of lymph drainage massage is in breast cancer cases.
• Women who have had axillary lymph nodes removed sometimes develop edema in
their arm. As long as there is only minor swelling, then a massage therapist
with a good knowledge of contraindication and some specific techniques can
do a great amount of good.
The Benefits of Lymphatic Massage
Lymphatic massage can help to unblock the lymph system by manually cleansing
the lymph system in a clockwise fashion.
Performing lymphatic massage correctly can stimulate the opening of the
initial lymphatic and increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20
times.
Because lymph cleanses nearly every cell in your body the negative effects
of chronic lymph blockages include but are not limited to:
• Frequent cold and flu infections
• Joint pain
• Headache and migraine
• Menstrual cramps
• Arthritis
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Mood irregularities
• Depression
• Acne
• Cellulite
Disclaimer: Information provided does not provide diagnosis, prognosis, or prescribe remedies for the treatment or prevention of any illness or disease. Ionic Spa does market any therapies or techniques regulated by any state or provincially licensed health care profession, nor is any therapy intended for the treatment or prevention of any disease or health condition. Information contained within this website or supplemental materials made available by Ionic Spa is solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be prescriptive. Before using any device of following any therapy described on this website, you are advised to consult a physician.














