18 Sep Massage Therapy
Registered massage therapist: duties and training
Whether you’re interested in massage therapy for medical purposes, or for relaxation, there are many benefits. A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) will work with your muscles, connective tissues and joints, using their hands and a medium-to-firm touch, hot stones, or other implements.
To become a Registered Massage Therapist, an individual must complete an education program at a community college or vocational school and complete at least 150 clock hours in clinical experience. They must also take qualification exams and register through the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. After registration, massage therapists must complete continuing education programs.
Types of massage treatments
There are many different styles of massage techniques that the registered massage therapists at Soul City are trained to use.
Popular massage techniques include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy stretch therapy, stress management and relaxation massage, and special techniques used for specific types of muscle issues, like pregnancy massage and sports massage.
In a Swedish massage session, you’ll feel the registered massage therapist’s hands and palms as they touch your skin and muscles with long strokes called effleurage, to relax the soft tissue. Next, you’ll likely feel squeezing and rolling that follows the effleurage movement. Other techniques in Swedish massage include tapotement (tapping with fingers, cupped hands or the side of the hand or heel of the palm), and, for patients who can handle it, bending and releasing the joints to loosen them up.
Deep tissue massage is usually used for areas where you have tight muscles or pain. The RMT will slowly apply different strokes to those areas, putting pressure on the deep tissues under the skin. This is often used for muscle injuries, and to release tension.
Trigger point therapy involves focusing on certain spots that cause you pain, by alternating pressure and release on the affected area. A trigger point is often the weaker spot in the tendon, and often, that trigger point causes pain elsewhere in the body. If you undergo trigger point therapy with us, you may find that your pain is lessened, after just one session.
Stretch therapy is a technique that many audiences may use. It is good for people of all ages, including pregnant women and teenagers. There are four elements of stretch therapy, starting with stretching, which is meant to increase your range of motion. Repatterning is next, and occurs as the registered massage therapist stabilizes joints like the knees, elbows and shoulders. Next comes moves to strengthen the body, which focuses on moves that engage the core and typically involve bodyweight movements. Finally, there’s the relaxation element, which helps the body to move faster, and also brings on the moves that bring a sense of refreshment.
Sports massage techniques depend on what sport you are participating in, although a RMT will often focus on parts of the boy that are frequently stressed through participation in sports.
Benefits of massage treatments
No matter which type of massage you’re interested in, research has shown that it can speed the healing process, increase relaxation and feelings of wellbeing. With regular, scheduled massages, you may find that your circulation improves, you have less pain, and you move more freely, with more flexibility.
Some specific types of treatments have specific benefits. For example, some athletes find that after undergoing sports massage treatments, they may have fewer injuries, recover more quickly and fully from their exertions, and have less soreness after activity.
At Soul City we customize an individual treatment plan specific to each patient based on their individual needs in order to achieve balance. If you’re looking for a massage treatment for a specific issue, or you want to relax, contact us today.