What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy consists primarily of hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, specifically, the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints for the purpose of optimizing health.
A massage therapy treatment acts on the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. This causes a therapeutic effect on the body and optimizes health and well-being. Physical function can be developed, maintained and improved. Massage therapy can relieve or prevent physical dysfunction, pain and the effects of stress.
Modern massage techniques can be traced back to the 1700s and the development of Swedish massage. This is the first systematic method of therapeutic massage based on physiology. Today’s Massage Therapists use their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to combine traditional Swedish and modern Massage Therapy techniques with exercise and other therapies to treat their clients. (courtesy CMTO.com)
Scope of Practice
The practice of Massage Therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain (Massage Therapy Act, 1991).
Your Massage Therapy Treatment
Your Massage Therapist will propose a personalized treatment plan based on an initial assessment and health history prior to treating. The assessment consists of various tests to determine the condition of your muscles and joints. Any personal and health information you provide to your Massage Therapist is completely confidential. This is safeguarded. Your health record cannot be released or transferred without your written consent.
Your Massage Therapist must also obtain your consent to work on any part of your body. It does not matter if you are fully clothed, or fully or partially covered with sheets or blankets. Your privacy will always be respected. You may withdraw your consent for treatment at any time.
The Massage Therapy treatment consists of various specialized movements of the hands, over the skin or clothes. The Massage Therapist will work with your level of pain tolerance during the treatment. You are empowered to stop the treatment at any time should you becomes uncomfortable.
Massage therapy is not covered by OHIP. Many many private insurance companies cover treatment from a Massage Therapist as part of their extended healthcare plans. Please consult your policy.
How Can Mike Grafstein Help You?
Mike performs various types of various types of treatment including relaxation, deep tissue and pregnancy massage. He may integrate other soft tissue techniques like myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation and matrix repatterning with your consent.
Currently, Mike treats a wide variety of active individuals and ages range from as young as four and to those over the age of eighty.
Mike treats out of Balanced Body Breakthrough in Newmarket and Meridian Spine and Sport in Richmond Hill.
Want to know more? Go to the contact page