Registered Massage therapy

Tuina + Acupuncture

WHAT IS MASSAGE therapy?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with every day occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions.

A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is a primary healthcare provider in Ontario.

Massage therapy can also be used as a treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.

What is tuina massage?

Tuina or tui-na (pronounced twee-NAH) massage originated in ancient China and is believed to be the oldest system of bodywork. It’s one of the four main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, along with acupuncture, qi gong, and Chinese herbal medicine.

It’s based on the theory that imbalances of qi, which is the body’s vital life force or energy, can cause blockages or imbalances that lead to symptoms such as pain and illness. Tuina massage stimulates the flow of qi to promote balance and harmony within the body using many of the same principles of acupuncture. It’s similar to acupuncture in the way it targets specific acupoints, but practitioners use fingers instead of needles to apply pressure to stimulate these points. Tuina massage is often used in combination with acupuncture.

The underlying philosophy of tuina massage is that true health is achieved when one has found harmony and balance inside the self and their environment. The goal of tuina massage is to create harmony in the yin and yang of the body by getting rid of blockages and disturbances that manifest as illness, disease, and emotional issues.

Some techniques are more yin, which is more gentle, passive, and meditative. The yang approach is more active, dynamic, and physical, creating more intense sensations by stimulating deep blockages and knots. The practitioner massages the muscles and tendons and uses manipulation techniques to realign the body. Passive joint movements are used to restore function to muscles and joints.

Some conditions massage can treat:

• neck and back pain

• musculoskeletal disorders

• fatigue and insomnia

• carpal tunnel

• headaches

• arthritis

• osteoporosis

• stress

• digestive conditions

• respiratory conditions
  

Massage Therapy at OCR

At OCR, we offer both Swedish massage and Tuina massage. If you book Tuina massage with River, you can also receive acupuncture as part of your treatment if you feel it would be a beneficial for you.