Massage Therapy for Diabetics

A 2013 Statistics Canada report revealed that nearly 2 million Canadians aged 12 and older suffer from diabetes. More disturbing is a report from Health Canada which states that incidents of diabetes are on the rise, due largely to obesity and physical inactivity - and even genetic susceptibility.

Diabetes is one of the most chronic diseases in Canada. In fact, according to the International Diabetes Association, diabetes is a global epidemic accounting for 4.16 million worldwide deaths annually.

Diabetes occurs when there are problems with the production and use of insulin in the body, which ultimately leads to a dangerous increase in blood sugar levels. Symptoms include weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. Long-term complications may include kidney failure, diminishing or total loss of vision, loss of feeling in the limbs, and cardiovascular disease. 

There are three types of diabetes and each requires a specific treatment:

• Type 1 (or "insulin dependent") diabetes is the most prone to complications and requires daily insulin injections.

• Type 2 (or "non-insulin" dependent) diabetes can usually be controlled through proper diet and exercise and, if necessary, oral medications.

• Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after the baby is born.

Besides traditional medical treatments and/or changes in lifestyle, massage has become a popular and beneficial therapy both to prevent and improve the potential risks associated with diabetes. At Academy Massage our qualified therapists are knowledgeable in the correct treatment procedures to help one manage diabetes.

Diabetics are at risk for serious circulatory problems. While circulation is a crucial component in maintaining good health, healthy blood flow may become compromised in the person who is diabetic. High blood sugars can result in a hardening of the arteries. According to a number of research studies, massage therapy has been shown to improve circulation, promoting a better flow of oxygen and nutrients through the body and organs, including the extremities, hence improving insulin distribution within the cells.

Muscle and other tissues can be adversely affected by high blood sugar levels. Stress and improper circulation can cause the tissues around the muscles and tendons to become thicker. This can decrease a diabetic's movement and range of motion. Massage therapy addresses this problem directly by allowing positive chemical changes to occur in the body which, in turn, reduces stiffness and encourages flexibility and mobility. The importance of this treatment is that with improved body movement the diabetic is able to follow a sensible exercise plan that is necessary in the prevention of further complications connected with the disease.

Massage therapy is also effective in providing relief for diabetic neuropathy, which may include any number of troubling symptoms, ranging from numbness or tingling of the extremities to speech impairment. These symptoms are often alleviated with gentle massage.

Of course there are the relaxation benefits of massage, which is important in dealing with the stress people living with diabetes often experience. Diabetics must monitor blood glucose levels daily and those who experience anxiety are at risk for poor blood sugar control. Massage therapy calms the nervous system, thereby promoting a release of stressful emotions that otherwise may prove detrimental to one's physical, emotional and psychological well-being.

The benefits of massage can help a diabetic continue to maintain and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Therefore the professionals at Academy Massage recommend that regular massage therapy should become part of the treatment for diabetics.

Golf and the Benefits of Massage

Golf is a great outdoor game and one of the most popular of the summer sports. But as with all athletics proper procedure must be followed - both to improve your game and also to prevent injury. Golf requires the use of many of your body's muscles. This is particularly important to perfect your swing. Without a proper warm-up the strain on these muscles can be extreme - and extremely painful. When you swing your club, sudden stress is put on your shoulders, elbows, wrists, lower back, hips and knees.

Professional massage therapy is an excellent warm-up as it helps to loosen up rigid muscles and encourage blood flow getting muscles ready for action. Massage also helps to reduce tension and tightness in those muscles most likely to be affected by your swing. One of the most common injuries in golf occurs in the lower back area. That is because the lumbar area takes the brunt of the stress of your swing. Massage therapy is particularly effective to loosen the lumbar region. Injuries can also occur during your golf game and may result from poor swinging techniques, such as over-swinging or sudden, sharp twisting during your swing. Most of these injuries can be prevented by proper pre-game warm-up exercises. However, should an injury occur, massage therapy can be an effective treatment both to get those muscles loosened and back into shape and to alleviate the pain and discomfort.

Academy Massage wants you to be on par this summer and offers the right therapies to keep you on your game.  Last August, we explained in detail some of the options we have for helping you get back in the swing of things.    

Gardening and Massage Go Hand In Hand

It's springtime rapidly heading into summer and after the frigid, snowy and lengthy winter we all endured where physical activity may have gone into hibernation, people are eager to get right back into the game and begin enjoying the more temperate Winnipeg climate and the pleasures of yard work that go along with it: gardening, planting, trimming and general lawn maintenance. But as with any physical task that we enter into, one must exercise caution and approach each job slowly and prudently, especially when it comes to working muscles that may have been kept pretty much dormant through the November through April months. It is a fact that most sprains and other such injuries occur during the first months of spring when too much is done too fast. Back pain is a common complaint, resulting from too much bending or improper posture while tending to the garden. Muscle strain is another problem, which can occur as the result of pulling a fatigued muscle by performing a sudden and rigorous activity. Quick or heavy lifting or performing an irregular work task can trigger this problem. When muscle strain occurs the symptoms can be debilitating, ranging from a weak or sluggish sensation of the muscle or tendons to severe pain in the affected area or even the inability to use the muscle at all. While prevention is always the best solution to such injuries and suggested measures include establishing a warm-up period prior to engaging in yard work, as well as not trying to do too much all at once, if an injury should develop, deep muscle therapeutic massage provides a hands-on, drug-free therapy that can both alleviate the discomfort and even help prevent future injuries from occurring.

Here at Academy Massage we specialize in treating muscle strain and sprains by utilizing a variety of proven and effective techniques. For nagging muscle spasm our highly-trained therapists employ a simple treatment to bring back the contractility and function of the muscle to normal. Our massage for muscle strain improves flexibility and relaxes the muscle, thereby not only relieving pain and discomfort but also aiding to the overall well-being of the person. Through a practiced technique of squeezing, pressuring and kneading, our therapists work deep to stimulate the internal layers of muscles, tendons and connective tissue which also release toxins from the body. This cleansing helps to both reinvigorate and heal the body. These additional benefits include improving blood circulation and providing increased oxygen to the body's extremities which helps to reduce muscle inflammation. To this end, our therapists highly recommend that you drink plenty of fluids after each session. It is also important that you understand that you may experience some discomfort through our deep pressure massage treatment and that you might experience some muscle soreness and tenderness following the therapy though this will alleviate in a couple of days. We are proud to say that the benefits from our treatments far outweigh the discomforts and so encourage anyone who may be experiencing soreness from the spring clean-up to drop into our office and discover how Academy Massage can help you get a good grip on summer.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What Is It and What Can You Do?

Although many people believe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by strain in the muscles, it actually develops due to problems within the nerves. CTS is a form of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) that develops when the tissues around the median nerve swell and create pressure. Most people report pain in their wrists as a symptom of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. There are several therapeutic options available for the treatment of CTS, including massage. Gentle, passive range of motions movements of the wrist and long strokes up the flexors of the forearm can help reduce the pressure put on the nerves by these surrounding tissues. Stretching these flexors by extending the fingers, hands, wrists and elbows will also relieve pressure. If you find that self massage is not relieving the discomfort you feel, please contact us to discuss our targeted treatment options. All treatments at Academy Massage are customized to the client to suit their needs and we would be happy to help you find relief!

The Perfect Compliment to an Active Summer

After the brutal, interminably long winter we hearty Manitobans have endured this past season, the prospect of summer and enjoying fun in the sun have already got many of us preparing for those activities we enjoy. Be it cycling or running in the park or engaging in sand and surf frolicking and tournaments, what is a certainty is that many of those muscles that we basically have kept dormant during winter months are once more reactivated with a vigorous passion. In our eagerness to get motivated, we often neglect to prime ourselves physically before embarking on our various activities.

Getting adequate amounts of sunshine and exercise are paramount ingredients in maintaining optimum health. Physical activity has been proven to reduce stress and absorbing rays has now been recognized as a good source of achieving Vitamin D.

Yet despite these benefits, there is a flip-side. Over-exposure to both can lead to dire consequences if proper protocol is not heeded. People have become aware of how too much exposure to the sun's UV rays can potentially result in skin cancer. Just as problematic is the bending, stretching and extending of joints and muscles put to full use during summer activities. Now this is not necessarily limited to leisure events. Even routine chores around the house and yard such as gardening and lawn maintenance can produce physical difficulties and even lead to debilitating injuries.

People want to enjoy the summer months without being hindered by unnecessary pain. Therefore it is highly recommended that massage therapy be considered both as a preventative measure and also to offset the effects of soreness brought about by work or sports injuries.

At Academy Massage, we specialize in massage therapy that is goal-oriented and results-based. Our work is specifically geared to the problem area by implementing treatment methods that include permanent pain relief, injury healing and rehabilitation, correction of soft tissue dysfunction, and increased flexibility and range-of-motion.

The professional massage therapists will apply the proper techniques to muscles and joints that will release tightness,  cramping, spasms and knots. Depending on one's preference a massage therapist can apply either a ‘focused massage’ or an ‘all body massage’. A focused massage allows the massage therapist to concentrate on specific areas where cramps and knots are grouped together. This is typically the case when it comes to sensitive areas like the neck, shoulder and arms. An all body massage helps the body relieve tension and regulate itself. Among the additional benefits are better sleep patterns, and improved alertness.

A professional massage can also help free up the lactic acid that builds up in our muscles from strenuous activities that, if left untreated, can produce toxins in the body that may compromise and cause inflammation to the immune system.

Equally important is to keep hydrated during those hot summer days. Muscles and tissues require plenty of fluids to function properly and to prevent sprains or spasms.

With a long-awaited summer now upon us, now is the time to consider a therapeutic massage session and enjoy the season at your optimal best.