Say hello to your summer massage! Try this tasty and refreshing Watermelon Coconut Chill

Before you arrive for your massage appointment, remember to drink lots of water.

Deep tissue massages are designed to break up knots and adjust your muscles. They also release toxins from the muscles, which may make you feel fatigued or nauseated after your massage.  Staying well hydrated by drinking water, before and after your massage will help alleviate these symptoms.

Try this easy-to-make delicious recipe, as part of your next massage at Academy Massage Therapy, and given our hot Winnipeg summer - enjoy it with friends & family at your next barbecue.

Watermelon Coconut Chill

Ingredients

3 cups chilled watermelon, cubed

squeeze of fresh lime juice

1 sprig of mint

1 cup coconut water

1 cup ice

Instructions

Put all ingredients in a blender.

Blend until smooth.

Enjoy!

The meaning of Father’s Day

It is because of deep love, respect and gratitude for the man in our lives

that we dedicate one day to celebrate the person who has been most dear
to us - our dads, our grand dads, our uncles and/or a person who has been
a father figure to us. We may have different names for him, and different
ways of addressing him, but the one thing that is undeniably true is - our
relationship with him.

Father’s Day is celebrated all across the world in more than 150 countries
in different months of the year. In Canada we celebrate Father’s Day on the
3 rd Sunday of June. As the story goes, Father’s Day celebrations began in
the Catholic church during the Middle Ages in Europe, on the feast day of
St. Joseph (the father of Jesus).

We love to celebrate the joys of our life’s journey. There is something
magical about those celebrations, something special about them. Father’s
Day celebrations are a part of our journey in life. The day is also to say
thank you to that great man in our lives who means more than any words
can express.

But what if there is no man in our lives? What if our life journey began, or
continues, without a father figure? We can still celebrate this day because
we are alive, have breath, and the opportunity to welcome every single day
with joy. Maybe the person in your life was, and is, both a dad and mom to
you, gender does not define the role.

This Father’s Day you celebrate you.

Happy Father’s Day from Academy Massage Therapy.

How Often Should I Go for a Massage?

If you have enjoyed the benefits of massage, you may be wondering just how often you should be getting the relaxing treatment. The answer lies in the reason you get a massage and the benefits you wish to receive.

Massage for General Wellness

For general wellness, the goal should be to have a massage treatment once or twice a month. You will be able to achieve good overall health and well-being, benefiting from the relaxation of the treatment as well as building on the treatment from the last time, so that the body is not starting over, treating muscles and tendons for tightness.

Massage for Chronic Conditions

If you have a chronic condition, such as neck aches or migraines, you will need to start by visiting your massage therapist on a more frequent basis. Two times a week is good for the first four to six weeks and then increasing the time between sessions is best to see the symptoms of your condition improve. Chronic conditions take time to treat and can be managed with regular massages.

Massage for Athletic Types

Athletes will schedule massages to help maintain the flexibility of muscles and overall muscle health. During times of intense training, an athlete can benefit from a massage two to three times a week and once a month when not training. The treatment can be helpful to avoid injury.

Academy Massage is here to meet your individual massage treatment needs

Academy Massage offers treatments for every individual. The massage therapists can recommend how many times you should visit to be able to benefit from the treatment provided. Speak to a therapist about your needs to ensure you are scheduling your massages in a manner that will be beneficial to you. Book your appointment today – via online booking or call 204.489.5050

What is Cranial Sacral Therapy?

When it comes to the bones of the head, the sacrum, and the spinal column, cranial sacral therapy is a top method for addressing issues including stress and pain. With cranial sacral therapy, compression on these areas is applied which leads to pain relief and lowered stress levels. The goal of this therapy type is to restore the natural position of the bones in the head and neck, decreasing stress in this area of the body that can be a result of chronic injury. Additional conditions which can feel relief from this treatment type include neck and back pain, migraines and joint inflammation.

How Did Cranial Sacral Therapy Start? 

Cranial Sacral Therapy, also known as CST, was created by Dr. William Sutherland, an Osteopath in the 1930's. The massage treatment type affects the central nervous system via the craniosacral system. This system includes the skull, cerebrospinal fluid, cranial sutures, vertebrae, brain membranes, sacrum and spinal cord.

It is believed the normal rhythm of the body is disrupted due to trauma which can occur due to injury. With CST, gentle massage techniques are used to remove any blockages and restore the movement needed in the central nervous system. Gentle pressure is provided by the therapist and does not involve manipulation of this area of the body, like what a chiropractor would do. The pressure by the therapist is very light.

What Happens During a Cranial Sacral Therapy Session?

During a CST session, the therapist may move the ribcage and limbs, checking the shoulders and hips as well as feeling of the spine, sacrum, and cranium. This will help the therapist to find any restrictions and then work on those areas of the body. The subtle rhythms of the body are felt with touch, with the therapist able to feel where rhythms are missing. After the evaluation, the therapist knows which areas to work on to provide relief.

When the cranial sacral therapy treatment begins, the therapist will use a gentle traction and unwinding techniques as well as decompression and compression techniques to release restrictions in the body. Lifts and still point induction are also common techniques used. The therapist will need to be very familiar with this technique as well as the central nervous system to provide relief. In addition, read our general 'What to Expect' page on our website.

Cranial Sacral Therapy Benefits

With CST, there are many ways that a patient can benefit. The treatment type is said to relieve headaches and migraines as well as conditions associated with chronic pain. Post-surgery pain can be relieved with this technique along with post-traumatic stress disorder, hip and neck pain, earaches, irritable bowel syndrome and many other conditions.

It is important to note your condition to the therapist to find out if CST will be of benefit. After treatment, you should be able to tell a difference in how you feel. Additional treatments can be provided on a long-term basis to ensure you continue to enjoy quality health.

Academy Massage offers cranial sacral therapy treatment sessions, helping individuals with the various conditions listed above to feel relief. Contact Academy Massage today to learn more about this unique massage technique – and to book your appointment!

Massage Therapy for Marathon Training – make it part of your routine

Training for a marathon takes a great deal of time and dedication. Runners have to train on a consistent basis, working the body and the mind, preparing for the long race. One way that runners can assist in their training efforts is to schedule a pre-marathon massage. Massage therapy for marathon training can prepare the body for the event by creating a renewed sense of energy. The massage therapists at Academy Massage are trained in pre- and post-event stretching techniques which will help prevent injury and reduce recovery time.

Massage Therapy for Marathon Training – the Preparation Massage

If you have never had a pre-event massage before, it is important to test the treatment. Some runners prefer a deep tissue massage before the big race, working every muscle and tendon in the body. Others will prefer a lighter touch, as a way of relaxing the body fully before the race day. The end goal is to come out of the massage feeling refreshed, renewed and light on your feet – ready to tackle the big event.

Similar to the amount of pressure during the massage therapy treatment, the focus of the massage will be dependent on the individual’s preference. Some runners want to work on stretching and making the muscles more pliable, so they will be ready to work properly during the marathon. Others may want work focused on certain muscles, if they are tight due to being overworked during training for the race.

Massage Therapy for Marathon – the Post-Event Massage

When race day has come and gone, many marathon runners enjoy post-event massage. After running a marathon, your body needs rest and to be restored. Massage Therapy treatment can provide a form of recovery helping to decrease soreness, stretch tight or constrained muscles and give overall relief to tired muscles.

With the Manitoba Marathon just a month away, consider how massage therapy could be incorporated into your training routine. Academy Massage offers quality massage options that can be of benefit to marathon runners – contact us today to learn more!