Repetitive Strain Injury

Image courtesy of
stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

People today maintain an active lifestyle, be it at the workplace or by pursuing various hobbies or leisure activities. Unfortunately, these activities can sometimes lead to physical problems, and one of the most common and painful is repetitive strain injury or RSI. RSI can cause persistent or recurring stiffness and soreness most commonly found in the neck, shoulders, forearms, hands, wrists, elbows and knees. Lower back problems are another common complaint associated with RSI. These conditions are known by many names, including tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis or golfer's elbow, trigger finger and bursitis, among others. The causes can range from prolonged play at sports to occupational factors such as overuse at the computer. RSI most often develops and is aggravated by repetitive tasks, exertions and even awkward body posture. The number of RSI injuries is increasing and has resulted both in significant lost time from work and severe physical distress for the person so afflicted. The pain can be debilitating and in extreme cases can adversely affect one's quality of life. RSI can be difficult to diagnose and it is recommended that if symptoms persist that treatment is sought as soon as possible as RSI may worsen over time.

     While relief is often sought through such invasive treatments as surgery or cortisone injections, such procedures are not always effective and in some cases can produce unwelcome side effects.

     At Academy Massage we employ a conservative therapy specialized to your specific requirement. Our trained therapists understand that your individual treatment depends on your specific symptoms and will work out a program designed to fit that need. "Hands on" therapy such as massage has shown to be effective in relieving RSI pain. Regular massage helps to reduce the pain and discomfort and ease the inflammation connected with RSI and can even help to prevent future injuries. Massage therapy addresses "trigger points" which releases muscle tension, and in turn relieves compression and pain and allows for greater flexibility of the joints and muscles. In addition, massage boosts blood circulation, helps promote healthy regeneration of tissue and increases motion range by relaxing tight muscles.

     If RSI is limiting your active daily schedule Academy Massage invites you to speak to one of our caring and qualified professionals to discuss a treatment option that will help get your life back on track.

Demystifying Prenatal Massage

We should all take good care of ourselves all the time. Sadly we don’t. One time when we start paying attention to our own well-being in a much focused way is when we receive that wonderful news - we're pregnant!

Looking after yourself is the very first step to looking after baby (or babies), and after you've done the obvious things that your doctor or OB/GYN advises you to - be careful what you eat, cut out alcohol, then it’s appropriate to think about those things that not only help baby along the way, but make you feel better during your pregnancy.

It won't surprise you to hear that, at Academy Massage, we’re huge believers in pre-natal massage, not just for the health benefits, but also for the gains in quality of life you’ll experience.

So what is prenatal massage? Simply put - it’s a regular massage, but one that’s tailored to your changing body, and it’s changing needs. We'll relax your muscles, ease tensions, improve your circulation; all of those good things. There are even studies from the University of Miami (http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/AdultMassage.html) showing such there may be as diverse benefits as lower anxiety levels, decreased back and leg pain, improved sleep, and even reduction in migraine symptoms.

What should you expect? You should expect to have the same fantastic experience as all our clients. Please come early to fill out the paperwork, as it’s so important to have your health history, especially now you’re expecting. Then you’ll meet your therapist, and she'll take you into the treatment room, where the magic begins. You'll be as clothed as you wish to be, and we'll ensure you're comfortable. We'll encourage you to switch off your cell phone, and enjoy this time that is just for the two (or more!) of you. More information about your experience can be seen at http://www.academymassage.ca/whattoexpect.html.

So what’s next? Book your appointment by calling us at 204.489.5050, or feel free to ask us questions at info@academymassage.ca. We'd love to see you!