What’s Academy Massage all about?

“We’ve got your back!”, says the sign on our building, the banner at the reception desk, and the slogan on our therapists’ t-shirts.

Academy Massage Therapy is a treatment based service for everyday conditions, sports injuries, and chronic pain. Some seek the benefits of relaxation and grounding through regular massage, as an intrinsic part of their overall wellness.

A vibrant, long time business, located at the corner of Academy Road and Lanark Street, Academy Massage has recently expanded, with more than 50 therapists on staff, open 7 days a week

The therapeutic skills of our RMTs (Registered Massage Therapists) are as varied as the clients themselves. We have therapists specializing in osteopathy, lymphatic drainage, visceral manipulation, hot stones, reflexology, ear candling, prenatal support, and many other areas.

Not certain about what you need or how to get started? Picking up the phone is an excellent first step. Our receptionists will ask you questions to match your needs with just the right therapist.

Owner, Debby MacKenzie, works with her staff in creating a welcoming, thoughtful, and supportive environment. People smile as you come in the door, your appointment is confirmed by someone who enjoys their job, and there’s a pitcher of cool water in the sunny waiting room. Your therapist greets you by name.

Another important part of our service that has been simplified is payment. Debby saw to that years ago. Academy Massage was one of the first in Winnipeg to introduce direct billing.

“We listen,” she says.

Debby trained in the U.K., and worked there, as well as in France. She opened Academy Massage, when she came to Canada.

“It’s not a job,” she says of her beloved business, “It’s my life, and my lifestyle.”

Academy Massage, 561 Academy Road, is open Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Call them at 204-489-5050.
Check out their website at academymassage.ca, facebook, twitter and instagram.

Dive into DIY drinks

It’s a hot summer in Manitoba.

Some people love it, and others not so much.

But no matter what your preference to summer temperatures, your body needs to be hydrated - both in response to the weather, as well as before and after your massage.

Keeping hydrated is an important part of staying healthy. Water promotes cardiovascular health, maintains the body temperature, helps muscles and joints work better and keeps skin supple.

Here’s two simple delicious recipes, to promote hydration.

The first one uses fresh blueberries which you can find on sale in the grocery stores right now. And the second recipe uses papaya, loved in Asia, as much as North Americans love blueberries.

Lemon Blueberry Blast

Ingredients:
1/2 lemon
handful of blueberries, slightly mashed
water (according your taste)

Instructions:
cut the lemon into slices
add all the ingredients to a pitcher
stir
chill in the fridge until cold, about 1 hour

Enjoy!

Papaya Lime Lift-Off Smoothie

Ingredients:
1/2 lime
1/2 a medium-sized papaya (yellow in colour, soft to the touch)
ice cubes
water (according your taste)
plain or vanilla greek yogurt (optional)


Instructions:
squeeze the lime into the water, removing any seeds which fall into the water
slice the papaya lengthwise into half, (like an avocado)
scrap out the seeds with a spoon, and discard them
peel the rind from the papaya fruit
chop the fruit into small chunks (150 grams)
add all the ingredients into a blender, including 1 or 2 tablespoons of yogurt, if desired
blend until smooth
chill in the fridge until cold, about 1 hour

Enjoy!

INTRODUCING KOOROSH SAXTON

Academy Massage Therapy is very pleased to offer the services of Manual Osteopath, Koorosh Saxton, to its clients. This therapy considers the whole body and its imbalances - gently manipulating the anatomy and physiology, so the body can heal itself.

What does a Manual Osteopath do?

Manual Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to address imbalances in the body, from a whole body perspective. This includes treating muscles, bones, joints, organs and fascia through the soft tissues of the body to achieve and maintain structural balance and health.


Treatment methods
Manual Osteopaths identify, assess, and treat the body’s structures and rhythms using a gentle, hands-on fundamental technique called osteopathic palpation. Individuals who work in this field develop a very fine sense of touch - to master osteopathic palpation, which makes it different from other forms of therapy.

Advanced Fascia Release
Manual osteopaths use advanced fascia release in many different ways. In general, they use it to evaluate the condition of tissues, and to help the body’s fluids (such as blood and lymphatic fluid) flow smoothly. Keeping fluids flowing smoothly reduces harmful fluid retention and makes the body’s immune system function more effectively.

Fascia is tissue found in all parts of the body. It connects all of the body’s structures at both the superficial and deep levels. Practitioners evaluate the fascia to find areas of restriction, and then use soft tissue manipulation to make certain the length and tension of the fascia are properly balanced. Throughout the treatment, practitioners continue to check the state of the body’s tissues. If one technique isn’t working to correct a restriction, another approach is taken instead. Above all, manual osteopaths try to restore health without over-treating.

Osteoarticular
Manual Osteopaths use this technique to reduce muscle spasms near a joint, ease neurological irritations around a joint, making them more mobile, and also reducing pain and discomfort.

The osteoarticular technique involves gently moving two joint surfaces. Before doing this, the practitioner carefully prepares the soft tissues around the treatment area. The patient is also moved into a position that will minimize, or eliminate the energy and force needed to perform the maneuver. Many patients find this technique less forceful than joint manipulations.


Craniosacral
This is very gentle osteopathic treatment, requires great experience. To learn it, Manual Osteopaths undergo intensive training - sensitizing their hands to cranial mobility, and developing great precision in utilizing cranial techniques.

Practitioners use this gentle technique to assess and treat the mobility of the skull and its contents. They may also use it to assess and treat the spine, the sacrum, and other parts of the body. The goal is to adjust the body’s physiology by restoring balance to the circulation of the blood and other body fluids. Manual osteopaths do this by treating the body’s inherent biorhythm. They are able to feel this rhythm in the patient’s head, spinal cord, and in the sacrum, as well as the rest of the body. Manual osteopaths use the biorhythm to assess the patient’s condition, and may, as a result, modify the technique during the course of a treatment.


Visceral Manipulation
Manual Osteopaths use visceral manipulation to treat organs and viscera of the body, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, intestines, bladder and uterus. Patients may feel pain in one or more of these organs, or the viscera may be less pliable than it should be. The structures themselves, as well as the fascia (connective tissue) that surrounds them are gently moved to restore full movement. Most patients treated with visceral manipulation feel only the gentle pressure of the manual osteopath’s hand, but the corrections are powerful enough to improve the mobility of an organ, as well as blood flow, and help the organ function more effectively.


The above (and many other) osteopathic manual techniques and approaches are used in a coordinated and rational fashion to slowly adjust the client’s anatomy and physiology towards normal, so that the body can heal itself.


This information was taken from the
National Manual Osteopathic College website