Summary: Massage Therapists are increasingly recognizing the importance of providing trauma-informed care, however it’s not taught in most massage programs. This article lists our top 5 recommendations for learning about trauma-informed care and how to apply it in your practice. There is no regulation for using the phrase “trauma-informed”, so be mindful about using this term and the message it conveys about your skill level and comfort in responding to complex situations that may arise. For more background, check out our blog post What is Trauma Informed Massage Therapy? ____________________ ..read more

Massage therapy feels great, but what are the scientific benefits of massage? Current research tells us that massage therapy helps: reduce levels of anxiety and depression; improve quality and duration of sleep; and decrease pain levels (general pain, chronic pain, headache, shoulder, neck, back, arthritis, postoperative, and jaw pain.) Improvements in sleep, mood and pain levels can create windows of opportunity where you feel better and can move and socialize more. Enjoying movement, socializing and building strength can help you build momentum on your path to health and recovery. Find an ..read more

Summary: Knowledge about how massage therapy works has changed from tissue-based explanations to more evidence-based ones.  A variety of interesting things happen in the body, brain and nervous system to create the benefits of massage. Massage therapy is an ancient practice that is built into human behaviour. As infants, we require caring touch to survive and develop healthy brains (Ardiel, 2010). When we hurt ourselves, we instinctively hold or rub the area for comfort and relief. Massage therapy has existed in various forms throughout human history and across diverse cultures…. because ..read more

Summary: While massage techniques may vary, they all work in the same way; they interact with the body, mind and nervous system in layers of context. What works best for you is really about personal preference. Here we’ve presented current research findings on common massage techniques: Swedish massage, myofascial release, trigger point release, cranio-sacral therapy, visceral manipulation, sports massage, manual lymphatic drainage, and deep tissue massage. To get the most out of your massage, choose the technique(s) you enjoy the most. (See below for all research references.) How massage the ..read more

Summary: Deep tissue massage means different things to different people. In fact, it’s not a registered massage therapy technique at all, but a term that people who prefer firm pressure may use to express what they like in a massage experience. To this point, we all have our own preferences and responses to varying levels of pressure. When a massage feels good and doesn’t provoke bad pain, the nervous system can receive it as a safe and positive input. Deep tissue massage is a term often advertised by massage therapy clinics. But it’s not a technique. It’s not even taught in massage therapy s ..read more

Summary: Massage can greatly alleviate symptoms that arise from pregnancy. Massage is safe for low-risk pregnancies and for high-risk ones; certain adaptations can be made to ensure safety and comfort. At Intent Health, our RMTs are up to date on current research regarding prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum massages. If you have any concerns before booking a session, consult your doctor about whether a massage during/after pregnancy is right for you. Book Now Sore hips, aching feet, back pain, hand and wrist pain are commonly experienced during pregnancy (1). Receiving prenatal massages can h ..read more

Summary: One in three Canadian adults are not getting enough sleep. In fact, 50% are experiencing insomnia. Luckily, massage therapy can help. Research shows that massage therapy can improve quality and duration of sleep, and decrease pain levels associated with a variety of health conditions. Getting a good night’s sleep helps everyone feel better. But how many of us are getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night? (Hirshkowitz) It turns out one in three Canadian adults are not getting enough sleep; and one out of two adults experience insomnia. Sound familiar? So what’s i ..read more

Summary: Trauma-informed massage therapy is an approach to practice and not a massage technique. It provides context and enhances a practitioner’s ability to work collaboratively to provide a more comfortable massage therapy experience. The practice is beneficial for all clients and should be applied as a universal standard of care, regardless of trauma history or disclosure. It’is built upon four principles: trauma awareness, safety and trust, collaborative choice and connection, and strength-based skill-building. Registered Massage Therapists working in this area don’t have to be experts in ..read more

Summary: Since the onset of COVID, levels of anxiety and depression have increased worldwide. Thankfully, research demonstrates that a series of massage therapy treatments can help reduce levels of anxiety and depression in the body. Did you know that by age 40, about 50% of the Canadian population will have or will have had a mental illness? With such staggering stats, it’s imperative we find tools to help. According to the paper, A meta-analysis of massage therapy research, “(r)eductions of trait anxiety and depression are massage therapy’s largest effects, with a course of treatment provid ..read more

Summary: Exciting new discoveries in neuroscience are changing the way we view the pain experience. Pain serves to protect and heal, but can persist if and when the body’s alarm system remains on high alert. Massage therapy and movement can boost safety signals, helping to reduce pain. What makes a person more prone to developing persistent pain? And why is it the longer pain persists, the less it correlates with actual tissue damage? We now understand that pain is a protective output created by the brain’s interpretation of a multitude of inputs, including: biological, psychological and soci ..read more