Therapy

Angie will custom design a massage based on the symptoms you have, using one or more of these techniques:

CST (Cranio-Sacral Therapy)

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a light touch technique that uses approximately the weight of a nickel to allow for self correction in the myofascial tissue and membranes of the body, skull and spine. If other therapies seems too intense for you, craniosacral is a nice option. It is also very complimentary to other therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture and massage and can in fact help achieve even better results when done in combination.

CST improves your body’s overall wellness, hydration, circulation and ability to flush toxins from the body. It releases tension and strains absorbed by the body, allowing the body to self-correct. Effective for people of all ages from newborns to elders, craniosacral therapy improves resistance to disease and addresses a full spectrum of pain, illness and dysfunction. Angie has been practicing CST since 2004, and has been very successful in treating many of these pathologies:

  • Migraines and Headaches
  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  • Motor-Coordination Impairments
  • Colic/ Infantile disorders
  • Autism / ADD / ADHD
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • Fibromyalgia and other connective tissue disorders
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Central Nervous System Disorders
  • Orthopedic Problems
  • Traumatic Brain/Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Scoliosis
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
  • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction

    • Feel free to contact Angie to discuss this technique.

Lymph Drainage Therapy

Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an original hands-on method of lymphatic drainage developed by Bruno Chikly, MD, DO. Created out of his award-winning research on the lymphatic system, LDT takes traditional lymph drainage techniques and adds a level of precision consistent with recent scientific discoveries.

A gentle technique that works through the body’s lymphatic system to activate the body fluid circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems. The result of these actions can include reductions in edemas, detoxification of the body, regeneration of tissue as well as many other benefits.

Using exacting anatomical science and distinctive manual processes, LDT enables practitioners to detect the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph flow anywhere in the body. From there they can use their hands to perform Manual Lymphatic Mapping (MLM) of the vessels to assess overall circulation and determine the best alternate pathways for draining body-fluid stagnations.

Therapists work with flat hands, using all the fingers to simulate gentle, specific wave-like movements. These subtle manual maneuvers activate lymph and interstitial fluid circulation as well as stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems. It is shown that when these actions are accomplished, the results can be:

  • Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of various origins
  • Detoxification of the body
  • Regeneration of tissue, including burns, wounds and wrinkles
  • Anti-aging effects
  • Relief of numerous chronic and subacute inflammations, including sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis
  • Relief of chronic pain
  • Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
  • Antispastic actions to relieve conditions such as muscle hypertonus and some forms of constipation
  • Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory
  • Alleviation of adiposis and cellulite tissue

    • Please contact Angie for more information on this technique, if required.

Foothills College of Massage Therapy

Angie graduated from the 1000 hour massage therapy course in August of 2004.
She has been accepted as having an equivelency of 2200 hours with Manulife, and her massage receipts will be accepted with all of the insurance companies offering massage benefits to their clients in Alberta.

Myofacial Release

Myofascial Release: is a very effective hands-on technique that provides intense pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. The theory of Myofascial Release requires an understanding of anatomy and the fascial system (or connective tissue} which is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider’s web.

Fascia is very densely woven, covering every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal organs. The fascial system is not just a system of separate coverings, it is one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. Each part of the body is connected to every other part by way of the fascia.

Fascia plays an important role in the support of our bodies, as it surrounds and attaches to all structures. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When we experience physical trauma, inflammation, or scarring, the fascia loses its pliability and it can become tight, restricted and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Whiplash, surgery, repetitive stress injuries, a fall, or just habitual poor posture have a cumulative effect. The fascia can exert pressure producing pain or restriction of motion,a feeling of being stuck. Facial restrictions affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and strain.

Myofacial release requires little or no oil and can be superficial or deep.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the artful application of gentle pressure on reflex points, usually performed on hands, feet and ears; this creates harmony, health and homeostasis in the body. From old and new ancient texts, illustrations and artifacts, we know that early practitioners from China, Japan, India and Egypt worked on the feet to promote good health. The body is reflected, or mirrored in the feet, hands and ears. Angie has been practicing reflexology since 2004. Some of the benefits are:

  • restored balance
  • sense of well-being
  • a pleasant form of deep relaxation
  • improved quality of sleep
  • increased vitality and confidence
  • rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul
  • reduces tension by relaxing muscles
  • improves circulation
  • cleanses the body of impurities
  • counteracts fatigue
  • eases aches, pains and discomfort
  • stimulates under-active areas
  • calms over-productive parts

The feet are a perfect mini map of the whole body. The entire body is represented; every organ and gland can be activated. Reflexology suggests that energy flows through the body along 10 designated pathways known as zones. These 10 reflexology zones are mirrored on the bottom of the feet. The right foot works all organs on the right side of the body; and so it goes for the left. Even the inside curve of the foot corresponds to the natural curves in the spine. Reflexology is not a miracle cure, but many long term and extremely chronic physical problems respond well to treatment over a period of a few weeks. Acute problems, especially of the musculature and skeletal system, are often instant. It is advised that sessions be carried out with an approximate 3 days interval. This allows the body to go through the “healing process” or detox following the treatment. It is suggested that when an improvement is noted and if appropriate, foot reflexology sessions can be carried out on a daily basis for an acute condition and once a week for a chronic or long term condition.

Visceral Manipulation

Visceral Manipulation relies on the palpation of normal and abnormal forces with the body. By using specific techniques, therapists can evaluate how abnormal forces interplay, overlap and affect the normal body forces remove abnormal effects, whatever the sources. Those effects can be global, encompassing many areas of bodily function.

Visceral Manipulation is used to locate and solve problems throughout the body. It encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your organs, dissipate the negative effects of stress, and enhance general health and resistance to disease.
Visceral Manipulation is based on the specific placement of soft manual forces to encourage the normal mobility, tone and motion of the viscera and their connective tissues. These gentle manipulations can potentially improve the functioning of individual organs, the systems the organs function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.
Harmony and health exist when motion is free and excursion is full – when motion is not labored, overexcited, depressed, or conflicting with neighboring structures and their mobility. Therapists using Visceral Manipulation assess the dynamic functional actions as well as the somatic structures that perform individual activities. They also evaluate the quality of the somatic structures and their functions in relation to an overall harmonious pattern, with motion serving as the gauge for determining quality.
Due to the delicate and often highly reactive nature of the visceral tissues, gentle force precisely directed reaps the greatest results. As with other methods of manipulation that affect the body deeply, Visceral Manipulation works only to assist the forces already at work. Because of that, trained therapists can be sure of benefiting the body rather than adding further injury or disorganization.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are used in the hands of the therapist on parts of the client’s body to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The stones used are very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in sanitizing water before use, and cleaned thoroughly after every use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain their heat during the massage. Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels. Individuals with facial restrictions, and chronic pain from past trauma or stress would benefit from this comforting treatment.

Somato Emotional Release

SER is a therapeutic process that uses and expands on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy to help rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma. The SER experience can:

  • Assess and mobilize the Avenue of Expression working through more than 10 different body components, including the thoracic inlet, hard palate and hyoglossal tissues.
  • Locate and release Energy Cysts,areas where trauma resides in the body.
  • Release suppressed emotions that may be inhibiting complete structural releases.

    • Contact Angie for more details on this technique.