Massage Therapy
Sick of living with chronic pain? Give massage therapy a try
Are you experiencing muscle soreness as a result of a repetitive sport or job? There’s a fair chance therapeutic massage will help you to find relief!
Therapeutic massage is a standard form of therapy that aids in the loosening of some tight areas of your joints and muscles, as well as making healing faster and smoother – so you can get back on track of achieving your end goal, whether it’s to better your athletic success or job efficiency.
Contact Zenith Physiotherapy and Wellness today to figure out how therapeutic massage can help you!
Why good tissue health is important
- Many short, thin fibers make up your muscles, which contract on order and work together to mobilize your muscle groups.
- These muscles are attached to your bones by connective tissues, called tendons, enabling them to move your body parts.
- Your bones are then connected by tough bands of connective tissue, called ligaments, for added stability. Your ligaments are covered by yet another connective tissue called fascia. All of these connective tissues can be referred to as “soft tissues.”
- Soft tissues are really fascinating! They aid in joint mobilization and provide the body with the resilience it requires to execute activities.
- Your soft tissues give you the opportunity to do a lot of things, but they still prevent you from overextending yourself. These soft tissues can be damaged by certain stresses, especially those caused by repeated actions within the athletic activity.
- A tear in the tendon causes you to experience a significant amount of swelling and inflammation. Many athletes also experience sprains, which are caused by a ligament stretching farther than intended.
- These injuries may occur in response to the intensity of your sport, but they can also occur if muscles simply are too tight before you begin one of your workouts.
- Therapeutic massage can help with this, as it relaxes the muscles, and may even prevent some of these injuries from occurring in the first place!
Different kinds of therapeutic massage
There are many different types of massage as well, and our physiotherapist may also recommend these to complement your physiotherapy treatments, including:
- Deep tissue massage. This type of massage loosens up your muscles and their connective tissues.
- Swedish massage. This type of massage relaxes any stiff or tense muscles you may have, allowing for increased blood flow and fluid drainage from swollen areas.
- Myofascial release. This type of massage creates room for tissues that may be trapped by distortions or fascial adhesions, freeing them from constriction.
Sports massage therapy can be used before you even begin your rigorous exercise regimen, targeting the specific muscles and tissues that see the most use for your sport.
By working to mobilize, loosen, and relax these muscles before you train, you can help them stay limber throughout the process. This will decrease your risk of strains, sprains, and ruptures.
I’m an athlete, can I benefit from soft tissue massage?
Absolutely! Verywell Health’s site states “Sports massage can be used pre-performance, post-performance, during training, or for rehabilitation. From elite athletes to recreational exercisers, it is a popular choice.”
If you’re an athlete, you’re well aware of how much time it takes to excel in your sport. If you’re preparing for a race, a quiz, a recital, or a big game, you’ll need a lot of preparation and a lot of planning.
You must train your muscles and tissues to do their best, which can cause discomfort and pain over time. This is a little adjustment, but it doesn’t change the fact that it may temporarily get in the way of your training process.
This is where massage therapy comes in – it allows muscle loosening to relieve discomfort and improve the freedom of movement. This helps restructure the body so the performance can be improved and you can get back into the game!
FAQs about Massage Therapy in Airdrie, AB
Your RMT will review your health history and goals, assess areas of tension, and recommend a plan (pressure level, techniques, and focus areas). You’ll be draped appropriately for privacy, and your therapist will check in to ensure comfort throughout.
Massage should never be painful. You might feel “good pressure” or mild tenderness when working on tight tissues, but your RMT will adjust depth and technique to your comfort. Communication during the session helps keep treatment effective and comfortable.
Frequency depends on your condition and goals. For acute pain or high training loads, weekly or bi-weekly sessions may help. For maintenance, many Airdrie clients book every 3–4 weeks. Your RMT will recommend a schedule and home care between visits.
Common options include deep tissue, therapeutic/clinical, relaxation, sports massage, myofascial release, and prenatal massage (with proper positioning and support). Your therapist can combine techniques to match your needs.
Many extended health plans cover treatments provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). Coverage and limits vary, so check your benefits. Our Airdrie clinic provides receipts for easy claims (and can advise on what insurers typically require).
Our experienced Airdrie physiotherapists combine hands-on treatments with advanced techniques to help you recover faster and move better—whether you’re healing from an injury, managing chronic pain, or improving athletic performance. We proudly serve patients from Airdrie, Calgary, and nearby communities.