Massage therapy

Etymology: 1895 (in DDL); de masso-, from massage and -therapy.

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is a versatile treatment adapted to all types of clients, thanks to its many benefits and a wide range of massage techniques.

Here are some common issues treated in massage therapy at our CMI Clinics:

Muscle tension and spasms
Musculoskeletal pain
Sports or occupational injuries
Tension headache
Stress / Anxiety / Insomnia
Myofascial pain syndrome

What are the benefits of massage therapy?

Therapeutic massage has undeniable effects on the whole body.

Relieves muscle tension and pain
Promotes relaxation and stress relief
Improves sleep quality
Improves blood and lymphatic circulation
Helps to prevent the onset or worsening of muscle, joint and postural problems
Reduces edema (lymphatic drainage)
Prepares the muscles for effort and increases recovery potential (sports massage)

When and why should you see a massage therapist?

Whether you suffer from tension and pain due to stress, your work posture or an injury, massage therapy can certainly help you.

Perhaps massage therapy was prescribed by your doctor or recommended by your physiotherapist? That’s not surprising, as massage is an excellent complementary treatment to the other therapeutic approaches offered at the clinic.

Massage therapy services are offered in direct access without the need for a doctor’s referral and are provided within a reasonable time frame.

What should you expect from a massage therapy session in our CMI clinics?

First, a health form will be filled out to ensure that the massage is adapted to your physical or medical condition and to validate that there are no contraindications to the techniques used. Your experience must be both beneficial and safe.

For a therapeutic follow-up, we will ask you questions about the history and location of your pain and tension. We will briefly assess your posture and motion limitations, if any. Then, we will discuss your expectations and choose the massage therapy techniques best suited to your needs.

Massage therapy is typically performed while lying down on a massage table and using oil or cream. If it is not possible for you to lie on your stomach, talk to your therapist before the session, as the massage can also be done lying on your side, in a semi-seated position or on a massage chair.

We will check a few times during the massage to make sure that the intensity, pressure and position are still right for you. Feel free to communicate openly with your massage therapist at any time.

After the massage, you will be given advice and sometimes some exercises to prolong the benefits and avoid the reappearance of muscular tensions.

The techniques we use in massage therapy

Swedish massage is the most widely used technique in massage therapy. This type of massage is performed with oil and consists of a series of dynamic maneuvers such as stroking, kneading, tapping, moving, rubbing and drainage. It provides deep muscular relaxation. Swedish massage is used in our clinics for:

Relaxation massage
Therapeutic massage
Prenatal massage

Another technique used is myofascial release which is done with shea butter and consists of slow, deep maneuvers sometimes combined with active movements on your part. Myofascial decompression can also be done with suction cups. It brings a feeling of lightness and a lasting improvement of tissular restrictions.

Costs of a massage therapy treatment

Most group insurance plans cover part of the cost of a massage therapy session.

All our massage therapists are members of a recognized professional association such as the Fédération québécoise des massothérapeutes (FQM) or the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec and can issue insurance receipts.

The cost of a massage therapy session is not covered by the RAMQ.

Need a massage therapy session?

Make an appointment quickly and let us heal you at one of our CMI Physiotherapy Clinics