Have you ever wondered why we always dim the lights during a massage? It's not just for aesthetics; there's a science and art to it that enhances your overall experience! Read More
November 8, 2023 12:07 pm
Today, let's dive into the delicate art of therapeutic massage and explore the profound impact of these subtle nuances. Read More
July 24, 2023 2:14 pm
Relax, Rejuvenate, and Revitalize!
Discover the World of Massage Therapy!
From ancient healing traditions to modern techniques, massage therapy offers a plethora of benefits for both body and mind. Let's explore some of the different types of massage that can take you on a blissful journey of relaxation and wellness.
Swedish Massage: This classic and gentle massage is perfect for beginners. Long, flowing strokes and kneading motions promote improved circulation, easing tension, and fostering relaxation.
Deep Tissue Massage: Targeting deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues, this massage is ideal for athletes, injuries or those with chronic muscle tension. It helps alleviate pain and enhances muscle flexibility.
Thai Massage: Drawing inspiration from yoga, Thai massage incorporates stretching and acupressure techniques to release energy blockages and promote a sense of balance.
Hot Stone Massage: Experience pure bliss with warm, smooth stones placed on specific points of your body. The heat helps soothe muscles and induces deep relaxation.
Aromatherapy Massage: Combining the power of touch with essential oils, this massage enhances relaxation, reduces stress, and uplifts your mood.
Shiatsu Massage: Originating from Japan, Shiatsu uses finger pressure on specific points to stimulate energy flow and restore balance within the body.
Reflexology: Focusing on pressure points in the feet and hands, reflexology helps to promote overall well-being and encourage natural healing processes.
Sports Massage: Designed for athletes during performance, this massage targets pre or post events. Specific muscle groups are often involved, it aids in injury prevention, and enhances performance and recovery.
Prenatal Massage: Tailored to the needs of expectant mothers, prenatal massage eases discomfort and promotes relaxation during pregnancy.
Lomi Lomi Massage: Hailing from Hawaii, this rhythmic massage combines long strokes and spiritual elements to instill a sense of harmony and inner peace.
Remember, each massage therapy offers unique benefits, so try different types to find the perfect match for your needs! Whether you seek stress relief, pain reduction, or simply some "me-time," massage therapy is the key to a happier, healthier you.
July 5, 2023 11:33 am
Start a wellness program in your office using these 10 steps.
Wellness + Workplace
Workplace Wellness Finally Starts to Mean Something
As evidenced by growing burnout rates, quiet quitting, and The Great Resignation, workplace wellness initiatives haven’t been all that effective. As a result, there is a reimagining of workplace wellness programs. From extended company-wide vacations to the “right to disconnect” from emails after hours, companies are reforming workplace wellness as we know it.
Here is a guideline to create a wellness program in your office:
1. Establish Goals: Establish clear goals for your wellness program. Consider the overall health and wellness goals of your organization and how you can best meet them.
2. Develop a Plan: Develop a plan for how you will implement your wellness program. Consider the resources available to you, such as budget, staff, and facilities.
3. Choose Activities: Choose activities that will help your organization reach its wellness goals. Consider activities that are tailored to the needs of your organization and its employees.
4. Promote the Program: Promote the program to your employees. Make sure they understand the benefits of participating in the program and how it will help them reach their personal wellness goals.
5. Monitor and Evaluate: Monitor and evaluate the program to ensure it is meeting its goals. Make adjustments as needed to ensure the program is effective and successful.
6. Reward Participation: Reward employees for participating in the program. Consider offering incentives such as gift cards, discounts, or other rewards.
7. Provide Resources: Provide resources to help employees reach their wellness goals. Consider offering educational materials, access to health professionals, or other resources.
8. Encourage Healthy Habits: Encourage healthy habits such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and stress management.
9. Track Progress: Track progress to ensure employees are meeting their wellness goals.
10. Celebrate Success: Celebrate successes and recognize employees for their hard work and dedication to the program.
June 13, 2022 3:45 pm
So many supplements for sleep – many people believe melatonin can be useful as a sleep aid. It carries the same potential downsides of psychological dependence as prescriptions medications.
It actually has little effect on your ability to fall asleep. Melatonin is a chrono biotic, not a hypnotic. This means that it can help regulate your circadian clock, making it quite useful for adjusting to jet lag, resuming regular schedule, and treating circadian rhythm disorders.
Cannabis has often been suggested as a helpful sleep aid and it can indeed help people fall asleep faster but eventually, a tolerance can occur and it may no longer have an effect.
Here are 4 things to try naturally to improve your sleep. When making changes, consider your willingness and ask yourself whether the discomfort of making changes is worth the improvement in sleep you are likely to experience:
1. Regular wake up time: wake up at the same time every day, this will strengthen your circadian clock and sleep drive. Sleeping in reduces your sleep drive at night.
2. Do not go to bed until you are sleepy. Can you tell the difference between tired and sleepy? Tired is what we feel in our bodies, sleepy forms more in the mind.
3. Do not stay in bed longer tan 15 minutes if not sleeping. Get up and do something low key and relaxing. Slow deep breathing, meditation, reading, play soft music. Train your body and brain that bed is for sleeping.
4. Attempts to sleep activate your sympathetic nervous system, when what you need is a strong parasympathetic nervous system activity to allow you to go to sleep. All you can do is set up an environment most conducive to sleep and then allow your body and mind to sleep.
One final note, light pressure and touch effect the parasympathetic nervous system.
Read medical study here: "The participants who received the moderate pressure massage exhibited a parasympathetic nervous system response"
Information and text shared from book "Biofeedback and Mindfulness in everyday life" - Inna Khazan, PH.D.
March 22, 2021 4:58 pm
I receive approximately 15 massages a year, over the last 25 years that could have been 375 different massage therapists.
With so many choices for Massage Therapy, how do you choose?
I have been serious about receiving at least a monthly massage for over 25 years. I would never have considered having just one therapist but I have asked myself why someone would limit themselves in this way.
My needs change, my moods changes, my emotions flow.
Some times I want to be nurtured, other times worked over or have an issue dealt with during a treatment plan. I want a Therapist with great decision making skills, confidence, excellent communication, strong palpation and an understanding of anatomy. They should know when an area has had enough treatment and when they should continue to manipulate, stretch and treat that chronic tension.
Some times during a massage treatment, I want to talk and sometimes I want to listen but most of the time I prefer to share my health history, past injuries and the goals I would like addressed during the treatment. I like participating in the initial pleasantries, followed by 90 minutes of no talking.
Meditation while being massaged gives me a focal point, allows me to focus on my breathe and the touch of the therapist. Knowing when to breath into an area being treated allows me to withstand more pressure while keeping my mind in the present moment.
I have a massage therapist I prefer for each of these.
I know every Massage Therapist may have the required 2 years of education to be registered in Alberta, to me this is the start to a great relationship.
I want to experience many types of treatments, including the therapists techniques, their energy, their stories, their niches, their specific reason to touch and heal for a living.
I love being referred to someone's favorite Massage Therapist and then discovering their treatment was not for me. It helps me define what I do like, setting me up for a successful treatment the next time I need or want a treatment.
The idea of only having one Massage Therapist often comes from being afraid of being disappointed or feeling like your time was wasted.
I have felt that way. When I am disappointed I get clearer on my ability to articulate my needs going forward. Time is never wasted when we spend it expanding our beliefs, learning who we are and sharing time with each other.
Gathering insights about my needs while growing my understanding of what kind of massage I need this month, has helped me find my team of Massage Therapists that now create the healing experience I deserve.
If you know what kind of massage you need or may be you want to see many therapists without hurting anyone's feelings, our admin team will ask you questions and choose a therapist for you based on the experience you are looking for.
Let someone help you find the massage treatment you deserve.
Shelly MacGregor
Owner of Apex Massage Therapy ltd
Est 1994
4 Parkdale Crescent NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3T8
Email us: bookings@apexmassage.com
Call us: 403.270.7788
HOURS
8:30am - 9:00pm, 7 days a week
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