Massage Therapy and Reflexology

 Therapeutic massage acts on the nervous system to counteract the body's response to stress, relaxing muscle tension and allowing heart rate, blood pressure and circulation to return to normal. Massage is one of the most accessible supportive measures you can seek for chronic pain. A deeply relaxing treatment for overall well being. 

Registered Massage Therapists (RMT)  are in association with The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario  & deductible from your medical coverage. 

Hot Stone Massage uses the application of deeply penetrating heated Basalt stones in combination with hands on massage therapy techniques.

The Benefits Of Hot Stone Massage
1. Heat causes the blood vessels to dilate (open wider) thus allowing a larger amount of blood into the area. This is very important as the blood is the body's transport system. It carries the oxygen we breath, and vitamin and minerals we eat to our organs, muscles and joints where it is needed.
2. Heat also stimulates the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest) physically slowing down the heart rate and respiration; Therefore, lowering the stress on the heart muscle.
3. Increasing the Parasympathetic Nervous System also causes an increase in metabolic activity. Simply put, our cells can function more effectively.
4. Strengthens the Immune System
5. Aids in the elimination of toxins
6. Promotes faster healing
7. Causes the release of endorphans ( feel good chemicals )
8.  Decreases stress

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This massage is delivered by a Registered Massage Therapist and is safe during all three trimesters of pregnancy. This treatment will help to relieve stress and tension that occurs from the anatomical changes due to pregnancy. Special Maternity pillows are used for your comfort.

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
1. Provides emotional support through Nurturing Touch
2. Greater Circulation - improving baby's oxygen supply
3. Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
4. Reduces swelling in hands and feet and prevention of varicose veins
5. Reduces fatigue
6. Relieves stress on weight bearing joints
7. Prepares muscles used during childbirth
8.Alleviates neck and back pain caused by muscle imbalance or weakness.

Reflexology Treatments- Pickering Location

By Certified Reflexologists

 $75.00 
60 minute session (includes 15 minute consultation time and 45 minute treatment time.)

How does Reflexology work?
Reflexology is a complementary holistic healing therapy that works in tandem to support your wellness focused lifestyle. Unlike foot massage, practitioners devote their attention to specific reflex points on the feet. It is believed that applying pressure on reflex points correspond to every system, internal organ and gland, in the body.  This pressure can stimulate an under-active area or calm an overactive one. Essentially the aim of reflexology is to support the body to be in a state of calm & balance.

Mark Terry   Certified Reflexologist. (2003) Pickering Grand Spa Location

I graduated from York University in 1980.  I am also a certified member of the Ontario College of Reflexology as well as the The International Council of Reflexologist since 2003.  Prior to completing the certification program in Ontario, I studied at The Reflexology Institute of Hong Kong in 2001.  I began specializing in Maternity Reflexology (scroll down for the article) and worked in Aurora at The Healing Hands Clinic.  I moved to Toronto and worked with Docere, the Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine, an annex to North York General Hospital.  Today, I am the only certified Reflexologist specializing in Maternity Reflexology in Canada and I am delighted to be part of the Team of The Facial Place. 

MATERNITY REFLEXOLOGY
By Mark Terry, OCR, ICR

There are many specific applications of Reflexology as a natural, non-medicinal healing modality, but perhaps one of the most effective and overlooked is Maternity Reflexology. This specific treatment is designed to treat infertility, pregnancy and even help during birth.

Infertility
In a lot of cases, infertility is the result of stress and anxiety. After consulting their gynecologist to rule out any physical cause for infertility, a couple is often faced with the reality that their problem is psychological. And this knowledge often aggravates the condition of stress as they worry about being infertile.
A relaxed condition is necessary for a woman to become pregnant, but short of seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, there are few medical practitioners to turn to.
Enter the Reflexologist. It is their job to eliminate stress and bring all body organs, glands and parts to a state of homeostasis. It is when your body is in this state that the conditions are ideal for conception.
Pressure applied to specific reflex points balances the hormonal system and stimulates the reproductive organs. Both potential parents are encouraged to have treatments to stimulate the ovary and fallopian tubes areas in the woman and the testes areas in the man.

Pregnancy
There are several physical conditions of discomfort that accompany pregnancy. From the ever-popular morning sickness to bladder control, backache, swollen ankles and legs, cramps, headaches and even digestive problems, Reflexology can assist in alleviating all of these pregnancy-related conditions.
Stress and anxiety also play a large role in the mother*s daily health during pregnancy and it is important to keep the body working at a normal level as much as possible. Reflexology relieves stress and allows all body parts to reach this state of homeostasis. At this point, the conditions mentioned above can be eased by the body*s own repair system.
Specific treatments to troubled areas can often provide instant relief to the troubled pregnant mother as well and provide a less volatile environment for her baby's early development.
And don*t forget Dad. The pregnancy months can also be a stressful time for him as he takes on more responsibilities around the house and pays extra attention to Mom. Reflexology can also relieve his stress and anxiety.

Birth
There are two main applications for Reflexology in birth. One is to promote labour, especially in overdue pregnancies, and the other is to keep the body relaxed and to control pain during the actual labour period.
Reflexology stimulates the pituitary gland which releases a hormone called oxytocin, a hormone instrumental in promoting uterine contractions. Through Reflexology, this hormone can be released to start contractions safely and drug-free.
To assist in the control and reduction of pain during labour, the Reflexologist can help the mother tolerate the pain sometimes to the point of not requiring an epidural.

Conclusion
It is recommended that whenever these conditions arise during your pregnancy and you feel the need to alleviate the discomfort they cause, contact your Reflexologist for fast, holistic relief for yourself and your developing child.

Mark Terry is a Certified Reflexologist practicing at The Facial Place in Pickering, ON. Mark is certified by the Ontario College of Reflexology (OCR) and is a certified member of the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR). To book an appointment, call The Facial Place at 905-831-9700.

Mark is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Today, he is working on a unique project that will take him to Antarctica this December. The Antarctica Classroom will be a one-hour film shot in High Definition chronicling a two-week expedition made by a group of international high school students. This new generation of environmentalists will be travelling with some of the world's foremost experts in polar research and glaciology. Evidence of climate change on this fragile eco-system, including land and wildlife, will be showcased first-hand to the students as well as the viewing audience. To find out more, visit the production's website here: www.polarcapproductions.com.