Author - Kellie Poulin

Smooth Out Your Shoulders with Massage

The shoulder is a complex joint comprised of several structures including bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The main bones involved are the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). The shoulder joint itself allows for a wide range of motion but is inherently unstable, relying heavily on surrounding muscles and ligaments for support.   Muscles surrounding the shoulder joint include: Deltoid: Located on the outer side of the shoulder, responsible for lifting the arm and giving the shoulder its [...]

Whose Got Your Back?

The human back is a marvel of engineering, comprising an intricate network of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and bones. It serves as the central support structure for our entire body, connecting our upper and lower halves and facilitating movement in every direction. However, this complexity also makes it susceptible to various forms of discomfort and pain, ranging from mild stiffness to debilitating chronic conditions. In such cases, massage therapy emerges as a holistic approach to alleviate back pain and promote [...]

Massage Therapy for a Happy Back

Massage Therapy for a Happy Back     Everything flows through the back. The back and spine serves as the pillar of your body, holding and supporting you on many levels. ~ Daily Om The World Health Organization estimates that low back pain alone affected 619 million people globally in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050, driven largely by population expansion and aging. (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain )   Backs maintain our balance, coordination, and posture, [...]

Freedom from Lower Back Pain: The Magic of Psoas Stretching During Massage

Do you often find yourself grappling with persistent lower back pain? The solution might be closer than you think. Beyond the soothing ambiance and relaxation that a massage session offers, focusing on a targeted muscle group—the psoas—can be the key to alleviating that nagging discomfort in your lower back.   The psoas major, a deep-seated muscle connecting the spine to the femur, plays a crucial role in supporting the lower back. Often referred to as the “fight or flight” muscle, the [...]

The Interplay Between Sleep, Massage and Wellness

Sleep, a cornerstone of overall well-being, is the body’s natural reset button, crucial for physical and mental rejuvenation. The importance of quality sleep cannot be overstated, as it directly influences our mood, cognitive function, and overall health. In this pursuit of optimal sleep, one often-overlooked ally is massage therapy.   Massage, traditionally associated with relaxation and stress relief, goes beyond the realms of mere indulgence. Scientifically proven, massage plays a pivotal role in promoting deep, restorative sleep. As stress and tension [...]

Accelerating Healing: The Role of Massage in Recovering from Pulled Ligaments

Dealing with a pulled ligament can be a frustrating and painful experience, often leaving individuals wondering just how long the road to recovery might be. While the healing process varies from person to person and depends on the severity of the injury, incorporating massage into your recovery routine could be a game-changer in shortening the healing time.   Understanding the Healing Process: A pulled ligament occurs when the tissue connecting bones and joints is stretched or torn, resulting in pain, swelling, and [...]

Aromatherapy – Supporting the Benefits of Massage Therapy

In our fast-paced, stress-filled world, people are constantly seeking ways to relax and rejuvenate. Two complementary therapies that have gained immense popularity for their ability to promote overall well-being are aromatherapy and massage therapy. When combined, these two practices create a harmonious synergy that can take relaxation and healing to a whole new level.   Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils, derived from plants, to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These oils, when inhaled or applied [...]

Healing Touch: How Massage Therapy Benefits Your Lymphatic System

  When we think of massage therapy, relaxation and stress relief often come to mind. However, massage therapy offers more than just a momentary escape from our daily worries. It can also provide significant benefits to our overall health, including support for the lymphatic system.   The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining our body’s fluid balance, immune function, and toxin removal. Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a central pump like the heart. Instead, it relies [...]

Take The Weight Off Your Shoulders

Your shoulders are one of the most common areas of discomfort and pain in the body. The shoulder consists of three main bones, humerus, clavicle, and scapula that operate in a ball and socket joint system. The bones are surrounded by layers of cartilage, tendons and muscle fibres. With such a complicated construction, it is easy to see how there could be  multiple opportunities for pain and mobility issues to develop.   Pain can be generated in the shoulder area due [...]

Get Stretched Like A Cat – Myofascial Massage to Free Your Body

    When injury or chronic issues with your back, shoulders, hips or other areas of the body causes pain and loss of flexibility or function, it is usually the soft connective tissue in the affected area that is in need of attention. Pain can result when connective tissue called fascia become bound up causing contractions of muscle fibers as well as restricted blood flow in the tightened area. When your body hurts, myofascial therapy can help restore your mobility and [...]