Registered Massage Therapy in Hamilton
Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) is a clinically-oriented treatment option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with everyday occupational stresses, muscular overuse and many chronic pain conditions. Registered Massage Therapists treat the body’s soft tissues, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints, using their hands, arms, and specific tools. RMT is a regulated health profession within the province of Ontario.
What Type of Treatments Do Registered Massage Therapists Provide?
Our massage therapists, Sophia Bolos, Ola Poplawski, and John Hall provide the following treatments. These can be provided individually as a stand-alone therapy or in any combination. You can book with them here.
Swedish Massage
This style of massage is the most common among RMT practitioners. Its design is to increase circulation in the body and target soft tissue while promoting relaxation and releasing muscle tension. In addition, this style of massage intends to assist the body in loosening the stress from day-to-day activities. The main target points of Swedish massage are the neck, shoulder, and lower back. However, traditional Swedish massage is performed on the entire body. While performing this style of massage, the practitioner will utilize motions such as kneading, long strokes, tapping/drumming, or gentle circular movements.
Lymphatic Drainage
A modality that encourages the natural drainage of the lymph, carrying waste products away from the tissues toward the heart. The use of very light pressure and rhythmic circular movements stimulate lymph flow. This treatment has a lighter pressure than deep tissue massage and focuses only on your lymphatic map, including your legs, back, face, feet, arms, upper chest, and abdomen. Therapists utilize this type of massage to maintain proper immune system function and reduce inflammation in the body.
Fascial Stretch Therapy
This therapy is a pain-free, practitioner-assisted, table-based stretching technique. It focuses on the fascia and joint capsules within the body. The fascia is the part of the body that exists between and around our muscles, bones, nerves, and organs. Fascial Stretch Therapy is used to restore normal body function and range of motion when your fascia becomes stiff and loses its elasticity. This can occur from injury, repetitive and overworking movement, or limited physical activity. This style of massage therapy can reduce chronic pain, improve circulation, and eliminate tight muscles and stiff joints.
Prenatal & Postnatal Massage
The design of this style of massage is to assist the body in adjusting to the new anatomical changes you experience during and after pregnancy. A prenatal massage aims to relax your body, release muscle tension, and improve blood and lymph circulation (which is extremely important when pregnant). It can be performed after the first trimester. As your body changes to accommodate the pregnancy, prenatal massage can reduce stress on weight-bearing joints, reduce swelling, and improve sleep.
Postnatal massage is similar to traditional massage. It aims to relieve the stress that giving birth can have on the body. Since the body is under such strain, it’s important not to overstimulate or place too much pressure on your muscles and joints. A postnatal massage can boost the lymphatic system to assist the body with clearing the excess fluids that build up in the body. It can also improve sleep and reduce the pain you may experience in your back, legs, and feet.
It is of the utmost importance that when looking to book a pre or postnatal massage, you book with someone who has specialized training.
Deep Tissue Therapy
A standard style of massage among registered RMTs, the use of deep tissue massage is to treat musculoskeletal issues. Use slow deep strokes with sustained pressure to target your inner muscle layers and connective tissue (fascia). This therapy is intended to release deep tension in the muscles, aid in the recovery of muscle strains, and promote correct muscle function.
Trigger Point Therapy
Though trigger points can be addressed in other massage styles, trigger point therapy is a specific type of massage. Trigger points, or knots, are tight areas of muscle that create pain. They can even create pain in other parts of the body, like having a headache but the pain coming from the knot in your neck or shoulders. Releasing these knots comes from applying various pressure levels to soften the muscle and stretch it through a range of motion to achieve muscle correctness. While your massage therapist works on your knots, this style of massage may lead to some discomfort. However, it should never be painful. Our massage therapists are trained to work with you, listen to your concerns and aim to ensure your comfort at every step of the treatment process.
Collaborative Care
Our Registered Massage Therapists will work collaboratively with other healthcare practitioners within the clinic, including physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, registered acupuncturists, and counsellors, to best manage your health needs. Please inquire for more information.
MASSAGE THERAPY CAN HELP WITH:
- Reduce Stress & Increase Relaxation
- Back, Neck, & Shoulder Pain
- Muscle Soreness & Tension
- Improve Circulation
- Lower Heart Rate & Blood Pressure
- Improve Immune Function
- Anxiety & Depression
- Digestive Issues
- Nerve Pain
Practitioners Offering Massage Therapy Services
Sophia Bolos
Registered Massage Therapist & Registered Acupuncturist
READ BIO
SOPHIA’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Relaxation
✅ Headaches
✅ Tension Release
✅ Low Back & Neck Pain
✅ Joint Pain
✅ Digestive Discomfort
✅ Sinus Clearing
Tapping into her years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist and Registered Acupuncturist, Sophia supports her clients with a holistic approach when working with them toward their health and wellness goals. She tailors her treatments to the individual’s needs and preferences using a variety of techniques such as deep tissue massage, cupping, Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture, and acupressure. Whether you seek treatment for a specific issue or a more general, relaxing massage, Sophia can match therapeutic techniques to meet you where you are on your health journey and promote your body’s ability to heal.
“It’s very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.” – Thich Hat Hanh
Ola Poplawski
Registered Massage Therapist
READ BIO
OLA’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Deep Tissue
✅ Trigger Point Release
✅ TMJ Pain Relief (Intra-Oral Included)
✅ Joint Pain & Restrictions
✅ Muscle Aches
John Hall
Registered Massage Therapist
READ BIO
JOHN’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Neck Pain
✅ Headaches & Migraines
✅ Sports Performance
John brings decades of experience to your massage session. With a solid foundation in Swedish massage, he’ll add deep tissue, myofascial, trigger point, sports massage, and mobilization techniques. Each massage session is tailored to your needs and goals for the day. When you leave, you will be moving and feeling better, and you will sleep better that night.
John is an avid cyclist, hikes the trails, is into the Hamilton food scene, and follows McMaster volleyball.
“The only thing better than a massage is knowing you have a massage booked!” – John