INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS > Wellness Patients

Shaw Chiropractic offers the services of massage therapists from different disciplines. These services are available by appointment only. Massage services are performed by licensed massage therapists.

SHIATSU

In earlier days in China, a doctor wasn't paid to give treatment to ill people but to keep a person healthy. As soon as a person became ill, he got his treatment for free. The health care was basically preventive. There are 5 types of treatment: acupuncture, medicines and herbs, curving with stones, moxa and anma (massage). Shiatsu came from anma. It was recommended for people living in the center of the country, near to the yellow river. In this area the culture was most developed and people were doing more mental than physical work. The same can be said about us. The Japanese took many things from Chinese culture to change and develop. So they did with anma and acupuncture and developed it into "shiatsu".

REFLEXOLOGY

The ancient healing art of reflexology has been known to man for many thousands of years. It was first practiced by the early Indian, Chinese and Egyptian peoples.

In 1913 Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat surgeon, introduced this therapy to the West. He noted that pressure on specific parts of the body could have an anaesthetising effect on a related area. Developing this theory, he divided the body into ten equal and vertical zones, ending in the fingers and toes. He concluded that pressure on one part of a zone could affect everything else within that zone. Thus, reflex areas on the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs of the body within the same zone.

In the 1930's, Eunice Ingham, a therapist, further developed and refined the zone therapy into what is now known as foot reflexology. She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body. Thus, when you treat the big toes there is a related effect in the head, and treating the whole foot can have a relaxing and healing effect on the whole body.

Reflexology is a scientific foot massage based on the principal that the feet are a "mini-map" of the body, and that every body part and organ corresponds to an area of the foot. A steady pressure is applied to specific points, freeing blockages in the nervous system and improving energy flow. Reflexology eliminates tension, improves circulation, and stimulates the body's natural healing process.

SWEEDISH

Perhaps the most well-known type of massage, this soothing technique incorporates gliding, kneading and compressing strokes, improving circulation and lymph flow. Deeper strokes can also be used to break down adhesion in muscle and connective tissue, which is common after injury and in areas of body tension.

MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

This healing technique has become a popular massage choice. It blends soothing, gentle, rhythmical, precise massage-like movements to accelerate the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body.

CRANIAL SACRAL THERAPY

Via a gentle, non-invasive manipulative technique, this encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your brain and spinal cord to dissipate the negative effects of stress, promote good health, and enhance resistance to disease.