Conditions We Treat
Headaches
At City Center Massage Therapy in downtown Vancouver we treat all types of headaches. The most common type of headache is the Muscle Tension Headache. Causes of Muscle Tension Headaches are stress, anxiety, repetitive work postures such as sitting at a computer, or muscle trauma from sports injuries or a motor Vehicle Accident.
At City Center Massage Therapy we have great success in reducing or more often eliminating muscle tension headaches with specialized massages to the muscles of the head, neck, and upper back.
Migraines. -These headaches are believed to be a neurological disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve and result in inflammation of the meningeal arteries that surround the brain. Some of the signs of a migraine headache are nausea and light sensitivity, throbbing pain, and the characteristic “Aura” with with visual disturbances.
As with Muscle Tension Headaches, Migraines can also be reduced or even eliminated with regular massage therapy treatments.
If you are having severe or unusual headaches consult your family doctor to be sure there is no more serious underlying condition and that Registered Massage Therapy is appropriate for you.
Arthritis
Massage Therapy can help with Arthritis in two ways. First, it reduces muscle pain that is usually caused by swelling and inflamation. Second, it increases your body’s ability to produce endorphins which reduces pain.
Massage helps the arthritis sufferer by loosening up tight muscle and ligaments around the joints.
In the muscles and ligaments Massage Therapy breaks up the adhesion’s that slow or hinder motion. And, when gentle joint stretching is done it can stimulate the production of synovial fluid which acts as a cushion in the joint. Massage Therapy also reduces inflammation in the joint which in turn reduces pain.
Since Massage Therapy can not cure arthritis it should be used as an ongoing treatment plan.
If you are suffering with arthritis pain, let our downtown Vancouver Massage Therapists help you today.
Cruciate & Meniscal Injuries
The Anterior and Posterior cruciate ligaments are an important part of the stability and strength of the knee, injuries to them can be very painful.
The medial and lateral Meniscus are the “shock absorbers” that help spread and decrease the impact that the upper leg bone- the Femur, has on the lower leg bone- the Tibia. Damage to these shock absorbers can lead to the bones directly and painfully touching each other.
Massage Therapy to the muscles and ligaments of the knee will reduce swelling, increase circulation and joint mobility, as well as decrease pain. This will lead to a quicker recovery from an injury.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
ITBS is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners. The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running.
The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed.
Massage Therapy to the muscles that make the ITB tight such as gluteus maximus and tensor fascia latae, as well the ITB itself, can get you running pain free again.