One of our registered massage therapists, Glynis Barabash, is happy to announce that she is now offering a new service to our clients: Myofascial Cupping.

“What is Cupping?” you might ask. Myofascial Massage Cupping is a bodywork technique adapted from traditional Chinese fire cupping, which uses suction and negative pressure to loosen and release fascia & muscles and draw out toxins. Only unlike fire cupping, Massage Cupping doesn’t generally leave dark purple marks, and doesn’t use fire.

What is Fascia and what is Myofascial Release?

Fascia is a tough connective tissue enveloping every cell from head to toe like a three-dimensional spider web. It flexibly supports all structures of the body. Injury, trauma, muscle imbalances and poor posture can cause these fascial fibers to tighten, shorten, thicken and adhere, putting inappropriate pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, bones, organs and the brain.

The consequences are often pain, restriction of motion and structural misalignment. Sadly, modern medicine tends to micromanage symptoms, looking at the muscles, bones and organs in isolation, generally ignoring the significance of the global system that connects it all together. I’ve found that releasing fascial tissue restrictions can often be the missing link in resolving long-standing chronic cases of pain and dysfunction. The technique can be described as applying sustained pressure into the fascial barrier, allowing permanent elongation of the tissues.

As additional fascial layers are released, the patient gains greater flexibility resulting in decreased pain, enhanced daily activities of living, superior athletic performance in sport, increased ease of movement and improved structural balance & integrity. This advanced massage technique is referred to as Myofascial Release as “myo” implies muscle and “fascia” implies the connective tissue that supports it, however restrictions in this continuous web has implications on all body systems. Myofascial Cupping is a type of Myofascial Release where cups are suctioned to the skin creating a negative pressure resulting in a broad release to the area under and around the cup

The result is negative pressure, as opposed to the positive pressure of pushing into the muscles. Cupping allows the muscles to open, let go, and relax literally by opening up space that wasn’t there before.

After the cups are placed, they can either be left stationary, or moved along a muscle or meridian. Waiting allows the space to open, while gliding produces a similar effect to traditional massage, only with the added benefits of negative pressure.

This technique can be very effective with chronic issues that nothing else seems to help, or when someone has relief with regular massage therapy that doesn’t last. Often the tissues are ‘warmed up’ using the cupping technique and then therapeutic massage or relaxation can follow. “Ahhhhhmazing….”

Direct billing available to many insurance companies. Call 780-485-1404 to book now.

One of our registered massage therapists, Glynis Barabash, is happy to announce that she is now offering a new service to our clients: Myofascial Cupping.

“What is Cupping?” you might ask.  Myofascial Massage Cupping is a bodywork technique adapted from traditional Chinese fire cupping, which uses suction and negative pressure to loosen and release fascia & muscles and draw out toxins.  Only unlike fire cupping, Massage Cupping doesn’t generally leave dark purple marks, and doesn’t use fire.

What is Fascia and what is Myofascial Release?

Fascia is a tough connective tissue enveloping every cell from head to toe like a three-dimensional spider web. It flexibly supports all structures of the body. Injury, trauma, muscle imbalances and poor posture can cause these fascial fibers to tighten, shorten, thicken and adhere, putting inappropriate pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, bones, organs and the brain.

The consequences are often pain, restriction of motion and structural misalignment. Sadly, modern medicine tends to micromanage symptoms, looking at the muscles, bones and organs in isolation, generally ignoring the significance of the global system that connects it all together. I’ve found that releasing fascial tissue restrictions can often be the missing link in resolving long-standing chronic cases of pain and dysfunction. The technique can be described as applying sustained pressure into the fascial barrier, allowing permanent elongation of the tissues.

As additional fascial layers are released, the patient gains greater flexibility resulting in decreased pain, enhanced daily activities of living, superior athletic performance in sport, increased ease of movement and improved structural balance & integrity. This advanced massage technique is referred to as Myofascial Release as “myo” implies muscle and “fascia” implies the connective tissue that supports it, however restrictions in this continuous web has implications on all body systems.  Myofascial Cupping is a type of Myofascial Release where cups are suctioned to the skin creating a negative pressure resulting in a broad release to the area under and around the cup

The result is negative pressure, as opposed to the positive pressure of pushing into the muscles.  Cupping allows the muscles to open, let go, and relax literally by opening up space that wasn’t there before.

After the cups are placed, they can either be left stationary, or moved along a muscle or meridian. Waiting allows the space to open, while gliding produces a similar effect to traditional massage, only with the added benefits of negative pressure.

This technique can be very effective with chronic issues that nothing else seems to help, or when someone has relief with regular massage therapy that doesn’t last. Often the tissues are ‘warmed up’ using the cupping technique and then therapeutic massage or relaxation can follow. “Ahhhhhmazing….”

Direct billing available to many insurance companies. Call 780-485-1404 to book now.

Fun With Self  Foot Massage

Feet! For some, they’re a love-hate affair. Love to use them and often abuse them; hate paying the price after a day spent in inappropriate but fashionable footwear. Give your feet a break with this four-step foot massage. You can do it with a partner or try the massage on your own.

• Stroke the sole of your foot in a straight line from the heel to the base of your toes. Use your thumb or the heel of your hand. Use a motion that goes back and forth across the foot.
• Massage the area between your toes using your fingers and your thumb. Wiggle and wriggle the toes and pull each one gently. Then move to the four metatarsal bones that run along the top and middle of the foot. Moving from the base of your toes to just above your ankle, slowly massage one area at a time.
• Using your thumb, press a spot on your sole and make small, circular movements. Repeat until you’ve covered the entire sole of your foot.
• Still working the sole, use your pointer and middle fingers to make crosswise movements, back and forth, from the heel to the ball of your foot.

Or better yet, book yourself in for a massage with a professional! Add a paraffin dip after your treatment to soothe aching feet and it will seal in moisture in this dry, cold weather. Or try our “Pampered Soles” treatment, which is a foot and lower leg scrub, followed by a massage with a rich, hydrating cream and finished wit paraffin dip. Divine!

Give the gift of ultimate relaxation with spa Gift Certificates.

We offer various types of massage & bodywork as well as spa services. Choose a service or a dollar amount and have it emailed right into your inbox. You don’t even have to leave the house! 

Click here to customize a gift certificate for YOUR loved one.

Also, consider supporting other local businesses this holiday season. Some ideas:

• Gift certificates for local restaurants
• Package of car washes
• Cleaning services/carpet cleaning/show shoveling/yard services
• Babysitting services
• Local craft shows/farmers markets
• Passes to a local gym

So many options to choose from!

Happy Holidays from The Self Centre

Are you ready for the 90 day challenge? I am!

The journey of weight loss can be very challenging, time-consuming and emotional. I have struggled with excess weight almost all of my adult life and have tried many different methods to lose it.

The fact is, almost every weight loss plan ‘works’. However….. it has to fit into your lifestyle, your belief system, and your bank account. And you have to be ready.

Last year I lost 30 pounds doing a VERY expensive meal replacement program and kept it off for a year woohoo!

I was finally ready to focus on taking care of my body, not just everyone else’s (as a massage therapist that’s what I do) and also taking care of my mind and spirit. I decided to just like myself where I was at and do my best every day.

So when I was finally ready again recently (mentally ready, mindset is super important) the right program just showed up. My nephew who is an absolute health nut told me about it.

I HAVE LOST 8 POUNDS IN LESS THAN A WEEK! Granted, the first couple pounds are usually the easiest this is still pretty great. I am replacing 2 meals per day with delicious shakes that taste like cake mix, using the infrared sauna at the clinic and working out a couple times a week.

Go to:  http://selfcentre.bodybyvi.com/

The shakes are delicious. Not overpowering vanilla flavor like every other shake on the market….and half the price of what I was paying before! I like mine mixed with strong cold coffee. My son melts peanut butter and mixes it in.

Whether you want to lose a lot of weight, a little bit of weight, supplement your workout program with healthy protein drinks, there is a plan for you.

Lara RMT/owner, The Self Centre Massage & Wellness Spa

Welcome to the blog for The Self Centre

After 7 years of helping Edmontonians with pain relief and de-stressing, there are lots of changes with us.  We have recently expanded into a beautiful new location, have an awesome revamped website, and now a blog!

Here you will find all kinds of random things about the Self…… body, mind and spirit.

Chronic pain – I have treated people for pain for my whole bodywork career, and now I finally know what that is like to live with after a car accident 2 years ago. If it wasn’t for massage and chiropractic and other types of bodywork I don’t know what I would do. I sure have appreciation for this now and this is why all of our therapists have over 2200 hours of training. I have noticed a few things about pain. It won’t be ignored, and it keeps you in the present moment. It’s our bodies way of telling us something is not right. Often it can be managed and treated with natural methods and massage therapy is one of them. As a therapist myself, I also need regular massage and I love, love, love it. We demand so much from our body on a daily basis so it’s really important to give back to it. Whether the intention is relaxation or therapeutic…. the power of touch is truly nurturing and healing.