Serenity Now Massage Therapy

07/16/2025

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🤰 Prenatal Massage

What it is
A gentle massage tailored for pregnancy, usually from the second trimester onward, using side‑lying or semi-reclined positions with bolsters to avoid pressure on the abdomen .

Techniques used
• Effleurage & petrissage (light Swedish strokes) to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation
• Light myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, trigger‑point therapy—adapted for safety .

Benefits
1. Reduces back, hip, pelvic & leg pain
2. Lowers swelling (edema) in feet/ankles
3. Enhances circulation—delivering oxygen to mom and baby
4. Relieves stress, anxiety, and depression through endorphin release
5. Improves sleep quality and overall restfulness
6. Prepares the body for labor—with potential to shorten labor and reduce pain

Safety and contraindications
• Typically avoided in high‑risk pregnancies (e.g. pre‑eclampsia, gestational diabetes, deep vein thrombosis) unless authorized by a healthcare provider .
• Avoid deep pressure on legs early on (due to clot risks) and specific ankle pressure points in first trimester .
• Always use a certified prenatal massage therapist and consult your doctor .

Positions to ensure comfort
• Side‑lying with support pillows—most commonly used .
• Some therapists use specially designed tables with belly cutouts .

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🤱 Postnatal Massage

Healing-focused massage in the weeks and months after childbirth.

Benefits include
• Reducing postpartum stress and anxiety, aiding emotional well‑being .
• Easing back, shoulder, and neck tension from nursing and carrying baby .
• Supporting hormonal balance and recovery of muscles & joints .
• Potentially improving circulation, speeding healing, and reducing swelling .

Techniques
• Similar gentle strokes (Swedish, lymphatic drainage, myofascial) focused on recovery.
• Perineal massage (antenatal or postnatal) may help reduce tears and support healing .

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💡 How to Have a Safe & Effective Session
1. Consult your provider before starting prenatal or postnatal massage.
2. Work with certified prenatal/postnatal therapists trained in safe positioning and pressure.
3. Communicate openly during sessions—share any discomfort or health concerns.
4. Avoid deep pressure on abdomen, lower legs, or any area your therapist deems unsafe.
5. Use proper support: side‑lying, bolsters, and specially‑designed tables are essential.

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07/09/2025

TMJ Massage
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🌿 Primary Benefits of TMJ Massage

1. Pain & Muscle Tension Relief
• Gently targeting tight jaw, face, neck, and shoulder muscles reduces discomfort and stiffness around the TMJ  .
• Friction techniques, kneading, and trigger-point release help ease spasm and break up adhesions ().

2. Improved Blood Flow & Reduced Inflammation
• Massage stimulates circulation, promoting better oxygen and nutrient delivery while flushing out inflammatory waste .
• Pressure encourages lymphatic drainage, helping reduce swelling around the jaw .

3. Enhanced Jaw Mobility & Function
• Tension-free muscles allow smoother jaw motion, reducing locking, clicking, and stiffness .
• One case study reported improved mouth opening (from 3.1 cm to 3.8 cm) and decreased pain after 10 massage sessions .

4. Headache, Facial Pain & Referred Symptom Relief
• Alleviating neck and jaw tension diminishes associated headaches, earache, and facial discomfort .
• Combined neck/shoulder work tackles less obvious muscles contributing to discomfort .

5. Reduced Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
• By relaxing overworked jaw muscles and addressing stress, massage helps lower nighttime clenching/grinding .

6. Stress Reduction & Emotional Well‑Being
• Massage supports nervous system relaxation through endorphin release, lowering stress—a common trigger for TMJ issues .
• This calming effect breaks the vicious cycle of stress–jaw tension–pain ().

7. Enhanced Sleep Quality
• Decreased jaw pain and nighttime grinding help improve rest and sleep patterns .

8. Preventive Muscle Health
• Regular sessions can keep muscles supple and prevent TMJ flare-ups before they occur .

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🏆 What Makes TMJ Massage Effective
• Intra-oral techniques (inside the mouth) target deep muscles like the pterygoids, providing relief beyond what external massage alone can achieve .
• External massage of masseter, temporalis, suboccipital, neck, and shoulders supports joint alignment and eases strain .
• Combined with heat, exercises, posture correction, stress management, massage becomes part of a holistic TMJ treatment plan .

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06/12/2025

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, therapeutic massage technique designed to stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid throughout the body. It’s often used to support the immune system, reduce swelling, and promote detoxification. It is extremely beneficial for faster healing times post surgery.

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🌿 What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

MLD was developed by Dr. Emil Vodder in the 1930s and is now widely practiced in medical and wellness settings. It involves light, rhythmic strokes that follow the direction of lymph flow, encouraging drainage of lymph nodes and vessels.

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✅ Benefits of MLD
• Reduces swelling (lymphedema)
• Boosts immune function
• Aids detoxification
• Improves healing post-surgery
• Relieves sinus congestion
• Reduces puffiness (e.g., face, abdomen, legs)
• Supports relaxation and reduces stress

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⚕️ Common Uses
• Post-surgical recovery (e.g., cosmetic surgery, orthopedic procedures)
• Lymphedema management (especially post-mastectomy)
• Chronic conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Aesthetic purposes (e.g., facial MLD for skin health and de-puffing)

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🛏️ What to Expect During a Session
• Duration: 60-75 minutes
• Pressure: Very light (unlike deep tissue massage)
• Focus Areas: sequential full body
• Frequency: Varies — from once a week to daily for acute swelling

You’ll lie comfortably on a massage table while the therapist uses specific hand movements to stimulate lymph flow. It should not be painful or intense.

06/04/2025

Book now! https://www.serenitynowmassage.ca

06/01/2025

We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team Michelle Grover RMT. Michelle comes to us with six years of experience including being an instructor at Makami College. Check out her biography on our home page and book an appointment online today. She will be available from Tuesday through Saturday.
Welcome Michelle!

05/13/2025

Need a massage? We got your back!!

09/17/2023