In this section:

Types of Massage

Treatments Offered

Modalities Used

Types of Massage

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage uses manual techniques to loosen and stretch muscle tissue that has become tense and shortened from stress of simple use, overuse, sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents.

Swedish Massage works from the surface down toward the core of the body, loosening layer upon layer of muscle, restoring normal function of muscles and joints reducing swelling and recovery from injuries and relieving resultant muscle spasm.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage uses slower and deeper techniques to stretch the lower layers of muscle, the core spinal-stabilizers, ligaments, tendons and fascia.

Focusing on the actual lengthening of tissue, progressively deepening the Swedish technique. Deep Tissue is best used to work tissues and joints with reduced mobility due to previous trauma. This kind of rehab is applicable to areas of adhesion and may prove less painful than cross-fiber frictions. If you have restricted range of motion your therapist may need to perform deep tissue massage with the goal of re-establishing muscle or connective tissue length.

Cryotherapy (Ice)

More Hot/Cold info

Neuromuscular Therapies

This specific and scientific approach to muscular pain relief will help to bring about balance between the musculo-skeletal system and the nervous system. NMT enhances the function of joints, muscles and biomechanics (movement) and it releases endorphins, pain-killer produced by the body. It can be part of a comprehensive program, complementing all other health care modalities.

Neuromuscular Therapy examines 5 physiological factors which may create or intensify pain patterns.These five factors are:

1. Ischemia
2. Trigger Points
3. Nerve Entrapment/Compression
4. Postural Distortions
5. Diet-neural toxicity

Neuromuscular Therapy uses smart techniques to influence muscle relaxation using neurological reflexes located in the muscle, tendon and peripheral joints.

Massage Therapists use:

• PNF stretching to cause muscle lengthening
• Trigger Point Therapy to release muscles in local spasm
• Origin and Insertion technique releases muscles where they attach to the bones via tendons.

For a very in-depth description of the neurological pain reflex loop, explore the NMT Center website. The name of the article is Massage Helps Relieve Muscular Pain.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Point Therapy is a form of neuromuscular therapy which effectively releases pain trapped in either the muscle, tendons, ligaments, or fascia.

By reducing spasm in local tissues, tissue regains functional length, allowing proper function and movement.

Myo Fascial Release Therapy

Addressing the fascial regions of the body, including the skin and superficial fascia, fascial diaphragms of the body, scars and adhesions affecting tendon, ligament and aponeurosis, spinal dura and meninges, joints, viscera and neural bodies.

Fascial Release uses the body’s fascial resistance patterns to define areas of treatment, and then passively and actively addresses the resistance with slow, superficial to deep holds and stretches which challenge the tissue in 3 directions of movement. Imagine pressing down, then across with a twist or shearing force, applied to an elastic tissue, to tissue resistance and then stretching away from tissue resistance, slowly. That is the key.

Fascial Release does not often include gliding movements over the surface of the skin and may be used to address certain tissues effectively.

Muscle Energy Technique

Using the muscles own force, MET re-aligns the skeleton using the intelligence of the nervous system to reset muscle tone and recruitment.

The absence of external force and joint manipulation makes it safe for the patient, ensuring reduced joint injury during manipulation. This is a patient moderated path to structural re-alignment that also incorporates PNF Stretching and Origin and Insertion technique and Positional Release Therapy. The MET technique is redefined and utilized by Active Release Therapy.

Cranial Sacral Therapy

CST is based on the subtle movement patterns of the cranial vault, spinal vertebrae, cerebrospinal fluid as well as the sacrum and occiput, pelvic and shoulder girdles, all peripheral joints and body diaphragms.

Cranial Sacral Therapy exists as a study unto itself yet is fully influenced in any hands on situation involving spinal traction, and Myo-Fascial Release and forms of compression and joint mobilization.

CST directly influences cerebrospinal fluid movement and neurological health. If you are very pain sensitive from a traumatic experience or injury, CST may be your first step for recovery. Myo-Fascial Release and CST are often used together.

Traction

Traction is applied to the body with the intention of creating a space between joint surfaces. Effectively stretching impinged soft tissue, including nerves. Traction may be applied manually, by inversion or with the use of slings and pulleys as you might expect to find at a physiotherapists office. Inversion Traction is a gravitational form of traction that is very healthy for the spine and reduces muscle tension and nerve pain.

Lisa Christine Alexander

Registered Massage Therapist
Call or Text: 604-886-8880

Inversion Traction Unit

Inverting is as easy as 1-2-3

Click here for details

In this section:

Types of Massage

Treatments Offered

Modalities Used

Welcome to Lisa Christine Alexander's Registered Massage Therapy Practice.

 

Lisa has been in practice since 1987 and offers a variety of techniques to assist her clients achieve wellness and a pain-free lifestyle.

 

Lisa integrates biomechanical modalities to re-establish dynamic balance of muscle, fascial tissues and skeletal alignment. Using a holistic yet biomechanical approach, Lisa incorporates years of specialized training. Massage Therapy, Neuromuscular Techniques, Hydrotherapy, Exercise and Stretching are all used in combination to achieve postural alignment and muscle balance. Through postural assessment and treatment with therapeutic exercise and massage therapy, we can achieve relief of chronic and acute pain syndromes.

Treatments Offered

General Therapeutic Massage

For maintenance of proper muscle balance, health and freedom of movement.

Chronic Pain Assessment and Treatment

For those with long term pain and conditions related to sports, motor vehicle accident, post injury or post surgical nerve pain.

Sports Massage and Treatment of Sports Related Injuries

Related to the cycles of training athletes, massage therapy can assist the development of an athletes flexibility and power by increasing range of motion, reducing scar tissue, strain patterns and fascial adhesions formed by progressive overload and the “adaptation” phase.

Deep Tissues Massage

Used to treat chronic pain, post surgical pain and to restore joint mobility. Systematically loosening deep layers of muscle and fascia, Deep tissue massage frees adhered and constricted tissues.

Geothermal Therapy- Hot Stone Massage

Heated Basalt river rocks from high in The Andes Mountains are a natural source of deeply penetrating Infrared Heat. Hot Stone Massage relies on the direct and reflex effects of heat applied to specific body regions. Cold stones may be used on areas of edema or inflammation.

Ozone, Rocks and Hot Steam - NEW!

Enjoy the healing benefits of oxygen in the long lasting form of ozonated olive oil. Experience feeling deeply refreshed as your lymphatic system is flushed with O2. Hot steam, hot rocks and oxygen! A wonderful addition to any cleanse.

Oils, Creams and Lotions

I use only natural products in my practice. The skin is our largest organ and one of the most important. We must only put natural products on our skin, as it is a two-way membrane for oil-based particles, which are easily absorbed into the body. More info about the Skin

Essential oils

Essential oils are very fine oils extracted from plants and flowers containing concentrated plant medicines and aromas. One drop of Melissa oil is the same as 500 grams of the dried plant. Essential Oils are powerful herbal compounds that can be used to assist the resolution of many health conditions.

Essential Oils Used in Massage Therapy

Both client and therapist benefit from the use of oils as an adjunct to treatment and to hygiene. Many essential oils are antibacterial and also are good for the joints and muscle pain, assisting in cleansing or balancing hormones.

I use these particular oils in my practice as they are generally non-sensitizing. see healingscents.net for a comprehensive list and catalogue.

All of the oils I use are commonly used in skin and health care products, are used in dilution and are in Holly oil as a carrier oil. Please request the use of essential oils with your treatment, at no extra cost.

Ozone Steam Treatment

The oxidative benefits of Ozone Therapy applied via the medium of steam. This steam cabinet treatment helps detoxify the body by assisting lymphatic function and detoxification through the skin.
½ hour treatment $30.00

Through the centuries, men and women have used steam to purify the skin, soothe sore muscles, boost circulation and to simply relax. The combined action of moist heat and ozone cleanse the lymphatic system, which carries 90% of the body's fluids. Ozone brings oxygen to the tissues for enhanced health and vitality.

Thalasso Therapy with Sea Flora's Organic Seaweed Skincare Products

Seaweed treatments deliver trace minerals and vitamins to the skin, lymph and joints. Topical anti-inflammatory properties of the seaweed genus Fucus assists tissue healing. See sea-flora.com

Massage with SeaFlora's Hydrating Seaweed Body Lotion - Add $5.00

Massage with SeaFlora's Rockweed infused Organic Sunflower Oil

SeaFlora's Rockweed infused Organic Sunflower Oil with anti-inflammatory properties. Soothes inflamed joints and soft tissues. Rockweed (Fucus) increases tissue metabolism and waste removal, reducing pain and swelling. Add $5.00

Wild Seaweed Skin Renewal

Relieve tired lymph and skin with a Rockweed Exfoliation. Clay and Seaweed Body Wrap draws out toxins out and purifys. Rockweed Gel delivers minerals and vitamins, toning and rejuvenating the skin

Seaweed Skin and Joint Treatment

A deeply penetrating treatment including: Nourishing and Detoxifying Rockweed Exfoliation, Hot Stone Integrative Therapeutic Massage with Organic Sunflower and Coconut Oil Infused with Fucoidan rich Rockweed. 75 minutes/$90.00

Full-body Hot Stone Treatment

This 75-minute treatment uses heated stones for every body part, including hands, fingers and toes. Treatment is performed with the oil or lotion of your choice. 75 mins/$90.00

Hydrotherapy- Heat, Cold and Stones

People from all over the world have been using heat for centuries to help relieve muscle spasm and soothe aches as well as using ice to diminish pain and relieve swelling.

Add-On Price List

Ozone Steam Pre-Heat

30 min. treatment $20.00

 

Ozone Steam

60 min. treatment $40.00

 

Comfrey Liquid Poultice

Add a powerful healing element to any treatment with comfrey infused Hemp seed oil. $5.00

Massage by the hour is $75.00 and is covered by most extended health plans. Partial MSP Coverage available.

Appointments may be booked in lengths of:

30 min $45.00, 60 min $75.00, 45 min $60, 90 min $100

*All treatments require 24 hours notice for cancellations or changes.

*Special Treatments require advance booking

In this section:

Types of Massage

Treatments Offered

Modalities Used

Modalities used by Lisa Christine Alexander

at Gibsons Massage Therapy

All treatments include postural or movement screening, hydrotherapy, stretches and suggestions for aftercare.

NMT-Neuromuscular Therapies

Therapies that directly influence the nerve-muscle unit.