– ETIQUETTE –
We are a low volume establishment.
Akin to a library – we like it when you use your quiet voice. To respect other clients in the building and to maintain our atmosphere of quietude, we ask that you lower your voice, turn off your phone ringer, close our doors gently, and enjoy contributing to a peaceful environment for all for the duration of your visit.
Is massage therapy painful?
Massage therapy can involve some discomfort but not pain. Nothing should ever feel beyond your tolerance level – if things become painful please say something to your therapist, sadly we are not mind readers.
This is YOUR time.
Your session is your time – make sure you let your therapist know what you’d like worked on. Not every massage has to be a full body, we can devote an entire hour to one leg, or spend a half hour on your feet and a half hour on your scalp. If you’re not sure what you need, give your therapist an idea of what the problem might be or the goal that you have in mind for the session and they’ll help you out with some recommendations. Oh, and please be on time, if you’re late we likely aren’t able to extend “your time” due to “someone else’s time”.
Can I bring a guest?
If you bring a guest (child, parent, partner) please be advised that they will be required to spend the duration of your session in the same room with you or wait elsewhere outside of Quietude. We reccomend that you find alternate childcare for toddlers and babies – as much as we love them there’s a good chance your session (and other sessions in the building) won’t be as relaxing as intended if you have to bring them with you.
What's IASTM?
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (also known as the Graston technique) is the use of a tool or instrument for the treatment fo disease or discomfort. A therapeutic modality and manual therapy technique that when combined with rehab exercises, there is noticable improvement in musculoskeletal function.
The treatment is a safe and effective way to:
- improve general health
- promote stress reduction
- restore optimal function
- further prevent injury or dysfunction
- address compensatory changes due to injury
- help prevent complications related to trauma/overuse/disease
During a treamtnet, there may be light petechia or bruising but it is incidental and never the goal of IASTM. Tools can be incorporated into any massaservice. Please advise your therapist if you are seeking this type of treatment.
How often should I book?
Typically massage is never a one and done deal. To improve any dysfunction will take at least a couple treatments – no miracles here. Even if you’re just here to relax, chances are you’ll want to come back. Talk to your therapist about making a treatment plan.
Can I get a massage if I am pregnant?
Absolutely (unless your doctor says otherwise). We have a specialized pregnancy pillow that allows you to lie face down for as long as you are comfortable using it. If you are not comfortable in the cushion we also have the option to do a side-lying massage where you will be cradled by many comfy pillows.
What if I'm shy?
We’ve seen and worked on all kinds of feet, yours are worthy of pampering too. Back acne is not a problem for us. Everyone has scars, we don’t mind them. Your weight makes no difference to us. Come as you are, we accept all bodies.
What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy?
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) is a gentle non-invasive, hands-on session for the whole body. Performed on a massage table, the client is fully clothed and the practitioner touch is light and still. The session focus is to support the inherent health of the whole being, especially the nervous system (NS). The NS dictates all of the body’s functioning, constantly sending and receiving information.
BCST practitioners understand how an optimally functioning healthy nervous system performs. We are trained for years on how to use acute perception skills to perceive subtle physiological changes. We also are aware of the energetic map that underlies one‘s basic health and symptomology. We believe that health is never lost no matter what the ailment. We use our ability to identify the parts of the nervous system that are not functioning optimally and our awareness of the “always available health” in the body to assist the system in bringing itself back into balance. This supports greater ease and helps the body decrease symptoms.
source: www.craniosacraltherapy.org
What is Manual Ostepathic Therapy?
Manual Osteopathic Therapy uses hands-on skills for investigation and treatment of body dysfunctions. The whole body is examined and mechanical disruptions are treated whether symptoms exist or not. Simply put, let’s say you have right shoulder pain – expect the Manual Osteopathic Therapist to examine the joint and soft tissue around the shoulder and also:
- Assess the pelvis, because if imbalanced will drop your shoulder and create a strain;
- Check the spinal column, because inflamed nerves can send pain to the shoulder;
- Palpate the liver and gall bladder, because dysfunction in those organs radiate pain to the right shoulder;
- Assess the fluid dynamics in and out of the shoulder, because congestion is linked with pain.
Imbalances found are gently treated with techniques that engage the dysfunctional tissue until function is normalized. Joints are mobilized by muscle-resisted techniques, soft-tissue is restored to healthier states. Fluids are released from congested areas and gently flushed in the direction of drainage. Changes are often felt immediately or shortly after the treatment.
-Information sourced from the Manual Osteopathic College of Canada
Why do I always have to leave a message?
We don’t employ a receptionist. This helps keep service costs affordable. We do want to talk to you, we’re just busy. You can reach out via the chat widget on this site (blue bubble in the bottom right corner) or any of the options on our contact page and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able.
What should I wear?
During a massage therapy session you’ll be asked to “dress down to what you’re comfortable in”. This means – take off any clothing that’s on areas you’re having treated (top and/or bottoms), your bra can be removed if you’re comfortable with it, underwear is not a necessity to remove. If you have questions, please ask.
During a Manual Osteopathy session you may or may not be asked to disrobe, in a Craniorsacral or Reiki session you won’t have to undress at all. In all three of these types of sessions we recommend that you dress very comfortably.
Do I have to talk?
You will be asked about your comfort levels and habits that may coincide with what’s being treated throughout the massage. If you don’t feel like having a conversation beyond that, you certainly don’t have to. Your therapist will pick up on cues from you about the level of conversation you prefer. You will not hurt our feelings by asking for a quiet treatment, this is your session.
What is Somatic Exercise?
This is a self care method that assists in managing chronic pain while leaving you feeling calm and relaxed. This method can be done on the floor with a mat, on a massage table, in a chair or on your own bed. In the treatment room you will be on the massage table and guided through movements.
Somatic exercise is gentle exercise focused on retraining the brain to better sense and control muscles, to boost mobility and reduce pain. Over time due to physical trauma, repetitive movements, or stress, your muscles can become stuck in a contracted or partially contracted state.
This is Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). You have forgotten how to move and sense your muscles. Your brain doesn’t even know you forgot!! A Hanna Somatic Exercise instructor will guide you through very slow, focused and conscious movements, reminding your nervous system how to release chronic muscle contraction. These movements are effective at relieving chronic aches and disabilities, such as:
* Headaches
* Painful joints and muscles
* Neck, shoulder and back pain
* Sciatica
* Hip, knee and foot pain
* Repetitive use injuries
* Poor posture
* Accident traumas and whiplash
* Breathing problems
* Frozen shoulder syndrome
To learn more, please visit this website.
What if I fall asleep?
People often fall asleep or drift in and out during a session, it’s totally normal. The drool is normal too, don’t worry.
"What should I expect from my Reflexology session?
Your Reflexology sessions will last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll be taken into a treatment room, you won’t need to undress at all, you’ll be asked a few questions to get you comfortable and then your treatment will start. You’ll have your feet cleansed with lovely warm towels and examined to ensure there are no contraindications. You’ll then have Reflexology techniques used on your feet and you may be asked for consent for the reflexologist to perform some techniques on your lower legs and thigh over your clothes. If you have any questions or concerns please address them directly to your reflexologist.
Uh oh I have to go!
We recommend using the washroom before your session, but if you have to go during make sure you speak up. Having to hold it is uncomfortable and not beneficial to your massage. We’ve got a robe handy for you.
What is a Jade Stone massage?
Jade Stone is an ancient and protective stone known for having healing properties which can relax the nervous system, strengthen the body’s natural defences, slow the aging process, and heal stressed organs.
Benefits of a Jade Stone massage include increased relaxation, stress reduction, reduced inflammation, break up of fascial restrictions and an increase in blood flow. Each treatment consists of utilizing hot and cold stones throughout the session. One pass from a jade stone is said to be equivalent to seven passes by hand.