Chronic muscle tension, stress, and injury often create bands of painful, rigid tissue called adhesions in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Muscle adhesions impact circulation, causing pain, limited mobility, and inflammation.
You Are In Good Hands for Massage Therapy At Shephard Health!
Our Massage treatments are used for a wide range of medical conditions, because of their effectiveness for reducing stress, alleviating pain, and reducing muscle tension. Our registered massage therapists in Kensington are pleased to offer the following Calgary massage therapy services:
- Relaxation massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Therapeutic massage
- Prenatal massage
- Hot stone massage
Calgary Massage Therapy — More Than Relaxation!
Chronic muscle tension, stress, and injury often create bands of painful, rigid tissue called adhesions in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Muscle adhesions impact circulation, causing pain, limited mobility, and inflammation. Our Kensington massage therapy clinic offers deep tissue massage, therapeutic massage, and hot stone massage to manually break down these adhesions in order to relieve your pain and restore normal movement and range of motion.
Massage therapy is a wonderful treatment on its own or as a complement to any one of the many wellness services offered at Shephard Health. Aside from the benefits of massage for physical conditions, patients at Shephard Health enjoy Kensington massage simply because of its ability to soothe and relieve stress.
What Does Massage Therapy Treat?
Massage therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Your initial visit at Shephard Health involves a detailed analysis of your health history, in order to determine what type of Calgary massage therapy suits your needs. The Shephard Health team often recommends medical massage to treat the following conditions:
- Myofascial pain
- Soft tissue injuries and strains
- Sports-related injuries
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Lower back pain
- Limited mobility
- Recovery from injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Postural problems
- Muscle tension and spasms
- Sciatica
- Piriformis syndrome
- Tennis elbow
What Are The Benefits Of Massage Therapy?
For most patients, massage therapy is an important part of specific medical treatment plans to help them return to daily activities. For example, massage therapy is helpful after joint replacement surgery or injury. Massage also has many mental health benefits. Even people who are focused on the physical benefits say they feel less stressed after getting a massage. Our Kensington massage clinic welcomes patients from across Calgary, including Hillhurst, Sunnyside, and the surrounding communities.
Types Of Massage Therapy We Offer
At Shephard Health, our massage team uses a variety of therapy techniques in order to best treat your condition. These techniques include:
- Hot stone massage: This technique incorporates warm, basalt stones that are positioned on your body to enhance the therapeutic benefits of your massage therapy treatment. These ultra-smooth stones are heated in a sanitizing water bath before each use and retain their heat throughout your hot stone massage therapy treatment due to the high iron content in the basalt. Our hot stone massage therapy treatment offers a calming benefit for your physical and psychological state. The heat from the hot stones helps both you and your muscles relax, allowing our massage therapists to work deep into your tissues. Patients that suffer from overly tense muscles tend to relax more with hot stone massage therapy and bask in the warmth of the stones as we release your muscle tension to soothe your sore muscles.
- Therapeutic massage: A popular technique that is used by our registered massage therapists to reduce pain, alleviate stress, and to treat both chronic and acute conditions, therapeutic massage in Kensington uses a combination of massage techniques to get your blood circulating, to relax and soothe sore muscles. Therapeutic massage is often recommended to help athletes of all calibres recover after a competitive sporting event or after an intense workout. It is also one of the most effective options for anyone looking for the best relaxation massage in Kensington Calgary.
- Deep tissue massage: As the name implies, deep tissue massage therapy is a technique that focuses on the deep layers of muscle and fascia in the body. The Shephard Health massage therapists use slow, firm strokes with deep finger pressure to treat a variety of ailments. Athletes and active individuals seeking sports injury treatment in Calgary often find deep tissue massage an essential part of their recovery.
- Prenatal massage: Carrying a baby for nine months has a great impact on your musculoskeletal system because the weight of your growing baby changes your centre of gravity. There is extra stress on your upper and lower back, neck, your abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy hormones also relax your ligaments causing your pelvic joints to become less stable and by pulling your pelvis forward. This often creates chronic and acute lower back and hip pain. Studies also suggest that prenatal massage in Kensington may reduce anxiety and decrease symptoms of depression in addition to relieving muscle aches and joint pain. Patients seeking a pregnancy chiropractor in Calgary often combine prenatal massage with chiropractic care for comprehensive support throughout their pregnancy.
What to Expect at Your First Massage Therapy Appointment
If you have never visited a registered massage therapist in Kensington, knowing what to expect can help you feel comfortable and get the most out of your session.
Your first visit at Shephard Health begins with a short health intake. Your massage therapist will ask about your medical history, current symptoms, areas of tension or pain, and any conditions that may affect your treatment. This conversation helps us determine which type of Calgary massage therapy is the right fit for you, whether that is a relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, therapeutic massage, or another technique.
Once your intake is complete, your therapist will leave the room while you get settled on the massage table. You will be draped with a sheet throughout your session, with only the area being worked on exposed. Your comfort and privacy are the priority at every step.
During the massage, your therapist will use the techniques best suited to your goals. You are always welcome to speak up if the pressure is too light or too firm. Communication during your session helps your therapist deliver the best possible result.
After your appointment, your therapist may recommend a follow-up schedule, suggest stretches or self-care, or coordinate with other members of the Shephard Health team if a combined approach would benefit your recovery. Many patients at our Kensington massage therapy clinic pair their sessions with chiropractic care or shockwave therapy for a more complete treatment plan.
First appointments typically run 60 minutes, though shorter and longer sessions are available depending on your needs.
Why Choose Shephard Health for Massage Therapy in Kensington
Shephard Health is an integrated health clinic, which means your massage therapist works alongside chiropractors, shockwave therapy specialists, and other practitioners under one roof. If your condition calls for a combined approach, our team coordinates your care without you having to manage multiple clinics or repeat your health history to different providers.
Every massage at Shephard Health is performed by a registered massage therapist. Your first visit includes a thorough intake and assessment so your treatment is matched to your specific condition, not a one-size-fits-all session.
Our clinic is located at 1228 Kensington Road NW, Suite 200, with early morning and Saturday hours to accommodate busy schedules. We accept most extended health benefit plans and direct bill where possible. Full billing and insurance details are available on our Insurance and Billing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Massage therapy targets adhesions, tight muscles, and restricted circulation that contribute to chronic pain conditions. Regular sessions at our Calgary massage therapy clinic can reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term recovery.
Many extended health benefit plans cover registered massage therapy in Calgary. We recommend checking with your provider before your appointment. You can find our billing and insurance information on our Insurance and Billing page.
Yes. Massage therapy pairs well with chiropractic care, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, and other services at our Kensington clinic. Our team will recommend a combined approach based on your condition and goals.
