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Registered Massage Therapy:

All of our massage treatments are performed by Registered Massage Therapists. Our RMTs are trained in various types of massage from therapeutic and deep tissue to sports to relaxation and many more in between. We will work with you to create a specific treatment plan suitable to your health needs and treatment goals.

Pregnancy Massage: This treatment is geared towards relieving the aches and pains brought on by physiological changes in pregnancy. Massage therapy during pregnancy prepares the body for labour and delivery by keeping the muscles strong and free from tension and the joints mobile. It is also a great way to practice relaxation techniques for labour and delivery. This treatment is performed by an RMT with advanced training in safe and appropriate techniques for pregnancy.

TMJ: Massage therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctions, including tinnitus (ringing in the ears), bruxism (teeth grinding), clicking or popping with jaw movements, reduced ability to open the jaw, or any other injuries, pain or muscle tension involving the jaw, face, head and neck.

Hot Stone Massage: Massage therapy using specially heated basalt stones. The heat from the stones penetrates deeply into muscles and connective tissues without the need for very deep pressure. Promotes deep relaxation and is especially nice as a cold weather warm-up!

Manual Lymph Drainage: A type of gentle massage which promotes the natural circulation of lymph through the body. It is especially useful to reduce swelling and edema. This treatment may be combined with a massage treatment or performed on its own.

Reflexology: Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet to affect other areas in the body through nerve reflexes. This treatment may be combined with a massage treatment or performed on its own

Reiki: A form of therapy that uses simple hands-on and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person. This treatment is integrated into a massage therapy treatment.

Doula Services: A doula is a trained support person for labour and delivery who provides physical, emotional and informational support for the duration of your birth, as well as support as needed before and after. Having a trained doula has been shown to decrease rates of ceasarean surgery, reduce the need for pain medication, reduce need for medical interventions, increase outcomes for babies and increase satisfaction for mothers. Our doulas are also RMTs who have completed post-graduation training in massage therapy for pregnancy, labour, and infants. For more information please visit www.essenseofbirthdoulas.com.

Chiropractic:

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches, particularly with their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury. The benefits of chiropractic care extend to general health issues, as well, since our body structure affects our overall function. DCs also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.

Medical Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles in your skin at strategic points on your body to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation appears to boost the activity of your body's natural painkillers and increase blood flow, resulting in decreased pain, released tension, and increased overall wellness of various body systems. Medical Acupuncture focuses on neuro-anatomical, scientific and evidence based practice. There is some adaptation of Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, but on a basic level only.

Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine? Naturopathic Medicine is the science of using natural therapies to treat diseases by addressing the root cause of an illness. Naturopathic medicine rests on the following principles:

First do no harm
Teach the principles of health
Heal the whole person
Treat the root causes of illness
Use the healing power of nature
Emphasize prevention

Naturopathic Medicine is a scientifically recognized part of primary health care. Primary health care includes prevention, health promotion, and patient education to support the body’s self healing abilities.

What does a Naturopathic Doctor do? Naturopathic doctors diagnose and treat the whole person as a unique individual. The focus is on disease assessment, treatment & prevention. Therapies are non-invasive as they rely on natural substances, patient education & the body’s self healing abilities. These therapies include:

Clinical Nutrition
Botanical Medicine
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Homeopathic Medicine
Prevention & Lifestyle Counseling
Physical Medicine

Clinical Nutrition: Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods is a cornerstone of naturopathic medicine. Food intolerances, deficiencies, dietary imbalances or nutritional excesses have been associated with many medical conditions. A naturopathic doctor is trained to understand the impact that your diet is having on your health. With appropriate dietary modification and nutritional supplements health concerns can be treated with fewer complications and side effects.

Botanical Medicine: Medicinal plants have been, and will continue to be a valuable part of health care. These plants and plant substances are highly effective and safe in the right dosage and when used correctly with other herbs and treatments. Herbs can be prepared in many forms - teas, tinctures or capsules. Naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in both the art and science of botanical medicine. Naturopathic doctors are currently the only health care providers in Canada to be licensed for the use of botanical medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture: The key principle that defines and connects all of Chinese medicine is that of Chi, or vital energy. The chi of all organs must be in balance, neither too active nor too dormant, for a person to be healthy. The chi of the body's organs and systems are all connected in meridians or channels that lie just under the skin. A Naturopathic Doctor will use Eastern herbs and acupuncture to assist the body in regulating the Chi and achieving balance. Acupuncture is the use of very thin needles which are inserted into specific meridian points. The practice of acupuncture has been around for over two thousand years and has proven to be very effective especially for pain relief and chronic illness.

Homeopathic Medicine: This powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old and is widely accepted in many countries. Homeopathic remedies are made from specific dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances. When carefully matched to the patient they are able to affect the body's "vital force" and to stimulate the body's innate healing forces on both the physical and emotional levels, with few side effects. Some conditions that do not respond well to conventional medicine respond effectively to homeopathy.

Prevention and Lifestyle Counselling: Mental attitudes and emotional states are important elements in healing and disease. Addressing all aspects of a person's life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient's health is an important aspect of naturopathic treatment. Naturopathic doctors are trained to counsel on diet, lifestyle, specific stressors, exercise and occupational or environmental hazards as an integral part of the naturopathic treatment program.

Physical Medicine: Physical medicine offers treatment for many different health concerns. Treatments can include soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage), naturopathic manipulation of muscle, bone or the spine, hydrotherapy techniques, gentle electrical impulses, ultrasound, diathermy, and exercise therapy.

What do expect during appointments: Initial appointments last up to ninety minutes. During this time the ND will do an extensive interview in order to understand your entire state of health. Your main health concerns, health history and medical records will be carefully reviewed with some starting recommendations made on the first visit. A detailed treatment plan is provided on the second visit and, if necessary, further testing be done on follow up visits. Follow-up appointments are usually up to 45 minutes and include further recommendations, consultations, and/or therapies such as acupuncture, IV therapy or hydrotherapy.

What conditions do Naturopathic Doctors treat? Naturopathic doctors can be seen as family physicians or general practitioners that use natural therapies to treat a variety of conditions from common colds to chronic health concerns. Examples of some conditions that naturopathic doctors commonly treat are:

Allergies (food/seasonal/environment)
Asthma/bronchitis
Anxiety/depression/fatigue
Cardiovascular disease
Digestive disorders
Detoxification
Headaches/migraines
Hormonal Imbalances
Infertility
Injury recovery

Mens health
Neurological conditions
Pain management
Skin conditions
Sleep disorders
Stress management
Weight Loss
Weak immune system
Womens health
Other

Other Goods & Services

Custom Orthotics: Othortics are shoes or shoe inserts that are custom made to your foot's unique shape and needs. Orthotics help rebalance your body mechanics and can provide relief for pain, fatigue and biomechanic syndromes by supporting you from the bottom up.

Body Support/Reshaping Garments and Holistic Nutrition: Through Ardyss International, we have an extensive line of body garments and holistic nutrition foods and supplements. Our body garments are medically engineered to realign and support the internal orgins and abdominal muscles, back, hips, thighs and buttocks, for both men and women. For women, we also have specialty bras, maternity supports and postpartum supports.

Our Ardyss nutritional line includes antioxidants, vitamin and mineral supplements, weight management products and much more. Visit www.ardysslife.com/essense for more information.

Nutritional coaching is beneficial for people who suffer with health conditions, weight loss concerns and those interested in preventative health care. Strategies include dietary enhancements, menu planning, vitamin and mineral repletion, therapeutic nutrition, detoxification, stress management, physical and emotional techniques. Positive results are achieved by using natural, safe and effective approaches. Nutritional re-balancing can be used to support issues such as Digestion-bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation, Bowel Disorders-Crohn's, Colitis and IBS, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, PMS, Menopause, Diabetes, Headaches/Migraines, Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, Food Cravings, H-pylori, Yeast & Urinary infections, Fatigue, Acid Reflux- Heartburn, High Cholesterol, Weight Management etc.

Spa Parties: A health and wellness themed night out for you and your friends! Experience massage demos, sample our nutritional line and/or try a mini facial with our Ardyss personal care products. We can customize the experience to your preference. Perfect for bachelorette parties, couples' parties, girls' night out, or any other occasion when you want something a little different from the ordinary.