Faqs

A redemption period is a specific duration of time in which all of the sessions included in a package must be completed. For example, our most popular package for 4 sessions has an 8 week redemption period. This 8 week limitation is put in place to ensure consistency occurs within a reasonable amout of time between sessions in order to maximize on results. In fact, we encourage people to complete their sessions in less time than the redemption period if possible.

Sessions left incomplete outside of the redemption period lose their discounted value. This means that the difference between the discounted value of each session (which differs between packages) and the regular rate of that service (as a stand-alone purchase) will be owing at that time that each remaining session is completed. So, if the package is for two sessions and totals $250, then divide that total by two and you get the discounted rate of each session ($125). If the the regular rate for said service is actually $160 (as a stand-alone/”one-off” purchase), than the difference of $35 will be owing for any session redeemed outside of the redemption period at the time of its completion.

If you are left with any questions or confusion about the above package policies, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Holistic Therapy is an umbrella term comprising a blend of various therapeutic methodologies which work in combination to rebalance the various systems of your being.  The Three Arenas (of life):  The Physical, Mental-Emotional (aka Psycho-Emotional), and Energetic/Spiritual – are all treated directly.  Not all Holistic Therapists are alike and each chooses different modalities to work with which usually involve at least one form of bodywork (e.g. massage, shiatsu, cranio-sacral, active release, etc.,) a psychotherapeutic practice (e.g. Hakomi, Psych-K, NLP, EMDR, counselling, etc.), and more subtle techniques that directly address spiritually-based challenges (e.g. Medical Qi Gong, Reiki, Bodytalk, Pranic Healing, Quantum Touch, etc.).  Holistic Therapy is grounded in realism, meeting people on a human level, treating the person (not just the dis-ease), and helping clients see a much bigger picture of why their health is the way it is.  Holistic Therapists will also often teach clients the countless ways to effectively do something about their particular health challenges and provide on-going support through the necessary changes that need to take place in the client’s life.

Integrated Bodywork (IB) is exactly as it sounds – it is an integration or synergy of some of the most effective physical and energetic methods of treatment both modern and ancient.  IB utilizes a broad range of techniques to increase the scope of what can be accomplished in sessions and significantly speeds the body’s self-healing abilities.  IB has been shown to greatly reduce recovery time from certain types of chronic health conditions, such as: 

• chronic pain anywhere in the body
• alignment issues, both skeletal & muscular
• chronic back problems, particularly lower back pain
• chronic neck, shoulder, and joint pain
• chronic headaches/migraines
• arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.
• menstrual dysfunction and irregularity
• chronic digestive/gastro-intestinal conditions
• other chronic organ problems leading to serious health conditions
• long-standing mental-emotional issues including depression, schizophrenia, bi-polarism, etc.
• degenerative nerve conditions
• bacterial infections 

IB recognizes that the more angles at which you come at a particular problem, the faster it solves itself.  The methods and procedures utilized in Integrated Bodywork overlap with the following disciplines:  Shiatsu Therapy, Tui Na Massage (Traditional Chinese Massage for Injuries), Active Release, Orthopedic Assessment, Cupping, Medical Qi Gong, Polarity Therapy, Re-Balancing, Biofeedback / Muscle Testing, Bodytalk, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Myo-fascial Release, Dry-needling, guided visualization, etc.

Body-Mind Repatterning (BMR) is an integration of many elements found in the most effective forms of trauma healing (aka subconscious reprogramming) known today. The mission of BMR is to show the world the truly unbelievable potential all humans possess when they are free of trauma, self-doubt, mental illness, and personal blocks. Whether you suffer from chronic depression, anxiety, negative self-talk, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, or any physical ailment with mental-emotional roots, BMR expedites recovery so you don’t lose anymore of the precious years of your life to the inability to truly move forward. In practice BMR draws strongly on hypnotherapy while also mirroring elements found in EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing), muscle testing, tapping, and others. 

Hypnotherapy is the father modality in the west for all subconscious healing arts. The techniques used in hypnotherapy were borrowed from Taoist monks by westerners long ago, and made into the effective, efficient, and science-based art-form that it is today.  Through intentional use of the hypnotic state (hypnosis), a hypnotherapist uses a wide variety of techniques to transform a client’s unwanted repetitive behaviours. Whether the difficulty lies in chronic depression, anxiety, addiction, low self-worth, or any other form of self-deprecation and self-sabotage, hypnotherapy gets to the root cause of these issues generating lasting (and often permanent) positive change.  Though hypnotherapy is most well known for dealing with phobias and addictions such as smoking, it’s uses today far surpass it’s original applications.  

Our beliefs shape how we think, which results in our behaviour, which results in our character. By working to permanently alter core belief systems to work for you rather than against you, hypnotherapy facilitates self-realized potential through psychological transformation. 

Shiatsu utilizes a wide range of acupressure techniques for various chronic and acute health problems including: Pain & stiffness of the joints, musculoskeletal alignment issues, low-back pain, neck & shoulder pain, headaches & migraines, menstrual dysfunction, and digestive dysfunction.

Most methodologies residing under the umbrella of Acupressure, including Shiatsu, utilize both physical and energetic stimulation of specific points all over the body. The still and focused nature of Shiatsu is what sets it apart from the rest.

There are two main schools of thought when it comes to Shiatsu.  One branch (sometimes called the “Namikoshi” method) places all of it’s emphasis on acupressure applied only by the fingers, namely the thumbs. Namikoshi Shiatsu is based completely on Western science. It’s framework is based solely on western anatomy, physiology, and patho-physiology and locations of points are deduced strictly in relation to the physical structures of the body.

The other main branch of Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu, is a traditional style utilizing not only the fingers and thumbs, but any part of the body deemed effective, such as the palms, elbows, forearms, knees, and feet. Emphasis is placed on Qi, tsubos (see explanation of these below), and meridians themselves (the lines of pure energy running through the body). Like all ancient healing sciences, Zen Shiatsu utilizes the same meridian and tsubo systems of the body that eastern acupuncture does.  Practitioners use their “intrinsic force” to manipulate the Qi, tsubos, and mai (meridians) of the patient. This concept is common within all ancient eastern healing sciences.

In both forms of Shiatsu the practitioner assesses and treats the body simultaneously, making Shiatsu one of the most efficient forms of hands-on treatment.

Tui Na (‘twee-nah’) is an ancient form of traditional Chinese massage (amongst other things).  It involves repetitive, deep, stroking methods of massage along with passive stretching, pulsating pressure, skeletal adjustments techniques similar to western chiropractic, and myo-fascial release techniques similar to Active Release. Like Shiatsu, the Tui Na practitioner utilizes intrinsic force to have their pressure penetrate into the body in a way that feels deeper and far more satisfying than what muscle strength alone provides. Tui Na is especially renowned for completely resolving deep-seated soft tissue damage caused by severe physical trauma such as from motor-vehicle accidents or sports injuries. Other conditions Tui Na is known to effectively alleviate are: Chronic muscle pain and fatigue, bone injuries, chronic headaches/migraines, skeletal misalignment issues, menstrual dysfunction, edema, myo-fascial compression syndromes, scar tissue complications, & gastro-intestinal dysfunction. Tui Na and Shiatsu have similar track records in their effectiveness and are based on the same Taoist sciences. If you wish to learn more about the workings of these ancient asian healing sciences please read the information provided in the “Shiatsu” tab above.

Active Release Technique (ART) is the direct treatment of soft tissue via various techniques for the purpose of breaking myofascial adhesions that impair blood flow, muscular movement, and nerological signalling. ART draws from the clinical evidence that muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue develop adhesions within and around them as a result of injuries such as acute (sudden) injury, cumulative injury (eg. chronic pain from repetitive motions or poor form during exercise) and pressure (such as from poor posture).  The adhesions tend to form around sensitive areas, so anyone receiving ART can expect some level of discomfort, however the payoff can be recovery from chronic pain, lack of sensation, tingling, and immobility.

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique utilizing the subconscious power of symbols and awareness of energy-flow patterns.  The symbols and their meaning are safe-guarded amongst Reiki practitioners in order to preserve the purity and safety of their use. The mind is used to project energy through the practitioner and patient to heal the body on all levels through the energetic foundations of organic life.  

Pranic healing has it’s roots in Ayurveda, India’s most revered healing science system.  Pranic healing utilizes the subconscious power of colour, and sometimes sound, in order to work with the energies of the human body more effectively.  Every colour has it’s own unique healing properties which the practitioner uses to manipulate the energies of the patient.  This is a potent energy healing technique, the use of which must be used with care.

The art of Cupping is an ancient practice found in many cultures. From China, Korea, and Japan, to Afghanistan, Egypt, & Mongolia, cupping has been used for centuries by much of the Eastern continent. Traditional cupping involves the use of orb shaped cups made of natural materials such as glass, clay, and sometimes wood. Of course in modern day plastic cups have been developed as well.  

The magic of cupping lies in the vacuum effect of the cups. The practitioner creates this vacuum by quickly inserting a flame into the opening of the cup to burn off any oxygen after which the cup is quickly placed on the skin before oxygen can re-enter. This vacuum or suction effect creates a negative pressure 3 inches into the body, working to draw out dead cells, poisons, and toxins held deep within the tissues and organs.

The principle use of cupping is to heal very old soft tissue damage from long-standing injuries; injuries such as from sports, motor vehicle accidents, and repetitive use. Cupping helps to relax chronic muscle spasms and tension, resolve headaches, and can quickly turn around colds and flu’s. It is especially effective in resolving the problems associated with scar tissue and myo-fascial adhesions.    

It is important to note that cupping leaves noticeable marks on the body. The skin becomes red, blue or dark purple resembling bruising from physical impact. These marks, however, are a healthy and natural bi-product of the healing process. They can be touched and pressed without pain. It can take up to two weeks for the skin to return to it’s usual colour. 

Although very subtle, Cranio-Sacral Therapy is a powerful technique that effectively treats spinal injuries & alignment issues. As it grows in popularity it is becoming a better known alternative to Chiropractic care.  This is largely due to the fact that it does not require the classic high velocity “crunching” adjustments (although very effective at times) to realign the skeletal structure and instead relies on subtle gentle manipulations which are known to have long-lasting effects.

The body is constantly doing it’s best to re-establish perfect balance of all of it’s systems (homeostasis). Every system including the bones themselves are constantly busy attempting to reconfigure themselves back to perfect balance. Unfortunately, the muscle tissues and fascia occasionally get locked into holding patterns, not allowing the skeletal structure to readjust. Cranio-Sacral Therapy gently assists the body’s structures in their realignment efforts. Part of how CST does this is by engaging the cerebro-spinal fluid surrounding your spinal column and skull. This fluid needs to circulate properly in order to maintain alignment and properly nourish the skeletal structure. CST regulates the cerebro-spinal fluid’s circulation and facilitates the support bones need to move themselves back into their intended positions. CST also has a strong influence on both the central and peripheral nervous systems much like western chiropractic. These effects take time and requires the client’s willingness and ability to deeply relax and let go. It involves simply laying on a massage table while the practitioner holds different areas of the client’s body and moves them (or better yet moves with them) as the body naturally realigns itself.

CST has also been found to assist in healing old mental-emotional challenges.

Qi (‘chee’) is the Chinese term for the source energy of all of creation. Quantum physics calls this foundational force of all creation “quanta”.  India calls it “prana”, Japan calls it “Ki”, and some mystic christians equate it to the concept of the “holy spirit”. Qi is essentially everything and everything is made of, and fueled by Qi. As Qi becomes more and more dense it manifests as what we call physical reality. Qi is light, Qi is sound, Qi is your blood, Qi is water and body fluids, and so on in different levels of density and vibration. The key with Qi is that it is naturally dynamic and therefore must always be changing, transforming, and moving. Circulation, movement, etc. is vital to maintain the flow of Qi in our body and it is ultimately when Qi stagnates or “gets stuck” that we develop dis-ease.

Meridians (otherwise known as channels or mai) are the energetic pathways in our bodies that a certain dimension of Qi circulates within, much like blood circulating in our blood vessels. They are the network that pure energy primarily travels through in our body. Like the circulatory system and nervous system, the meridian system is vast and complex. Similarly to these other systems, however, the meridian system includes very large channels within it’s network that stand out from the rest. These could be equated to the large nerves like the sciatic nerve or large blood vessels like the brachial artery or hepatic vein. There are 12 what are called “primary channels” and 8 “extraordinary” or “psychic” channels. Along these major channels are points of concentrated energy, like vortices. A physical equivalent for reference sake could be the lymph nodes along the lympathic system. They are like major intersections of energy and they make up the complex system of points utilized by asian style acupressurists, acupuncturists, and some energy healers. Manipulation of these points in order to re-establish free flow of Qi within them can have far reaching positive effects on our health and well being.

Tsubo is a Japanese term widely used in reference to the acupressure/acupuncture points of the body. It is used in specific reference to energetically strong points of energy. These are like intersections of the meridians and their countless collaterals. Like an intersection in traffic, tsubos are places where Qi collects and pulsates. If you press all over your body you will notice certain spots that seem tender almost all of the time. These are tsubos and the tenderness felt is due to the abundance of Qi regularly collecting and releasing in those spots. Because tsubos are located on meridians, they can have direct effect on distant points along that meridian. For example, some of the tsubos on the hands and feet are far more effective in relieving conditions of the head than the points on the head itself. An acupressurist’s and acupuncturist’s job is to utilize the myriad effects of tsubos to return and maintain homeostasis of the body, mind, and spirit.