Massage & Kinesiology
Appointments
I’m heading off to physiotherapy school come September. So you may be wondering where can you get a good massage in town? And hey, what about trying a reflexology treatment? Oh, you’ve got choices. Atikokan presently features two registered massage therapists (RMTs) and one reflexologist. Here’s who they are:
Heather Dilley, RMT, runs her business in Roussel Family Chiropractic at 214 O’Brien St. Heather says she works with all types of massage, so that she can work with a wider variety of people. She specializes in deep tissue and trigger point massage. She says, “I work a lot with chronic pain patients, whether from work related or from daily activities, WSIB and MVA’s [motor vehicle accidents].” And for those of you with edema issues, she does do lymphatic drainage massage.
Heather also works with an interesting modality called Contemporary Medical Acupuncture (Electrical Acupuncture). She says, “The acupuncture works on promoting proper neural health within the muscles in order for them to function properly as well as working on a chemical level releasing certain hormones within the body depending on the treatment for the patient. This type of acupuncture is applied by inserting fine acupuncture needles into the muscle, joint, tendon, etc. then applying an electrical stimulus to the needle in return stimulating the nerve innervating the area and contracting and relaxing the muscle.”
Heather’s present office hours are every second week, on Thursdays 2 to 10 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment call her Thunder Bay office at 807-474-8123. When she is in town, you can call her at 597-5269. She also accepts text message and email bookings; her email address is heather@experiencehealth.ca. Heather says she is willing to extend her hours in Atikokan.
Kelly Stewart Doromko, RMT, runs her business in Dr. Pummala’s office, downstairs of the Medical Clinic, at 123 Marks Street. Kelly specializes in deep tissue therapy, which is very similar to the active release technique Dr. Shane McCormick used. It is very effective for repetitive strain injuries or sports injuries. Kelly also works with remedial exercises, soft tissue release, and trigger point release, as well as PNF stretching, which is an excellent trigger point release method. And she also does basic lymphatic massage.
Kelly’s Atikokan office hours are Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment call her at the office 807-766-9668 or cell phone 807-627-6241. Kelly isn’t able to extend her hours in Atikokan, so there may be a bit of waiting time for an appointment.
While neither massage therapist yet offers cupping massage, both have expressed great interest in adding the therapy to their practices.
Our resident reflexologist is AnnMarie Gouliquer who runs her business Perfect Touch Esthetics in Roussel Family Chiropractic at 214 O’Brien St. Along with her usual esthetician services, AnnMarie also offers foot reflexology. The University of Minnesota website describes reflexology as:
…the application of appropriate pressure by thumbs and fingers to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears in order to improve the recipient’s health.
Reflexologists understand that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person’s general health. For example, reflexology holds that a specific spot in the arch of the foot corresponds to the bladder point. When a reflexology practitioner uses thumbs or fingers to apply appropriate pressure to this area, it affects bladder functioning.
The site also notes some interesting studies:
According to several studies, this practice in Denmark has resulted in reduced sick leave and absenteeism (and significant economic savings for the employers). Employees have consistently reported complete or partial improvement in conditions where they sought reflexologists’ help and even relief for additional problems related to stress. In one municipal district, almost one-third of the employees reported greater satisfaction with their jobs after completing six sessions with a reflexologist.
Now that’s pretty cool. AnnMarie’s office hours are 10:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Tuesdays she works 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. To make an appointment call her at 597-5596.
And to order your own cupping sets, to help yourself out at home?
Tips & Resources
• First off, make sure you order a set with the extension tube, otherwise it is very difficult to work on yourself.
• For more information and resources check out the article “Massage Cupping to Release Trigger Points.”
• To learn more about trigger points, pick up a copy of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies.
• To learn more about cupping, pick up a copy of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Cupping Therapy (2nd ed.) by Ilkay Zihini Chirali. An expensive book, I found it cheapest through Ebay.ca from a UK source.
Sources for Cups
Many of the cups are shipped direct from China, so delivery usually takes about one month.
Recommended sets:
Kang Zhu 12-Cup Magnetic Set (comes with extension tube)
However they are not listed as Kang Zhu but as “Chinese Magnetic Suction Cupping Biomagnetic 12 Cup Set” or “Pistol Pump Cupping 12 Cupping Sets with 8 Magnets” and other close variations.
Cupping trigger points is an easy and quick way to release muscle knots, reducing pain and increasing range of motion. Another reason to try out the cups? You too can have those wild and crazy round cupping marks to show off at the lake.
Photo Credit: Jamie Brelsford and Bimbo Cabochan