MSK Centre health & wellness

So Much More Than Rest and Relaxation

Your Guide to Massage Therapy at MSK Centre

Discover how an individualized, hands-on approach can support comfortable movement, recovery, and the activities that matter to you.

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01 / Massage Therapy Guide

Have you ever come home from a long day at work, only to feel like your muscles are tight and restricted? Or maybe you had a harder-than-normal workout, and now your legs feel heavy and uncomfortable.

It’s not your imagination. These experiences are classic examples of how muscle and soft-tissue symptoms can affect how you move and feel.

They’re also situations that can benefit immensely from massage therapy. And with a new massage therapist joining the MSK Centre team, now is a great time to learn more about this hands-on therapeutic approach.

What Is Massage Therapy?

When many people hear the term “massage therapy,” their first thought isn’t a rehab clinic, but a spa. And while it’s true that both clinic and spa massages can be relaxing, their primary purposes differ.

While a spa massage places a strong emphasis on helping you relax and unwind, massage therapy is a clinical tool that is selected based on your symptoms, functional goals, and broader treatment plan. It involves the assessment and hands-on treatment of muscles and other soft tissues, including fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports structures throughout the body.

One of our registered massage therapists will assess your symptoms and recovery goals and select the right massage techniques for your needs. This might include:

Swedish massage techniques using movements such as kneading and gliding over the muscles.
Soft tissue techniques targeting areas of muscle tightness or tenderness.
Myofascial techniques addressing the connective tissue surrounding muscles.
Trigger point techniques applying targeted pressure to sensitive areas within muscles.
Gentle stretching and movement to support comfortable mobility.

When Can Massage Therapy Be Beneficial?

There are many reasons people seek out massage therapy. Some want help managing a specific musculoskeletal concern, such as arthritis or a sports injury. Others incorporate massage into a broader plan for helping them stay active and healthy.

We often recommend massage therapy for:

Muscle soreness or tightness
Neck or back discomfort
Tension-type headaches
Exercise-related muscle soreness
Soft tissue symptoms associated with certain injuries

Where Massage Therapy Fits Into Our Multidisciplinary Approach

One of the things we pride ourselves on here at MSK Centre is that we bring together several specialists under one roof. After all, musculoskeletal concerns do not always fit neatly into a single treatment category! Here are some of the ways massage therapy might be incorporated into our other services:

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy emphasizes restoring movement, strength, balance, and physical capacity through progressive exercise and other treatment strategies. Massage therapy complements this approach by addressing soft tissue symptoms that may make movement or exercise uncomfortable. For example, one of our massage therapists might help manage muscle soreness while our physiotherapist works with you on strengthening, mobility, and movement control.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care addresses musculoskeletal pain and mobility concerns primarily by looking at how your joints function, while massage therapy focuses more directly on muscles and the surrounding soft tissues. If both joint and muscle symptoms are contributing to your concern, combining the two approaches is often a smart move.

Exercise-Based Care

Massage therapy can help amplify the benefits of our kinesiology and personal training services as well. Restoring long-term physical function requires an active rehabilitation program, which can be challenging when pain or restriction makes movement difficult. As you work to build strength, endurance, and physical capacity through a targeted exercise program, massage therapy can help manage muscle soreness and other soft-tissue symptoms.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on helping you participate more comfortably and independently in the activities that matter most, using strategies like activity modification, ergonomic recommendations, and return-to-work support.

When muscle soreness, tension, or other soft-tissue symptoms make daily activities or work tasks more difficult, our massage therapist can address these physical symptoms so you can focus on your OT’s practical strategies to improve function.

Your Muscles Work Hard. Give Them Some Support

Massage therapy can be much more than a relaxing hour away from a busy schedule. An individualized clinical approach can help address muscle and soft-tissue symptoms while supporting your broader health and activity goals.

Ready to see whether massage therapy is right for you? Contact MSK Centre today to schedule an appointment with our massage therapy team.

A next step that fits your goals

Let’s Build Your Complete Care Plan

Whether your goal is to recover, stay active, or simply move more comfortably, our complete healthcare team can help connect the right services for you.

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Meet the MSK team

Jenna, Registered Massage Therapist

Jenna is a Registered Massage Therapist who completed her education at Fanshawe College. During her education, she developed a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology, gaining an understanding of the body’s structure and function, as well as pathology, learning about various diseases, injuries, and medical conditions to provide safe and effective care.

She uses a combination of Swedish massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, and other techniques, tailoring each treatment to her clients’ individual needs and goals. Jenna also incorporates therapeutic exercise into treatments and homecare to support rehabilitation, mobility, and long-term maintenance.

Jenna is excited to continue expanding her skills and education while finding new ways to support her clients.

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Programs at MSK Centre

Announcing Our New 40+ Personal Training Program!

At MSK Centre, we know that getting back to regular exercise (or starting from scratch) can be intimidating, especially if you’re middle-aged or older. Fortunately, you’ve got a helping hand with our new personal training program.

Ready to Get Started?

If you think you’d benefit from our new program, contact MSK Centre today to set up your initial appointment!

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Patient experience

Real Feedback, Real Care

“All around great experience. My wife had foot surgery. Dr. Kwan was amazing, the staff at the Centre was amazing, service was fast and right to the point every visit. Highly recommend.”
— Brian

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Exercise of the Month

STANDING EXTERNAL ROTATION

Start by standing up straight with the arm to be exercised hanging by your side. Bend that elbow to 90 degrees. Anchor an exercise band at about the height of your belly button and hold the free end of the band in the hand of the arm you want to work. Make sure you are standing so that the hand holding the band is farther from the anchor than your other arm. Place a towel between your elbow and your body. Lightly rotate your working forearm away from your body pulling the band and keeping your arm bent. Slowly let the band pull your arm back.

3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Materials needed: resistance band, towel

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Quick knowledge check

Massage Therapy Word Check

Unscramble six terms from this month’s guide, then check each answer.

EKDNNIGA

NNOIEST

SITUSE

SOTNIJ

LICCIN

CEXRSIEE

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Recipe of the Month

Spicy Creamy Mushroom Udon

For a spicy, satisfying meal, you have to try this Japanese-Korean fusion bowl! It features udon noodles tossed in a rich, creamy Gochujang Mushroom Sauce and is topped with the crispiest herb-butter-fried oyster mushrooms.

Ingredients

For the Crispy Oyster Mushrooms:

6 oz (170 g) oyster mushrooms, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp oil
2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Creamy Spicy Mushroom Udon:

2 packs udon noodles (fresh or frozen, about 14–16 oz / 400–450 g total)
5-6 fresh shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 large shallot, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ – 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste), adjusting to your spice preference
1 cup heavy cream
¼ – ½ cup water or chicken/vegetable broth, as needed
Salt and black pepper to taste
Green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Make the crispy mushrooms: Heat the butter and oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the oyster mushrooms and thyme, season lightly with salt and black pepper, and pan-fry for 4–5 minutes. Stir occasionally until they are golden brown and crispy around the edges. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Build the sauce: In the same pan, add the chopped shallot, minced garlic, and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Sauté over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, until the shallots soften and the mushrooms turn lightly golden.
Make it creamy and spicy: Add the gochujang and stir for about 30 seconds to toast the paste. Pour in the heavy cream and ¼ cup of your water or broth. Mix until the gochujang is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
Add the udon: Place the udon noodles directly into the sauce. Turn the heat up to high and cook for 2–3 minutes, tossing constantly until the noodles separate and are completely coated in the creamy sauce. (Note: If the sauce becomes too thick, add another splash of water or broth.)
Garnish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and black pepper if needed. Divide the noodles between two bowls and top generously with the crispy oyster mushrooms and sliced green onions.

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