This week we’re highlighting Julie Connolly’s return from maternity leave, and what that means for both you and the clinic.
Julie’s expertise
As Clinic Director, Julie’s presence at the Cornerstone Clinic is a quintessential part of the experience. She’s certainly well known by our clients, but her return to work in a full capacity lends us a great opportunity to highlight her expertise and touch on why she’s far more than an excellent director.
A trusted RMT (registered massage therapist) who gravitates to deep tissue massage, Julie is the ideal remedy for muscle strain, sports injuries, and many of our pregnant patients seeking relief from soreness and pain. She’s also a trained doula, providing valuable support to mothers before, during, and following birth.
Deep tissue massage
Slower motions and deeper pressure are staples of deep tissue massage, where targeted concentration on problematic areas access deeper layers of muscle and tissue. Typically ideal for those with chronic soreness or tension, deep tissue massage can relieve inflammation and movement-impairing injury as well.
These issues are caused by adhesions, which are lengths of hard, painful tissue that limit circulation and cause discomfort. By accessing these deep layers of muscle and tissue, an RMT can break down the adhesions and restore comfort and proper function alike.
Muscle strain
Whether you’re highly active in your everyday life or a competitive athlete, muscle strain is both common and problematic. In some cases recovery can be lengthy, and mobility, limited. To combat this, deep tissue massage will encourage relaxation and increase blood flow to targeted injury areas, providing nutrients and recovery proteins to the affected area(s).
Relaxation may sound less attractive than recovery when you’re movement is limited and painful, but don’t undervalue its impact. Reduced tension in your muscles will not only increase flexibility, it will also release tight muscles and raise your endorphin levels – ultimately hastening your recovery.
Prenatal massage
Prenatal massage therapy works wonders, reducing anxiety while regulating hormone levels and relieving all sorts of muscle aches and pains. It eases pressure on the joints, and can go so far as to improve labour outcomes the the health of your newborn.
It works by reducing hormones that are associated with stress, and increasing the hormones that make us feel good, such as dopamine. Not only do these changes positively impact birth and newborn complications, there are also positive benefits to cardio health and, of course, your overall mood!
Aside from the scope of hormones, prenatal massage also alleviates swelling and join pain caused by reduced circulation and tension, respectively. The results are reduced back and join pain, fewer headaches, less anxiety, and better sleep.
Trained doula
A trained doula leverages both training and experience to provide support to mothers before, during, and following birth. This support ranges heavily based on each mother’s needs, and can come in the form of emotional and/or practical insight. Multiple studies have indicated that the participation of a doula in a birth will shorten labour and reduce the likelihood of complications.
That’s it for our update! For regular Cornerstone updates head over to our social media channels, and keep an eye on our blog for news, insights, and the occasional sneak peak at what’s to come – we’re always in a sharing mood.
