I wasn't sure at first about coming to a clinic named Massage Athletica. The problem being I'm not much of an athlete! I have been dealing with a shoulder issue for about 8 months following a car accident. I had done everything I could think of, rest, icing it, I looked up some stretches online, but none of it seemed to be working for me. Finally I went to a sports doctor as I had reached the end of my rope with this nagging injury. He diagnosed me with a chronic muscle strain and suggested I get a deep massage. I had only ever had a few massages before, but they were more spa- relaxation type massages which I didn't think would fit the bill here. I asked if he knew where I could go in Winnipeg, and he suggested this place. I chose the St Mary's Road location, just because it was close to where I lived.
It was pretty easy to book online, and I was able to get in within a day or so. I went in and at first there was no one up front but a sign that said I had to fill out a form if I was a new patient. Not too long of a form, just asked a few details about my injury. While I was filling it out the therapist came to the front, and introduced himself. He was very friendly. After the form he took me in right away, and asked what I had come in for. I gave him the whole "my shoulder hurts here-" point, and I was impressed when he actually asked me a whole bunch of questions to find out exactly what muscle was bothering me, and determined my trap was tight and one of my rotator cuff muscles was probably inflamed. He said what exactly we would be working on, and then said I could get on the massage bed.
The massage itself was very good, relaxing but I could tell he was really working the muscles. He was also very good about asking about the pressure here and there. There was definitely a few sore spots!
Once the massage was over he let me get dressed, and then came back into the room. He showed me a couple stretches that he said would be beneficial. I was doing one of them already, but I never would have thought to do the other two he showed me. He also sent me the stretches in an email as well which I thought was a nice touch.
Since then I have gone 3 more times, once with another girl that was also very good, and I can tell a world of difference already. I think a person with an injury would be very well served here. I know a lot of people think of massage as more of a luxury, but in my case it has been so much more! read more