ILANA HOROWITZ, RMT
Massage Therapy with Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
Intelligent Care that Feels Amazing
HOW YOU'LL BENEFIT
YOU WILL:
Feel amazing
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My aim is to soothe and relax your sympathetic nervous system (which produces that anxiety-provoking fight or flight response), since it is a main cause of your aches and pains, particularly when pain is chronic in nature. This should feel great most of the time! I can absolutely give deep pressure, but feel that any pain felt during a treatment should be of the ‘exquisite’ kind that ‘hurts so good.’ Generally, beyond that, discomfort you feel (e.g. where you are holding your breath or wincing) can be counterproductive, as it puts your nervous system and your muscles on guard. Learn more about massage.
Get back to your life
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As wonderful as a massage can feel and as much as I’m happy to treat you, I want you to get back to a place where you don’t feel you need frequent massages to enjoy your life. I will do this by assessing your soft tissues, range of motion, strength etc. as needed and ask you about a range of factors in your life that may be contributing to your discomfort. (e.g. stress levels, activities, sleep quality, emotional well being). Together, we’ll create a treatment plan that focuses on your priorities and goals (such as rehabbing an injury and/or addressing day-to-day tension). This includes giving you self-care and therapeutic exercise and movement tips to make benefits of your treatment(s) last longer and speed recovery. Learn more about treatments.
Be heard & treated with kindness & empathy
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Everyone has different backgrounds, priorities, and challenges. What works for some may not work for others. Personally, I’m very active and my mantras (which are supported by science) are “motion is lotion” and “use it or lose it.” However, I am not going to judge you, your body, and how you live your life. If you just want to come to feel better and have a relaxing massage – I can do that. The most important part of my job is listening to you and what you want.
Increase your connection to & understanding of your body
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My treatment focuses on your nervous system, as this is what makes muscles work and the body/mind feel pain, pleasure, anxiety, and relaxation. I will regularly check in with you, and if you want, provide a plausible explanation of what you are experiencing based on the latest scientific research. I’m an instructor at a top-rated massage therapy school and have extensive professional experience explaining complex information in a concise, accessible manner.
Be treated based on scientific evidence
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I’m constantly learning about the body and keeping tabs on the latest research and guidance from credible sources about pain science and manual therapies, including massage, physical, and exercise therapy. The type of acupuncture I perform, although it builds on Traditional Chinese Medicine, is based on contemporary scientific understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Learn more about Contemporary Medical Acupuncture.
ABOUT
I am a registered massage therapist (RMT) and provider of contemporary medical / neurofunctional acupuncture and Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST). I have advanced education in nervous system anatomy and treatment, including the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program; additional training in acupuncture for headaches, facial, and jaw/TMJ pain; and in the Dermoneuromodulation approach. I graduated from Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy at the top of my class and now work there as an instructor, teaching about the nervous system.
Although I treat a variety of patients, I have a particular interest in sports massage and have treated athletes in clinic and at a wide range of events, including the Toronto Marathon, the Invictus Games, and the Masters Indigenous Games. I am a Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association Sport Candidate Member (CSMTASCM). My interest in sports massage is inspired by my own love of cycling, rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and ice skating.
Before becoming a massage therapist, I completed a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and had a full career in urban design and planning. But after 17 years, I wanted a big change. Massage therapy has proven to be a rewarding challenge - I love helping people feel amazing and staying active while doing it!
TREATMENTS
Depending on your issues and preferences, treatment may include:​
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​General Swedish Massage
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Kneading, stroking, squeezing, torquing, and scooping techniques in a flowing and relaxing manner using light to firm pressure​. Learn More
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​Deep Tissue Massage
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Specific, focused techniques with firm pressure that target deeper muscles, tendons and connective tissue, usually held for a longer period of time​
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Sports Massage
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Targeted therapeutic treatment of the physical and biomechanical needs of athletes and others with similar acute and chronic injuries, typically incorporating stretching and more dynamic and specific techniques. Sports Massage can be pre-, between, and post-events, and during training and restorative periods. Learn more about Fascial Stretch Therapy / Sports Massage treatments.
Contemporary Medical / Neurofunctional Acupuncture
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Fine, solid acupuncture needles inserted into the skin and underlying tissue, stimulating nerves to reduce pain and increase relaxation. Learn More ​​​
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Stretching and Movement
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A range of techniques pulling body parts in various directions, used to increase relaxation, reduce pain, and enhance range of motion, including:
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Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) : mobilizing and stretching that targets connective tissue and joint capsules. Learn More
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Soft Tissue Release: similar to Active Release Techniques (ART), where pressure is applied to specific muscle groups while the patient's movements are guided through their maximum range of motion.
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​Joint Mobilization
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Low velocity movements at joints (versus high velocity manipulations typically performed by chiropractors and physiotherapists) to reduce pain, increase range of motion and improve function​
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​Dermoneuromodulation
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Gentle skin stretching and positioning that relieves pressure and friction on nerves and their endings in the skin to reduce point-specific pain and sensitivity. Learn More​
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​Myo-fascial Techniques
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Targeting the connective tissues of the body, these methods do not use lotion and include skin rolling and stretching techniques.​
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​Lymph Drainage
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The skin is gently stretched and torqued to help promote the movement of lymphatic fluid out of swollen areas, such as post-surgery or after an injury. If you have lymphedema, however, I will refer you to an RMT who has the required additional manual lymph drainage training to treat you.​
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​Self-Care Recommendations
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Actions you can take on your own (e.g. heat, stretching, movement and exercise), so that you can retain the treatment benefits and recover faster.
LOCATION
170 Lappin Avenue, Toronto, M6H 1Y8
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South of Landsdowne and Dupont, Near Lansdowne Subway Station
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10 minute walk north from Lansdowne Subway station
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30 seconds walk from the 47 Lansdowne Bus (a 3 minute ride from Lansdowne Station)
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5 minute walk to the 26 Dupont Bus
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10 minute walk to the 29 Dufferin Bus
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On a designated cycling route (lock your bike on the front porch)
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Free on-street parking
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The Space
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A welcoming, calming treatment room within my home filled with soft natural light.
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Health and Safety:
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The treatment room is disinfected and all linens are changed between patients.
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An open window brings in fresh air and two HEPA air purifiers (enough to support a room over 3.5 times larger) filter the air (2, 3). A table warmer, heating pads, and a space heater keeps you warm in the colder seasons.
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A direct route, which is frequently disinfected, leads you quickly from the front door to the treatment room with limited exposure to the rest of the house.
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My home is powered by green energy from​​
FEES
All prices include HST and all treatment techniques, including contemporary medical acupuncture:
60 minutes: $138
75 minutes: $164
90 minutes: $190
An insurance receipt is always provided for treatment (except if it was paid for by gift certificate). The receipt will state "massage therapy" even if it is an FST / Sports Massage session or if acupuncture is included as part of the treatment.
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Payment Options:
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Preferred: E-transfer
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Interac Debit
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Cash (exact change)
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Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
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See Cancellation/Refunds and Late Arrival policies.
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