ITS use dates back to Hippocrates but massage therapy is only starting to gain a better understanding in Canada, says a North Vancouver practitioner. Although the use of massage has grown temendously over the past vO decades, Armand Ayaltin, who has practised for 25 vears, says peo- ple still expect to visit a therapist and get quick solutions. “Usually people are lazy and they wast to sit there and rake a pill,” be said. “We need to bring our bodies to be worked on just like we bring our cars to the garage to be serviced. The bady is no different than other machines.” Ayaltin has developed a tech- nique, which he teaches to regis- tered massage therapists in work- shops, called Systemic Deep Tissue Therapy. - It looks at the body as a whole, ‘and aims to treat the cause of mus- culo-skeletal probic ms. “The symptom is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The root of the problem is much deeper and can develop over many years,” he said. “Whien something happens when : you are 40 or 50, you think it hap- . “pened today.” For that reason, massage therapy _ requires time and effort on the part of the patient to change harmful habits. Working to solve the systemic issuc, he says, means the improve- EN. aut og scabs Ce ee ee fan ‘ree ose wet many ma som aver Oca nz SAVE AN ADDITIONAL ment is longer-las Ayaltin recei certification in England, where he also studied herbology. As with most natural therapies, he says, massage and herbalism are complementary. Massage is not just for stressed executives. It can also be beneficial for treat- ing arthritis in the elderly, asthma, and diabetes, and has been shown to help improve the immune systems of HIV posit... and AIDS patients. For iseicced seniors and seriously ili patients, massage may aiso be the only form of physical contact they receive. When Ayaltin began practising 25 years ago, doctors would sot make referrals for their patients. While massage has gained more acceptance, with more than 30 train- ing schools and 4,000 registered massage therapists across the coun- try, the progression of herbology has been much slower. But many people who visit him for advice on herbs, he says, have already educated themselves and are familiar with the therapies. He encourages his patients to discuss the treatments they are tak- ing with their family doctor, and believes that natural therapies can complement other medical practices. “People think Western medicine should be separate. It shouldn’t be separate. These therapies also might work better if they (family doctors) understand what people are doing.” — Marcie Good nutrition house Come home to weliness CATHERINE DiCecca looks blissed out as fellow massage therapist Armand Ayattin puts the full force of his knuckles inte her shoulder blades. Massa: ing on a client's needs. Twa Locations to Serve You: Ca pl la n re) M a ! i 990-0229 Neturai Factors Vitamin E 400 iu 186 capsules a aweae waste 'g nets? hag pet Natural Factors Glucosamine Sulfate ; 500 mg 180 capsules Used for the treatment of Arthritis SAVE AN ADDITIONAL Park Ro §21-112 Sh AUS HEAT ATE Offer expires Nov. 30/99. One coupon per person Come by one of our two locations on the North Shore and experience why nutrition house is the only piace to buy your vitamins and supplements. yal Centre sou Side in the Market Sisu Ester-C 600 mg 120 capsules Quest Super Once a Day Multivitamin 90 Tebteis SAVE SOE | AN ADDITIONAL J ; oy Lear ge therapy can vary in intensity depend- . =e Om te Ors os 02 ae 2 5 a One om oe ae Er es ve OD es NOAnn: were am Fen GD as CE omen isto Ge Cm fam One omen: SED oma non oe oe oe Te er COUPON ltt ames eee cs SH eaees ew GT De a ONT CRP Oey CE OED TE Ey OH, em AO Ts OS OD eine |