Assessing risk and your ability to benefit from myofascial therapies
 All therapies carry risks and possible side effects.  The following therapies may be used to achieve the results you desire:

  • Massage: Used to soothe skin and nervous system, tone or relax muscles. Possible Side Effects: redness, tenderness, swelling, cold sore activation, headache, initial sagging as the tissue releases then firms later. Do not have this treatment if you have recently had facial or neck treatment or surgery, suffer from an acute face, neck or scalp injury, infectious disease, active herpes/cold sores, acute dental issues, uncontrolled thyroid disease, lymphatic system infections or blockages; take medications or herbs that thin blood/cause skin to easily bruise.

  • Buccal Massage &/or Myofascial Facial Massage:  focuses on muscles of facial expression and can be performed inside (intra-oral) and/or outside of the mouth and cheeks. In addition to Massage side effects above, Buccal/Myofascial is also not suitable for those who have epilepsy, recent use of Botox or fillers, undergoing cancer treatment. 

  • Gua Sha:  the use of a stone to relax muscles and move lymphatic fluids.

There are certain circumstances in which I cannot use these or have to alter how they are used.  These are known as contraindications. Please review the following contraindications and considerations. If you have questions about booking, please reach out with any concerns.

  • Local Absolute Contraindications include, but are not limited to:

    • Active cold sores

    • Recent facial, head, scalp, neck or oral injury or surgery (injury, bacteria, irritation)

    • Recent skin treatments that require waiting because of exfoliating nature ie., lasers, high level peels, Micro-needling, tattoos

    • Botox/Fillers (within 4 weeks)

    • Threads in head/face (within 6 months)

  • Wait for clearance from a dental professional:

    • Lymph node removals

    • Lymph infection or blockage in head, neck

  • Systemic Absolute Contraindications include, but are not limited to:

    • Epilepsy

    • Undergoing cancer treatment

    • Infectious disease