At Etana Wellness, we’re trained in the advanced, anatomy-based methods taught by the Chikly Health Institute. Here’s why the lymphatic system needs more respect—and precision—than what viral trends offer.

1. The Lymphatic System Doesn’t Flow Like Blood
Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a heart to pump it. Lymph relies on unidirectional flow, muscle movement, and the integrity of your lymph vessels and valves.

When people rub back and forth on lymph areas—like the collarbones or behind the knees—they’re not aiding lymph movement. In fact, they may:

• Irritate the tissue
• Disrupt the natural rhythm of lymphatic flow
• Cause localized inflammation

Effective lymphatic drainage follows a very specific anatomical pathway, and direction matters. Rubbing or tapping without that understanding won’t have the intended effect.

2. The ‘Big 6’ Was Meant to Be a Simplified Intro—Not a Full Treatment
The “Big 6” method was initially designed as a very basic self-help routine, often used to support children or people with chronic illness in clinical settings. It’s not a complete or appropriate substitute for trained manual lymphatic drainage.

As with any specialized modality, context and technique are everything. Without knowing:

• The location and direction of actual lymph vessels
• How to assess areas of congestion
• How much pressure (or how little) to use

…it’s unlikely these at-home routines are helping much at all.

3. Lymph is Sensitive: Less is More
One of the most surprising truths about lymphatic work is that it’s not about pressure. Lymphatic vessels are just under the surface of the skin. The lightest touch—think the weight of a nickel—is all that’s needed when done correctly.

In fact, deeper pressure or excessive repetition can shut down lymphatic flow temporarily or trigger an unhelpful inflammatory response.

At Etana Wellness, our therapists use precise, trained movements based on years of anatomical study. We’re not guessing—we’re working with your body’s natural systems to promote true healing.

4. What Actually Works? Trained, Gentle, Directional Support
Real lymphatic drainage is gentle, slow, and methodical. It requires:

• Deep knowledge of the lymphatic map
• Understanding when and where to drain
• Coordination with the body’s natural rhythm

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, injury, or just feeling run down, lymphatic drainage done right supports your body in a way that TikTok never could.

When It Comes to Lymph, Get It Right
It’s great to see more people paying attention to their lymphatic health—but good intentions don’t replace good technique. At Etana Wellness, we’re trained to work with your lymphatic system in a way that’s gentle, effective, and based on science.

If you’ve tried the ‘Big 6’ and haven’t felt results—or worse, felt more discomfort—it might be time to let the professionals guide your recovery.

Ready for a real lymphatic reset? Book your session at Etana Wellness today and experience the difference expert technique can make. BOOK HERE

The post The Truth About DIY Lymphatic Massage: Why the ‘Big 6’ Technique Isn’t What You Think appeared first on Etana Wellness.

Please check out our new prices on Jane before booking in.

See you soon!

Pam

The post Price increase appeared first on Etana Wellness.

As Massage Therapists return to work following the COVID-19 shutdown, we would like to make you aware of some of the changes that have been implemented into the clinic to ensure your safety and slow the spread of Covid-19

1. Before attending your appointment, please complete the COVID-19 Self Assessment Test that will be sent via SMS or email.  If the test recommends that you be tested, or that you self isolate, you must cancel your appointment. No services will be preformed on anyone who has a symptom of COVID-19
2. If you feel in any way unwell, if you have a sickness of any kind, you must cancel your appointment.  No services will be preformed on those who are sick or feeling unwell.
3. Clients should arrive no more than 5 minutes before the expected appointment time.  If you arrive before this time, please remain in your vehicle until 5 minutes before your appointment time. 
4. Upon entrance into the clinic, please use hand sanitizer.
5. Your therapist will do a screening questionnaire with you at the start of your appointment.  You may be asked to have your temperature taken. Please be advised that having an elevated body temperature will mean that you will be unable to be treated, as a fever is now an absolute contraindication for massage therapy. No services will be preformed on those who present with a fever.
6. According to Alberta Health Services, both therapist and client should be wearing a mask.
7. When on the treatment table, while you are face up, or side lying you may request to wear eye protection.
8. All of the Personal Protective Equipment requirements are there to protect both you, your therapist and society in general from the potential spread of COVID 19.

These measures will be in place until COVID-19 until further notice.

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I’ve been asked a lot lately about what I do to meditate. So I thought I’d share with you all in one quick blog post

These days I’m finding it difficult to practice my Vipassana mediation of completely clearing my mind and focusing on my breath. So I have created this for myself instead. It gives my mind something to focus on and at the end I feel incredible! It really sets the tone for the whole day.

Here we go

One – The Breath

I start by clearing my mind and solely observing my breath. Some days I am able to do this quite well. These days, I cannot.  When I have a busy day ahead, its sometimes very hard to let my mind rest and all I’m able to do is 3-5 breaths without my mind wondering, to be honest.

I aim for 1 minute. But I let myself off the hook if Its too much of a struggle and just try to focus on 3-5 belly breaths just to steady my breathing.

Two – Positive Thoughts

I have created a mantra for myself.  Or a series of really positive things I say.

For example:

I am present. I am grounded. I am healthy. I am happy. I am strong inside and out. I am financially abundant. I am kind. I am humble. I am successful.

I will even add specific stuff like:

I do 17 massages/week. I do 4 spray tans/week. I sell 2 personal training packages/month.

I say this at least 3 times in a row. Sometimes more if I am in a funky mood or tired. And If I’m even having trouble focusing on this I say them out loud to help.

Three – Gratitude

I sit and think of all the things I’m grateful for. And I don’t just think of them…. I feel them! I smile. Sometimes I cry because it makes me so happy and I’m so freakin grateful

Four – Grounding

I ground myself.  If I’m seated I feel the floor under my feet or the chair under my bum. If I’m laying on the ground I feel the floor under my body.

That’s it! This usually takes between 5-10 minutes to start my day.

Try it and tell me what you think

Happy Friday everyone!

The post My Meditations appeared first on Etana Wellness.

We have moved!

Etana Wellness has moved and is now located at 203 – 902 Main (8th) Street, Canmore. We are directly above Rebound Cycle at the very end of main street. The entrance to the upstairs is located at the left side of the building. Parking is directly out front.

What does this mean for clients of Etana Wellness?

Better hours!   Better location!   Bigger studio with more equipment!

Hours are:

Massage – 10am – 8pm

Personal Training – Anytime you like!

Lot of shops, cafe’s and trails around if you are making a day of it from Calgary or taking turns with your spouse.  Come on in and check it out!

The post Etana Wellness has a new location appeared first on Etana Wellness.

It is a deeply relaxing treatment using the application of therapeutic essential oils to the feet, back and neck.

My clients call this treatment “Relax to the MAX treatment” lol

It begins with applying the oils to the Vita Flex points along the arches of the feet.

The Vita Flex technique was developed by the Tibetans thousands of years ago, even before acupuncture. Its literal meaning is “vitality through the reflexes”.

Next, the oils are dispenses like little “raindrops” along the spine and worked into the skin with feather like strokes.

All while laying atop a jade stone infrared heating pad!! So cozy! OHHHH YAAAA

Benefits to a Raindrop Therapy treatment:

1. Reduces Back Pain – The analgesic ingredients in the essential oils help reduce pain and discomfort.

2. Helps Relief Stress – Therapeutic essential oils have a normalizing effect on the nervous system making them ideal for reducing stress, anxiety and tension.
The oils can immediately penetrate cell membranes and diffuse through the blood and tissues instantly in a matter of seconds! The oils also cross the brain-blood barrier and effect the limbic system (the Amygdale) parts of the brain that control our mood, behavior and emotions. So if you’ve lost your “Joie de Vivre” Raindrop therapy will have you smiling and back to your normal self in no time!

3. Relaxes Muscles – These oils and techniques relax muscles that are sore, spastic or stressed. Basil, wintergreen, marjoram, cypress and peppermint essential oils help with all the common muscle conditions.

4. Helps Reduce Inflammation – World wide studies have identified several essential oils as powerful anti-inflammatory agents. These include wintergreen, peppermint and thyme.

5. Helps to Improve Circulation – Essential oils can be most beneficial in boosting circulation due to oxygenating properties. The essential oils of cypress, thyme, marjoram and peppermint all have properties that increase circulation and act as a circulatory stimulant.

6. Helps to Detox the Body Systems – These therapeutic oils used in Raindrop therapy are high in phenols hence, cleanse cellular receptor sites and can enhance the lymphatic system.

7. Helps improve Immune function – Thyme and oregano essential oils are known to support the immune system. These oils create an unfavorable environment for harmful viruses and bacteria that can hibernate and lay dormant in the body.

Come try it out!

The post Curious about Raindrop Therapy? appeared first on Etana Wellness.

Curious about trying Reiki while visiting the Canadian Rockies? Many come to the mountains to heal, restore and re-energize their bodies.  Reiki is a great way to do this!

So what the heck is all the hype?

Reiki is an energy healing modality that uses “hands-on” and also “hands-off” healing, where the practitioner acts as a conduit for universal energy, in order to rebalance and clear blockages in the chakras, or energy centers.

Benefits include:

• Dissolves energy blocks and promotes natural balance between mind, body and spirit;
• Increases energy levels;
• Creates deep relaxation and helps the body release stress and tension;
• Clears the mind and improves focus;
• Accelerates the body’s self-healing ability;
• Aids better sleep;
• Reduces blood pressure;
• Helps relieve pain;
• Assists the body in cleansing itself from toxins;
• Supports the immune system;
• Helps spiritual growth and emotional cleansing;
• Promotes creativity; and
• Compliments medical treatment.
• Promotes equilibrium in the body and a sense of feeling grounded
• Reiki helps to stimulate and balance physical, mental, emotional and energetic systems.

Reiki can be extremely powerful and effective.  It infuses your chakras and your body with the energy of the universe. Your body takes exactly what it needs at that point in time, and the Reiki practitioner’s role is to act as a channel of universal energy to help facilitate that healing, so that the body can heal itself. When you infuse Reiki into areas of the body that are energetically or physically weak, the healing process can begin as your body allows itself to fully release.

The post What is Reiki? Come try some energy work while visiting Canmore! appeared first on Etana Wellness.