Tensegrity is a beautiful concept that describes the integral balance between stability and flexibility in the body. It is what allows us to hold our shape and posture, and allows us to adapt our shape during movement. Imagine the soft tissue around the bones as a 3D web that holds the body together in a balance of push and pull forces. This structure allows cells, tissues, and organs to keep their shape and move around, while also protecting us from damage. When one string of the web is pulled, it will affect all the surrounding areas of the web, realigning the original structure.
About
About Tensegrity Manual Therapy
Founded in 2018, Tensegrity Manual Therapy is a small, private massage therapy clinic built around the idea that healing happens best in a calm, supportive environment. Our focus is on thoughtful, client-centered care, where each treatment is tailored to your individual needs. We aim to create a space where people feel comfortable, listened to, and supported while receiving evidence-based treatments that help with pain, injury recovery, and the physical stresses of daily life. Because the clinic is intentionally small, all treatments are booked by appointment. This allows us to give each client our full attention and provide the personalized care they deserve. For this reason, we’re unfortunately not able to accommodate walk-ins.
LOCATION: We are located at 729A Bloor Street West on the south side of Bloor Street, directly across from Christie Pits subway station and at the southeast corner of Christie Pits Park in Toronto’s Annex/Seaton Village neighbourhood. The clinic is easy to reach by transit and conveniently situated within a vibrant local community.
PARKING: For those arriving by car, there are several Green P parking lots located north of Bloor Street between Clinton and Palmerston, as well as Green P street parking available directly in front of the building on Bloor Street. If you have time to look, free one-hour parking can sometimes be found southbound on Grace Street or northbound on Clinton Street.
ACCESSIBILITY: at this time, the clinic is located on the second floor and is accessible only by a flight of stairs. We recognize this may present challenges for some visitors and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
PAYMENT: Accepted payment methods include cash, Visa, and Mastercard. Debit payments can be completed via e-transfer through online banking.
In addition to client treatments, the clinic space is available for rent by the hour, shift, day, or month to Registered Massage Therapists or other manual therapists in compatible fields.
SAFE SPACE: Tensegrity Manual Therapy is committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful space for all clients, visitors, and practitioners. Everyone is welcome here.
Meet Sara Throness, RMT
Sara Throness (They/She) has been practicing massage therapy since 2007 and is a Registered Massage Therapist in good standing with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, as well as a member of the Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario. Over the years, Sara has worked in a variety of settings—from relaxation spas and heli-ski lodges to multidisciplinary clinics and private practices—gaining experience that allows them to meet clients wherever they are on their wellness journey. They’ve also worked in specialized healthcare settings, including Sutherland Chan’s Breast Clinic, Princess Margaret Hospital’s palliative care unit, and Lyndhurst Hospital’s Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program.
A graduate of the Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy, Sara has continued to expand their training in a wide range of techniques, including craniosacral therapy, myofascial unwinding, positional release, Anatomy Trains, N.I.S.A, Ayurvedic massage, Shiatsu, and reflexology. They’ve also completed Level 3 training in manual lymph drainage with the Dr. Vodder Institute, recognized as the gold standard in lymphatic care.
Sara works with clients facing many challenges, including lymphedema, lipedema, pre- and post-surgical recovery, acute injuries, wound care, pre- and post-natal care, migraines, gastrointestinal concerns, and skin conditions. They also support clients recovering from cancer treatments or gender-affirming surgeries, helping reduce swelling, scar tissue, and restricted movement.
Compassion, understanding, and personalized care are at the heart of Sara’s approach. They focus on helping clients move more freely, manage pain, restore strength, and nurture both body and spirit—supporting each person through recovery, healing, and well-being in a safe and welcoming environment.
Registered Massage Therapy
What are all the different Techniques and Modalities?
Canada has some of the highest educational standards for massage therapists in the world. While massage therapy is not regulated in every province, it is a regulated health profession in Ontario. Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are governed by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO), which protects the public by maintaining strict standards of practice and education.
Although massage is often thought of as simple tool for relaxation, registered massage therapy is also a clinical healthcare treatment. RMTs are trained in a variety of techniques that target the body’s soft tissues—including muscles, tendons, fascia, and ligaments, as well as the nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels that supply them. RMT treatments can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support overall well-being. Sessions begin with an assessment, leading to a personalized treatment plan that may include techniques such as Swedish, myofascial work, joint mobilizations, neuromuscular techniques, hydrotherapy, trigger point therapy, reflexive techniques, lymphatic drainage, etc. There are over 80 techniques massage therapists may have learned in their career; each targeting specific tissues in the body that can help address issues such as injury recovery, postural pain, headaches, stress, sleep concerns, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic conditions.
In addition to specific techniques, there are also many massage modalities from around the world—such as Shiatsu, Ayurvedic , Thai massage, Lomi Lomi, Tuina, reflexology, hot stone therapy, N.I.S.A. etc. These modalities often combine multiple techniques to create unique therapeutic experiences.
Many RMTs continue their education throughout their careers to expand their skills. At Tensegrity Manual Therapy, Sara has spent more than two decades studying specialized, evidence-based techniques and modalities from around the world to provide thoughtful, effective care for their clients.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
and
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD):
MLD techniques are applied with light, rhythmic pressure to encourage fluid to enter the initial lymph vessels just beneath the skin, stimulate small nerves which innervate the smooth muscles of the deeper and larger lymphatic collector vessels, and drain the body's lymph nodes. This process helps the body move and clean excess fluid from the tissue, reduce tissue congestion, and ease inflammation and soreness in areas affected by inflammation.
Complete Decongestiive Therapy (CDT) is a treatment that combines 4 key components:
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MLD: massage to move lymph fluid away from congested areas.
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Compression: short-stretch bandages and/or custom fit garments are applied to affected areas to prevent fluid from returning to congested areas.
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Targeted exercises: using the body's muscles as pump to keep lymph moving
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Skin care: protects vulnerable areas and helps prevent infection.
CDT is delivered in two phases:
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Reduction phase: focuses on frequent sessions of MLD and compression bandaging, and self care exercises and skin care at home to quickly decrease swelling.
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Maintenance phase: less frequent in person MLD treatments manage the results of phase 1 long-term with custom fit compression garments and simple, ongoing self-care techniques.
CDT supports people recovering from surgery, cancer treatment, orthopedic procedures, and gender-affirming care, as well as those managing chronic conditions like lymphedemas, lipedema, arthritis, or venous insufficiency.
While safe and effective for many, CDT may not be suitable for individuals with active infections, deep vein thrombosis, severe arterial disease, or certain heart conditions.
Registered Massage Therapy
and Cancer Care
Going through cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and it often brings a range of difficult side effects.
Gentle, carefully adapted massage therapy can be a supportive part of care during and after treatment.
Research has shown that oncology-informed massage can help ease discomfort, reduce stress, and improve overall quality of life while the body heals and adjusts.
Many people also find that regular treatments provide a sense of calm, grounding, and connection with their body during a time when it may feel unfamiliar or under strain.
Massage therapy may help alleviate complications related to cancer treatment, including:
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reducing post-operative scar tissue
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addressing cording (axillary web syndrome) and seromas
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improving range of motion and reducing feelings of tightness or pulling
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softening radiation fibrosis
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lessening nausea, fatigue, and anxiety
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improving sleep and promoting relaxation
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supporting circulation and reducing swelling after surgery
Treatments are always adapted to each person’s stage of treatment (as directed by their oncologist and medical team), medical history, and comfort level. Special care is taken to ensure techniques, pressure, and positioning are appropriate and safe for each individual.
The goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where the body can relax, healing can be encouraged, and clients can experience a greater sense of comfort, resilience, and well-being during a very challenging time.
Services
Massage therapy targets the body's soft tissue to reduce pain, improve posture, range of motion, circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid.
It’s also helpful with treating injuries, headaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, neuromuscular diseases, and can help you achieve a sense of overall well-being.
Registered Massage Therapy
Registered massage therapy targets the body's soft tissue (muscles, tendons, fascia, etc) to reduce pain, improve posture range of motion, circulation of blood, nerve function and lymphatic fluid.
It’s also helpful with treating injuries, headaches, anxiety, depression, insomnia, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, neuromuscular diseases, and can help you achieve a sense of overall well-being.
Neuromuscular Integration and Structural Alignment (N.I.S.A)
This deep, myofascial treatment stretches and softens the body’s fascia, the thin sheet of connective tissue that resides underneath the skin, surrounding the muscles, bones and organs.
NISA is ideal for people with poor postural alignment and limited range of motion.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
In a localized lymphatic treatment, specific techniques apply a light, rhythmic pressure to encourage fluid to enter the initial lymph vessels just beneath the skin. These techniques also help stimulate the nerves that activate the smooth muscle in the lymphatic collector vessels, encouraging them to contract and move fluid toward regional lymph nodes in their watershed boundaries. This process helps the body move and clean excess fluid from the tissue, reduce tissue congestion, and ease inflammation and soreness in areas affected by injury or surgery.
MLD can be helpful with many issues, ie: migraines, pre- and post-natal care, menstrual pain, gastrointestinal concerns, arthritis, fibromyalgia, skin conditions, lipedema, healing during and after cancer treatments, cosmetic procedures (e.g., liposuction and gender affirming care), orthopedic surgeries, acute injuries, wound care, helping reduce swelling, scar tissue, and restricted movement.
CDT has of four key components:
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Manual lymph drainage (MLD): slow, rhythmic, gentle massage to stimulate the lymphatic system and redirect fluid.
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Compression bandaging and garments to keep fluid from re-entering the tissue between treatments
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Exercise: gentle movement of the muscles to encourage lymphatic flow
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Skin care to prevent infection in compromised areas
This therapy can benefit people with primary or secondary lymphedema, lipedema, post operative swelling, and swelling related to acute injury.
Under the guidance of a trained therapist, CDT and MLD offer a supportive, compassionate way to reduce swelling, improve comfort, and promote overall well-being.
Complete Decongestive Therapy
TMJ Massage
TMJ massage is a targeted treatment for the jaw muscles that articulate the Temporo-Mandibular Joint and surrounding fascia.
Using gentle external and sometimes intra-oral techniques (working inside the mouth), a therapist releases tension in the jaw, cheeks, sinuses and temples. This treatment can reduce jaw pain, headaches, clicking, and clenching while improving jaw mobility, bite comfort, and relaxation of facial muscles.
Reflexology Massage
This acupressure treatment is applied to the feet and hands, where specific points correspond with various organs and body systems.
This treatment can help relieve stress, promote relaxation, help realign the body’s posture, and ease discomforts such as plantar fasciitis, foot pain, insomnia, and muscle soreness.
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Blog
Contact
Bookings are only available on-line.
SORRY NO WALK-INS
Email:
tensegritymanualtherapy@gmail.com
Online booking:
tensegritymanualtherapy.janeapp.com
Phone:
(416) - 939 - 8570
