Remedial Massage
Massage Therapy Promotes Change In the Body
Remedial massage therapy is a massage based application used to treat areas of the body by manipulating the soft tissues including muscles, tendons and ligaments. It’s a hands-on discipline that involves the manual application of pressure and movement. Massage therapy promotes the following changes in the body:
- Blood flow
- Flow of lymph
- Stimulating nerves
- Conditioning the skin
- Stretching and loosening the muscles
Remedial massage is great for your overall health and wellbeing. It’s ideal for athletes and casual sportspeople because it helps free tight muscles, helps the body recover and prepare for performance. It can also be beneficial for those who have an injury, postural problems, tension, pain, are recovering from surgery or live a busy lifestyle.
What Can I Expect in a Remedial Massage Appointment?
The purpose of your initial appointment is to identify and treat the cause of your issue. Manipulation of the soft tissues encourages your nervous system to correct or down-regulate your pain. Your feedback is important throughout the appointment. Verbalising what you’re feeling helps your therapist alter techniques to best treat you.
Remedial work can be an unexpected change for a client who is used to general massages. It is usually much slower. This is due to intricate techniques that are used, such as myofascial release and trigger point. These types of techniques need to be performed slowly for optimal results. Your therapist may also complete a series of assessments, such as testing your posture and range of motion. Your range of motion is tested by moving areas of your body through their range. As an example, moving your head to the left and then to the right as far as you can.
Different to your regular relaxing massage
If you’re someone who regularly gets standard general massages, you are in for a new experience. Due to the difference in techniques used, remedial massages tend to be slower and focus on a specific area of the body.
What Techniques Are Used In Remedial Massage Therapy?
Today we see massage techniques being used everywhere. From spas, gyms, workplaces to hospitals and nursing homes, it has and continues to gain momentum. Once considered an ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ form of treatment, remedial massage therapy is becoming an increasingly sought out practice. Massages have been used as a healing and relaxation method for thousands of years. Many different techniques have been developed over this time.
Sports Massage
A sports massage focusing on targeting and correcting physical strain. The attention is on areas of the body that are overused, stressed and involved in aggressive movements. A sports massage can also help prevent injury and prepare the body for performance.
Deep Tissue Massage
A deep tissue massage, as it sounds, targets the deep layers of the muscle. This is done through slow and smooth strokes and attempts to target the trigger points that cause knots, pulled muscles and headaches. It is particularly beneficial for releasing chronic muscle tension.
Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage is one of the most common methods we see today. It targets the upper layers of the muscles. Gentle strokes, muscle lifting, taps and chopping motions are all techniques that may be used. It’s beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins and improving circulation.
Acupressure Massage
A type of ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to stimulate the natural self-curative abilities. It helps promote the circulation of blood and prevent tension from turning into an ongoing disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases no. A firm, deep tissue massage however can sometimes cause a bit of discomfort. Our Remedial massage therapists are skilled in delivering outcomes with minimum discomfort.
How often you should seek remedial massage treatment will depend on many factors. This includes how old the injury is, the strength and condition of the surrounding muscles and if you’re prepared to engage in at-home stretch and strength exercises.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. If you have scans, x-rays or information about your injury or condition, it can also be beneficial to bring these along.
Relax and get comfortable. Your treating therapist may ask you to change positions or move so they can treat certain areas. Feedback is also important during your session. By telling us how you feel we can alter techniques to ensure we’re providing the best treatment.
Book a Remedial Massage Appointment
If you would like to book an appointment for a remedial massage, please contact one of our preferred massage providers below.
A practice that’s been developed over thousands of years
The practice of massage has been used across the world for thousands of years. Many types of techniques have been developed over this time, and their popularity is only increasing