What is Remedial Massage?
Remedial massage provides a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. When muscles and tendons become damaged, impaired, knotted, tense or immobile, remedial massage provides an effective healing treatment.
Remedial massage holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, healing both the cause of the disorder as well as the symptoms.
If you haven't ever experienced a quality remedial massage, we thoroughly recommend it.
What Conditions Benefit from a Remedial Massage?
Remedial Massage is effective in treating a wide range of conditions and ailments, such as, but not limited to:- Neck and back pain
- Tension headaches
- Jaw pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress
- Muscular spasms
- Muscle cramps
- DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
How Does a Remedial Massage Help You?
As well as assisting in the treatment of the above conditions, remedial massage has a positive impact on various systems of your body. These include:
Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Remedial massage encourages blood flow to the tissue being treated by stimulating the circulatory system. As the lymphatic system works in close proximity to the circulatory system, the massage will promote reduced pain and swelling by improving lymphatic flow.
Muscular
Remedial massage has a direct impact on the muscular system by stretching tight muscles, relaxing and releasing overused muscles, reducing spasms and muscular cramping, as well as assisting in tissue regeneration.
Endocrine/Hormonal
It has been proven that remedial massage can promote a decrease in cortisol, which is produced when we experience pain and stress. Massage also promotes an increased level of serotonin and dopamine, which improves your mood, relaxation and assists in relieving pain. This can also have a follow on effect by reducing anxiety, while enhancing sleep, concentration and energy levels.
Joints
By working on the muscles around a joint, remedial massage can increase joint range of motion and assist in increasing joint strength and stabilization.
When are the Best Times for a Remedial Massage?
Remedial massage for chronic, long standing conditions can be performed at any time. Ideally the massage should be performed on a regular basis to promote mobility and improved function and to stop conditions from becoming problematic and painful.
For acute or recent injuries, remedial massage is indicated 72 hours following an injury and after rest and ice therapy has been performed to reduce any inflammation and swelling.
How Long Should You Book for a Remedial Massage?
PhysioWorks offer remedial massage treatments for 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute appointments. Generally 30 minutes is sufficient time to treat one problem area, for example neck and shoulders. 45-60 minute appointments are sufficient for 2-3 areas, for example lower back, neck and shoulders, while 60-90 minutes will cover a full body treatment.
What Frequency Works Best for a Remedial Massage?
A new injury or condition can often be resolved within a few treatment sessions. However, chronic and long standing conditions, will often require a series of treatments to return the area to its normal function. This will usually include a number of weekly massages and will gradually be spaced out in frequency until a maintenance stage is reached.
While everyone's needs will be a little different depending on your lifestyle, regular remedial massages work best. Ideally a maintenance massage should be performed on a regular monthly basis to promote mobility and improved function and to stop conditions from becoming problematic and painful.
For advice specific to your body’s needs, please ask your remedial massage therapist how often you should have a massage to function optimally.
Common Massage Treatment Styles
