The Difference Between Massage and Remedial Massage
The word ‘massage’ is incredibly broad, with roots going all the way back to the ancient Greeks. However, different types of massage will serve very different purposes. Remedial massage therapy is completely separate from standard, regular massage techniques such as deep tissue massages. Continue reading as we outline the differences between standard and remedial massage.
For personalised advice, contact our team at 13th Beach Health Services today.
Regular Massage vs Remedial Massage
Let’s dive straight into some of the top reasons that remedial massage is different from your standard massage therapy:
- Remedial massage is a complementary therapy, often used to help boost recovery from sports injuries or chronic pain.
- A remedial massage session is rarely a one-off treat, but instead an ongoing plan with a series of treatment sessions.
- While massage can be used as a whole-body treatment, remedial massage offers rehabilitation techniques that are targeted to specific ‘problem areas’ in the body.
- Remedial massage will use varying levels of pressure throughout the course of treatment to benefit long-term recovery.
- Remedial massage therapy techniques may be prescribed in conjunction with treatments such as physiotherapy to help manage existing injuries or speed recovery.
When to Choose Remedial Massage
Remedial massage is a dynamic and widely applicable treatment technique. There are various different ailments that can benefit from remedial massage. Some experts will prescribe remedial massage as a complementary therapy, meaning it can be used alongside other treatments to boost the recovery process. Some of the problems that remedial massage may be able to help with include:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Jaw pain
- Side effects of cancer
- Side effects of diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Arthritis
- Muscle spasms and knots
- Sciatica
Remedial Massage Techniques
Another thing that sets remedial massage apart from standard massage is the specific techniques that are utilised. By targeting muscles and ligaments that can be causing wider issues within the body, a massage therapist is attempting to address the root cause as well as the symptoms. These direct, targeted techniques are prescribed after a thorough systematic assessment by a remedial massage therapist.
With a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, a remedial therapist will be able to deliver a personalised treatment plan with uniquely remedial techniques. Here are just a couple of examples of what a remedial massage therapist may include in a session:
Trigger Point Therapy
One of the most popular reasons that a patient ends up seeing a remedial massage therapist is muscle knots. When muscles are knotted, they can trigger chronic pain that can pose significant day-to-day challenges and discomfort. When left untreated for a long time, knots in muscle tissues can make even the most mundane of daily activities extremely painful.
Trigger points may be located anywhere in the myofascial tissue. Signs that you may have a knotted muscle include having very tender spots, or feeling the muscle twitch or jump whenever you apply pressure.
A remedial massage therapist will target these spots. Trigger point therapy will stretch out the knotted muscle through pressure, releasing tension and aiming to reduce associated pain. Massaging these spots needs to be done very carefully, and a remedial therapist will move the muscle to soften the tension and ease discomfort.
Neuromuscular Techniques
Another form of remedial massage therapy includes neuromuscular techniques. These are used to treat muscle spasms, which can cause immense pain and discomfort. If a muscle spasm is taking place, any direct contact needs to be careful and approached by an experienced therapist.
Using fingers, elbows, or knuckles, a remedial massage therapist will apply steady pressure to the spasming muscle for up to thirty seconds. Doing so will help improve strength, range of motion, posture, flexibility, and other neuromuscular issues. Selecting the right neuromuscular technique can help speed up the recovery process.
Book a Remedial Massage Appointment Today
Remedial massage techniques can offer more focussed, targeted health benefits than standard massage can. If you’re dealing with an injury or chronic condition that may benefit from remedial massage therapy, then it’s better to act sooner than later. The longer you wait, the harder recovery will likely be. Here at 13th Beach Health Services, we can supply rehabilitation support through personalised remedial massage treatment plans.
Book an appointment today to learn more about what massage could do for you.
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