What is Remedial Massage?
Remedial massage is therapeutic massage used to treat specific health problems, injuries and musculoskeletal issues. It may work on either superficial muscles or deeper muscles (which is commonly referred to as Deep Tissue massage).
Some massage therapists consider that remedial massage is based on three principles.
(1) The body is affected by its parts
(2) Shortened muscle fibres and connective tissue do not function optimally.
(3) Soft tissues of the body respond to mechanical treatment through touch of from the massage therapist.
Massage therapists believe everything within the body is connected and interrelated. Hence the whole body may respond when parts of it are affected. Eg someone with a strained calf muscle can favour the leg that is injured which may result in muscles in the hip and lower back to tighten. This may then lead to a functional imbalance in the back affecting the neck muscles, potentially leading to headaches. If the remedial massage therapist just massages the neck muscles then the symptoms may be eased but the cause is not addressed.
The muscles, connective tissue and fascia respond to massage. It is possible to soften and stretch the soft tissue and lengthen contracted muscle fibres leading to improve functionality.
A remedial massage therapist will use any number of specialised techniques to locate and repair damage to muscles, tendons, fascia and joints. Techniques include:
Trigger point therapy
Myofascial Release
Positional Release
Muscle Energy Techniques, etc
A lubricant such as oil or balm is usually applied to the skin which facilitates getting into the deeper muscles (+ also aids relaxation).
Benefits of Remedial Massage
Some of the benefits of remedial massage include:
Improved muscle function through lengthening contracted soft tissue
improve blood supply to and from the muscles
soften scar tissue
calming of the peripheral nervous system which can lead to reduce in pain level along with easing of tension and muscle stiffness
lymphatic drainage
Remedial Massage can assist in treating any number of conditions such as back pain, headaches, neck stiffness, arthritis, frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, etc. However, please be aware that remedial massage therapists are no trained to diagnose conditions and it is important to first gain diagnosis for a health condition from appropriate specialists prior to visiting a remedial massage therapist.
Sports massage may incorporate remedial massage but there is a slight difference of intent.
Remedial Massage aims to correct muscle imbalances and assist with dealing long-term chronic problems whereas
Sports Massage has an focus on maintenance, injury prevention and supporting recovery after heavy training or competition.
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