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Remedial Massage
Remedial massage is a hands-on therapeutic intervention to help treat and cure muscular aches, pains and strains. Remedial massage therapists use a range of different techniques to assist individuals struggling with muscular problems whether they be the result of a sporting or workplace injury, stress, poor posture, muscle weakness or from the grind of daily life. Massage offers an enormous range of benefits to people from all walks of life. Generally it can assist in promoting relaxation and alleviating stress, tension, stiffness and pain. People often report feeling lighter, sleeping better and having a greater sense of energy, mental clarity and calmness after having a massage.
During a remedial massage you can expect your therapist to spend some time asking what problem(s) you would like some assistance with which may involved specific questions concerning the sort of pain being experienced, how long it’s been bothering you and whether there was a specific trigger associated with the discomfort beginning or if symptoms seem to have been a gradual build up or appeared out of nowhere. Importantly they should ask you about how your general health has been of late, whether you have had remedial massage before and if you have any allergies to creams or oils.
This is usually followed by a hands-on assessment of the complaint and then followed by a suitable treatment intervention. The pressure experienced may range from quite light to extremely firm but remedial massage is usually associated with moderate to firm touch. However it is crucial that the pressure remains within your zone of tolerance and that you speak up if it is too firm. Some therapists perform what is known as trigger point release. When muscles are subject to injury or put on prolonged stretch, the muscle fibres can become tangled and form a palpable knot. These knots can cause pain in the local muscle but can also refer pain into other parts of the body. They are treated in remedial massage by applying firm sustained pressure with the idea that this blocks the flow of oxygen and nutrients, causing the knot to gradually soften and break down. While massage therapists typically use their hands and thumbs while working, they will occasionally use their elbow or forearm if they think this is a more effective intervention approach.
It is normal to feel sore or bruised for 24-48 hours after a remedial massage and some individuals even notice visible bruises on their skin. This can usually be alleviated with heat or ice. If you do notice bruises forming, be sure to mention it the next time you have a remedial massage.
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Last Updated - June 1, 2022
