Remedial Massage

What is remedial massage?

Remedial massage is an outcome focused treatment which aims to treat, “or remedy”, muscles that are damaged, tense or suffer restricted movement. It can be beneficial for many soft tissue symptoms that affect the muscles, tendons or bony structure. Remedial massage encompasses and involves a range of massage techniques such as deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point and sports massage therapy. Remedial treatments are health care oriented to deliver physical, mental and emotional benefits for the recipient and although the release of tension can be deeply relaxing, it is not classified a relaxation treatment.

What are the benefits of remedial massage?

There are numerous health benefits of remedial massage therapy. The therapist will aim to improve skeletal alignment, balancing the length, tension and tone of the muscles to restore the correct position of the bones. Better alignment stimulates blood supply, nourishing soft tissues to recover from activity and heal injuries.

What conditions does it treat?

Easing and stabilising muscles using remedial massage can treat:

Is remedial massage the same as deep tissue?

Although remedial massage involves using deep tissue techniques to treat the deeper layers of muscle, they can be applied to achieve different outcomes. It is possible to receive a generic deep tissue massage treatment for both therapeutic muscle release or for relaxation gains. However, remedial massage is always specific to you, to improve alignment, condition and function. No two people will have the same needs and preferences in any treatment.

Is remedial massage the same as sports massage?

In essence, sports and remedial massage are the same treatment. Sports massage is a title more common to Europe. North America uses the term medical massage and remedial massage is the wording of choice in Australia. The title sports massage can give the impression that it is only for sporty or active people and as a result the new term of soft tissue therapy is also being used to help the total population feel included in using massage as a means to accomplish health goals. Medical, remedial and sports massage all exist to give treatment for the intention of remedying or curing muscular issues.

Is remedial massage painful?

Receiving any massage can feel both pleasurable and painful at different stages and body parts. Because remedial massage is utilised to create positive change in the soft tissues of the body there is the element of challenging muscular tension, knots and restriction to bring ease and movement to the joints and muscles of focus. When applied skilfully remedial massage should feel like a ‘good hurt’ where the pressure applied remains on the therapeutic edge of melting fibrous tension without pushing too far.

What does the treatment involve?

A remedial massage session will start with a short consultation to check in on how you’re feeling and to determine if you have any goals or intended outcome that you want from your treatment. Your therapist will ask you to lie on the treatment couch and will use towels to protect your modesty and keep you warm. They can then easily assess your musculature through the towel to find areas of tension, pain and restricted motion before using a lotion to massage your skin smoothly. Your therapist may use a range of techniques to locate and repair damaged tissues in your body.