Remedial massage

Remedial massage is a form of massage therapy that helps to relieve pain and promote healing of damaged tendons and muscles. Remedial massage differs from the type you get in a masseur. It is a treatment that goes straight to the source of the problem and heals both the cause and the symptoms. Through special techniques, a physiotherapist stimulates the body's own healing mechanism to bring about healing. A number of sprains and strains can be helped with remedial massage.

The massage is done with oil and is applied directly to the skin. It stimulates the blood supply, helping it to remove toxins from the muscles and thereby bringing about healing. It helps to ease stiffness and soreness and promote deep relaxation by reducing muscle tension. It promotes flexibility and ease of movement. Remedial massage can help relieve conditions such as sprains and strains, back and neck pain, shoulder injuries, sciatica, arthritis, fibrositis and fibromyalgia.

Information is usually taken from the client on the first visit to determine the needs. We will inquire about your past medical history, physical condition and reasons for coming to the clinic, if you were not referred by a physician. Treatment requires you to be unclothed and your privacy is protected.

Remedial massage can be compared to massage therapy in that the latter also helps to relieve pain and discomfort and bring about healing. Like remedial massage, massage therapy can be shallow or deep, depending on the needs of the client. Neuromuscular massage is a deep massage that is used to get rid of trigger points and increase blood flow.

In general remedial massage and massage therapy can provide the following benefits:

• A feeling of well being
• Improve the health and nourishment of the skin
• Promote faster healing of soft tissue injury and decrease pain and swelling from the injuries.
• Improve posture by removing tensions that affect posture
• Relieve stress and anxiety

Massage therapy has also been found beneficial in relieving the following conditions:

• increase weight and improve motor functioning in premature babies
• relieve asthma, allergies, circulatory problems, digestive disorders, repetitive injuries, insomnia and TMJ (temporamandibular joint dysfunction).

Despite the obvious benefits of massage, it may not be right for everyone and in some cases special precautions must be taken. For example, massage should not be used if a person has an advanced heart condition or suffers from high blood pressure. Massage therapy may also be contraindicated in cancer if it may cause the cancer to spread further or if tissue is fragile. Persons who suffer from blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis are not suitable candidates for this form of therapy, as well as persons with skin diseases, unhealed fractures or dislocations. Contact us to discuss the suitability of this treatment for you.