Remedial Massage
Remedial massage involves the use of massage to treat a variety of ailments pertaining primarily to the musculoskeletal system. These may include damage, injury, or strain to muscles and tendons and may present as tension headaches, overuse syndromes, fibromyalgia, low back pain, rotator cuff strains from sports injuries, and other conditions. A remedial massage practitioner uses a range of diagnostic tests and techniques and provides a comprehensive treatment plan based on the underlying cause of the individual’s musculoskeletal problems. Treatment is tailored to the individual’s specific problem/s and needs.
Key benefits of remedial massage include: the stimulation of the blood supply to the muscles, improving the removal of toxins and repair of tissue; the calming of the peripheral nervous system to ease pain and discomfort; and the toning and relaxing of muscles to improve joint mobility. Therapeutic relaxation can also improve the health of the cells and the repair of tissues, and ease stiffness and tension.
Deep Tissue Therapy
Deep tissue therapy is one of the most effective of the soft-tissue therapies and as the name suggests, targets the deeper muscles and provides longer-term relief and correction of muscle and other soft-tissue injuries.
Unlike relaxation massage that leaves the patient feeling warm and relaxed, patients having deep tissue therapy seek to address more specific conditions or complaint and will feel the therapeutic difference. The effects of deep tissue therapy are usually felt the day after treatment.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release therapy comprises a gentle blend of stretching and massage using hands-on manipulation to promote healing and relieve pain. Remedial massage therapists use the technique to ease pressure in the fibrous bands of connective tissue, or fascia that hold together muscles throughout the body. Injury or damage to the fascia results in disruption and irregularities to the tissue, where instead of being uniformly aligned with long parallel fibres, the fascia becomes entangled and matted. This is believed to be the source of pain and restricted motion. Gentle stretching and long massage strokes aim to realign the damaged tissue, allowing for optimal health.
Triggerpoint Therapy
This technique applies concentrated finger, thumb or even elbow pressure to an area with a muscle. When a muscle is over-stretched or strained through injury or postural constraints, it will develop nodules or concentrated areas of contracted muscle called active trigger points. These occur throughout the body in a relatively predictable pattern. That is, muscles will develop a consistent trigger point pattern specific to the muscle involved.
Pain is usually characterized by local tendernes but may have a referral pattern. In other words, the pain you feel in your shoulder may originate from a different site. Focused pressure to the area for approximately 30 seconds is used to break cycles of spasm and pain within soft tissue structures.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching
PNF is also commonly known as isometric stretching. The process of performing a PNF stretch involves the following. The muscle group to be stretched is positioned so that the muscles are stretched and under tension. For example, to stretch the hamstrings (the large muscles at the back of the thigh) the individual performs a straight leg raise while lying on his/her back then contracts the stretched muscle group for 5-6 seconds while a partner, or immovable object, applies adequate resistance to inhibit movement. It is vital that the degree of contraction should be relative to the individual’s level of fitness and should thus be initially performed and taught by a qualified therapist. The contracted muscle group is then relaxed and a control stretch is applied for approximately 30 seconds. The muscle group is then allowed 30 seconds to recover and the process is repeated 2-4 times.
PNF is an excellent stretching technique for athletes of all skill levels from the recreational participant to the world-class champion.
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