Physical Therapy may be a very common practice for various injuries and muscle ailments in the United States, but a remedial massage can be just as beneficial, although it’s not as well known.
This form of therapy is recognized throughout the world, primarily as a therapeutic form of complimentary therapy, allowing the massage therapist to treat muscles that are damaged, knotted, tense or immobile. In general, It is now widely recognized as beneficial for a number of problems that affect the muscles, tendons and bones.
How does a remedial massage work?
Unlike other forms of massage therapy that are meant mainly for relaxation purposes, a remedial massage has the goal of healing muscles and connective tissue, and is often used to locate and repair damaged areas of the body, thereby speeding up the body’s own natural healing processes. Not only a therapeutic solution, remedial massage also aims to locate the original source of the pain, allowing the massage therapist to tackle both the cause of the problem and the symptoms, and proving a good solution for many medical conditions. In this way, it is more akin to physical therapy than common forms of relaxation massage techniques.
What techniques does a remedial massage involve?
Before the massage begins, the massage therapist will discuss with their patient their health, lifestyle, and pre-existing medical conditions, setting up a new account with a full evaluation. They will then ask the patient to lie on a massage table or couch and will cover them with towels to ensure privacy and comfort warm. They will probably use creams or massage oils to help massage the skin. Most massage therapists practice a number of different techniques to locate and repair damaged areas of the body, then proceed to deeply penetrate the connective tissue of the muscles associated with the problem. They might also stretch different parts of the body, taking note of any sensitivity.
Much like sports massage, remedial therapists use a variety of techniques to stimulate the muscle, as well as monitor a patient’s range of motion. Some of the most common remedial massage techniques include trigger point therapy and petrissage movements. Trigger point therapy is primarily used for high-stress areas that have been experiencing chronic discomfort. It is very common for people to feel a similar tenseness in their back, neck and shoulders, or glutes and calves. Much like physical therapy, trigger point therapy can be painful at first, as it involves the massage therapist applying pressure or strokes to a trigger point before stretching or testing range of motion.
Petrissage movements is slightly different in its technique, as the therapists use deep petrissage movements for deep manipulation of the soft tissue. Petrissage movements are similar to long strokes using the thumb and palm of the hand, but often provide the best massage for the patient’s condition. Other common techniques include soft tissue and deep tissue massage, Swedish massage uses, assisted muscle stretches, and different forms of foot massage therapy.
The health benefits of remedial massage
The aim of a remedial massage is to get a patient’s body back to full function after an injury or suffering chronic, long-term discomfort. If a patient has suffered moderate to heavy injuries which have led to structural pain or damage to their range of motion, then a diagnosis may be necessary to eliminate pain, and eventually aid in restoring the body’s natural abilities and functions.
A remedial massage offers numerous benefits to a patient. It has been proven to make joints more mobile, help to repair damaged tissues, and stimulate the blood supply throughout the body. These key benefits also help improve just common ailments as problems such as headaches, abdominal pain, and lower back pain, as well as whiplash, muscular atrophy, fibrosis, and most commonly, arthritis. Much like physical therapy, patients will also opt to return to their massage therapist on a different date, continuing their treatment for long-range benefits.
