Why tradies need remedial massage in their toolkit

Our bodies are our most important tool.

This statement could not be truer for our tradies, as without the ability to climb a ladder, operate machinery or lift heavy objects, their jobs and livelihoods are at stake.

According to the 2016 Census, over one-fifth of the employed men in Australia work as tradesmen. In fact, carpenters and joiners are two of the top professions in our country! We’re all likely to know someone who works as a tradesman, but are we sure they’re taking proper care of themselves?

As Aussies, we tend to take a “she’ll be right, mate!” attitude, which isn’t always appropriate when it comes to our health and wellbeing. Our tradies deserve to live long, healthy and pain-free lives and we want to show you how remedial massage can help achieve this.

The four most common areas that pain and injury strike tradesmen are the knees, elbows, back and neck, as mentioned in our previous blog post. Here’s how remedial massage can help these common problem areas:

1. Massage provides pain relief

Physiotherapists who conduct remedial massage, or soft tissue therapy, have undergone extensive training. They use their knowledge to provide therapeutic benefits that have a scientific basis, unlike a general masseuse.

Your physio can provide pain relief by working certain areas that trigger a natural release of endorphins, your body’s pain-relieving hormones. Aside from this, we all know the kneading, rubbing and twisting of your soft tissue generally just feels good!

It also encourages the flow of blood and oxygen to your muscles. With all that increased circulation, waste products such as lactic and uric acid are flushed out of your muscles, another pain-relieving benefit of remedial massage.

2. Massage relaxes tight muscles

This is an obvious one - whenever we’re feeling sore or tight after a day at work, a massage is usually everybody’s go-to. Even if it’s not performed by a professional, self-administered massage feels great on tired muscles.

As a tradesman’s job has high physical demand, it’s no surprise their muscles often feel tired and ‘knotted’. If you are continuously twisting, bending down and lifting heavy objects, your back is especially going to feel the effects.

After using a variety of methods to relax your muscles, your physio will use ‘frictions’ a technique which helps break down those knots and adhesions in your back and all over your body. Remedial massage will also help improve posture and flexibility, both of which are important when it comes to staying active and pain free.

3. Massage eases stiff joints

Joint pain is commonly experienced by tradies. Repetitive lifting, gripping, drilling and kneeling especially affects the knees and elbows. This is most often seen in carpenters, electricians, tilers and plumbers.

We’ve already learnt that soft tissue therapy can help relieve pain and relax sore muscles. Massage has the same effect on your joints, and when pain and tension is relieved, it subsequently improves your joint flexibility and range of motion.

4. Massage promotes optimal health

With over 600 muscles in our bodies needed to keep us moving, it’s important we give them some regular attention. Massage should be viewed not as a luxury treat, but as a routine appointment.

Remedial massage not only helps to relieve muscle tension and pain that arises on the work site, but it also has an enormously positive impact on your mobility as you age. If you’re on a quest for life-long optimal health, make remedial massage part of your routine.

If you, or someone you care about, is paying for all that hard work off-site, let them know you care about them by recommending remedial massage. Back In Motion physios have all the knowledge and skill to take care of our tradies.