What is it?
Massage therapy is a form of manual therapy which involves compressing, holding, moving and applying pressure to muscles and supportive soft tissue structures to reduce pain and enhance performance. There are many different forms of massage out there, including but not limited to, deep tissue massage, remedial massage, sports massage, Thai massage, hot stones, reflexology and so much more! With so many options, it can be difficult to know which one will work best for you. Two of the more common therapies that this article will discuss are deep tissue and remedial massage.
Deep tissue versus remedial massage
Deep tissue massage is similar to that of Swedish massage, where long flowing strokes are used to apply even pressure throughout the whole body. Pressure is kept quite firm in order to compress, move and release the muscles more firmly. While this can feel slightly uncomfortable, many people describe it as a “good pain” which leads to an overall whole body relaxing treatment.
Remedial massage on the other hand, is a more targeted treatment for specific pain or injury. Firstly, remedial massage begins with a review of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and posture. Once the clinician has an understanding of the problem, massage is then used to rehabilitate specific areas of the body. While the pressure is still firm, the treating clinician will use clinical reasoning and vary the stroke, pressure or technique to ensure the best outcome for the specific problem.
Contraindications to massage therapy
Everyone can benefit from a massage regardless of your occupation, sport or lifestyle. However, there are some instances where massage may not be appropriate and medical clearance should be obtained. This includes, but is not limited to;
- During pregnancy.
- Open cuts, skin rashes or current infections.
- Current fever or illness.
- Over fractures or broken bones.
- Suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Recent surgery (must get medical clearance first).
- If the person has a life-threatening illness.
Benefits of massage
Not only do you walk away feeling revitalised, but there is an extensive list of benefits from treating yourself to a massage. Some benefits include;
- Decreases muscle tension and pain.
- Improves circulation, therefore leading to enhanced recovery from injury or exercise.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Boosts immunity.
- Increases joint mobility and flexibility.
- Stimulates movement of lymphatic fluid.
- Relieves stress and anxiety.
- Can improve sleep quality.
- Can improve mental alertness.
When should I book myself in for a massage?
You can book yourself in for a massage whenever your heart desires! Some signs of when a massage might be of benefit to you include;
- Tight or stiff muscles.
- Muscular pain and soreness.
- If you are suffering from headaches.
- If you are stressed or anxious.
- If you want to improve flexibility.
- Management or prevention of an injury.
- To enhance exercise or sport performance.
- If you are suffering from chronic pain conditions.
Which massage therapy is best for me?
There are endless benefits from both massage therapies and often it is about finding what works best for you.
Deep tissue massage may be best for those without a specific problem area and instead want a whole body therapeutic massage to relax muscle tension and promote recovery from exercise or sport.
Remedial massage may be best for those with a specific problem or body part that requires a more specialist treatment. This is often done with a goal in mind and over several sessions.
If you would like to learn more about massage therapy, the Physiotherapists at Back In Motion Como would love to help!
Website: https://www.backinmotion.com.au/como
Phone Number: 9313 3414