Remedial Massage

Remedial massage techniques are similar to those used in our sports massage. The main difference is the context in which they are applied. For example, we have some clients who select our remedial massage option to allow our therapist to work on their recurring lower back pain. Remedial massage works deeper than Swedish massage and its effects are usually deeper and longer lasting. Remedial massage can be used to prevent injury and also to help heal injury and covers both muscular and skeletal dysfunctions.

Our remedial massage session usually lasts for around 30 – 40 minutes, depending on the extent of your dysfunctions and on the amount of treatment that your body can realistically handle at one time. We try to make a judgement between too much treatment and too little treatment, both of which can be counterproductive. An extended remedial massage session may last between 45 – 60 minutes and is usually recommended if you have extensive problems over various areas. Clearly the suitability and duration of these sessions will be discussed with you at the outset and can be changed during each session if necessary.

Trigger points cause symptoms such as pain (often referred pain, which can be as intense as pain from any other cause), muscle stiffness, weakness, nausea and dizziness. Trigger points are tiny contractions of muscle fibres in a very small band of muscle tissue. Contraction takes place within the microscopic sarcomere of a muscle fibre, and a trigger point exists when over stimulated sarcomere become unable to release their contracted state. The therapist will feel for these knots (which rang in size from a pinhead to a pea), lying along a taut band of muscle fibres . They may be caused by accidents, falls, strains, postural stress and muscle over-use. They can lie latent within the muscle indefinitely (and don’t actively refer pain), but they can also be activated by very little stress or strain. They are extremely painful when pressed upon. They are easily treated once found.

This allows the therapist to stretch the muscles, tendons and tissue which ultimately allows you to achieve a greater degree of flexibility and range of movement. A major benefit from this type of massage is that it then enables you to achieve greater enjoyment from both working and family lives due to the significant reduction in recurring pain that you will experience. Remedial massage techniques allow the therapist to deliver a mechanical solution to the affected area. In addition to this, our therapist will usually involve you in a simple exercise plan that you can carry out at home and at work to keep the affected areas active and stretched in a safe way. Although medical painkillers have their place in pain management, they don’t offer an actual solution at source.