Remedial Massage
What is remedial massage?
Remedial massage is the term used for a massage that addresses musculoskeletal issues - stiff joints, reduced movement, muscular tension and pain. I use a number of different techniques to this end, but it is primarily a vigorous, deep massage to stretch muscles, reduce muscle knots by breaking up muscle fibres (at a microscopic level) in order that new fibres will grow in a less knotty configuration. This is not a relaxing massage, but you may well feel extremely relaxed at the end because physical tension prevents us from relaxing. If you are looking for a relaxing massage book an aromatherapy massage. But if you have aches and pains then this is what you need!
What is it useful for?
I use remedial massage to help manage all sorts of musculoskeletal issues - all kinds of back tension and pain - migraine and neck tension, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, upper back, lumbar, sacral and hip conditions, shoulder restriction and pain, tennis elbow, runner's knee, Achilles problems, plantar fasciitis and a new condition - Zoom neck! However, because I practise many different therapies, I will normally use at least a couple of different modalities to address a particular problem.
Patient example
For instance, a patient recently attended with longstanding pain and restriction in her neck. She had been given massage previously to her neck and shoulders, but without much relief. When we went through her consultation it became apparent that extensive dental surgery many years previously may have caused her TMJ disorder. I used acupuncture, reflexology and massage to her back, shoulders, neck and I spent a lot of time massaging around the TMJ area. This achieved a significant increase in movement and reduction in pain for her.