REMEDIAL
The word remedial comes from Latin remedium "a cure, remedy, medicine, antidote, that which restores health”. Simply put, remedial massage aims to restore homeostasis within the body. Remedial massage can help restore balance when we feel discomfort, inflammation, sore muscles, pain, have decreased mobility and are stressed.
The manual manipulation of muscles and soft tissues like tendons, ligaments and fascia helps stimulate healthy blood flow, reoxygenate muscles, aid in immune response, decrease our sympathetic nervous system (our “fight or flight” stress response) and increases our parasympathetic nervous system (quiet “rest and digest” response) - massage releases endorphins that make us feel good.
Remedial treatments can assist in neck pain, headaches, sporting injuries, whiplash, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, lower back pain, sciatica, cramps, osteitis pubis, groin adductor pain, knee pain, rib tension and related breathing issues, some digestive issues, shin splints and plantar fasciitis. They can also help ease insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, muscular atrophy and general stress.
Techniques can include deep tissue release, trigger point therapy, relaxation strokes, stretching, joint mobilisation, jostling and tapotement, myofascial cupping and dry needling.
SPORTS
There is a reason athletes get regular treatments: massage doesn’t just make muscles feel better, it makes them recover faster and stay stronger.
When a muscle is in a contracted state, as it often can be when training or involved in sport, it is more susceptible to injury. Sports massage increases blood flow and reduces muscle tension, as well as increase or decrease neurological excitability. Having muscles that lengthen and contract to their fullest range lowers the risk of injury, and gives you access to their full range of motion and power.
Sports massage can be used to maintain muscular health pre or post-activity. Pre-activity it can encourage oxygen into the fibres, heat the tissues and wake up "lazy" muscles. Post-activity it can soften Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and relieve tension. Regular treatments can help you stay injury-free - and if you do injure yourself, massage is a fantastic way to speed up the healing process.
Techniques can include deep tissue release, trigger point therapy, relaxation strokes, stretching, joint mobilisation, jostling and tapotement, myofascial cupping and dry needling.