Remedial Massage
Remedial massage is a clinical approach to soft tissue dysfunction or damage. It focuses specifically on the area of the pain but with the function of the whole body in mind. This is because the main source of the diagnosed problem originates from postural or structural misalignments.
This type of massage seeks to correct postural or structural misalignments that are caused caused by poor posture or body use. However, the misalignments may also be the result of specific injuries such as whiplash, falls, sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
Sports Massage
Sports massage is designed to optimise the performance of athletes and to prevent and treat sports injuries. It is frequently used before, during and after sporting activity. It specifically provides a warm-up to loosen muscles pre-event and alleviates muscle tension and inflammation post-event. It also relieves muscle pain, muscle soreness, increases flexibility and range of motion.
Sports massage has a number of benefits such as physical, physiological and psychological. The techniques used in sports massage can be beneficial for everyone, not just for sports-oriented people.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage specifically focuses on working through the deeper layer of the muscles and the surrounding connective tissue where persistent discomfort can be released. Deep tissue massage is useful to breakdown adhesions build up in the muscles. The pressure starts light and slowly progresses to the deeper layers to a point where it is still tolerable.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Soft Tissue Therapy is the manipulation, management and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body - i.e. muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints - to enhance a person’s health and well being.
It is a hands-on approach which aims to alleviate pain, increase range of motion, and relax tense muscles. It is not just for those with chronic pain and injuries, but also for those who want to prevent injuries and maintain an active and healthy body.
Your massage therapist will employ a variety of techniques such as relaxation massage, sports massage, Swedish massage and remedial massage and will often prescribe therapeutic exercises to help maintain the benefits of your treatment.
In certain cases, your therapist may also apply spinal and joint manipulation or medical acupuncture (dry needling) for a swifter recovery.
Relaxation Massage
Relaxation massage will make you feel revitalised and rejuvenated. The treatment ranges from light to moderate pressure according to the clients preference. This kind of treatment is designed to ease muscular tension, relieve stress and it can be both relaxing and energizing. Regular treatment will promote a general state of well-being.
Medical Acupuncture (Dry Needling)
Medical acupuncture (Dry Needling) is a therapeutic treatment involving the insertion of ultra-fine sterile needles. Sometimes manual or low voltage electrical stimulation is applied to assist the process. This treatment is not the same as traditional Chinese acupuncture which primarily works to stimulate the 'qi' energy flow throughout the body.
Medical acupuncture is mainly used to treat muscle pain and myofascial trigger point pain.The treatment mainly acts by stimulating the nerves in skin and muscle. By doing so, we know that it increases the body’s release of natural painkillers – endorphin and serotonin – in the pain pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are received.
Dry needling is a proven and very effective method of releasing muscle spasms, relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
The treatment has been successfully used for headaches, sports injuries, muscle strains and in some cases of arthritic and rheumatic pain.
Spinal and Joint Manipulation (Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment)
Spinal and joint manipulation treatment involves the specialised use of mechanically applied movement techniques to improve joint range of motion and balance tissue and muscle mechanics in order to relieve pain.
The treatment addresses structural and tissue abnormalities, restores muscle and tissue balance and relieves joint restrictions for improved range of motion.
Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point Is a tiny contracted area within a muscle. It feels like a knot and can cause pain in the muscle itself or in other areas of the body, known as referred pain.
Muscle imbalances, poor posture, repetitive strain injuries are some of the predisposing factors that cause trigger points.
Trigger point therapy involves releasing the contracted area within the muscle by applying pressure using one of a variety of techniques.
Relief from pain is often experienced during the initial treatment. Sometimes, especially in chronic cases, a series of treatments is needed before the trigger point is fully released and the pain is finally gone.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together. Osteopaths provide safe, effective treatment and care that aims to promote the health of patients by the use of wide variety of hands-on manual therapy techniques that focus on releasing tension, improving mobility and optimising function, together with useful health advice and exercise, tailored to the needs of the individual from all walks of life.