We have recently had this question asked quite a few times via phone or online booking so thought I should try and clear it up for you.
Like any industry, Remedial Massage has its own language. It can get very confusing trying to navigate the many different names and acronyms. In fact, it took about a decade for people to understand that Remedial meant to treat soft tissue injury, not someone who needed extra help with learning. We tend to throw these words around, assuming people understand their meaning when in fact they can be a source of confusion.
Deep Tissue
Myofascial Release
Trigger Point
Manual Lymph Drainage ( MLD)
Let me try and clear it up.
Remedial Massage is defined by Medibank Private as:
Remedial massage is the systematic assessment and treatment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body to assist in rehabilitation, pain and injury management.
In other words, it is the broad definition of what we do as therapists to help you with soft tissue injuries, such as muscle, tendon, and fascia to help reduce pain and increase ROM (Range of Motion). I like to think of Remedial Massage as the umbrella that all the different techniques fall under. So Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point, Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) are all types or techniques of Remedial Massage.
As experienced, skilled therapists, we would set out a treatment plan with our client. Find out what the issue is and then draw upon several different techniques to help our client based on their needs.
For example, you may have helped a friend move house and the next day you wake up with a sore lower back. It is painful and you are having some difficulty walking pain free and you might even find it painful to bend to one side. We would book you in for a Remedial Massage and then draw upon our skillset or tools of the trade to help you. This may include Myofascial Release, Deep tissue, Trigger Point, Swedish Massage, and some stretching. We may also use Rock Tape or Vacuum Cupping and give you some take home exercises.
If you click on this link, you can see the definitions of the types/techniques we use such as Deep Tissue
When you book your massage, IF it is to help fix pain or restore ROM then book in a Remedial Massage.
De-stress/Relaxation Massage - is as it sounds to help the body and mind relax
Sports Massage – is for pre or post event or maintenance
Pregnancy Massage – Hopefully this one is clear BUT please make sure you are a low-risk pregnancy, if High Risk we need Drs written permission to massage.
If you have private health insurance
Book in Remedial, although you can claim for Relaxation – if it is to help anxiety, Stress, or Depression as there is Evidence Based Research that shows Swedish Massage, one of the types of Remedial can benefit your mental health. A treatment plan can be written for that.
VERY IMPORTANT
Massage should not be a torture session it is NOT designed to be so painful that you squirm on the table. We work with you and no treatment should go past a 7/10 for pain for any extended period. – Think this might be my next blog!
Hope this has helped explain what to book in for, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Hills Massage
You’re in good hands!