Happy Healthy Humans Therapeutic Massage

Remedial massage is the systematic assessment and treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia to assist in rehabilitation, pain and injury management. The main objective is to assist the body to return to a state of homeostasis following injury, postural or structural deficiencies.

Treatment aims to reduce or eliminate pain and restore function through balancing muscle/soft tissue length, reducing tension and improving tone. This in turn promotes return to normal functional position, increases the flow of blood and lymph, and removes blockages, damaged cells, scar tissue and adhesions.

A remedial therapist must have knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to determine where treatment is required. Prior to treatment a thorough patient consultation and assessment is performed to ascertain the patient’s current health status. The assessment includes the development of a specific treatment plan as to the best course of treatment for the patient’s condition.

Treatment techniques include Trigger point therapy, Myofascial release, stretching, and Myofascial cupping.

Lymphatic Drainage massage (LDM) is designed to stimulate and enhance the functions of the lymphatic system, including removing excess fluid and metabolic debris and transport of lipids and proteins around the body. As the lymphatic system is located close to the skin surface, techniques are primarily light and repetitive to promote lymph flow.

Benefits of LDM include nervous system relaxation, reduction of fluid retention and stimulation of the immune response.

Cupping therapy is an advanced form of Chinese Medicine and is performed through the application of placing cups on the skin over tight muscles or trigger points. This helps alleviate pain, removes toxins and allows the body to feel restored and rested. The cups are fitted with a valve that attaches to a small hand-operated pump, allowing the practitioner to remove air from the enclosed area. Cupping can affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing the release of toxins, stimulate lymphatic and blood flow, and release fascial adhesions overlying muscle.

Cupping is usually incorporated into a Remedial Massage Treatment to assist in softening chronic tense musculature, and allowing the therapist easier access to underlying tissue.

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve built up tension in muscles. As the name suggests, techniques target deeper layers of muscle and fascia, especially around the shoulders and lower back. Deep tissue is generally incorporated into a Remedial Massage Treatment, and can also be used during a Swedish massage.

Sports Massage is suitable for anyone who is undertaking physical activity. A combination of Swedish massage and Remedial massage techniques are used to maintain physical condition, encourage local blood and lymph flow, relax muscle spasms and adhesions, promote and retain or restore range of motion.

Techniques are generally applied to specific muscle groups used during the activity.
Swedish massage addresses the entire body by relaxing muscles, assisting with pain relief, increasing local blood and lymph circulation and assisting to restore metabolic balance. This massage style incorporates five basic forms of stroke including long gliding strokes, kneading and frictions applied to the superficial layers of muscle.