Remedial Massage: Explained

Now days everyone is talking about remedial massage therapy. With the industry booming and demand for remedial massage therapists growing, there’s been no better time than now to embark on this exciting career pathway. Do you love the idea of having the flexibility to work for yourself? Do you love the idea of making others feel good and helping them to live a healthier, happier life? Then a career in remedial massage might just be the change you’ve been looking for. At TrainSmart Australia we’ll teach you all the fundamentals to becoming an exceptional remedial massage therapist. This article will allow you to immerse yourself in the world of remedial massage and cover all the ins and outs of the industry.

What is Remedial Massage Therapy?

Remedial massage is a clinical approach to soft tissue disfunction and damage. It aims to repair damaged areas and soothe pain that is caused by a change in our muscle structure and normal functioning. This includes muscle damage, tension, and flexibility. Common distresses like muscle cramps, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, sciatic pain and headaches often occur from things like bad posture, sitting at a desk for too long, sports or exercise injuries etc. Remedial massage looks to prevent and/or repair these types of problems in the body.

What’s the Difference Between a Relaxation Massage and Remedial Massage?

Two of the most common types of massage are relaxation massage and remedial massage, and so the two are often confused for one another. A relaxation massage’s focus is as its named, to relax and de-stress the mind and body. While it does have a few physical benefits, its main benefit is to your mental and emotional health. Relaxation massages are generally slow, gentle, flowing strokes. Remedial massages also as the name suggests, are designed to remedy the body. It looks to treat physical pain and dysfunction and so the focus is not on how the recipient is feeling or enjoying the massage but to correct or prevent problems in the body. Remedial massages often use deep, kneading motions that can sometimes cause the recipient a bit of discomfort.

What is Involved in Becoming a Remedial Massage Therapist?

Remedial massage therapists must complete a diploma of remedial massage, which at TrainSmart Australia takes just 12 months. Here you receive the skills, knowledge, and practical experience you need for a career in Remedial Massage Therapy. In this course you will learn how to conduct client consultations, diagnose muscle pain and discomfort, provide remedial massage, create ongoing treatment plans, and adopt small business planning and marketing skills to help you start your own therapeutic practice.

How does Remedial Massage Therapy work?

The massage therapist will begin the remedial massage appointment with an in-depth consultation to note all the details surrounding a clients problemed area. They will then walk the client through several movements to assess the extent of the injury. Based upon the assessment outcome, the massage therapist will then treat the client using a range of specific techniques. These are not always your typical massage techniques that are used to bring about pleasure and relaxation but, have been carefully formed to target problemed areas of the body. These movements penetrate the affected muscles.  The therapist may also instruct the client to perform certain movements and stretches to do from home for further rehabilitation.

Why do people use remedial massage therapy?

Remedial massage has many  benefits for both your physical and mental health. When muscles are manipulated during a massage it helps relieve tension that’s built up in the affected muscles. It pacifies underlying muscle tension and as the muscles relax, all connective tissue is eased. This helps to alleviate joint related pain. Additionally, this reduces inflammation and further pain associated with this. Remedial massage also increases circulation, this stimulates blood flow to promote healing, which allows for lymphatic drainage. Research shows that massage lowers blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels in the body. The stimulation of muscles causes the brain to release ‘feel good chemicals’ such as serotonin. These ‘happy hormones’ have also been known to reduce insomnia and improve the quality of your sleep. This makes it the ultimate relaxation technique to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Is it Painful?

Of course, everyone has a different pain threshold and discomfort tolerance, but to be able to manipulate muscles in the body a certain amount of discomfort is required. For example, deep tissue massage can often be slightly painful as it requires a deep and strong movement that penetrates the muscles. Remedial massage can leave you a bit sore afterwards, but you can expect any pain to subside within 24 to 48 hours of your treatment.

Remedial Massage Techniques

Deep Tissue Massage: often compared to Swedish massage, deep tissue massage is targeted at the deeper muscles of the body. It allows a person to have more movement, flexibility, and freedom from pain.

Stretching: elongating movements that improve circulation, blood flow, flexibility, alignment, joint mobility and range of motion. Assisted stretching allows one to safely stretch to their limits.

Myofascial release: is pressure applied and released on the connective tissue membrane which covers the entire body.

Trigger point therapy: specialized massage technique that targets specific, sensitive points in the body which have the power to trigger pain in larger areas of the body.

Cupping: applying a cup to suction tissue which flushes out chemicals that create trigger points.

Dry Needling: the insertion of a thin needle deep into the muscle to give pain relief and improve muscle function .

At TrainSmart Australia we’re passionate about producing quality health professionals, giving our students the confidence and skills to build a fulfilling and prosperous career in remedial massage therapy. We’re a leading provider of nationally recognized training and education, conveniently located in the Perth CBD. We ensure all our students are properly trained and prepared to enter the workforce as exceptional massage therapists. We are very proud to be on the panel of approved providers for the Jobs and Skills WA Participation Equity Program, meaning we offer this course at a majorly discounted rate for eligible WA students. Begin your journey to a new career now and enrol today!