Benefits of Remedial Massage
Remedial Massage has been a popular therapy for some time now, with people using it for a whole range of reasons. These can vary from an injury to a muscle, ligament or joint in the body, to the feeling of relief and relaxation from stresses from our hectic lifestyles.
Massage can also help to achieve optimum health and wellbeing, and be used to get relief from ailments such as RSI and chronic conditions.
In this article, Sunil discusses three popular reasons for visiting a therapist performing remedial massage in North Sydney.
Recovery from Injury
Many people visit a massage therapist when they sustain an injury, be it from a sporting activity or simply from sleeping in an awkward position. A skilled therapist will carry out a wide range of tests checking the movement of the affected joint and soft tissue response to assess the injury and locate the likely structures affected.
During the acute phase (0-4 days), the focus is usually on reducing inflammation and preventing scar tissue from adhering to the soft tissue fibres. Applying specific massage techniques and moving the joint through its pain-free range of movement help remove excess fluid build-up and promote fluid exchange with the adjacent tissue.
As the injury progresses into the sub-acute and chronic phases, the treatment will usually need to be varied and be adapted to the changing tissue environment to provide a long-lasting healing effect.
Reduction of Pains, including Chronic Pains
Chronic pain is another common reason that people seek remedial massage therapy. Unfortunately for many, making a living involves either sitting at a desk in their offices, such as pretty much the entire workforce in North Sydney, or carrying out repetitive tasks for long periods. This, in combination with the stress component we experience in our busy lifestyles, and you have a recipe for RSI (repetitive strain injury), postural misalignment leading to nerve entrapment or weakened muscles, and all manner of chronic pains.
Chronic pains of this nature usually come about from subconsciously adopting one of a number of commonly observed postural patterns. These patterns lead to chronic shortness in some muscles and weakness in others, leading to a vicious cycle of increasing chronic pain.
Muscle imbalances are set up neurologically, with certain muscle groups dominating and switching off other muscles groups, in turn, leading them to weaken and atrophy, thus creating a vicious circle.
Relaxation and Stress Management
Most massages delivered skilfully at a slow or medium pace in a quiet setting will create a very deep, relaxing effect in the body. With the incorporation of simple remedial techniques such as moving joints through their range of movement and stretching of short and tight muscles, your body relaxes deeply and your muscles feel more supple and rejuvenated.
One of the reasons a good massage leaves you feeling so relaxed is that it switches on the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for slowing down the heart rate and conserving energy such as when you are “resting and digesting”.
These are just a small number of benefits of remedial massage. There are many other benefits that come from regular treatment. Make sure you find a therapist who is properly qualified, and has extensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology.
Author Credits ::
Sunil Mulay
Remedial Massage Therapist
Ravel Therapies
Lotus Holistic Health Centre
Suite 11, 40 Yeo Street
Neutral Bay NSW 2089
t: (02) 9953 5153
Web: Ravel Therapies North Sydney and Neutral Bay
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