Massage Therapy is an umbrella term for different styles of massage that assists in treating specific health issues. Such conditions may be due to injury, illness, trauma, stress, overuse or postural issues. Treatment is often combined with other assessment techniques, and both the original cause of the condition and any presenting symptoms are considered to assist in the healing process.

Massage Therapy techniques are often similar to those used in Swedish massage, but target deep tissue and muscle groups and generally use more pressure. It is a popular form of massage therapy as it addresses the aches, pains and injuries many of us seem to fall prey to at some stage in our lives. It is a varied therapy and combines a number of different techniques such as deep tissue, remedial, sports massage, and trigger point to work on damaged or sore muscles, soft tissue or joints.

The therapist will have a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology to assess and treat the dysfunction you are experiencing. They will use a variety of techniques such as kneading, stroking, or percussive movements – which can be gentle or vigorous, light or deep. The therapist may also use passive joint stretching. All these techniques serve to stimulate circulation to the affected area and may sometimes help to realign the body.

Make sure you know exactly what your injury or condition is before consulting a massage therapist, so you can let them know what is going on in your body. A first diagnosis from an appropriate specialist will help the therapist know where to begin to treat you.

Jump down to Remedial Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Trigger Point Therapy.

This massage is usually focused on specific problem areas of the body and is useful for strong pain or muscle adhesions, and is used to relieve muscle and joint aches and pains and improve mobility and flexibility in joints and muscles.

It involves a systematic assessment firstly to explore the original cause of presenting symptoms and the massage to relax the body and relieve these symptoms. The muscle becomes stretched and lengthened which promotes improved muscle tension and tone. It can also improve tension in the tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body to alleviate muscle and joint pain. By improving circulation of blood and healing properties to the muscle, remedial massage assists in rehabilitation and injury healing.

This massage also focuses on specific problem areas, and uses slow deep strokes to release spasms and tension in the deeper muscles layers often related to chronic pain. It is effective in breaking up scar tissue which can form after an injury, or surgery, which will then allow for greater mobility and flexibility. The increased circulation of blood will promote further healing of the muscle. This massage may cause discomfort at the time or for 1-2 days following the massage.

Whether you are a professional athlete or exercise once a week, we can all have the same injuries and complaints. This massage addresses muscles, ligaments and tendons and can be utilised as part of a training programme or just health maintenance. A sports massage before exercise or an event or race will help prepare your body by lengthening and stretching the muscles and soft tissue, thereby improving flexibility. This has the effect of both reducing the chance of injury as well and maximising your performance. A massage after exercise or a race will help relieve tension in the muscles and improve circulation to promote healing and eliminate toxins in the muscles (which would normally give you muscle soreness). It can also help restore strength and flow and improve flexibility.

This is a very targeted technique that can be used on its own or throughout remedial and sports massage. It uses deep point pressure on a very tender, focal area of spasm within a muscle to increase the blood flow to that spasm and allow it to relax. These areas of spasm can be resistant to releasing and may need to be held for a minute or more. They are points that actually cause a radiating pattern of pain distant to the trigger point and are points that won’t release with regular massage techniques. These points can be found all over the body.