While many might think of massages as a way to relieve stress and help you relax, you could actually receive a range of important health benefits by including them in your ongoing schedule, including improved blood flow, managing injuries and chronic conditions, and helping boost the lymphatic system.
In this article, our team at BodyMotion Physiotherapy have compiled six surprising health benefits of remedial massages.
What is Remedial Massage?
A remedial massage is a common form of natural therapy that aims to treat a selection of pains, aches and injuries. Sessions will target specific areas of damaged or knotted muscles that have become tense and immobile. Based on the extent of the injury or issue, the intensity and pressure applied will either be soft and shallow, or far deeper with more concentration.
Remedial massage isn’t to be confused with deep tissue massage, which typically covers a more whole-body treatment, rather than focused actions on separate parts of the body needing rehabilitation.
1. An Excellent Method to Improve Blood Flow
If you suffer from poor blood circulation, then it’s likely that your organs and tissues aren’t regularly receiving the oxygen and nutrients needed to function at optimal levels. By stimulating the circulatory system, remedial massage can prove effective in improving blood flow, which in turn aids in the healing process, repairing damaged tissues, and offering an array of other benefits.
2. It Helps to Manage Injuries
Our bodies aren’t indestructible, and injuries aren’t uncommon. Whether it’s a sports injury, the result of a workplace incident, or simply straining yourself in daily life, remedial massage should often be a part of your ongoing treatment plan. Your therapist will analyse your muscles, tendons, ligaments and posture to identify the causes and extent of the issue, and then apply specific techniques to target the affected area. Constant work to improve the range of movement and stimulate greater blood flow will help to reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Remedial massage can also aid in alleviating pain related to chronic conditions. Introducing a maintenance session each week or just a couple of times per month can prove highly beneficial in managing the pain you experience.
3. Removal of Muscle Tension, Especially with Neck and Shoulder Pain
One of the most frequent reasons people seek remedial massage is to relieve muscle tension, often experienced as serious discomfort and even pain in their neck and shoulders. Again, your therapist will begin by identifying what is causing this tension, whether it is a poor ergonomic position whilst working, poor posture while performing daily tasks, or even just a manifestation of stress during busy periods. This will help them to tailor treatment strategies and apply a range of different techniques, including trigger point release and myofascial release, to target the areas of tension and help reduce pain. In fact, remedial massage is often considered the best remedy for neck and shoulder pain.
4. Remedial Massage Therapy to Relieve Stress & Promote Relaxation
As mentioned above, if you’re feeling stressed, it can leave a physical impact on your body. Fortunately, a remedial massage can be an excellent way to help you relax. The therapist will use gentle techniques to promote relaxation and help reduce stress levels. When combined with other external stress-reduction strategies, such as breathing techniques and mindfulness, you can be left feeling calm and relaxed, as well as helping to improve your sleep quality.
5. Can Remedial Massage Help Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition causing pain experienced throughout the sciatic nerve, spanning across your lower back and all the way down through your legs. There are various causes, including a trapped nerve or herniated disc. While there’s no cure for sciatica, massage can effectively manage the symptoms by soothing tense muscles and reducing the pressure experienced on the nerve itself. A recent study found remedial massage to provide more benefits than anti-inflammatory medication.
6. Benefits of Remedial Massage on the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that remove toxins and waste products from the body. It’s a crucial part of the immune system, and remedial massage can help improve lymph flow and promote drainage with greater blood circulation and blockage removal. This can help to boost your immune system and leave you feeling revitalised.
How Often Should I Get a Massage?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a singular answer to this question, as the frequency of your treatments will depend on various factors, such as the nature of your injury or condition, your physical activity levels, stress, availability and more.
For more information and to build a personalised treatment with remedial massage, please contact us at BodyMotion Physiotherapy today.
