Massage

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage provides a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. When muscles and tendons become damaged, impaired, knotted, tense or immobile. Massage provides an effective healing treatment.

Massage holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, healing both the cause of the disorder as well as the symptoms.

If you haven’t ever experienced a quality massage, we thoroughly recommend it.

What Conditions Benefit from a Massage?

Massage is effective in treating a wide range of conditions and ailments, such as, but not limited to:

• Neck Pain and Back Pain
• Tension Headache
• Jaw Pain
• Frozen Shoulder
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Tennis Elbow
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress
• Muscular Spasms
• Muscle Cramps
• DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
• Relaxation
• Anxiety and Stress

How Does a Massage Help You?

As well as assisting in the treatment of the above conditions, massage has a positive impact on various systems of your body.

These include:

Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems

Massage encourages blood flow to the tissue being treated by stimulating the circulatory system. As the lymphatic system works in close proximity to the circulatory system, the message will promote reduced pain and swelling by improving lymphatic flow.

Muscular

Massage has a direct impact on the muscular system by stretching tight muscles, relaxing and releasing overused muscles, reducing spasms and muscular cramping, as well as assisting in tissue regeneration.

Endocrine/Hormonal

It has been proven that remedial massage can promote a decrease in cortisol, which is produced when we experience pain and stress. Massage also promotes an increased level of serotonin and dopamine, which improves your mood, relaxation, and assists in relieving pain. This can also have a follow-on effect by reducing anxiety while enhancing sleep, concentration and energy levels.

Joints

By working on the muscles around a joint, massage can increase joint range of motion and assist in increasing joint strength and stabilization.

When is the Best Times for a Massage?

Massage for chronic, longstanding conditions can be performed at any time. Ideally, the massage should be performed on a regular basis to promote mobility and improved function and to stop conditions from becoming problematic and painful.

For acute or recent injuries, remedial massage is indicated 72 hours following an injury and after rest and ice, therapy has been performed to reduce any inflammation and swelling.

How Long Should You Book for a Massage?

Physio Works offer massage treatments for 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute appointments. Generally, 30 minutes is sufficient time to treat one problem area, for example, neck and shoulders. 45-60 minute appointments are sufficient for 2-3 areas, for example, lower back, neck, and shoulders, while 60-90 minutes will cover a full body treatment.

What Frequency Works Best for a Massage?

A new injury or condition can often be resolved within a few treatment sessions. However, chronic and long-standing conditions will often require a series of treatments to return the area to its normal function. This will usually include a number of weekly massages and will gradually be spaced out in frequency until a maintenance stage is reached.

While everyone’s needs will be a little different depending on your lifestyle, regular massages work best. Ideally, a maintenance massage should be performed on a regular monthly basis to promote mobility and improved function and to stop conditions from becoming problematic and painful.

For advice specific to your body’s needs, please ask your massage therapist how often you should have a massage to function optimally.

Common Massage Styles?

More information about Massage Styles?

Swedish Massage

A gentle and relaxing massage style that incorporates long, smooth strokes to relax and soften superficial muscle. A great massage option for those looking for a soft treatment to promote that relaxed and stress-free feeling.

Deep Tissue Massage

A deeper massage targeting the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. This massage style incorporates slow, deep strokes to break up stubborn knots and tight tissues. Deep tissue massage is great for those who suffer from chronic tightness, scar tissue formation, repetitive strain or engage in a regular physical activity.

Sports Massage

A massage style specifically designed for those involved in physical activity. Sports massage focuses on preventing and treating injury, while also enhancing athletic performance. Therapists will commonly use a mixture of Swedish and deep tissue massage techniques. The massage therapist will commonly finish your sports massage with some gentle stretch therapy.

Remedial Massage 

Remedial massage is a modality that incorporates numerous techniques to locate and treat musculoskeletal imbalances and chronic/acute pain. Specific techniques used include Swedish and deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques and stretching. Remedial Massage is effective for those suffering from a particular complaint, or those who just want to ensure their body is functioning at its optimum level.

Pregnancy Massage

A massage using a selection of Swedish, deep and remedial massage techniques to reduce stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pains and reduce anxiety and depression. Pregnancy massage is performed with the woman on her side and/or back, and is customized to a woman’s individual needs.