What Is Remedial Massage?
Massage has become a very broad field and can be quite confusing in terms of which one to choose. It ranges from relaxation to Thai massage, Lomi Lomi, hot stone, shiatsu, reflexology, classical, sports, and remedial massage, to only name a few.
In this article, we will explain what remedial massage therapy is and which tools are used in order to help you figure out if this might be the right therapy for you.
Let’s start by looking at each component within the term ‘Remedial Massage Therapy’.
DEFINING GENERAL MASSAGE TERMS
MASSAGE
Massage is applied to the soft tissue of the body, such as the skin, fascia, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It involves effleurage, petrissage and tapotement techniques (touching, stroking, rubbing, kneading, squeezing and tapping with the hands). Relaxation, stress relief and enhanced blood circulation are one of the many advantages of a general massage.
MASSAGE THERAPY
In massage therapy, not only hands, but fingers, knuckles, forearms and elbows get used to apply the just-mentioned movements, added by friction and vibration, which complete the 5 main techniques of a classical (Swedish) massage. This therapy aims for a therapeutic manipulation of the soft tissue to elicit a physical, psychological, or even spiritual change.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPY
The word ‘remedial’ originates from the Late Latin word ‘remediālis’ and means tending to remedy, cure, or intending to correct something. In this context, it basically means that the body is not working the way it is supposed to, and that it needs improvement. Therefore, the goal of RMT is to treat soft tissue dysfunctions that cause pain and restrict human movement.
Similar to physiotherapy, remedial massage starts with an assessment (recording of a comprehensive history, observations, palpation, range of motion testing, etc.) followed by the treatment. Based on the assessment, the remedial massage therapist prepares a treatment plan, which might have to be adjusted during massage, depending on how the client’s body is responding. Sometimes tests get repeated in the end and strengthening/stretching exercises for home will be shown.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPY TOOLS
A wide range of techniques have been developed by manual therapists from different fields of practice such as massage, musculoskeletal medicine, osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic and other bodywork and movement therapies.
- Classical Massage (Swedish Massage)
A system of effleurage, pettrisage, tapotement, friction and vibration techniques performed to the more superficial layers of the muscles.
- Deep Tissue Massage
Forearms, palms or knuckles apply firm pressure to reach deeper layers of muscles and fascia (connective tissue). The muscle gets stroked very slowly, if possible, all the way from origin to insertion or the other way around.
- Myofascial Release Techniques (MFR)
Facilitating a stretch into myofascial regions and using pressure to engage the collagen and elastic components of fascial tissue.
- Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
Is a form of manual therapy that uses the gentle muscle contraction of the client to relax and elongate the muscle and allow a better range of movement.
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
PNF-Stretching is very similar to MET. In fact, it is one of many muscle energy techniques. A response of neuromuscular mechanism is promoted by the stimulation of proprioceptors during contract-relax stretching, which increases the muscle length.
- Neuromuscular Techniques (NMT)
Produces a modification in dysfunctional tissue and aims to restore functional normality. The therapist mostly uses thumb/finger pressure to assess hypertonic tissue with a focus on deactivating myofascial trigger points.
- Positional Release Techniques (PRT)
Uses passive body positioning of painful muscles which are held for about 90 seconds. This technique is often used in combination with trigger point therapy and makes it much more comfortable for the client due to its gentle approach.
- Mobilizing Techniques
Applying a gentle force at a motion barrier performed on joints, ligaments or muscles to increase range of motion.
- Therapeutic Exercise
Focuses on correcting impairment and improving physical function and overall health by using exercises of different types and intensities.
After listing the most commonly used techniques, it is very easy to see that RMT is more than just a massage. Therapists not only need to have a lot of anatomical knowledge but also excellent palpation, communication, and people skills.
RMT is especially beneficial for somebody that recovers from an injury or accident, as part of a rehabilitation program, for people with medical conditions and of course, for anybody that suffers from muscle pain/soreness/tightness and postural imbalances.
