Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a deep tissue massage and a remedial massage? You wouldn't be alone as the modality has evolved throughout the years as our understanding of pain and the human body has improved.
 
Medibank defines remedial massage as 'the systematic assessment and treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body to assist in rehabilitation, pain and injury management.'
 
When a client presents with pain either from an injury or due to repetitive stresses at work, your therapist will first perform a physical assessment to determine whether the pain is related to the soft tissues of the body and from there create a treatment plan with the goal of reducing or eliminating pain and restoring soft tissue function to the targeted group of muscles. This assessment can take up to 10 minutes, but will ensure the hands-on treatment is far more effective resulting in fewer treatments needed to see results.
 
Massage is a tool utilised by many professions including physios, osteopaths, and chiropractors but for remedial massage therapists it is our speciality. We use our hands to encourage a safe and feel good environment for your muscles, in order to disrupt the cycle that many with chronic pain experience, where there is pain but no obvious signs of tissue damage or where an initial injury has healed but there is still a feeling that something isn't quite right.

Exercises given during a remedial massage session are generally movement based and don't require weights or any equipment, this means they can easily be incorporated into your daily routine without having to make a major commitment. Doing these movements help cement positive changes gained during your remedial massage session and turn them into long lasting results.

Massage provides many benefits such as stress relief, a reduced feeling of tension throughout the body and an overall feeling of wellness. A therapeutic deep tissue or relaxation massage may provide all the above benefits, but the approach is broad and less specific than a remedial massage, where the entire body is treated, usually through a full body massage.
 
A therapeutic massage or deep tissue massage requires less participation from a client during treatment. During a remedial massage a client will sometimes be asked to perform movements during certain techniques whereas in a therapeutic session the client will be able to relax for the entire duration of the session.
 
A common misconception is that deep tissue massage should be painful, while there can be
some discomfort working in sensitive areas, it should never be painful and a client should never be grimacing on the table. Your therapist will keep in constant communication with you ensuring the treatment is within a comfortable pain threshold and adjusting accordingly to your needs.

If you're feeling sore or stressed because of work or maybe you just need to unwind, address a few niggles and relax, a deep tissue / therapeutic massage is a good place to start. But if you have an ache or pain that just won't seem to go away or keeps coming back, a remedial massage is the better option to take as the assessment and variety of techniques used will overall be more efficient in meeting your goals.

It is a common reaction to massage to feel sore and tender for a few days after a massage but it is usually an indication that the pressure used by the therapist was too much. We want our clients to feel light and free the day after their massage.

Comfortable loose fitting clothes is recommended as it'll make the physical assessment easier to perform.

​We use organic coconut oil but if you don't like the feeling of oil, we also have sorbolene
available. Clients are also welcome to bring their own oils if they like.

Usually, remedial massage is claimable though most policies under extras. Note: Relaxation / Deep tissue is not eligible for rebates.

Massage is a term used to describe rubbing, pressing, and manipulating your skin, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It can range from light stroking to deep pressure. Even so, regular massage is much more than just a relaxing and pampering treat. It can boost your health and well-being in the following ways:
 
 
It eases stress
 
The long-term effects of stress can take physical and emotional tolls. Massage can lower the level of stress hormones in your body. It also stimulates the release of endorphins in the body, helping you feel energized, happy, and at ease. Furthermore, if you are dealing with anxiety, one study suggests that massage can help ease the symptoms significantly.
 
It works as pain relief
 
Massage helps in working out issues such as lower back pain and chronic stiffness. A professional therapist can target accurately the source of the pain and apply the appropriate techniques to ease the aches. Besides, medical research has proven that regular massage can ease or even alleviate headaches, migraines, and joint pains.
 
It improves sleep
 
Studies indicate a strong link between regular massage and reduced insomnia. That can be because massage encourages relaxation and boost your mood, while relieving muscle-aches which promote more restful sleep.
 
It enhances blood circulation
 
Stimulating soft tissues and loosening tendons and muscles allow increased blood flow in your body. That can regulate your blood pressure while providing healthier skin, improved cell growth, and better organ functionality.
 
It boosts immunity
 
Massage can help release toxins through the lymphatic systems. A research group found that a single 45-minute massage can change the body’s immune response. Thus, getting a massage regularly is a great way to strengthen your immune system. Besides, it boosts your white blood cell count, which plays a significant role in defending your body from illnesses.
 
 
The takeaway
 
Massage is not only a feel-good way to pamper or indulge yourself. In fact, it can be a powerful technique to help you take charge of your health- whether you have a specific health condition or just looking for ways to improve your overall wellness. 

Deep tissue massage is a massaging technique that is commonly used to treat sports injuries and strains. It involves the use of slow strokes and applying deep finger pressure to reach deeper layers of the muscles and fascia. Deep tissue massage is one of the most popular types of massages and delivers plenty of benefits to the body. Deep tissue massage helps reduces tension is the tissues and muscles. It also helps to reduce inflammation and boost blood flow.

​Deep tissue massage usually targets the structure of the deep tissue muscles and fascia by applying intense pressure. On the other hand, regular massage does not involve a lot of force. The pressure applied is therapeutic and gives a nice soothing feel. Deep tissue massage usually results in some level of discomfort and, in some cases, pain, especially when the massage therapist is working in areas where there is scar tissue.

​Deep tissue massage offers both physiological and psychological benefits. It mainly focuses on improving stiffness and treating muscle pain. This massage can also help you to unwind after a busy day at work.
Below are few benefits of deep tissue massage:

​If you want to relax and relieve pain or you are recovering from an injury, then deep tissue massage can come in handy. A deep tissue massage is administered using multiple advanced techniques.