remedial massage
All detailed information about massage is sourced from the Australian Association of Massage Therapists.
For further details visit www.aamt.com.au
One of the oldest natural therapies known to man, the Chinese, Greeks and Romans all recorded using massage in ancient History. Massage now comes under the category of complementary or allied health in Australia. Massage is described as the manipulation of soft tissues by trained therapists for therapeutic purposes. Massage can be used purely for relaxation (soothing techniques are used to reduce stress and muscle tension) or for remedial benefits (which involves manipulating soft tissues to address specific injury/pain/dysfunction).
Massage techniques include soft tissue manipulation (hands-on work: kneading, stroking, friction, vibration and compression), thermal therapies, energy manipulation and stretch and strengthening exercises. Massage therapists do not diagnose illness and should not offer a cure - their role is assessment and treatment.
A Remedial Massage Therapist has the knowledge and skills to choose the best application of techniques to treat muscular pain and dysfunction affecting human movement. In particular, Remedial Massage is concerned with the restoration and maintenance of the soft tissue structures of the body and is applied in the preventative, corrective and rehabilitative phases of treatment.
Common conditions seen include muscular and joint stiffness, strains, sprains, lower back pain including sciatica, headaches, neck pain, arthritis, stress, insomnia and repetitive strain/sport/work/motor vehicle injuries. Pregnancy and post-partum (after baby arrives) are also wonderful times to enjoy the benefits of massage. Remedial Massage Therapists are required to complete specialist training to offer pregnancy/postnatal massage.