Top 10 Benefits of Remedial Massage
For 5,000 years people have enjoyed the benefits of massage therapy. For many, it’s a relaxing indulgence, but for others, massage plays a pivotal role in everyday performance and recovery. In this article, we talk about 10 benefits of remedial massage.
Remedial massage therapy is often used in the treatment and prevention of soft tissue injuries.
It’s a hands-on form of physical therapy performed by qualified professionals to treat muscles that are tense, damaged or knotted.
The style of massage is also commonly referred to as ‘sports massage’, however, it’s often sought by individuals of all ages and fitness levels.
Active teens through to seniors and anyone struggling with niggling muscle troubles may find relief in remedial massage.
Here are the top ten reasons you could benefit from a remedial massage.
1. Remedial Massage improves blood flow
The pressure applied through remedial massage stimulates the body’s circulatory system, improving blood flow. More blood flow results in quicker healing as the body flushes out toxins and repairs the damaged tissue.
2. Releases tight/overworked muscles
Muscles can become tight as a result of stress, overuse, injury and dehydration. The increased blood flow stimulated by remedial massage can help release tight and overworked muscles. It can also reduce spasms and assist in tissue regeneration at the muscle.
3. Injury treatment and prevention is one of the big benefits of Remedial Massage
Sports massage is often sought by athletes as a means of injury prevention and treatment. Stretching, relaxing, and loosening muscles during a massage helps improve muscle condition. This form of prehabilitation reduces the muscle’s likelihood of damage during exercise.
It can also be used as a treatment method in the wake of an injury. Manually manipulating muscles aids the healing process by improving circulation, breaking down scar tissue, and lengthening the tissues as they heal. Massage can help relieve symptoms associated with sporting injuries, muscular cramps, arthritis, and whiplash.
4. It facilitates Mental Health improvement
Remedial massage has been shown to improve more than just physical well-being. Its therapeutic benefits can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, too.
You’re probably familiar with the relaxing sensation that a massage delivers. This effect promotes the release of endorphins which lowers adrenaline and cortisol levels (stress hormones). It also lowers the heart rate and reduces muscle tension, which is what’s often associated with the ‘calming’ sensation.
5. It improves sleep
Many of the benefits outlined above translate into improved sleep for patients. Remedial massage helps reduce stress and muscle tension – both of which are common barriers to a good night’s sleep.
Remedial massage also triggers the release of serotonin – a neurochemical linked to the production of melatonin which is responsible for winding the body down for sleep.
6. It helps increase range of motion in joint
Remedial massage can be beneficial for joints as well as muscles. As tension in muscles around a joint is released, the range of motion of the joint improves.
This has proven particularly beneficial for sufferers of frozen shoulders, where mobility is significantly impacted. Remedial massage is often sought by sufferers to help restore normal functioning to the joint.
7. It offers pain relief
When it comes to pain management, every little bit helps, and remedial massage has proven helpful for many pain sufferers. The manual treatment of muscles can help reduce pain in acute injuries and relieve pain associated with chronic conditions.
Techniques such as deep and soft tissue massage and trigger point therapy can help release muscles around the affected area. This can reduce pressure on the nerves which are responsible for the sensation of pain.
8. It treats a wide range of health disorders
You may have realised by now that the benefits of remedial massage extend far beyond muscle repair. Remedial massage offers a holistic approach to wellbeing, simultaneously treating the mind and body.
It can assist in injury treatment, improve mental health, and relieve symptoms associated with a range of chronic health conditions.
9. It releases muscle tension
Office workers can be prone to developing shoulder and neck tension as a result of being seated before a computer for prolonged periods of time. Over time, this can lead to poor posture.
Remedial massage can help release muscle tension, leading to improvements in posture.
10. Finally, it is adaptable to your needs
Remedial massage is a deeply personalised treatment method. It can be delivered as anything from a more relaxing and shallow massage, to a stronger deep-tissue massage.
Your massage therapist will conduct an initial consultation to understand your goal for the session. This may include identifying any particular areas of focus or existing injuries and conditions and addressing any concerns.
Are you interested in experiencing the benefits of remedial massage for yourself? Atkins Health is home to a team of highly regarded massage therapists that are experienced in treating a wide range of patients.
