Remedial Massage is a deep and thorough form of massage, which treats both superficial and deep tissues including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
As well as being used alone to treat specific joint or muscular problems it is often also used (sometimes with various forms of electrotherapy such as Ultrasound) as a "follow up" treatment to Osteopathy. This is very important in the rehabilitation of "sports" injuries and in the maintenance of healthy muscles for chronic conditions.
Massage can also be given purely for relaxation
Massage is one of the earliest and most instinctive forms of medicine. What is more natural than to "rub aches and pains better".
There are records of the medicinal use of massage being in regular practice for more than 2000 years and it is mentioned by Homer in The Odyssey.
What are the benefits?
Massage improves the circulatory flow of the blood and lymphatic fluids so
assisting in the speedy absorption of excess fluid from the tissues.
This is important in the recovery period of muscle strains and joint injuries,
giving relief from painful swellings and helping the body to heal more
quickly
with the minimum of scar tissue formation.
Remedial massage also breaks down the adhesions which form after injury and loosens those "knotty muscle fibres" resulting from tension or postural strain. This prevents chronic muscle stiffness from developing and causing joint mobility restrictions. (Therefore reducing the need for manipulative treatment)
Many patients have regular massage after a course of Osteopathic treatment and find that problems recur less often. It is of course particularly helpful in conditions where "fragile bones" prohibit manipulation and is safely and effectively used to ease stiffness in such cases.
Massage can be either soothing or stimulating. If used for relaxation it is therapeutic for the nervous or stressful patient, relieving tension and rejuvenating muscles that have become "fatigued". Stimulating massage can be used to tone muscles in preparation for sport.
Costs : from £21 for 30 minutes to £36 for 60 minutes.