Remedial and Orthopedic Massage
What is Remedial and Orthopedic Massage Therapy? Remedial Massage helps to remedy tension and posture and ease muscular aches and pain. The goals of remedial massage therapy are to -
Reduce swelling and decrease pain
Promote healing
Maintain fitness and strength
Restore muscle balance through range of motion and strength
Relaxation
Prevent re-injury: minimize furth
er injury the affected local tissue
The overall aim of Remedial Massage Therapy is to reduce pain and increase range of motion/movement. This is a specialized type of massage therapy to work intensively with a range of techniques such as deep tissue massage and mobilisation techniques on localised areas of the body. Treatment techniques may involve the use of heat, cold, Remedial massage techniques, stretching and exercises to restore mobility and strength. Mary Sarah Eldridge has experienced pain for many years in the past prior to discovering the benefits of remedial therapy for herself;
‘Following years of back pain problems and sciatica, when I was a teacher, and having tried many different therapies I discovered the benefits of Remedial Massage. This therapy helped retrain my muscles to release from spasm and hold themselves in a more relaxed and pain-free position. I no longer suffer from the debilitating pain and fear of re-injury and have learnt techniques to self- maintain good back and neck health with no pain and greater flexibility.’
What can conditions can Remedial Massage Therapy treat? Many people today suffer with back, neck and shoulder pain causing many problems within the body. This may be a result of physical injury, poor posture, tension or repetitive actions, causing muscles to be in a contracted state for sustained periods. Remedial Massage is a therapy used to treat muscular problems, loss of muscle tone and adhesions and removing physical tension in the muscles. Incorporating advanced massage techniques, it helps to speed up circulation and eliminate toxins, which can cause pain and stiffness. Other benefits can include improving the skin’s elasticity and helping with the break down of fatty tissue and adhesions. Upper body pathologies;
* Treatment of the thoracic spine(upper back) to muscle strain, functional/structural scoliosis
* Treatment of injuries to the shoulder girdle
* Treatment of injuries to the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint; strains, tendiopathy and
impingement to the arm. and hand, Frozen shoulder or unstable shoulder
* Treatment to the forearm and hand; lateral or medial arm pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Treatment of the cervical spine (neck) headaches/migraines, soft tissue related neck pain and stiffness, acute torticollis (Wry neck) Traumatic Injuries- muscle strain/ ligament sprain (e.g. Motor vehicle accident resulting in whiplash or hypertension type injuries)
Lower body pathologies;
* Lower back pain including sciatica and muscle spasms in the gluteals (buttocks)
* Treatment of the foot and ankle; plantar fascia pathologies, muscles strain, tendinopathies, ligament sprains (mostly commonly anterior talo-fibula ligament sprain when an ankle is ‘rolled’), stress fractures, Morton’s nueroma and Hallux Vagus
* Treatment of the lower leg; chronic calf pain, Achilles tendinopathy, Compartment syndrome
* Posterior and anterior thigh injuries; hamstring pain, corked thigh. ITB pain, knee injuries
* Hip, pelvis and Groin injuries; muscle strains, anterior/posterior pelvis tilt, sacro-iliac pain, lateral/posterior buttock pain
In the past few years Mary has treated clients for many conditions ranging from headaches and migraines, back ache, sciatica, muscle spasm and pain, foot problems and sprains, frozen shoulder, Golfer’s and Tennis elbow and nerve impingements to name a few. She also works on Sports injuries and offer post and pre-event Sports massage and maintenance treatment. Mary assesses clients thoroughly and consults their GP if concerned about whether it is right to treat their condition. For specific problems clients usually see improvements within three to five treatments (with weekly intervals) and if they do not feel any improvement, then Mary feels it is her ethical duty to reassess or refer on to another practitioner or specialist. Treatments
As a practitioner of Remedial Massage therapy, Mary works on clients after a thorough consultation and physical assessment to check range of motion. Specific work on muscles and joints includes a range of techniques from gentle massage to deeper tissue work including; Trigger Point Therapy or Digital Ischaemic Pressure , Muscle Energy Technique, Myosfascial Release Mobilising Massage, Vacuum cupping, Transverse Friction, orthopedic massage techniques and Stretching. Mary combines clinic treatment with a personalised programme in a homecare pack. Posture advice and techniques are often given with self-stretches to do at home or in the workplace to help maintain good muscle and joint health and better posture. Some exercise and strengthening advice may also be given if appropriate. Each treatment is tailor-made to the client’s individual needs and requirements. Clients will be advised on a suitable treatment plan. Remedial therapy is most effective in weekly treatments. Clients should see and feel the benefits in three to five weekly treatments with increased range of motion or reduced pain. Clients are therefore encouraged to come in weekly intervals to receive the greatest benefits from the remedial work. A treatment will usually last for about an hour. Clients can have maintenance treatment to help keep their muscles and joints in good health and to keep on top of any past injuries to prevent them from reoccurring in the future.
