A Guide to Remedial Massage

Here are some massage styles that you may have encountered:

• Remedial
• Deep Tissue
• Relaxation
• Swedish
• Sports
• Thai
• Lomi Lomi
• Shiatsu

If you’re confused about what these terms mean and how they differ, you’re certainly not alone!

Styles differ according to four factors:

Intention of the massage

The intention refers to the goal of the person receiving the massage. For instance, a Sports massage usually focuses on sports recovery and performance, and a Relaxation massage is usually to relax. The techniques and strokes used with each style will align with these intentions.

Style tradition

Each style has evolved differently, with an associated system of beliefs, methodology and techniques.

For example, Shiatsu arose in Japan but is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of meridians and qi (energy flow). Three techniques are used to balance or unblock the flow of qi.[i]

By contrast, Swedish massage arose as a Western style in the 1800’s. Four techniques were originally defined to characterise the style, with a fifth added later.

And while the terms Relaxation massage and Swedish massage are often used interchangeably, the former is defined by seven techniques in current nationally recognised training.[ii]

Who’s receiving the massage

Massage style names often suggest intent, but they don’t define the experience.

For instance, Deep Tissue usually involves deeper pressure, while Relaxation uses lighter pressure. However, some people find deep pressure relaxing, while others might find light pressure irritating. Thus, a specific style may need to be adapted to align with the receiver’s subjective experience.

The Practitioner

Massage style techniques often overlap. For example, Remedial massage may include Deep Tissue and Swedish methods, and a Sports massage could include Remedial or Swedish techniques.

So, while massage is often defined by style, there’s also another type of style – that of the practitioner. Practitioner style can be characterised by factors like choice of techniques, assessment methodology and sequence construction.

[i] Tee-Melegrito, A. T. (2022). What to know about shiatsu massage. Medical News Today. Retrieved 6 November from https://www.medicalnewstoday.c...

[ii] Training.gov.au (2022). Unit of competency: HLTMSG012 – Apply relaxation massage clinical practice. Training.gov.au. Retrieved 6 November 2024 from https://training.gov.au/traini...

Massage Therapy in Australia

Massage professionals are often called masseuses (female), or masseurs (male), terms borrowed from French. However, in Australia, the term ‘Massage Therapist’ is now preferred due to its professionalism and to distance from historical connotations of massage parlours.

Massage is unregulated in Australia, meaning anyone can practice or call themselves a Massage Therapist without formal qualifications. However, nationally recognised training, like a Certificate IV or Diploma, have been available since December 2001.[i]

Therapists can also be part of a professional massage Association, though it’s not compulsory. However, to offer Heath Fund rebates, Therapists must be part of an Association, with each fund having specific registration criteria.[ii]

Associations benefit consumers by ensuring Therapists are qualified, undergo necessary checks, maintain insurance, and complete ongoing professional training. While non-membership doesn’t mean incompetence, Association membership assures that a therapist meets minimum industry standards.

Remedial Massage at Flex

At Flex, we offer a Remedial massage service.

Our therapists are:

• Diploma-qualified.
• Members of a professional Association.
• Undertake regular professional training; and
• Approved to provide Health Fund rebates for all major providers.

[i] Training.gov.au (2001). Qualification details: HLT50302 - Diploma of Remedial Massage (Release 1). Training.gov.au. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLT50302

[ii] AMT (n.d.). Health Funds. Association of Massage Therapists. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://www.amt.org.au/members/health-fund-info.html

Remedial massage is considered a complementary therapy, with the adjective remedial referring to “being intended as a remedy.”[i] The focus is on treating soft tissues including muscles, fascia, ligaments, tendons and nerves, to address pain, restriction, discomfort, injury management and rehabilitation.[ii]

There are currently ten techniques defined as Remedial[iii], however, these are not exhaustive, and at least two of the techniques overlap as Relaxation techniques. So, technique alone doesn’t define the Remedial modality absolutely.

The Health Direct website defines the Remedial process as finding the problem, treating the problem, and managing symptoms.[iv] Medibank expands on this, defining it as the systematic assessment and treatment of the soft tissues of the body.[v] Here, the use of the word assessment is significant because assessment is a key characteristic that sets Remedial Massage apart from other modalities.[vi]

Assessment can take many forms, but in essence it serves:

• to rule in or out when it is safe or unsafe, to treat.
• identify your needs; and
• identify possible sources of pain, limitations or dysfunction.

Remedial Massage: More Than Just Massage!

Remedial massage goes beyond traditional strokes to include various therapeutic techniques based on the therapist’s training, your condition, goals, and preferences.

Other important components of a Remedial treatment are exercise and pain management. Therapists can help you understand and manage discomfort.[vii] And while stretches are commonly suggested, strengthening or awareness exercises, or lifestyle recommendations, might also be advised.

Is a Remedial Massage Right for Me?

A Remedial Massage might be able to assist you if you’re experiencing:

• Tightness or soreness;
• Restricted or painful movement;
• Pain or discomfort;
• Want to recover from or prevent injury;
• Sports event preparation or recovery;
• Feeling stressed; or
• Needing some human touch and interaction

An initial session of at least an hour is recommended to discuss your needs, set treatment goals, and begin a tailored plan. This allows time for you and your therapist to talk about your lifestyle, body, issues you’d like help with, get clear on some treatment goals, and begin a treatment (or series of treatments) based on your needs.

If you have a treatment plan with your therapist, engaging in home exercises and lifestyle advice is a great way to be more involved in your treatment and potentially reach your goals quicker.

Regular treatments can aid in overall body maintenance and wellbeing, like a car ‘tune-up’ but for your body!

[i] Merriam-Webster dictionary (2024). Remedial: adjective. Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remedial

[ii] AMT (n.d.). Types of massage. Association of Massage Therapists. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://www.amt.org.au/massage-and-you/types-of-massage.html

[iii] Training.gov.au (2022). Unit of competency: HLTMSG014 - Provide remedial massage treatments. Training.gov.au. Retrieved 6 November 2024 from https://training.gov.au/traini...

[iv] Health Direct (2023). Remedial massage. Health Direct. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/remedial-massage

[v] Medibank (2018). What is remedial massage?. Medibank. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/my-medibank/using-your-cover/what-is-remedial-massage/

[vi] Training.gov.au (2022). Unit of competency details: HLTMSG014 - Provide remedial massage treatments (Release 1). Training.gov.au. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLTMSG014;

Training.gov.au (2022). Unit of competency details: HLTMSG013 - Perform remedial massage musculoskeletal assessments (Release 1). Training.gov.au. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from

https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLTMSG013

[vii] Training.gov.au (2022). Unit of competency details: HLTMSG016 - Apply principles of pain neuroscience (Release 1). Training.gov.au. Retrieved 7 July 2024 from https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLTMSG016

But will it work?

While I strive to help everyone, Remedial massage may not always be the solution.

Your therapist will assess whether massage therapy might help, but there’s a chance it won’t be effective. If it doesn’t help, the therapist will adjust the treatment or suggest other options, including referrals if needed.

On the occasions therapy doesn’t work as intended, don’t consider it a loss. To the contrary, knowing what doesn’t work for you is valuable information.

Remedial massage can be effective on its own or as part of a multi-disciplinary approach. Some therapy components, like ongoing exercise programs, may be better suited for a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.

At Flex, we offer a range of professionals, including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, and Remedial Massage Therapists. We collaborate with your GP or specialist and can provide external referrals. If you think Remedial massage could help, contact us or book online, we’re here to find what works for you.