So you’ve decided to get a massage – but what type do you need? Whilst both relaxation and remedial massage are beneficial for your body, selecting the right style for your requirements could help you reach your desired outcome faster. You may need treatment for chronic pain, have a niggling sore spot you just can’t shake, or be seeking an opportunity to de-stress and relax.
Read on for a brief explanation of the key differences between remedial and relaxation massage therapy to help you decide what type is best suited for you.
RELAXATION MASSAGE
A Relaxation (or Swedish) massage consists of gentle flowing strokes to help de-stress and loosen up your body. It is a pain-free way of rewarding yourself to an hour of time out from the stress of daily life. This treatment is designed to soothe and relax, not to relieve chronic pain or other underlying ailments.
While a relaxation massage is not aimed at alleviating aches and pains, there are benefits to having regular relaxation massages. Gentle massage stimulates sensory nerve endings in the skin, which cause the brain to release endorphins, helping to improve stress-related symptoms.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
If you have particular muscle tension or chronic pain, a remedial massage may be for you. Your remedial massage therapist will assess where you need treatment, based on where you are feeling tension, current sports or exercise programs you may be involved in, and work related issues that may all be contributing to the cause of your pain.
Remedial Massage works holistically to find the cause of your symptoms. Some of the key benefits include:
- stimulation to the blood supply allowing toxins in the muscles to be removed
- calming of the peripheral nervous system to ease pain and discomfort
- toning and relaxing of muscles to improve joint mobility.
Remedial massage can be used on its own or as part of a combined physio and Pilates plan and can help speed up recovery from injury, as well as prevent problems from recurring. It is ideal to counteract the effects of sitting at work all day and helps to keep your body in balance.
