Pre-Op Physio

Yes, it is common to feel some soreness or tenderness after a remedial massage, especially if deep tissue techniques or trigger point therapy were used to release tight muscles and fascia. This post-massage soreness is a natural response as your muscles adjust to the treatment and is usually temporary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours. You should feel that your body becomes more accustomed to massage and becomes less sore with subsequents sessions.

The ideal frequency of remedial massage depends on your specific needs, lifestyle, and physical condition. This is something that is best discussed with your massage therapist and other health professionals to decide what is best for you. Its often the case that you will feel better after a remedial massage, in which case, there is never any harm by having this more regularly than your body asks for it.

However here’s a general guideline:

For Injury Recovery & Rehabilitation: Between twice a week and fortnightly, depending on what other treatment you are receiving

If you’re recovering from an injury or dealing with chronic pain, weekly or fortnightly sessions can help reduce muscle tension, improve mobility, and speed up recovery.

Your physiotherapist or myotherapist may recommend a structured plan to complement other treatments.

For Maintenance of Chronic Pain & Muscle Tension: This may be every 2-4 weeks, howere there may be individual instances where the plan is different

If you have longstanding muscle tightness, stress-related tension, or postural issues that are stable, a remedial massage every 2-4 weeks can help maintain flexibility and reduce pain flare-ups.

This is especially beneficial for people with desk jobs, repetitive strain injuries, or postural imbalances.

For Sports Performance & Injury Prevention: This will depend on the phase you in during your pre-season or season. Elite atheltes might get this 4-5 times per week. In other instances, this could be much less frequent.

For General Maintenance & Wellbeing: Every 2-6 weeks depending on your needs

If you’re generally healthy and use remedial massage for relaxation, flexibility, or stress relief, a monthly session is a good way to maintain muscle balance and prevent tension buildup.

Remedial massage is a targeted therapy that focuses on assessing and treating musculoskeletal pain, dysfunction, and injuries.

It uses techniques like deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and stretching to relieve pain, restore movement, and promote healing.

1. Musculoskeletal Pain & Tension

Remedial massage is highly effective for treating general muscle pain, stiffness, and postural imbalances, including:

• Lower back pain
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Upper back pain and postural strain
• Hip, glute, and leg tightness
• Sciatica (nerve compression due to muscle tension)
• Jaw pain (TMJ dysfunction)

2. Sports Injuries & Recovery

For athletes and active individuals, remedial massage aids in injury recovery, muscle performance, and injury prevention by treating:

• Muscle strains and sprains
• Tendinopathies (e.g., Achilles tendinitis, tennis elbow)
• Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) after intense workouts
• Shin splints and plantar fasciitis
• Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement
• IT band syndrome

3. Postural Imbalances & Repetitive Strain Injuries

Remedial massage helps correct postural issues caused by prolonged sitting, desk work, or repetitive movements:

• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow)
• Postural strain from poor ergonomics (e.g., “tech neck” or rounded shoulders)
• Scoliosis-related muscle pain
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Tension headaches and migraines (due to neck and shoulder tightness)

4. Chronic Pain & Health Conditions

Remedial massage can reduce pain and improve quality of life in chronic conditions by promoting blood flow, flexibility, and muscle relaxation:

• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Arthritis (reduces joint stiffness and improves range of motion)
• Myofascial pain syndrome (trigger points causing referred pain)
• Chronic lower back and neck pain
• Migraines and tension headaches

5. Stress, Anxiety & Mental Health Support

Massage therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce stress and anxiety while improving mental clarity and sleep quality. It can help with:

• Stress-related muscle tension
• Anxiety-induced physical symptoms
• Insomnia and poor sleep quality
• Tension headaches

6. Circulatory & Lymphatic Benefits

Remedial massage can stimulate blood and lymph flow, supporting tissue healing and reducing swelling:

• Improved circulation for muscle recovery
• Lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling and fluid retention
• Faster healing of soft tissue injuries

7. Injury Prevention & Movement Optimisation

Regular remedial massage can help:

• Improve joint mobility and muscle flexibility
• Identify and address muscle imbalances before they lead to injury
• Reduce the risk of sports injuries and postural pain
• Enhance athletic performance by promoting optimal movement

Final Thoughts

Remedial massage is a powerful tool for managing muscle pain, sports injuries, chronic conditions, and postural issues. It not only offers pain relief and improved mobility but also supports stress reduction and overall well-being.

Whether you’re an athlete, office worker, or someone managing chronic pain, remedial massage can help restore balance, movement, and function. For the best results, it’s often combined with physiotherapy, exercise-based rehab, or myotherapy.