Remedial Massage

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 designed to treat muscle pain, tension, and dysfunction. It focuses on identifying tight tissue which is associated with a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. Some common techniques used by remedial massage therapists are deep tissue techniques, trigger point therapy, and soft tissue manipulation.

1. Musculoskeletal Pain & Tension

• Lower back pain
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Hip, glute, and leg tightness
• Sciatica (nerve pain caused by muscle compression)
• Jaw pain (TMJ dysfunction)

2. Sports Injuries & Performance Recovery

• Muscle strains and sprains
• Tendinopathies (e.g., tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis)
• Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after intense training
• Shin splints and plantar fasciitis
• Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement

3. Postural & Repetitive Strain Issues

• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow)
• Postural imbalances caused by desk work or prolonged sitting
• Tension headaches and migraines linked to neck and shoulder tightness
• Scoliosis-related muscle pain
• Thoracic outlet syndrome

4. Stress, Anxiety & Mental Health Support

• Stress-related muscle tension
• Anxiety-induced physical symptoms (tight chest, shallow breathing, etc.)
• Improved sleep quality through relaxation

5. Chronic Pain Conditions

• Fibromyalgia (reduces muscle stiffness and improves circulation)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (aids in relaxation and muscle pain relief)
• Arthritis (eases joint stiffness and muscle tightness)
• Myofascial pain syndrome (treats trigger points and muscle knots)

6. Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation

• Improves flexibility and range of motion
• Speeds up recovery from injuries and post-surgical stiffness
• Reduces the risk of recurring injuries by addressing muscle imbalances

7. Circulatory & Lymphatic Support

• Improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues
• Assists in lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling and fluid retention
• Speeds up the removal of metabolic waste from muscles

Remedial massage is more than just relaxation—it’s a therapeutic tool used to treat pain, restore movement, and improve overall function. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, postural imbalances, sports injuries, or stress-related tension, remedial massage can offer effective relief and contribute to long-term musculoskeletal health.

For the best results, remedial massage is often combined with other treatments like physiotherapy, myotherapy, or exercise-based rehabilitation which will focus on identifying and treating the cause of the issue.

While both remedial massage and regular (relaxation) massage aim to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation, they have different goals, techniques, and therapeutic outcomes. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right massage for your needs—whether that’s pain relief, injury recovery, or relaxation.

1. Purpose & Goals

Remedial Massage 

• A more therapeutic form of massage for treating specific injuries, pain, and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Involves clinical assessment and targeted treatment of muscle dysfunction.
• Designed to improve mobility, posture, and function.
• Often used as part of a rehabilitation or pain management plan.

Regular Massage (Relaxation Massage)

Aims to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Uses gentle, flowing strokes to calm the nervous system and reduce muscle tension. Designed to reduce stress and induce relaxation. Best suited for stress relief and general muscle relaxation.

2. Assessment & Treatment Approach Remedial Massage

May Begin with an assessment of posture, range of motion, and muscle imbalances. The therapist identifies specific problem areas and tailors the treatment accordingly. Can target deep-seated muscle knots, trigger points, and chronic pain.

Regular Massage:

Typically does not involve a clinical assessment. The focus is on full-body relaxation rather than targeting specific issues. Gentle, rhythmic strokes are used to promote stress relief and improved circulation.

3. Techniques Used

Remedial Massage Techniques:

• Deep tissue massage to release chronic muscle tension
• Trigger point therapy to relieve referred pain
• Myofascial release to improve flexibility and reduce restrictions
• Cross-fiber friction to break down adhesions and scar tissue
• Passive stretching to improve joint range of motion

Cupping or dry needling (if the therapist is trained) Regular Massage Techniques:

• Swedish massage techniques (long, flowing strokes, kneading, and circular movements)
• Effleurage (light, gliding strokes to promote relaxation)
• Petrissage (gentle kneading to improve blood flow)
• Rhythmic tapping and light pressure for stress relief

4. Conditions Treated

Remedial Massage is commonly used for:

• Muscle strains and sprains
• Chronic pain (e.g., lower back pain, neck pain)
• Sports injuries (e.g., hamstring tears, tennis elbow)
• Headaches and migraines (caused by muscle tension)
• Postural imbalances (e.g., from desk work or prolonged sitting)
• Tendinopathies and overuse injuries (e.g., plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy)
• Sciatica and nerve impingements
• Post-surgical scar tissue and rehabilitation

Regular Massage is best for:

• General muscle tightness and stiffness
• Stress relief and mental relaxation
• Improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Reducing anxiety and promoting better sleep
• Relieving mild tension from daily activities

5. Intensity & Sensations During TreatmentRemedial Massage:

• Can involve deeper pressure and targeted techniques, which may cause temporary discomfort, especially when working on trigger points or scar tissue.
• Some post-massage soreness is normal and typically subsides within 24–48 hours.Regular Massage:
• Uses gentler, flowing movements designed for comfort and relaxation