Deep Tissues vs Remedial Massages

Any type of massage can be relaxing and therapeutic. However, each type of massage is designed for a specific purpose. You must have the right type for your needs. That’s why you should always consult a professional, such as this physio Darlinghurst before you have any treatment.

Getting the right treatment can make a huge difference in your rate of recovery.

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage is a whole-body treatment. It aims to realign deep layers of muscle and tissue. It’s commonly used when you have chronic aches or areas that are particularly stiff, such as sore shoulders, tight muscles, and back pain. 

It uses similar strokes to traditional massage but the strokes are slower and the pressure is much more intense. The technique literally breaks down the adhesion in your muscles. Adhesions are bands of painful muscle that is rigid instead of flexible. Breaking these down relieves the stiffness and pain and allows them to heal in the proper position.

The technique uses flowing strokes and consistent rhythm, creating a relaxing effect which aids the therapist gets deep into your muscles.

It should be noted that deep tissue massage does push your boundary on pain. You’ll need to start the session completely relaxed, allowing the therapist to get deep into your muscles. If the pain becomes too intense you’ll need to tell the therapist and the treatment will be adjusted accordingly. 

Remedial Massage

While deep tissue massage aims to remove stiffness and soreness, remedial massage focuses on any part of the body that needs rehabilitation. 

The treatment should start with a review of all muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even your posture. This allows the therapist to identify the pain spots and target these areas. It may not be the same area as where your injury occurred.

This is because the human body is excellent at adjusting to injury and compensating. It’s often this compensation that causes chronic pain as you become accustomed to moving differently.

The techniques used in remedial massage are similar to deep tissue. But, the pressure is less intense. Although there can be times when it is as intense, the pressure varies depending on the issue and which part of the body is being worked on.

Of course, there is a goal with remedial massage, to treat an injury, such as a bad knee or shoulder, and return normal function. A good therapist will constantly evaluate the success of the treatment and change it according to your progress. 

Which One To Choose?

Deep tissue massage alleviates stiff spots in your muscles and is a relaxing experience. It’s supposed to leave you feeling like you’re floating. In contrast, remedial massage is intended to help fix specific injuries. 

Both are excellent forms of massage, the difference is in what is wrong with your body. Knowing the issue will help to ensure you get the right treatment and make the fastest possible recovery. Your therapist will help you to understand the issue and choose the best possible massage and treatment option.