Remedial Massage vs Myotherapy?
Remedial massage can help relieve general muscle stress and tension using a combination of soft tissue release and stretching techniques. It is ideal to use as general maintenance, to keep your body feeling supple and help you avoid injury.
HOW DOES remedial massage DIFFER FROM MYOTHERAPY?
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
A remedial massage treats muscle tension from sport or work, as well as general aches and pains using hands-on massage skills. Remedial massage will treat the presenting symptoms with the aim to give immediate relief, whereas myotherapy works towards treating the underlying cause.
Remedial massage comprises of a firm massage to relieve stress, tension and aches within the muscles. It is often not as deep as myotherapy, which can incorporate trigger point therapy (a strong manual therapy technique which works to release active trigger points within the muscle). Remedial massage is a perfect compliment to myotherapy, physio, osteo or chiro treatment and can be used as a maintenance treatment in between those appointments.
MYOTHERAPY
A myotherapist may use remedial massage as one of their ‘tools’ during an appointment. A myotherapist is also highly qualified in assessing, treating and rehabilitating a range of musculoskeletal injuries, much like a physio, osteo and chiro.
Myotherapists have a thorough knowledge of anatomy and are highly skilled when it comes to their knowledge of the muscles in particular. A myotherapist has been trained to treat using a variety of techniques, which are dependent on the condition they are treating. They may utilise remedial massage, trigger point therapy, dry needling, rehabilitative or specific exercises and/or education. They work to find and treat the underlying cause of your injury or pain. Myotherapy is very hands on but may not always use hands on techniques during your appointment.
DO I NEED REMEDIAL MASSAGE OR MYOTHERAPY?
If you have an injury or chronic pain condition you are best to book a myotherapy appointment. This will allow your myotherapist to conduct a thorough history and assessment to establish the best management plan for you.
If you have general muscle aches or muscle tension with no underlying cause, or you are already seeing a myotherapist for an injury and remedial massage has been recommended, book a remedial massage appointment. Remedial massage can be used for general maintenance. We are happy to provide remedial massage upon request at Myotherapy and Movement Clinic.