While most of us have at least some notion of what remedial massage is, we might still struggle to explain specifically what it’s all about if we had to explain it to our next-door neighbour.
The key word in remedial massage is ‘remedy’. Whether you suffer from an actual condition (tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, tension headaches, knee pain, etc.) or from something more general, like neck tension or stiffness in the back, the aim here is not only to loosen up tight muscles, but also to correct the specific imbalances responsible for the pain or dysfunction – basically to treat the root cause of the issue. Your practitioner may hence assess your range of motion, observe your posture, how you use your body and identify any movements that are painful or uncomfortable.
On top of all the wonderful benefits of massage (reduced muscle tension, improved lymph and blood flow, and the release of the feel-good hormones endorphins, which reduce stress and pain), expect here a thorough understanding of anatomy and biomechanics, the use of techniques such as trigger point therapy or sustained myofascial tensioning, and above all the skills and knowledge to determine where and how to treat to get the results you want.
How is remedial massage different from other types of massage?
With a variety of styles to choose from, ranging from Thai to Chinese massage, Swedish massage, Therapeutic massage, Relaxation, Sports or even Clinical massage, we are rather spoilt for choice. While all types of massage have their place, the first difference in Australia is in terms of qualifications.
An entry-level massage therapist (Certificate IV) offers something called “Therapeutic Massage”, with specialisations available in sports or relaxation massage (a.k.a. Swedish massage). “Therapeutic” means that you can expect here all the valuable benefits of massage in terms of muscle tension and general well-being – but not necessarily the skills and knowledge to treat conditions and correct imbalances. As a result, do not expect a rebate from your private health fund either!
To get those preci
ous dollars off your bill, you need a practitioner who has completed a Diploma of Remedial Massage. The final words go to Medibank Private, which sets the requirements for benefit payments Australia-wide on the premise that “remedial massage is designed to balance muscle/soft btissue length, tension, tone which will in turn promote the return to normal joint/capsular/bone position; increase the flow of blood and lymph, particularly in the injured areas, thus removing blockages, damaged cells, scar tissue and adhesions resulting from injury 1 .”
Well… now you know you are in good hands!
by Aline Schlueter, Remedial Massage Therapist, Dip.
Click here to book an appointment with Aline or call us on 07 5578 7155.
Senior physio Jess Norton has a special interest here at Physiologic in post-op rehab. She wants to share with you 3 steps for post surgery and how we can help you.
(1) Goal setting: Surgery is the easy part, all the work is done for you – you now need to make sure you get the best possible outcome by committing to a set of goals. Whether its to run a 10km race, get back to playing soccer, or to be able to work each week without pain, its important to set yourself goals. We will make sure we manage your rehab by structuring your program specifically to achieving your goals.
(2) Break it down: Our clinicians will break your rehab into short term, mid term and long term treatment. For example short term will be aimed at reducing swelling and regaining range of motion, while long term treatment will be more strength focused aiming to get you back to running or in full health for an upcoming holiday (depending on what goals you have set). We will help guide you through each phase and prevent any ongoing complications.
(3) The hard work begins: The process doesn’t end with surgery. As we said earlier, surgery is the easy part- its the rehab afterwards where you will need to commit and put in the effort to make sure you get your optimal outcomes. We will outline and progress rehab exercises for you to start after surgery and its important that you complete these if you want to achieve your goals.
Our team here at Physiologic are here to help you. Call us on 07 5578 7155 or click here to book online.
Winter on the Gold Coast is a great time to get out and experience the beautiful outdoors.
Cooler temperatures and clear days in winter make for great hiking conditions here on the Coast.
Here are 3 quick tips before heading out on your first hike this winter:
1. Wear comfortable shoes- don’t decide to go out for an 10km walk in your brand new shoes that you haven’t worn in yet (you will be seriously regretting this decision later once blisters start to develop!). Wear shoes that have good support and that you are familiar with.
2. Warm up for a couple of minutes with some stretches- whether it’s a cruisy 3km walk along Burleigh beach or a 20km day hike in the hinterland, make sure you take a few minutes to stretch prior to starting. Calves, hamstrings and quads are the main muscles to focus on.
3. Hydration is crucial- our perception of thirst is different during winter than summer due to the cooler temperatures. We typically don’t feel as thirsty and we don’t feel like we are sweating as much. But this doesn’t mean our body doesn’t need the water. Hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer so make sure you pack a water bottle with you (and drink it!) on every hike this winter.
Looking for some hiking trail ideas? Check out Urban Lists’ suggestion of 5 epic hikes near the Gold Coast
Mark Barrett is the most capped ultra marathon runner at physiologic.
Putting another one on the board at Runaway Bay in the pouring rain over the weekend – 80 km.
Tough you say??
Not when your nickname is the “bulldog”
Everyone please note he is wearing “the singlet” which if you don’t know gives you Magical Powers!!
If you do not believe its magic – watch this now to see the evidence.
I’VE ROLLED MY ANKLE… DO I NEED TO SEE A PHYSIO?
Yes!
There is no such thing as a simple rolled ankle. Ankle sprains are a very common injury seen in all ages ranging from rolled ankles on the sporting field to a twisted ankle while walking on an uneven footpath.
Jess Norton shares with you 3 good reasons why you should seek help from your physiotherapist following a simple ankle sprain:
1. ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS
Sprained ankles can vary in degrees of severity and the management and recovery time frames will differ depending on the severity of your sprain. Your physiotherapist can assess your injury in detail and inform you how to manage your acute symptoms and provide you with a recommended rehabilitation plan including specific exercises.
2. RISK OF RE-INJURY
A history of an ankle sprain means your risk of another ankle sprain is now higher. Your physiotherapist can help reduce this risk by ensuring you complete an adequate rehab program (consisting of strength, flexibility and balance training), perform a gradual return to training/games and complete any recommended agility work before returning to high intensity/change of direction type movements.
3. PERSISTING SYMPTOMS
Often the pain and swelling will settle after a few days of rest, however a significant number of people develop persisting symptoms if not managed properly or if no rehab is completed. These symptoms can include stiffness, weakness and instability (especially during cutting type manoeuvres). Your physiotherapist can show you exercises and guide you through your rehab to ensure you make a full recovery and don’t experience any of these ongoing issues.
If you currently have an ankle issue – ring our friendly staff on 55787155 and tell them that you saw this article and you will receive a GAP FREE initial physiotherapy consult when using your private health insurance.
If you missed our recent kids injury prevention evening, this is a must watch!
Press play NOW to watch the live video from the night where our principal physio, Josh Meyer, along with associate Physio Tim Rigby, shows you how to keep your child away from injury and towards happiness with their sport.
For bookings, simply click here or call us on 55787155.
Don’t forget to share with a friend so they too can benefit from this!
