WHAT IS REMEDIAL MASSAGE

What is Remedial Massage? – When most people think of massage, they think of relaxation massage where the primary aims are to relieve stress and soothe muscular aches and pains. Massage helps relieve pain by improving circulation which in turn allows the body to rid itself of natural waste products which cause muscular stiffness and soreness, similarly the release of endorphins is triggered which are the body’s natural pain killers. All these effects are largely short term and focused on only the prevailing symptoms.

Remedial massage, however, focuses on the root cause of persistent, chronic muscular or skeletal pain, and then seeks to remedy it permanently. Often such pain is the result of injury or can be caused by specific imbalances in the skeletal system, muscles or ligaments. A remedial massage therapist has been trained to assess these imbalances and establish an effective treatment plan of therapeutic treatment with agreed outcomes. The remedial massage treatment involves the application of scientifically based treatments in conjunction with an ongoing rehabilitation programme. When a condition or injury warrants, your therapist will advise that further medical opinion should be sought before treatment proceeds. It is important to remember that remedial massage is not a replacement for medical attention, rather, a valuable adjunct to the overall medical treatment process.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

I don’t remember having any particular accident, so how did my muscle pain develop? – Cases where people come into the massage clinic with a clearly-defined incident that triggered their problem are in the minority. There are so many factors that can affect our musculo-skeletal system that they cannot be easily described in a short or simple answer. Your job, sports, pastimes, stretches and warm up routines, the car you drive, your favourite armchair, your bed, postural habits, illness, previous injuries, the list is endless. Eventually, your system has no more capacity to absorb the wear and tear, and pain and or loss of function can result from what appears to be a very minor incident. Remedial massage treatment is one of the best ways to reduce this gradual build up of wear and tear, and give more tolerance back to your body systems. I will ask about your general lifestyle, and may make suggestions on which aspects you should consider a change. Where the causative factors are unavoidable, many people find that regular maintenance treatment is all that is required to keep problems at bay.

Why choose an LCSP Register Therapist? – The LCSP Register is the oldest professional remedial massage organisation in the U.K. (1919). All members must undergo comprehensive training and must agree to abide by the Registers strict code of conduct and ethics. To maintain registration the members professional competency is monitored annually and at all times they remain answerable to the Registers disciplinary board. All members will be fully conversant and trained in the study of anatomy, physiology and pathology, they have been trained to make a qualified assessment of your condition and provide a well structured treatment plan. As professionals they will always work within the scope of their expertise and respect the practices of all other health care providers.

What can I expect on the first appointment? – The first appointment will often take longer than any subsequent I will need to evaluate your condition through an in-depth consultation and thorough physical examination. I will be assessing your ranges of movement, any muscle or tissue imbalances you may exhibit and other specific tests to identify your condition. As part of this process you will need to divulge your medical history and any pre-existing conditions. Following this assessment I will explain to you in simple terms or detail my findings, my proposed treatment plan and your expected outcomes.
At all times please feel free to ask questions and inform me if you are not comfortable with or do not understand and part of the assessment procedures or proposed treatment plan.

What should I wear for treatment? – Comfortable attire for treatment includes shorts, bathing suits or under garments, which should be worn at all times. My primary concern is your modesty and comfortability. If specific parts of the body must be exposed to allow for treatment I will provide proper covering to maintain modesty and professionalism at all times.