What to expect from your Myotherapy or Massage

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What Is Soft Tissue Therapy?

Soft Tissue Therapy can be a vital component in both rehabilitation and the ongoing management of muscular injuries and dysfunction. Knowing which therapy is best for you can be tricky…

Richmond Rehab is focused on ensuring your therapist has appropriate training, continues to challenge themselves through professional development, and works closely alongside our physiotherapy team. The order of hierarchy in soft tissue therapies are listed below, with all of our staff holding a minimum of a Remedial Massage Therapy qualification.

  • Myotherapy

  • Remedial Massage Therapy

  • Other Massage Therapies

 

What Is Myotherapy

Myotherapy comes from the greek word myo meaning muscle, as in muscle therapy and is used to treat not only the symptoms of muscular pain and dysfunction, but the cause for a more holistic approach to the treatment. Myotherapy is applied in the preventative, corrective and rehabilitative phases of therapy to restore and maintain the normal integrity of the soft tissue structures (muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia) of the human body.

Myotherapy can be used for both for short term muscle relief after an injury to return to work or sport by reducing pain and increasing a joints range of motion; and also long term/ chronic issues throughout the body to improve general well being returning the musculoskeletal area to original or better function.

Remedial Massage Explained

When a muscle, joint or general area of the body begins to feel tight and immobile, massage is used to reduce the dysfunction throughout the targeted area. 
Massage is utilised by a practitioner with various degrees of pressure depending on the area, by stripping through the length of the muscle to improve range of movement, stimulate blood flow and reduce muscle pain to return the area to original or better function. 
Massage holistically treats the whole body and traces pain and dysfunction as far as possible back to the original cause, treating both the cause of the disorder as well as the symptoms.

HOW DOES SPORTS MASSAGE DIFFER?

Sports massage is general term for a type of treatment that is not only utilised by professional sportspeople or weekend warriors. It is of benefit to anyone that exercises, even if it is only mild exercise such as regular walking. Sports massage can either be a deep and vigorous pressure of treatment or it can also be used a day or two before an event where the treatment is very light pressure-wise but fast to loosen up general muscle tightness without bruising the muscle tissue and to stimulating the blood flow to the area to switch on muscle firing and aid in muscle readiness.


BENEFITS OF SPORTS MASSAGE

  • Reduce muscle tightness

  • Improve range of muscles and joints

  • Decrease muscular fatigue

  • Reduce swelling from prior injuries

  • Reduce pain from prior injuries

  • Increase lymphatic and blood circulation

  • Prevention of future injuries and conditions.

  • Decrease metabolic by-product (such as lactic acid) build up

  • Amongst all this, sports massage will lead to major performance improvements 

The team at Richmond Rehab have been providing sports massage to the athletes of the Richmond area for more than 10 years.  If you've got a niggle or a question, drop us a line and we will help get you back to your best!

 

What If I’m Looking For A Relaxation Massage?

Though our team has advanced training to treat various muscle injuries, they are also qualified and enthusiastic to help you unwind. Trained in Swedish techniques, head and neck massage through to foot massage. If you’re feeling overworked, we can get you relaxed and feeling better in no time!

 

What techniques will be used in A Myotherapy Or Massage Session?

Techniques used are soft tissue manipulation/ deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial dry needling, myofascial release, cupping, thermotherapy / cryotherapy, TENS machines, postural assessment and correction, corrective exercises (stretches, strength), core stability exercises, diet and nutritional advice. These techniques will be used in to ease tight muscles, reduce pressure on joints, relieve pain and improve range your of movement.

 

What to expect from your first treatment

Your first soft tissue session typically entails a postural assessment, general body screening, range of motion testing and orthopaedic testings. We believe it is essential to perform an assessment on all patients to ensure you get the most out of your time with us. The ‘hands on’ aspect of the treatment can involve various techniques, however it is essential you inform us should you have any questions, concerns or preferences during the treatment. Following the session your therapist will reassess to evaluate the effectiveness of the session and provide you with a management strategy. This may include general and specific stretches, strengthening exercises and day-to-day adjustments to prevent the reoccurrence of the injury.