Spring Osteo Clinic has a qualified massage and remedial therapist who offers a range of therapies to suit your needs. So if you’re looking for pain relief or simply in need of some pampering, the below guide can help you find the right massage therapy for you.
1. Relaxation massage is all about relaxing. It focuses on giving you time to recover from the stresses of daily life. When you experience a relaxation massage, you can expect a treatment that involves long smooth gliding strokes that are rhythmic and flowing, pressure that is deeply relaxing, but not painful and is generally a treatment that is designed to soothe and relax you, not to relieve chronic pain or other underlying ailments. (Source)
2. Remedial massage is designed for patients with a specific injury to their muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues. Techniques used for remedial massage include:
  2a. Deep tissue massage
Focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body, through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas. This type of massage therapy is usually used to address specific problems associated with:
- chronic muscular pain
- injury rehabilitations
- sporting and occupational injuries
- RSI
- physical and mental fatigue
It’s important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate toxins from the body. (Source)
  2b. Sports massage
Designed to prevent and relieve injuries and conditions that are associated with exercise. It can often be quite strenuous and is meant to relieve and reduce the stress and tension that can build up within the body’s soft tissues while exercising. It uses techniques that are designed to increase endurance and performance, to minimise the chances of injury or to reduce the recovery time. Sports massage is not only utilised by professional sports people or people that exercise heavily it’s an option for those participating in mild exercise such as regular walking too. Some benefits that sports massage has provided include:
- draining away fatigue
- relieving swelling
- reducing muscle tension
- promoting flexibility
- reducing injuries that occur as a result of overexertion or overuse
- relieving pain
- preventing injuries
- improving heart rate and blood pressure
- increasing blood circulation and lymph flow
- treating injuries such as shin splints, tennis elbows, sprains and strains, corked thighs etc (Source)
  2c. Trigger point therapy
Trigger points are areas of hyperirritability in the soft tissue structure. These can be acute sources of pain that are unnoticed until pressure is applied by the practitioner. Treatment consists of physical therapy, manipulation and stretching. A firm digital pressure is applied by the practitioner, who is able to locate the specific points causing pain and restricted movement and these may often be located in places different to where you actually feels the pain. Conditions that will benefit from this modality include:
- sports injuries chronic
- headaches
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- TMJ
- neck and jaw pain
- stress and fatigue (Source)
  2d. Myofascial release therapy
A very gentle yet very effective hands-on manual therapy using sustained pressure into restrictions in the fascial system to eliminate pain and restore motion and function to the body. The therapy is based on the principle that poor posture, physical injury, illness and emotional stress can shift the body out of alignment and cause the intricate web of fascia to become tight and constricted. (Source)
  2e. Lymphatic drainage
A gentle whole body treatment which relaxes the nervous system and aids the body’s immune system. It involves a range of specialised and gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move skin in the direction of the lymph flow through a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. Benefits of this modality include:
- helps healing after an operation or surgery
- assists with lymph edema and helps reduce swelling
- assists with protection from skin disease or acne
- supports the body to naturally eliminate excess toxins, dead cells, viruses, bacteria and chemicals
- relieving stress and anxiety (Source)
3. Cupping massage therapy
Used to expel toxins from areas of pain and tightness and uses glass cups, held by suction, to massage the body. The action on the nervous system can be sedating and you can experience a deep state of relaxation. Traditionally the cups are placed on the back, shoulders and lower back. After treatment clients can experience a feeling of lightness and flexibility in the area which was creating pain or range of movement restrictions. Cupping can be either stationary or in massage. Stationary cups are left on the skin for 5 to 15 minutes to facilitate the release of stagnant blood, pathogenic factors and dispel internal heat. Massage cupping uses oil so the cup can glide over the skin to release tension and congestion in the muscles. Conditions that respond well to cupping massage therapies include:
- fibromyalgia
- anxiety
- insomnia
- chronic pain
- sciatica
- asthma (Source)
4.  Pregnancy massage
Our specially trained practitioner, uses a combination of remedial massage techniques, to assist with the tensions and pains experienced during pregnancy. These are often caused by the extra weight and shift in the centre of gravity. There are many physical benefits to a pregnancy massage including:
- nurturing and emotional support provided by the practitioner
- reducing peripheral swelling
- soothes the nervous system
- helps to prevent insomnia, muscle cramps and back pain
Regular massage throughout your pregnancy is said to shorten labour time and the return to optimal fitness after birth. (Source)
5.  Skin rolling
A therapeutic approach in which the hands lift, stretch, and squeeze bodily tissues. During the technique, our practitioner uses one or both hands to draw tissue in her direction while using the thumbs to roll over the gathered tissue. This technique is best applied in bodily regions in which the tissue is positioned tightly to the structures that lie underneath (e.g., directly above the shoulder joint). (Source)
At your first visit to Spring Osteo Clinic, our therapist will ask for your detailed medical history to help determine your treatment priorities. We will also ask you what you hope to achieve from your massage and together we will work out what is the right massage or remedial therapy for you.
To make a booking with our massage and remedial therapist please contact us on 03 9830 7044, [email protected] or www.springosteo.com.au