Massage

Physiotherapy often uses massage as a hands-on therapy to address a wide range of physical issues. It aims to improve how your body moves and functions by working on your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the connective tissue (fascia) that holds them together.

Here’s a closer look at the benefits:

Pain Relief
Massage can help reduce pain by easing muscle tension, reducing inflammation, and increasing blood flow to the affected area. This can be particularly helpful for chronic pain, muscle soreness, and injuries.

Improved Flexibility
By loosening tight muscles and increasing range of motion in joints, massage can improve your overall flexibility and make movement easier.

Enhanced Circulation
Massage stimulates blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues while removing waste products. This helps with healing and reduces swelling.

Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Massage promotes relaxation by calming the nervous system and releasing endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. This can help reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well-being.

Types of massage commonly used in physiotherapy:

Sports Massage
Often used for athletes to prepare for events, aid in recovery, and prevent injuries. It focuses on specific muscle groups and can involve techniques like stretching and deep tissue work.

Deep Tissue Massage
Uses slow, firm pressure to reach deeper layers of muscle tissue. It’s helpful for chronic muscle tension, pain, and postural problems.

Myofascial Release
Applies gentle, sustained pressure to release tension in the fascia, a web-like tissue that surrounds and supports muscles. This can improve mobility and reduce pain.

Active Release Technique (ART)
A more specialised technique that involves applying pressure to specific points while you actively move the affected area. This helps break up scar tissue and adhesions, restoring normal tissue function.

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (ISTM) 

Our Physiotherapists use ISTM instruments to palpate (feel) skin and underlying tissues, identifying areas of tightness, adhesions, or restrictions.  These tools are then used to apply controlled pressure and scraping motions over the affected areas. This stimulates the tissue, promotes blood flow and can mobilise adhesions and trigger points.    This application can trigger a localised inflammatory response, which helps initiate the healing process by encouraging the body to repair damaged tissue.  This is a treatment that is rapidly growing in popularity due to its effectiveness and allows the identification of specific restrictions.

The therapist uses the instruments to palpate (feel) the skin and underlying tissues, identifying areas of tightness, adhesions, or restrictions.  The tools are then used to apply controlled pressure and scraping motions over the affected areas. This stimulates the tissue and promotes blood flow.  The application of the instruments can trigger a localised inflammatory response, which helps initiate the healing process by encouraging the body to repair damaged tissue.

If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or limited movement, talk to a physiotherapist about whether massage therapy might be a suitable option for you. They can assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate type of massage and treatment plan.