Remedial massage is about providing relief from pain and tension, but it’s also focused on addressing the underlying cause of your musculoskeletal problems. It holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far back as possible – to its original cause, if able – and then works on both the cause of the disorder, as well as the symptoms.
What’s the difference between a relaxing massage and remedial massage? A relaxation massage simply aims to relax you and in the process, it reduces tension and tightness. While beneficial, it does not specifically target or alleviate aches, pain, or restriction – although it’s great for simply unwinding. In contrast, remedial massage is a targeted treatment plan. Your massage therapist will take a history of the issue that’s troubling you, do an assessment of any structural damage and your range of motion and then use specific techniques to address your issue.
Remedial massage is perfectly suited for both acute and long-standing issues which are more chronic in nature (as opposed to acute) and can meaningfully reduce many troubling problems.
When muscles and tendons become damaged or impaired, knotted and tense or immobile, remedial massage provides relief. Depending on your issue, your treatment may be gentle or strong, deep or shallow.
Massage is designed to actively soothe and relieve stress and ease muscular pain. It also assists in stimulating circulation, promoting lymphatic movement, can help to regulate the nervous system and stimulate the immune system.
Research has shown that massage gives effective relief for headaches, neck pain, back pain, accidental and sports injury, chronic fatigue, stress, depression and improves your general well-being.
As a therapy, massage has been practiced for centuries in many different forms. Its benefits range from promoting relaxation to assisting with physical healing. Our remedial massage therapists specialise in:
Some of the available services to treat...
Registered with - A.N.T.A.
Areas of Speciality - Structural Aligning, Cupping, Cross Fibre Mobilisation, Chinese Acupressure, Remedial, Sports & Deep Tissue, Dry Needling, Electro Dry Needling.
Health Funds - Most health funds
Registered with - ANTA
Areas of Speciality - Musculoskeletal Therapy, Remedial, Myofascial Release Technique, Lymphatic, Structural Integration and Swedish
Health Funds - Most health funds
Registered with - A.T.M.S.
Area of Speciality - Remedial and Deep Tissue massage.
Health Funds - Most health funds
Registered with – ANTA
Areas of Specialty - Myotherapy, Muskuloskeletal therapy
Health Funds – Most Health Funds
Registered with - Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
Area of Speciality - Remedial, Deep Tissue, Relaxation
Health Funds - Most health funds
Registered with - Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
Areas of Specialty – Relaxation and Remedial
Health Funds – Most Health Funds
Remedial Massage – the focus is on restoring the function of body parts that are injured, restricted, painful and/or tight. It usually starts with a conversation about the concerned areas, your general health and lifestyle, followed by a physical assessment to determine what soft tissues are involved. Based on the gathered information your therapist will propose a treatment aiming to restore function, reduce pain and increase ease of movement. In addition to massage techniques, your treatment might involve different modalities like cupping, dry needling, trigger point work, manual lymphatic drainage, active and passive stretching. The applied pressure of your massage can vary depending on the level of tightness of the tissue and your pain threshold. Your therapist might suggest activities, stretches and lifestyle changes that furthermore support your body’s healing process. Remedial Massage is best for a wide range of concerns that affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, the nervous system as well as acute and chronic conditions like migraines, diabetes, asthma, fibromyalgia, anxiety and more. Communication between you and your therapist is essential for a successful outcome.
Sports Massage – is similar to Remedial Massage and addresses specific sport or activity-related areas and concerns. The treatment involves techniques aiming to enhance performance, improve recovery and injury prevention. The approach differs depending on the expected outcome and if the treatment is searched for pre or post-activity. Sports Massage is beneficial for both the novice and the professional.
Myofascial Release – also called Deep Tissue Massage targets the connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds and interweaves muscles and other soft tissues throughout your body. The treatment consists usually of slow movements and the pressure applied might gradually increase while different muscle layers are addressed. It is beneficial for postural correction, calming of the nervous system, rehydrating soft tissue, increasing range of movement and reduction of pain.
Relaxation Massage – aims to de-stress, calm and relax the mind and body. A relaxation massage treatment will usually involve flowing strokes and kneading movements, performed at your chosen pressure. As the tension eases in the body a relaxation response slows the heart and breathing rates and stress hormones decrease as muscles relax. If you are new to massage and don’t have a specific pain and discomfort area then a relaxation massage can be very enjoyable and beneficial to your overall wellbeing.
Pregnancy Massage – Pregnancy is a special time during which significant physiological, emotional and spiritual changes are occurring. Pregnancy Massage is a therapeutic treatment that is designed to support you during this time of transition. As the pregnancy progresses your body changes to accommodate the development of the baby and changing hormone levels might impact soft tissue like ligaments which might lead to discomfort. Your Massage Therapist underwent training to understand the physiological changes during different stages as well as how the joints and muscles are affected and the potential discomfort that may be experienced through the pregnancy. They will adapt the techniques used to best address your individual needs. Pregnancy massage is a natural and effective way to support you during pregnancy.
Post Natal Massage – will assist mothers to recover after giving birth and to keep tension, stress and pain from building up in the body. While having a child is usually a wonderful experience it can also be physically, emotionally and spiritually stressful. Hormonal changes are also significant during this time and massage can help relax the muscles and address postural challenges that come with the new role.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage - the lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system and transports white blood cells throughout the body to help fight against infections. The movement of lymph fluid is generated by muscle contraction and breathing only; it doesn’t have a pump like the heart. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specific massage application of pumping and gliding motion that supports the movement of lymph fluids around the body, clearing out of the lymph nodes, drains built-up fluid and supports the immune response. Lymph fluid build-up can be due to certain health conditions or post-surgery symptoms. Your therapist will discuss the treatment and if it is the right choice for your condition.
Seniors Massage – with the increase in age we might experience movement restrictions, tension and discomforts within our bodies that can be difficult to live with. This can prevent us from sleeping and functioning the way we would like. Massage tailored specifically for seniors can provide pain relief, improve sleep patterns and provide that vital physical connection through touch with another human being that often is missing for those who live alone or are isolated from friends and family. Massage can improve mood, circulation, flexibility and ease pain and tension.
Children’s Massage – children might experience fears and stresses in their lives that can lead to tension and disease in their bodies. Activities related to sport, the increased use of technology in education as well as growth spurts in teenage years create tension and imbalances of the musculoskeletal system. While pain might be the impetus to get a massage for your child it is good to identify stress periods due to exams, sporting commitments or modern life challenges and buffer these with relaxation that massage can provide. Children’s Massage can reduce anxiety, by boosting levels of serotonin, lowers the stress hormone levels which in turn enhances their immune system’s defence mechanism.
Massage can be beneficial for the following:
Structural Integration can help with:
Many people can enhance their lifestyle with structural integration (SI). SI can improve:
Structural integration focuses on releasing fascia, your complex connective tissue system by using slow and varied pressure through various layers of tissue and asking you to provide thoughtful micro-movements, to create smooth functioning relationships between different body parts.
Benefits of Structural Integration include:
What is Fascia?
Fascia is connective tissue that is throughout your whole body. It wraps around each muscle fibre and is what gives your body structure / posture. It is full of nerve endings that respond to different types of pressure, angle of pressure and speed of pressure.
Scar Tissue?
“Scar Work is light, casual, and wonderfully effective on all kinds of scars. There are over twenty unique techniques that smooth out uneven lumps, bumps, ridges, strings, gaps, and holes painlessly and permanently. Re-establishing the resilient three dimensional quality of the fascia web creates better functioning. With the restrictions and adhesions of a scar resolved, impaired nerves regain sensation and internal organ functions normalize. Not to mention the cosmetic effect is a sheer delight.” Sharon Wheeler, Rolfer.
Common scars that can have effective results:
When can Scar Work be applied?
Scars that have been there for a while, such as 20 years, are completely workable and receive the same results as working with recent scars. For new scars, 6 weeks after the stitches have been removed is a safe precaution time. It is best for you to wait until your Doctor advises to have regular massage to begin work on the scar.
Benefits include shortening the duration of possible pain, nerve and physical distortion experienced from the scar.
Time required for a session?
Depending on the size of your scar will determine the duration of treatment to resolve the tissue and nerve dysfunction. Small scars may take a few minutes. However larger and more involved scars may require 60 minutes or more. Burn scars require several sessions.
Scar work can be included within a remedial massage, manual therapy or Structural Integration session.
Meet your Practitioner
Your Therapist is Andrea Randall. Andrea is a qualified Structural Integration Therapist and Musculoskeletal Therapist.
Andrea approaches your healing process by working with you as a learning team. Together you will learn the limitations of your structure and work to know the best way for you to self-care for your discomfort. Andrea believes that each person’s structural alignment is a multidimensional consideration - there is an evolving learning potential to release restriction and pain, align, coordinate and strengthen a new balance.
Andrea completed a workshop with Sharron Wheeler in June 2014 and is certified to provide scar tissue therapy.
Andrea has attended various workshops internationally focusing on ribs, feet and the connectivity of fascia.
In 2014 Andrea worked as part of a team in Spain providing care to Swedish patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Andrea’s membership affiliations include Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA) and International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI). If you have any questions, Andrea will happily respond to your phone call, please phone 3249 5333.
Department Hours
Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 7:45 pm
Saturday 7.00 am – 2.30 pm
Sunday 8.00 am – 2.30 pm
Consultation Fees
Remedial Massage
Cancellation Policy
We understand that life is unpredictable and you may not always be able to make your scheduled appointment. If you can’t make an appointment please contact our reception at least 24 hours prior to cancel or arrange for another time.
Missed appointments and appointments cancelled without 24 hours notice may be charged a full consultation fee.
Contact our Reception team on (07) 3249 5333 for further information.
