While the two treatment modalities may have some similarities, there are quite a few differences when you compare remedial massage vs physiotherapy. Both types of therapy are highly effective, especially when used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, and can improve strength, posture and balance. Generally,if you have a need to improve your overall well-being, a remedial massage will probably be recommended.
If you have a specific body issue or injury that you need diagnosed or treated, physiotherapy is probably going to be more beneficial. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two treatments.
What Is Remedial Massage?
Soft tissue and muscular problems can typically be addressed through remedial massage. During a session, which usually lasts an hour or an hour and a half, your therapist will use a combination of fingers, forearms, knuckles and hand pressure to manipulate your soft tissues. Your therapist may also physically stretch your limbs, joints and muscles and stimulate acupressure points in your body to help with muscular release, pain relief and relaxation.
Your soft tissues include your tendons, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues.
Your massage therapist may also prescribe exercises to strengthen and tone, stretches and exercises to improve balance and posture, depending on your physical needs.
What are the benefits of remedial massage
Through remedial massage your therapist can help with
- Pain alleviation
- Improved circulation
- Greater relaxation
- Stress relief
- Toning and strengthening muscles for injury prevention
- Postural improvements
What kind of conditions can benefit from remedial massage?
Remedial massage can benefit chronic pain conditions, headaches, neck and back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel and sports injuries. Remedial massage can also be employed after an intense workout or physical therapy session.
What Is Physiotherapy Used For?
Physiotherapists work primarily with people who are injured or who experience an injury from a physical condition that causes restriction of movement or pain. They specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that cause weakness, limited range of motion or degeneration. Their role is to help you restore function.
Your first session with a physiotherapist will include some diagnostic work to establish the source of your injury. Your physiotherapist can refer you for other diagnostic procedures like x-rays and MRIs.
Once a diagnosis has been made, your physio will employ some bodywork, TENS machine or ultrasound, manual therapy or dry needling, before performing corrective exercise therapy.
Physiotherapists may use gym or exercise rehabilitation, hydrotherapy and performance monitoring during a typical session.
What kind of conditions can benefit from physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is beneficial for both chronic and acute conditions. Physiotherapists are frequently called on to assist patients who have
- Arthritis
- Incontinence
- Rehabilitation after surgery or stroke
- Recovery after broken bones
- Neurological conditions
Physiotherapy can also help to protect you from experiencing injuries in the future, either ergonomically or through exercise. It is used frequently in occupational health and in children who are experiencing developmental delays.
What are the benefits of physiotherapy?
The primary goal of physiotherapy is to restore function however physio sessions may have other benefits that include
- Pain management
- Improved strength
- Improved circulation
- Improved posture
- Protection against future injury.
At Blakehurst Chiropractic and Massage Therapy we offer complementary treatments that help our clients stay in their best physical shape. We believe that exercise is the best way to promote health and we work with our clients to improve nervous system function, restore posture and improve spinal alignment so that every workout achieves maximum results.
Our experienced team can assist with remedial treatments such as massage techniques, dry needling and chiropractic care for clients who need to recover from or prevent injury.
If you’d like to improve your performance or find out more about remedial massage vs physiotherapy please get in touch with us: (02) 9546 6033.