What is therapeutic massage?

Therapeutic massage involves focused work on your body’s soft tissue – the muscles, tendons and ligaments that move and support your body. With consistent treatments, therapeutic massage therapists can work towards achieving structural changes in the body that are causing pain and inflammation. Unlike remedial massage that works to correct specific conditions, therapeutic massage works to relieve overall stress and generalised pain and tension in the body. Many people choose to have a therapeutic massage before an important social event, meeting, exam, or interview, to ensure their body and mind are in a relaxed and optimal state.

What different types of therapeutic massages are available at Myall?

Deep-Tissue

Deep tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to melt away knots and deep tension in tight and aching muscles.

The therapist will use deep, slow strokes to release tightness targeting deep within the layers of muscles, tendons and ligaments. This style of massage is great for athletes and those who suffer from chronic tightness, scar tissue, anxiety and depression.

Soft Tissue Massage

Soft tissue massage is a gentle technique of targeting the muscle tissue. Rather than slow focused movements, soft tissue massage works with the depth, pressure and length of each stroke. Just like a deep tissue massage, this technique will aim to breakdown the tissue within the muscles and connective tissue.

Neck and Shoulder

As the name would suggest, neck and shoulder massages primarily focus on the neck and shoulders. It aims to reduce aching, stiffness and muscle tension in the area. Muscle tension around the shoulders and neck can build up over time as a result of stress and sitting for long periods of time. This can be a great option for those needing a quick and targeted massage in their lunch break.

Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal or pregnancy massage is for expecting mothers. We are aware that the back, knees and feet can ache during pregnancy and we wish to invoke a deep sense of relaxation and help relieve the discomforts during this time. The pressure and movements used around the body are tailored to cater for pregnancy. We offer a belly pillow to ensure you are feeling safe and comfortable at any stage and shape of pregnancy.

Hot Stone Massage

This speciality massage involves the therapist using heated smooth volcanic stones as an extension of their arms to massage and apply pressure to targeted parts of the body.

The warmth of the volcanic rocks helps to release tension within your muscles and can be deeply relaxing and therapeutic. The stones are placed on the acupuncture points of the body, once the targeted area is warm and relaxed the therapist uses the technique of the stones to release even more tension.

 

 

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Therapeutic massage is intended to be deeply relaxing for both the mind and body.. The pressure and movement on your body helps slow the production of stress hormones and instead starts producing endorphins and serotonin – the brain chemicals which affect the neurotransmitters to produce positive thoughts and emotions. It targets deep within the tissue using slow calculated movements to slow the heart rate, remove stress and ease pain. On the other hand, Remedial massage is targeted towards specific pain areas within the body for example chronic pain or excessive muscle tension.

A therapeutic massage involves a combination of flowing strokes, compression, and percussion movements on your body’s soft and deep tissues. These movements improve blood circulation as the pressure moves blood around the body and through congested areas. The release of this pressure, and increase of blood flow, systematically maximise effects on the body including:

  • Lymph circulation
  • Detoxification
  • Stress relief
  • Pain relief
  • Healing of muscular tissue
  • Reduction of inflammation
  • Improved range of motion
  • Increased endorphins
  • Strengthened immune response

What is the purpose of therapeutic massage?

Typically, the purpose of a therapeutic massage is total body relaxation. A health practitioner, for example, a physiotherapist, may recommend a number of therapeutic massage sessions as part of a broader treatment plan. Therapeutic massage can be helpful for injury rehabilitation, to help loosen the muscles, increase flexibility and improve muscle tone.

How does a therapeutic massage help you?

Massage stimulates the relaxation response within the body which in turn reduces your heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood flow and reduces chronic health conditions that are often associated with stress. Stress can manifest in your body in a number of ways, like, feelings of anxiety, insomnia, chronic fatigue and digestive issues. These symptoms can be relieved and improved when the body is brought back into a state of homeostasis and relaxation.

What to expect from your massage experience

Your massage therapist will ask you a series of questions to determine which techniques will be most therapeutic for your body. Our therapeutic massage therapists have extensive knowledge of a range of traditional and soothing massage techniques and are highly skilled at creating a deeply relaxing and healing environment for you. Our therapists will use light, medium, or firm pressure depending on your preferences and chosen massage techniques.

Who can benefit from a therapeutic massage?

Most people will benefit from a therapeutic massage. The outcome of a therapeutic massage is reduced stress on the body and mind and an increased sense of wellbeing. Many people have some form of tension and stress in their body and will benefit from the hands-on treatment of a trained massage therapist. Regular therapeutic massage is always a beneficial addition to your self-care practices.

As we get older our neck and shoulder muscles tend to become shorter, resulting in less range of movement and a feeling of stiffness. This feeling can be eased with manipulation of the muscle to oxygenate the muscles and tendons by increasing circulation. When we are stressed our body’s natural response is to tense up and seize, this can be experienced especially in the neck, where we hold all of our tension, resulting in whole-body stiffness. You can read more about neck & back pain in our blog. Regular massage is one way to tackle this issue, another way is to focus on general well being which will help reduce symptoms of stress and the relaxing of muscles. Exercise which helps to increase flexibility and stretching of the muscles such as yoga  and pilates – will help relieve tension on the muscles. Mindfulness practices such as meditation will help reduce overall stress which will affect the muscles, tendons and overall nervous system.

About Our Massage Therapists

Melanie Therapeutic-Massage-Therapist

Melanie Wayte, Senior Massage Therapist, Dip (Rm)

Mel qualified as a Massage Therapist in Canada and has over a decade of experience. Mel has a great relationship with many of her loyal clients at Myall Wellbeing. Known for her ability to incorporate relaxation techniques into her massage treatments, Mel puts so much energy into each of her sessions. She is grateful for each of the members and clients who visit Myall Wellbeing and wear a smile despite the sometimes very stressful nature of their work in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Jason Le - Massage Therapist

Jason Le, Massage Therapist

Jason is a Massage Therapist with a special interest in helping people to understand their musculoskeletal system better. With the belief that if you can develop an understanding of how the body heals and how to move your body properly, Jason believes that it is then that people can become their own teachers. Passionate about movement and mobility, it is Jason’s goal to leave you feeling more able to move your body freely after treatment.

FAQs

Will I be sore after my massage?
It is normal to feel soreness after a massage, especially if the treatment has specifically targeted painful, restricted muscles. The soreness can last a couple hours or can sometimes be felt the following day.

Post massage soreness is most likely felt after a deep tissue, remedial or sports massage, these treatments are intended to manipulate challenged muscles. These techniques have been designed to restore the muscle to its natural state, restoring mobility and to stimulate the feeling of relaxation.

What is the difference between therapeutic and remedial massage?
Therapeutic massage is intended to be deeply rejuvenating and relaxing. Massage techniques range from variations of Swedish massage, lymphatic drainage or hot-stone.

Remedial massage techniques are used for an in-depth, longer term targeted approach to massage. This technique is targeted to specific areas in the body that require rehabilitation, providing benefits to a wide range of ailments.

What kinds of massage does Myall offer?
Myall has a wide range of massage treatments available. These include:

  • Deep tissue massage
  • Soft tissue massage
  • Neck and shoulder massage
  • Hot stone massage
  • Pregnancy massage
  • Aromatouch massage
  • Lymphatic drainage massage
  • Remedial massage
  • Sports massage

Is it best to get a massage before or after exercise?
Both! Just depends what for.
Muscle soreness or doms (delayed onset muscle soreness) can be reduced by receiving a massage after exercise. Treatments help reduce inflammation, increase circulation and get your lymphatic and circulatory system moving.

Getting a massage before exercise can help increase flexibility and mobility of muscles by warming the muscles.

Can I claim my therapeutic massage back on private health?
Our HICAPS and Medibank claims can only be processed through for a remedial massage. Please see our remedial massage page.

What should I wear to my treatment?
We welcome you to wear any clothes that you like. Loose fitting clothes will be easier to get on and off if it is required for your treatment.
If you are coming from work please think about what you will need to ensure you are comfortable post treatment.

Can I receive a massage whilst pregnant?
Yes, massage treatments can be safe. We offer specific pregnancy massages to cater for expecting mothers. Although, we advise against a massage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Please ensure you let your massage therapist know if you are pregnant.

Do you offer massages in the office?
Yes we do, please visit our corporate webpage and chat to our corporate manager Kari about how you can bring massage into your office space.

Mel gave me the best massage of my life! As a body worker, I am discerning about who I go to for massage. With Mel I lingered in the space between conscious and unconscious, oblivious to the concept of time. She is incredibly intuitive and I feel so confident in her skills I can relax straight away, because with Mel, I am always in good hands.

Eric, Perth

Great service, convenient and Jason has been a great masseuse and really listens to my needs.

Martin, Perth

Melanie was very professional and gives an amazing massage… Magic hands 👐

Matthew, Perth

Expert massage, serene ambience and friendly staff. My go to massage in the CBD.

Rae, Perth

I enjoyed an amazing relaxing and skilled massage with Mel and I highly recommend it!

Sabine, Perth

Melanie is the massage goddess – I won’t go anywhere else.

Kylie, Perth

Mel eased my tight hamstring, showed me some relevant stretches and was very personable. The massage space was also warm and welcoming.

Janice, Perth

Very welcoming response from Emma, Mel and Sophie.
Sophie is a great masseuse, applying the pressure I wanted and it certainly eased some tension I had in the back and shoulders. Awesome.

David, Perth