With so many different types of massage, it’s often hard to work out what’s the best treatment for your body, and at a specific moment in time. From hot stone blissful relaxation to targeted sports recovery to immune-boosting manual lymphatic drainage, each massage technique is specialised with specific outcomes in mind. So to work out what massage is best for you, we’ve outlined a few pointers to help lead you in the right direction towards enhanced health and wellbeing.
What: Remedial massage uses a wide range of specialised and targeted techniques to treat pain and injury caused by any kind of activity, stimulating blood supply and working on muscle and tissues that are damaged, knotted, tense or immobile.
When: Helps to treat neck, shoulder and back tension, sports, dance and other injuries, chronic pain, sciatica, headaches, whiplash, muscle cramps, arthritis, and frozen shoulder. Remedial massage can also help with anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Why: Reduces pain, improves mobility, improves sleep, and enhances overall wellbeing.What: Sport massage is a customised approach to sports and sports-related injuries and applies pressure to relieve tension often on a focused area. Sports massage is generally not a relaxing form of massage therapy – it can be quite robust.
When: Good for repetitive muscle injury from a sport or to help prevent injury, especially if you’re prone to injury. Why: Increases flexibility, reduces risk of injury, and enhances performance.What: With a deep understanding of the anatomy and physiology, a highly specialised myotherapist uses trigger point release as well as a wide range of treatments to aid muscle and joint recovery. Techniques include myofascial cupping, dry needling, corrective and rehabilitative exercise, taping, and prescriptive advice on muscle pain management.
When: Myotherapy extends beyond remedial massage and treats and rehabilitates musculoskeletal pain and conditions. By releasing muscle tension, myotherapy helps to reduce pain including sprains, back pain, joint pain, cervicogenic headaches, and sports injuries. Why: Sets out to fix a mechanical problem and is not intended to be relaxing. Benefits include pain reduction, prevention of injury, improved mobility, sleep and wellbeing.What: Myofascial cupping uses plastic cups sealed to the skin with oil or cream and a hand-held vacuum suction technique to improve nutrient supply to muscles and soft tissue, either by sliding the cups or leaving the cups static. Cupping decompresses the area with negative pressure by lifting the skin and the layer of tissue underneath it (the fascia).
When: To relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, break down scar tissue from old injury, reduce localised inflammation, and improve range of motion in joints. Why: For general pain relief and to improve circulation.What: Also known as MDN, myofascial dry needling is similar to acupuncture because it uses tiny needles to ease trigger points. But MDN is different to reflexology in that it uses western anatomy and physiology to locate dry needling points.
When: To reduce muscular stiffness and ease pain, and to help with range of motion. Why: By deactivating trigger points and inducing a local twitch response, pain is relieved and ‘feel-good’ endorphins are released.What: Remedial hot stone massage combines traditional remedial massage and beautifully polished precision-heated hot stones to melt stress away.
When: To relieve pain, reduce stress, relax tight muscles, improve flexibility, release toxins, and improve energy flow and circulation. Why: Feel light and transformed from this blissful, luxurious, cleansing, and deeply relaxing ancient form of therapy.What: A safe option for pregnant women, a trained specialised pregnancy massage therapist uses flowing strokes and specific techniques in this gentle form of remedial massage.
When: To reduce fluid and relieve tight muscles as your body changes through pregnancy, although not recommended in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Why: Lessens pregnancy body aches and stress as well as eases muscle tension.What: Also known as MLD, manual lymphatic drainage is a light touch, gentle skin-stretching technique working on the body’s lymphatic system -- which plays a role in immunity, removing toxins and breaking down metabolic waste.
When: MLD can help with ongoing fatigue, low immunity, sore throats, colds, infections, swollen glands and surgery recovery. This specialised approach is also used for people with lymphoedema which involves swelling of a limb, generally an arm or leg, potentially caused by genetics, cancer treatment or surgery. Why: Improves immunity and general health by relaxing the nervous system and aiding lymphatic circulation.What: Aromatherapy massage combines soft gentle pressure and the power of 100% natural plant-derived essential oils for an enhanced sensory experience.
When: To treat pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, congestion, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Why: For a positive effect on body and mind by relieving muscle tension, reducing stress and boosting mood.If you’re still unclear what massage treatment may work best for you, speak to the massage centre or discuss with your massage therapist in advance of your session. And while massage techniques may vary with a range of options to consider, a common goal binds professional massage therapy, and that is a focus on healing and wellbeing.
Bondi Junction Massage & Float Centre is a restorative and remedial oasis of calm and wellbeing in the heart of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, treating thousands of clients since 1985. Our centre is currently OPEN, adhering to a COVID Safety Plan. To find out more about our range of massages and other treatments, please make contact or book now.
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