Frequently Asked Q's
What even is a remedial massage and how is it different to a regular massage?
A typical massage, while still beneficial, aims to promote relaxation in any capacity. Your typical full body massage will boost blood flow, lower heart rate, aid the lymphatic system and decrease stress. Remedial Massage can still perform all those benefits however treatment is on a more localised scale. Instead of a full body treatment, we may focus on only 1-2 areas of the body that are of concern to both you and the therapist. We also have more techniques at our disposal including cupping and dry needling, as well as different stretching techniques to help loosen muscles.
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What should I wear to my appointment?
Something comfy and easy to remove. Try to avoid wearing sports bra as they often have no clasp in the back which can make treatment difficult. Otherwise, think smart about your treatment. If your complaint is in the lower limbs, consider wearing shorts, likewise for other areas of the body. We ask you try and avoid wearing jewellery and remove any that might get in the way before your treatment. We do understand life is on the go and perhaps you can only make your treatment before/after work or gym and accomodations can always be made. Don't panic if you can't change your clothes, we will look after you :)
Is remedial massage painful?
Sometimes, but never too much. It's common to experience uncomfortableness and pain in treatments as we work to get the body back to better function, but pain should never exceed an 8/10. Your therapist will keep communication open and clear about pain levels and will ensure that the amount of discomfort is minimal as possible.
What should I expect in my first treatment?
A thorough consult to ensure we have a full picture of your lifestyle and area of concern. It may feel like a lot of questions, however this helps provide a clear picture and narrow down a productive treatment plan to get you back on the right track. We also will do a postural assessment to see where things might be going haywire and some assessments to test strength and mobility in any areas of concern. Then we can get right to work. You're following treatments may include a similar consult and assessment, but they will become more of a check in/update rather than a full questionnaire.
I’ve recently injured myself, when should I get a treatment?
Depending on the injury you could come in right away or we may ask you to see your GP or physio for an assessment first. For muscle strains/strains you're welcome to come in when you feel is necessary, but for bigger injuries such as fractures, breaks and dislocations we ask you see a GP or Physio to ensure you receive the appropriate scans and medical interventions. In such cases though, remedial isn't off the table. Your body will compensate for the injury and will need to be maintained otherwise it will create new issues for you. And once your injury has had a few weeks to heal, massage is incredible beneficial in decreasing scar tissue and improving blood flow to the area to get you back on your feet sooner.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a method that involves plastic cups placed on the body and using suction to create space in between the muscle layers. Massage in its nature is compressive since we're pushing down into the body, but cupping allows us to open the area up and create room for muscle, tendons, nerves and arteries to rest. Cupping tends to be most beneficial in Fascia Dysfunction where the fascia becomes restricted and causes stiffness, creating a flow on affect to the muscles and other systems in the area. Because it draws blood to the area, bruising is extremely common and can be sore occasionally but fades anywhere between 1-5 days.
What should I do before coming to my appointment?
the 12 hours before your appointment we encourage hydration. Water. Water. Water. Massage is dehydrating and with the boost to your circulatory system and lymph system, your body will need the extra boost before treatment to avoid dizziness/feeling faint.
We also ask you ensure that your client form is filled out and completed so we do not have to waste time completing the form during your scheduled appointment time.
What should I do after leaving my appointment?
After your treatment. Water. Water. Water. You will be thirsty and need to rehydrate for the 12 hours after. This will help get rid of that groggy feeling you sometimes feel after treatment, and also help replenish the body.
How can I prolong the effects of my treatment?
Right after your treatment we encourage you to keep moving for a few minutes just to get the body working. Sometimes you have places to be and that's okay, but if you have 5 mins to spare after you treatment, take a quick walk around the block before jumping in your car. It will give your muscles the chance to feel their new positions and reduced tension so they're less likely to become problematic. ​
Your therapist may provide you with stretches, we encourage you to do these as this will also help prevent that some concern from returning.
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