Whether you seek out massage therapy to aid the recovery of an injury, to facilitate better performance, or as part of a wellness drive, if you’re reading this then we probably don’t need to tell you that massage therapy is a beneficial remedy for several issues.
Involving the manipulation of the muscles to combat pain, alleviate aches, and effectively break down knots and areas of tension in the body, massage therapy forms an effective part of many treatment plans and is used by athletes and regular people alike to overcome pain and injury.
What many new clients aren’t familiar with, however, is the process itself and what to expect from our massage therapy Chelmsford treatment. Here is a beginner’s guide to massage therapy at our clinic in Essex.
Different types of massage therapy
Did you know that “massage” is the umbrella term under which a series of different treatments lie? With a multidiscipline team on hand, all specialising in different types and styles of massage depending on the motivation and challenges being experienced by the patient, we offer everything from deep tissue massage to remedial massage and more intense sports massage.
As part of your journey with us, we will help you to work out the most suitable form of massage according to your specific needs and will explore other physiotherapy interventions which might support recovery as well as the prevention of future issues or injuries.
The difference between deep tissue massage and sports massage
When selecting the right kind of massage therapy for you, you might find yourself wondering what the difference is between the various treatments we offer. To answer this question, it’s first useful to recognise that remedial massage is the lightest form of massage therapy we offer and is generally the go-to for those who want to relieve stress and anxiety rather than physical pain.
The difference then between deep tissue and a sports massage lies largely in the reason for treatment and the end goal. Both involve manipulation and technique which push deep into the muscles – with deep tissue massage designed to break down knots and relieve tension, while a sports massage is more focussed on recovery and preventing future injury.
Does massage hurt?
Your therapist will work with you to identify the most appropriate pressure for your massage, balancing somewhere between comfortable and firm. The idea behind an effective massage is to work out the knots and tense muscles which create and exacerbate pain, without making you feel too uncomfortable throughout the treatment.
As an experienced physiotherapy team, we are trained in delivering effective and safe massages to patients and clients from all walks of life and will tailor both your massage and any other treatment options to your specific needs and preferences.
If you need to book a massage, whether to help with recovery or to alleviate some chronic pain that is impacting your quality of life, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Chelmsford team.
