Remedial Massage Therapy

What is Remedial Massage Therapy?

Remedial massage therapy is a form of complementary therapy that focuses on treating specific ailments and dysfunctions of the body. Unlike relaxation massage, remedial therapy is goal-oriented and evidence-based, designed to assess and treat muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue that may be damaged, knotted, tense, or immobile.

Our remedial therapist utilises a wide range of treatment techniques and approaches that, in addition to manual therapy, assist with muscular pain and dysfunction recovery. The therapist's skill set and treatment options are comprehensive, catering to different ailments and conditions for optimal results.

Key Benefits:

• Reduces muscle pain and tension

• Improves range of motion and flexibility

• Accelerates recovery from sports injuries

• Enhances circulation and promotes healing

• Relieves chronic pain conditions

• Supports injury prevention

• Complements physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs

Treatment Techniques We Use

Our remedial massage therapy incorporates a variety of specialised techniques, each selected based on your individual assessment and treatment goals:

Trigger Point Therapy

Focused pressure applied to trigger points -- tight, painful knots within muscles -- to release tension, reduce pain, and restore normal muscle function. Particularly effective for chronic pain, headaches, and restricted movement.

Dry Needling

Fine, sterile needles inserted into tight muscle bands to stimulate healing, release tension, and improve blood flow. Highly effective for muscle pain, sports injuries, and neck and shoulder tightness.

Cupping Therapy

Traditional technique using suction cups to increase blood flow, release fascial restrictions, reduce inflammation, and promote deep tissue healing. Excellent for back pain, shoulder injuries, and chronic muscle tightness.

Gua Sha

A scraping technique that breaks down scar tissue, improves circulation, and releases soft tissue restrictions. Beneficial for chronic pain and movement dysfunction.

Joint Mobilisation

Gentle movement of joints to improve mobility, reduce stiffness, and restore proper joint function. Often combined with soft tissue therapy for comprehensive treatment.

Passive Neuromuscular Stretching

Assisted stretching techniques that lengthen tight muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance range of motion without strain or discomfort.

Deep Tissue Massage

Focused pressure on deeper muscle layers to release chronic tension, break down adhesions, and improve tissue health.

Sports Massage

Targeted treatment for athletes to enhance performance, prevent injury, and accelerate recovery from training and competition.

Conditions We Treat

Our remedial massage therapy is effective for a wide range of conditions:

Chronic Pain & Muscle Tension

• Chronic lower back pain from poor posture or overuse

• Neck pain and stiffness

• Shoulder pain and restricted movement

• Hip pain and tightness

• Generalised muscle soreness and fatigue

Sports & Activity-Related Issues

• Sports injuries including strains and sprains

• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow

• Rotator cuff issues and common shoulder injuries

• Hamstring strains and calf tightness

• Post-training soreness and recovery support

Headaches & Migraines

• Tension headaches caused by neck and shoulder tightness

• Migraine management through muscle release

• TMJ dysfunction and jaw pain

Workplace & Postural Issues

• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)

• Office-related back and neck pain

• Postural dysfunction from prolonged sitting

• Work injury recovery support

Recovery & Rehabilitation

• Post-surgery rehabilitation support

• Scar tissue treatment and mobilisation

• Complementary care alongside physiotherapy

• Soft tissue healing after injury

General Wellness

• Stress and tension relief

• Improved sleep quality

• Enhanced circulation and lymphatic drainage

• Mobility improvement and flexibility

Who Benefits from Remedial Massage Therapy?

Athletes & Active Individuals Maintain peak performance, prevent injuries, and recover faster from training and competition. Ideal for runners, cyclists, gym-goers, and recreational sports participants.

Office Workers Combat the effects of prolonged sitting, poor ergonomics, and repetitive strain. Relief for neck pain, shoulder tension, and lower back discomfort.

Manual Workers Support your body through physically demanding work. Treatment for lifting injuries, overuse strains, and workplace-related muscle fatigue.

Chronic Pain Sufferers Long-term management of persistent pain conditions through regular, targeted treatment that addresses underlying muscle dysfunction.

Post-Injury Recovery Complement your physiotherapy or medical treatment with hands-on therapy that accelerates healing and restores function.

Older Adults Maintain mobility, reduce age-related stiffness, and improve quality of life through gentle, effective treatment.

Anyone Seeking Wellness Even without specific pain or injury, remedial massage supports overall health, reduces stress, and keeps your body moving well.

Our Approach to Remedial Massage

1. Comprehensive Assessment

Every session begins with a thorough assessment of your condition, movement patterns, and treatment goals. We identify the root cause of your pain or dysfunction, not just the symptoms.

2. Personalised Treatment Plan

Based on your assessment, we develop a tailored treatment plan that may combine multiple techniques for optimal results. Your plan evolves as your condition improves.

3. Hands-On Expert Care

With over 30 years of experience, our remedial massage therapist delivers skilled, precise treatment that targets problem areas and delivers lasting relief.

4. Integration with Physiotherapy

Remedial massage therapy works beautifully alongside physiotherapy, clinical pilates, and exercise rehabilitation for comprehensive, holistic care.

5. Education & Self-Care

We teach you about your condition and provide self-management strategies, including stretching techniques and posture advice, so you can maintain improvements between sessions.

6. Progress Tracking

We monitor your progress throughout treatment, adjusting techniques and intensity to ensure you're getting the best possible outcomes.

Meet Your Remedial Massage Therapist

Ivy Yap -- Remedial Massage Therapist

Ivy brings over 30 years of experience to Fisio Moves, including work with elite NRL sports teams. Her extensive training and hands-on expertise make her highly skilled in treating complex musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries.

Areas of Expertise:

• Sports massage and injury recovery

• Reflexology

• Cupping therapy

• Scar tissue mobilisation and treatment

• Chronic pain management

• Deep tissue and trigger point therapy

Ivy's warm, professional approach ensures every patient feels comfortable and confident in their treatment. She works collaboratively with our physiotherapy team to deliver integrated, holistic care.

How Remedial Massage Complements Physiotherapy

At Fisio Moves, we believe in multi-disciplinary care. Remedial massage therapy and physiotherapy work together to deliver superior results:

• Enhanced Recovery: Massage therapy improves tissue healing, which supports physiotherapy rehabilitation goals

• Pain Management: Reduces pain levels, making exercise rehabilitation more comfortable and effective

• Improved Mobility: Releases muscle restrictions that may limit progress in physio exercises

• Holistic Treatment: Addresses both structural issues (physio) and soft tissue dysfunction (massage)

• Faster Results: Combined treatment often accelerates recovery compared to single-discipline care

Your remedial massage sessions are coordinated with your physiotherapy treatment plan for seamless, comprehensive care.

What to Expect During Your Session

Initial Consultation (60 minutes)

• Detailed discussion of your condition, history, and goals

• Comprehensive assessment of affected areas

• Treatment using appropriate techniques

• Home care advice and self-management strategies

Follow-Up Sessions (30-60 minutes)

• Progress review and reassessment

• Targeted treatment based on your evolving needs

• Ongoing education and support

• Adjustments to your treatment plan as you improve

What to Bring:

• Comfortable clothing suitable for treatment

• Health fund card (if claiming through private health insurance)

• Any relevant medical information or imaging results

Frequently Asked Questions

Is remedial massage painful? Treatment should feel therapeutic, not painful. You may experience some discomfort during trigger point therapy or deep tissue work, but this should be within your tolerance. We constantly check in with you and adjust pressure accordingly.

How many sessions will I need? This varies based on your condition. Acute injuries may improve within 2-4 sessions, while chronic conditions often benefit from ongoing maintenance care. We'll discuss a recommended treatment plan after your initial assessment.

What's the difference between remedial massage and relaxation massage? Remedial massage is therapeutic and goal-oriented, focusing on treating specific conditions and dysfunction. Relaxation massage is about stress relief and general wellbeing without targeting specific problems.

Can I claim through my health fund? Yes, most private health insurance extras policies cover remedial massage therapy. We have HICAPS for instant claiming.

Do I need a referral? No referral is needed for private appointments. However, if you're using Medicare, TAC, WorkCover, or other schemes, specific requirements may apply.