Written by Ayleen Marinelli, Remedial Massage Therapist at Wellness Embodied Cairns.
Recently I had a client ask what was the exact type of massage techniques I had been using on her. She had been responding extremely well with this form of therapy and she wanted to tell a family member who lives in another state, to get the same type of treatment. In this case I had mostly been using lymphatic drainage and myofascial release techniques.
As a remedial massage therapist I have many types of massage styles and techniques that I have acquired in order to use to treat the client to the best of my ability. I use a variety of techniques in a session, predominately Myofascial Release. The different types of massage styles and techniques are described below.
Relaxation Massage
Is a rhythmic, therapeutic massage that is extremely useful in reducing stress, promoting relaxation and encouraging a feeling of emotional well-being, as well as reducing pain, improving circulation, improving lymph drainage, relaxing the nervous system, improved muscle condition and skin texture. Depending on the individual preference the pressure can be light to firm.
Remedial Massage
Is the systematic assessment and treatment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues of the body to assist in rehabilitation, pain and injury management. An assessment and range of motion testing is carried out and a proposed treatment plan. The treatment can then use a combination of therapies – relaxation, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques, lymphatic drainage.
These techniques are explained further:
Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point (commonly known as a ‘knot’) is a hyper-irritable spot usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle’s fascia. They can either be active – pain at rest or with movement, or latent – pain only when palpated. Trigger points often have a referral pain pattern. By using applied pressure to the trigger point and at times with client passive movement the therapy is said to interrupt the neural signals that cause both the ‘knot’ and the pain. The object is to eliminate pain and re-educate the muscles into pain free habits. Benefits include: swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain reduced, range of movement increased, improved flexibility and coordination as well as tension relief and circulation.
Myofascial Release (MFR)
Myofascial release is a very effective treatment that uses gentle, slow, sustained pressure with passive and active participation from the client to unwind the fascial restrictions, tension and ‘knots’.
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
MET is an effective method in resolving soft tissue and joint restrictions. It involves active or passive participation of the client with gentle resistance applied at the motion barrier, to stimulate the nervous system to allow a more normal resting length of muscle.
Lymphatic Drainage
Is a very light pressured, gentle therapy that stimulates the lymphatic and blood circulation in the direction to enable free flow of lymph to help clean the body of wastes and toxins in cases of: General health maintenance; general cleansing/ detoxification; oedema; stress related problems; sedentary lifestyles; minor bruising/ injury; constipation; puffy eyes.
Sports Massage
Incorporates the above techniques to provide a preventative and rehabilitating manipulation of the soft tissues to help prevent injury, assist in elevating muscle or tendon pain, fascial restriction and help improve or restore range of motion.
Other types of treatments on offer are:
Pregnancy Massage:
Uses specialised massage techniques to support the mother through her body changes to help alleviate pain and discomfort, whilst highlighting a sense of relaxation. Pregnancy massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being during pregnancy.
Some examples include:
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is an ancient practice where basalt stones are professionally heated, and placed on the body’s muscles and energy points. Then using a combination of Swedish massage, therapeutic Remedial massage techniques, and thermotherapy (heat therapy) from the basalt stones, the stones are used to massage the body.
The weight from the stones makes you feel grounded, reassured and supported. The thermotherapy increases elasticity and plasticity of the muscle fibers so that the muscles become softer and more responsive to massage to assist with relaxation and healing. The effects of heat application include: reduced muscle spasm and joint stiffness; increased blood flow; increased white blood cells for healing and nutrient delivery; increased cell metabolism; increased lymph flow aiding in greater detoxification and stimulating the immune system.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a science based upon the principal that there are reflex areas in the feet, hands and ears that correspond to all of the glands, organs, and parts of the body. Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers to press and stimulate these reflex areas. In clinic we predominately do foot reflexology.
There are many benefits with reflexology with the main being able to:
Relieve stress and tension;
Improve blood supply and promote the unblocking of nerve impulses;
Help nature achieve homeostasis.
Ayleen Marinelli
Remedial Massage Therapist 
