Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists will treat people who are suffering from injury or any physical conditions which result in pain, restricted movement and altered mobility using a range of different techniques.  Physiotherapists are able to refer clients for diagnostic procedures such as X-rays.  A typical physical therapy session will involve some assessment, some bodywork, application of ice, ultra-sound or TENS machines and some corrective exercise therapy. Other treatments they may use include hydrotherapy, gym rehabilitation and performance monitoring.

Typical injuries that may be treated by physiotherapists are both acute and chronic in nature.   It is not uncommon for a physiotherapist to be seeing two or three patients simultaneously and so you may experience times during your physiotherapy session when you are not actually being formally treated by the therapist.

As a rule of thumb, if you are suffering from an acute injury or require a firm diagnosis of your condition then it is probably preferable that your first port of call be a physiotherapist. It may be that after a few sessions then massage therapy may become more relevant for your treatment.

Remedial Massage

People will most commonly see remedial massage therapists when they are suffering from muscular and soft tissue complaints. Sessions will typically last around an hour and the therapist will use their hands, fingers, knuckles, elbows and forearms to provide the manipulation to the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue/fascia).   Although most remedial massage sessions have a direct therapeutic objective, for many people an added benefit is that, whilst the massage itself may be a little painful and intense, it will always provide a degree of relaxation for the massage recipient.

Remedial massage therapists can use a range of different techniques including deep tissue, trigger point work, stretches, myofascial release and stimulating acupressure points to help relieve pain, decrease muscle tension and restore balance to the body.

Massage therapists do not do any manipulation and, most importantly as a means of distinction from physiotherapists, they do not have sufficient training to be considered as diagnostic practitioners. If you are after a firm diagnosis of any condition you are faced with then you will need to see someone other than a massage therapist.

Both Physiotherapists and Remedial Massage Therapists are able to prescribe stretches, strengthening exercises, postural training and balance exercises.

If your condition is more general and chronic in nature, such as stiff neck or ongoing sore shoulder or low back pain then massage therapy may be appropriate. This is particularly the case if you wish to have a more holistic approach with the therapist devoting their time solely to your full body rather than a session that is totally dedicated to dealing with the soreness in your left forearm, for example.

So call us now to book an appointment: Ph.  0415 422 600  or visit our website for further information:

www.barbaraforbesmassage.com.au

9 Benefits of Regular Remedial Massage

If you are looking for more reasons for booking a massage, other than ‘because it feels great’, look no further. Let’s face it, massage can make you a much happier person…but here are nine rock solid benefits of regular massage that make a compelling argument to book in for one soon!

1. Correcting Problems In Your Body
With remedial massage, therapists are trained to assess your body, observe changes over time, and design individual treatment plans for each client.

More than just feel-good massage, they can use specific techniques to address an individuals’ injury, postural or joint issues, as well as improving circulation, reducing pain and bringing a sense of general well-being.

2.   Stress Reduction
The importance of relaxation and well-being can’t be underestimated and one of the most noted effects of massage is a greater feeling of calm and relaxation.

It reduces both emotional and physical stress, which is why it is often recommended in stress and anxiety treatment programs.

The soothing, pampering benefits of massage encourage the release of endorphins – the wonderful chemicals that give us the feel-good factor. Conversely, those nasty stress inducing hormones such as norepinephrine, adrenaline and cortisol are reduced.

3.  Immunity Boosting                                                                                                                    Due to the decrease in stress hormones, your immune system has a chance to work more efficiently, without impairment. In addition, massage increases circulation and improves lymphatic drainage, which again provide a boost to the immune system’s effectiveness.

4.  Heightens Mental Alertness                                                                                                  When you are given a chance to relax and de-stress through massage treatments, your levels of mental clarity and alertness increase.

5.   Releasing Muscle Tension and Pain
Good massage techniques are a wonderful way of releasing trigger points, stretching and elongating muscles and breaking down adhesions.

The therapist can focus on areas that are stiff, injured or just plain sore. By increasing the blood flow to the tissues and releasing the tension, massage not only helps alleviate the pain, but can also help eliminate toxins and oxygenate the cells.

6.   Increased Joint Mobility
By releasing muscle tension around joints, the range of movement in the joint can be increased.

When a joint is no longer hampered by stiffness, muscle function can return to support and improve joint movement.

7.   Improved Posture                                                                                                                       Massage helps relieve a lot of tensions, particularly in the neck and shoulder areas, common in those who sit a lot or use a computer at work.

Lower backs are also prone to tightening from prolonged sitting.

Remedial massage can help remedy these problems by lengthening the muscles and balancing out the body for improved postural alignment.

8.   Improved Skin Tone
Massage can help give you healthy and toned skin – it will reduce tension in the skin and adjoining tissues as well as increasing circulation.

Increased circulation in and under the skin can aid the nutrition cycle and encourage cell regeneration. Happily, massage also stimulates sebum production, helping to improve suppleness, moisturising and softening dry skin.

9.   Eliminating ‘Vicious Cycle’ Complaints
Sometimes things keep going wrong despite our best efforts!

For example, someone might get tension headaches due to continually clenching their jaw. The jaw clenching may be a stress response to pain in the neck and shoulders or somewhere else in the body.

By addressing the source of the pain, the jaw will stop reactively clenching, allowing the tension headaches to be reduced or eliminated.

Now, we were going to give you just NINE benefits of regular remedial massage, but we can’t go without mentioning the wide variety of disorders that massage can work its magic on…

BONUS BENEFIT:

Remedial massage assists a wide variety of health disorders
Whether it is insomnia; headache; depression and anxiety; back pain; arthritis; high blood pressure; chronic pain or constipation- studies have shown that remedial massage provides positive benefits for many health disorders.

So Book an appointment now: 0415 422 600  

GET A MASSAGE THIS WINTER

Warm up, release stress and re-balance the body

When the weather is really cold and damp and you just feel like hibernating –  this is a good time of the year to prepare your body and mind for the coming Spring season.

Massage can do more than just relax you.

Its healing qualities can help support your immune system, protecting you from winter colds as well as reducing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

All of this makes Winter a perfect time to renew your commitment to self-care.

Barbara Forbes Massage has a Lovely Warm Massage Room, Heated Massage Bed, Heated Oils and Towels – all to make your Massage an amazing experience. 

Far Infrared Sauna Therapy – Visit our website for more information: www.barbaraforbesmassage.com.au/far-infrared-sauna/

Sleep better after a Massage

When you don’t get enough sleep at night, you get cranky.  But did you also know that sleep plays a vital role in your overall health?

When your body is overtired, its immune system is naturally affected, leading to what is commonly called feeling run down. This means that you’re more susceptible to common colds and flu and other ailments that seem to be drawn to the overtired. 

Thanks to the increase in serotonin from a massage, your body has an easier time producing melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle.

A massage can help you spend more time in the deeper stages of sleep responsible for restoring your body.

Massage can help boost Your Immunity

Massage helps to improve the immune system.                                                                            A study published in the “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” found that massage therapy increased the presence of the body’s natural killer cells. These cells act as the immune system’s first line of defence, destroying cells responsible for tumours and viruses.

Decrease the winter blues

If you are looking to fend off the winter blues you may find relief by integrating massage therapy into your health maintenance routine.                                                                Something as easy as a massage can boost your mood and relieve anxious feelings.

When you receive a massage, your body releases serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is responsible for stabilizing your mood and balancing any excessive stimulating neurotransmitters that cause anxiety and stress. Dopamine, on the other hand, battles depression and helps you focus.

Massage helps blood circulation

Did you know that massage is a great way to boost your circulation?

Low temperatures cause the blood vessels to constrict, decreasing blood circulation and increasing blood pressure.  This can bring on many discomforts, aches, pains and arthritis.

Regular massage enhances blood flow, naturally lowering blood pressure, increasing the body temperature and improving body function.

So Call us to book an appointment for a Massage: Ph: 0415 422 600

The colder days and dark nights are coming in quickly and the arrival of the winter months can lead to us staying indoors more, exercising less, sleeping more & eating more. But if you introduce a massage to your winter schedule it can really help boost your body.

Here’s a rundown on how massage can help you this season…

Boost Your Immune System

Did you know that massage therapy is a proven immune booster? Massage therapy increases lymph flow which fights off infections and bacteria, boosting your immune system during the cold and flu season!

Banish winter blues

We need to take care of our emotional and psychological wellness in order to stay healthy and stress free. Massage therapy is a wonderful way to keep your mood light and bright. Through the power of touch, massage can increase serotonin and dopamine production to reduce anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder.

Improve circulation

Low temperature causes the blood vessels to constrict, decreasing blood circulation and increasing blood pressure. This can bring on many discomforts, aches, pains and arthritis. Regular massage enhances blood flow, naturally lowering blood pressure, increasing body temperature, and improving body function.

Helps to hydrate dry skin

As the humidity drops in winter the cold, dry air makes the water in your skin evaporate quicker, making your skin drier. The oils and lotions used in massage contain lots of vitamins to nourish & hydrate your skin – making you feel better on the inside & out!.

So Call us NOW to make an Appointment:  0415 422 600

If you’ve never experienced the healing benefits of a full body massage, then that should be top of your list to do this week.  Not only will you be improving your physical condition, but your mental wellbeing too.

Do you want to know some of the benefits?

1. Nervous system relaxant.  A full body massage can relieve muscular tension which will then soothe the nervous system.
2. Clean out your lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system is literally your body’s sewer system.  It is where your body ‘detoxes’ and stores waste.  A full body massage helps to filter out waste products, dead cells and even harmful pathogens from the body. If you suffer from oedema or fluid retention, this is where full body massage will be of great benefit to you.
3. Digestive Metabolism push. Many of our daily stresses can have a negative effect on our digestive system.  Massage can help to reduce bloating and constipation and relieve any aches and pains you may be experiencing in your abdominal area.
4. Back Pain Relief . This is one of the most common reasons people choose to have a regular professional massage.  A full body massage can help to loosen tense muscles and release tight fascia thereby reducing your back pain.

BUT WAIT……… THAT’S NOT EVERYTHING …………………….

Correction of postural imbalances.  Did you know that the techniques used in a fully body SLM Bodywork session can help to diagnose and fix any postural imbalances?  In addition to the above benefits this type of bodywork can stimulate flaccid muscles through various nerve lines, restoring length and function to permanently contracted muscles.  It removes muscle imbalances so pressure is released from the joints.

Most conventional treatments these days treat symptoms whereas your SLM Bodywork therapist will get to the root of the problem, treat it and also advise on how to stop the problem coming back.

 One of the main benefits is the long lasting relief from pain – especially chronic pain that has been in the body for a number of months or even years.  Most people feel light, balanced and energized following treatment.  Long-term recipients of this form of body work report better health and wellbeing and less pain and discomfort generally.

The incredible secret behind fixing all types of pain quickly and effectively!

Book your SLM Bodywork Therapy today at Barbara Forbes Massage

Tel:    0415 422 600

(Remedial & Therapeutic Massage)

Tel: 0415 422 600 to make a booking