Unlocking The Answers: Exploring Our Top Muscle Medicine FAQs

Introduction

In this blog, we delve into the most frequently asked questions we get at Muscle Medicine. Whether you’re curious about the signs you need a remedial massage, wondering about post-treatment care, or seeking insights into the different types of massage therapies, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore our top FAQs to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being with the experienced team at Muscle Medicine.

What are the signs that I need a remedial massage?

Remedial massage therapy is a specialised form of massage aimed at addressing specific musculoskeletal issues and promoting healing and recovery. All Muscle Medicine treatments are Remedial in nature, we can point you in the right direction of the best type of Remedial Massage for you.  But here are some general signs that one of our treatments may be what you need:

1. Chronic Muscle Pain and Tension – Persistent discomfort that doesn’t ease with rest may indicate the need for targeted remedial therapy. Our therapists at Muscle Medicine can pinpoint muscular issues and apply specialised techniques to alleviate pain and restore function.
2. Limited Range of Motion or Flexibility – Stiffness or difficulty moving certain muscles or joints can benefit from remedial massage. Techniques like deep tissue work and stretching promote flexibility and restore mobility.
3. Sports or Exercise Injuries – If you’re recovering from a sports injury or experiencing recurrent pain from physical activity, remedial massage aids in rehabilitation. At Muscle Medicine we can assess injuries, help to reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
4. Postural Problems – Prolonged sitting or repetitive movements can lead to postural issues and discomfort. Remedial massage addresses these imbalances and releases tight muscles.
5. Headaches and Migraines – Tension-related headaches often involve tight neck and shoulder muscles. Remedial massage targets these areas to reduce tension and alleviate pain, potentially reducing headache frequency.
6. Stress and Anxiety – Physical symptoms of stress, such as muscle tension, respond well to remedial massage. It promotes relaxation, releases endorphins, and lowers stress hormones like cortisol.
7. Rehabilitation from Surgery – After surgery, remedial massage supports recovery by improving circulation, reducing scar tissue, and aiding tissue healing under medical guidance.

Can I Exercise After a Deep Tissue Massage?

After a deep tissue massage, it’s crucial to consider how your body responds. Whether you should exercise after a deep tissue massage depends on how your body feels and the type of exercise you plan to perform:

•  Light Exercise: If you feel good and your muscles are responding well to the massage, light aerobic activities like walking or gentle stretching can be beneficial. These activities can help maintain circulation and prevent stiffness.
• Avoid Intense Workouts: It’s generally recommended to avoid intense or strenuous workouts immediately after any soft tissue treatment, especially a deep tissue massage. This includes heavy weightlifting, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or activities that could strain your muscles excessively. Your muscles have been put into a state of rest and need to repair after the treatment, they need time for this. 
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds. If you experience increased soreness, fatigue, or discomfort during exercise, it’s best to scale back or choose gentler activities.

Giving your body time to rest and recover after a deep tissue massage can maximise its benefits:

Long-Term Results: By allowing the massage therapy to take full effect, you can potentially experience longer-lasting improvements in muscle tension, flexibility, and overall well-being.Enhanced Muscle Recovery: Waiting a day or two before engaging in intense exercise allows your muscles to recover and repair from the massage, promoting better recovery overall.

Can I Get a Massage After a Vaccine?

While getting a massage after receiving a vaccine is generally safe, it’s important to be mindful of how your body is responding and to follow any specific guidelines provided by your healthcare provider. By waiting at least, a day or two after vaccination and opting for gentle massage techniques, you can enjoy the benefits of massage therapy while supporting your body’s recovery process.

As it depends on the type of vaccine as well as how you are recovering, we recommend you seek guidance from your healthcare professional.

What is the Difference Between Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Remedial Massage?

The definition of Remedial is “intended as a remedy or cure”.  A true Remedial Massage can only be provided by someone with the proper qualifications.  All Muscle Medicine therapists are Remedially trained, and all of our treatments are developed to work towards a remedy.

Therefore, there is no difference between a Sports Massage & a Remedial Massage at Muscle Medicine.  Your Sports Massage is a Remedial Massage.  We do have different types of massage though, which will provide remedy in different ways. 

During your consultation at Muscle Medicine, our qualified Therapists can help determine which Remedial Treatment is best suited to address your individual concerns and optimise your massage therapy. 

Sports Massage

Focus: Sports massage is specifically designed for athletes and individuals engaged in rigorous physical activity. It aims to enhance athletic performance, prevent injuries, and facilitate recovery after sports events or workouts.

When:

• Pre-Event Massage: This involves stimulating muscles and preparing them for activity, improving circulation, and enhancing flexibility to reduce the risk of injury.
• Post-Event Massage: This focuses on reducing immediate muscle soreness, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), promoting muscle recovery, and aiding in the removal of metabolic waste products like lactic acid.
• Maintenance Massage: Regular sessions can help athletes maintain optimal muscle condition, address imbalances, and prevent injuries related to overuse or repetitive strain.

Techniques:

• Myofascial Release: the slow, yet deep pressure to separate fascia from the muscles and rehydrate the fascia
• Trigger Point Release: to aid in releasing adhesions in the muscles
• Cupping: to aid in releasing deep adhesions in the muscles to allow the therapist to manual provide a greater relief in a shorter time
• Manual Release: a regular massage technique to release low level adhesions and help move cellular waste out of the muscle tissues

Benefits:

• Enhances athletic performance by improving flexibility, range of motion, and muscle function.
• Helps reduce muscle soreness and fatigue after intense physical activity.
• Supports quicker recovery from injuries and reduces the risk of future injuries.

Deep Tissue Massage

Focus: Deep Tissue Massage is a full body treatment, with focus on areas of muscle tightness or adhesions.  It aims to provide deep release to muscle soreness and a feeling of relaxation due to the release. 

When:

• Incident created symptom: If you lifted something, slept awkwardly, spent multiple hours sedentary (travel, work, dentist, hospital etc) and felt your body was twisted, aching or producing pain points.
• General life maintenance: Looking after your soft tissue health is as important as looking after your gut health or mental health.  Movement, hydration and soft tissue work are the three keys to soft tissue health. 

Key Differences

• Purpose: Sports massage aims to enhance athletic performance, prevent and treat sports-related injuries, and support recovery. Deep tissue massage focuses on releasing chronic muscle tension, improving mobility, and providing pain relief.
• Techniques: Both Sports massage and Deep Tissue Massage can use similar techniques to address soft tissue adhesions, tightness and irregularities.  Both can be firm or light touch, depending on the clients sensitivity. The therapist will use the techniques suitable for the presentation, and within their scope of training and expertise.   
• Application: While sports massage is often applied in a context related to sports or physical activity, deep tissue  massage is beneficial for anyone experiencing chronic muscle tightness or discomfort.

What Aftercare Should I Follow After a Massage?

1. Hydrate – Massage increases circulation and promoted the release of cellular waste from your muscles. Drinking water helps flush out the cellular waste and rehydrates your body.
2. Rest and Relaxation – Massage can leave you feeling relaxed and sometimes even a bit sleepy. Giving yourself time to rest allows your body to integrate the effects of the massage.
3. Follow any instructions from your therapist regarding stretching, heat or ice application or any at home care which will enhance and prolong the effect of your treatment. 
4. Avoid Stressful Situations – Massage therapy helps reduce stress hormones like cortisol. To prolong this effect, try to remain in a restful and low stress environment to keep the cortisol levels low. Everyone responds differently to massage therapy. Pay attention to how your body feels and adjust your activities accordingly.
5. Take note of the changes in your body – How long did the pain or discomfort stay away?  How long did the extra range of motion stay?  These notes will help your therapist understand how your body is accepting the treatment.  They can then adapt your treatment to provide you with the best ongoing results. 
6. Schedule Regular Massages – Massage therapy offers cumulative benefits for your physical and mental well-being. Regular sessions can help maintain muscle health, reduce stress, and improve overall quality of life. Learn more about our maintenance treatment here. If you are managing an injury or issue you are wishing to correct, a treatment plan will be provided with a set number of appointments over a period of time, according to your current state and your goals. Sticking to this treatment plan will help with sustained results
7. Listen to your therapist – If you are seeing a well qualified therapist, they will have advice for you on how you can make the most improvement, you are visiting them because they are the expert – so don’t waste your money, listen to their advice.  Question them and ensure you understand how your treatment can work best for you.

How Will I Feel After My Remedial Massage?

Every person responds differently to massage therapy, so your experience after a remedial massage may vary on a number of factors. It’s essential to listen to your body, drink water, and allow yourself time to rest and recover after the session.

Immediate Effects

• Relaxation and Calmness: Many people feel an immediate sense of relaxation and reduced stress levels after a deep tissue or sports massage. 
• Soreness or Tenderness: It’s common to experience some soreness or tenderness in the areas that were targeted during the massage. 
• Increased Range of Motion: You may notice improved flexibility and range of motion in the joints and muscles that were worked on during the massage. 
• Energized or Fatigued: Depending on your body’s response to the massage, you may feel energized and invigorated. Alternatively, some people may feel temporarily fatigued or sleepy.

Hours to Days After

• Delayed Soreness: Sometimes referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), you may experience increased soreness in the hours or day following the massage, especially if deep pressure or trigger point therapy was applied. It is unusual, but you may notice some bruising.  If the bruising is light and localised this is not a problem. If the bruising is widespread you should contact the clinic. 
• Hydration and Fluid Balance: You may feel dehydrated and feel you need to go to the bathroom more regularly.  This is a sign that your body is flushing out any cellular waste that has been agitated pushed into your lymph system. Therefore it’s important to drink plenty of water help flush your system. 
• Improved Mood and Mental Clarity: Many people report feeling a heightened sense of well-being, improved mood, and mental clarity after a massage. 

Long-Term Effects

• Muscle Recovery: If you received a sports massage, you may notice faster recovery from exercise-induced muscle soreness or fatigue. 
• Pain Relief: For those receiving other remedial massages for chronic pain conditions, you may experience significant relief that continues to improve in the days following the session.

The Muscle Medicine Approach: Your Customised Path to Wellness

At Muscle Medicine, we’re committed to more than just massages; we’re dedicated to long-term solutions. Drawing from extensive hands-on experience, our approach revolves around your holistic well-being. Here’s how we achieve it:

• Functional Assessment: We begin by assessing your movement patterns and lifestyle needs, allowing us to customize our approach to suit you perfectly.
• Structural Integration: Our focus is on aligning your body to promote healthier movement habits, fostering enduring changes that enhance your overall health.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Our specialized techniques target deep muscle layers and connective tissues, addressing the root causes of your discomfort.
• Personalised Treatment Plans: We develop clear, step-by-step plans designed to transition you from pain to improved comfort and mobility, tailored exclusively to your needs.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Recognizing that health is an ongoing journey, not a destination, our maintenance programs ensure that your soft tissues remain in optimal condition, supporting your active lifestyle and activities of daily life.

Whether your goal is to compete in a marathon, engage actively with your grandchildren, or simply enjoy a life free from pain, our mission is to help you achieve yours.

For further information or to discuss any additional questions, please contact Muscle Medicine today or arrange a consultation with one of our experienced therapists. Muscle Medicine is located in beautiful Double Bay, Sydney. Feel free to contact us on 02 8323 4648 or book online.