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Remedial massage differs from massage for relaxation, such as aromatherapy massage, as it is undertaken with the intention of treating muscle injuries and pain. The underlying principle in remedial massage is that your body's soft tissue responds to touch, and when the correct hands-on techniques are employed, healing can take place without the need for prescription drugs.

An Overview Of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition caused by excess strain on your muscle tissue. These areas of strain are called trigger points, and can cause you to experience pain in other parts of your body, which is called referral pain, despite the muscle tissue in that part of your body being intact and uninjured. For example, tense or strained muscles in your lower back could cause referral pain in your buttocks and thighs, while trigger point pain in your neck could cause pain in your arms.  
It's not always possible to identify a cause when you develop myofascial pain syndrome, but injury and overuse of certain muscles can cause muscle strain, inflammation and pain. Those who work in repetitive jobs, such as a busy production line, or spend a lot of time hunched over a computer, are particularly susceptible to developing this condition. Prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatories can cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea and headaches, so patients often search for natural ways to tackle myofascial pain syndrome.

What To Expect From Remedial Massage

Your massage therapist will identify trigger points for pain using a technique known as effleurage, which involves applying firm pressure with the palms of their hands and moving their hands in long, sweeping strokes across your body. Remedial massage techniques that use trigger point touch can be used to bring relief from myofascial pain syndrome by applying varying degrees of pressure to the areas of strain identified by your massage therapist. The therapist will use their hands to apply and release pressure in cycles with the aim of working knots out of tense muscles and reducing muscle strain, which will bring relief from referred pain.

Remedial massage typically has to be undertaken as a course of treatment, but you should notice the intensity of your referred pain reducing with each massage. This type of massage is considered safe for everyone, including children and the elderly, but your massage therapist will take details of any health conditions you have before working on your body in order to work as safely and effectively as possible. 

The referral pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome can worsen over time, and living with pain can deplete your quality of life. So, if you'd like to try a drug-free treatment option for myofascial pain syndrome, give remedial massage a go.