At Bridge Health & Wellbeing, we offer both sports massage and remedial massage therapy by our highly experienced therapists, Alice Loveridge, Nathan Nobel and Sharon Sawyer. But how do you know which type of massage is right for you? Is there really much difference between the two?
Both types of massage are therapeutic and holistic, treating the whole of the person. The clinician will work with the client to assess their needs and work with them to plan a suitable treatment. But there are some differences which might make one treatment more suitable for your specific needs.
Sports massage is generally more targeted to specific outcomes
Though sports massage isn’t exclusively for athletes, it can be highly beneficial for athletes looking to improve performance and prevent injuries. It is often used in preparation for an event, like a run, swim, or ironman challenge. It can also be highly beneficial after a strenuous activity as part of a recovery process.
Sports massage therapists will often work alongside a clinician, like a physiotherapist or chiropractor, as part of a rehabilitation or treatment plan post-injury or surgery. A manual therapy, sports massage aims to relieve muscle pain, soreness, and tension. It is effective in treating many conditions, both chronic and acute, acting on the muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems.
Remedial massage is more relaxation-focused
The aim of remedial massage is to ease muscle pains and reduce tension. This delivers both physical and emotional benefits, as clients leave more comfortable, calm and relaxed. A restorative treatment, remedial massage can be very helpful for emotional issues such as stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Generally, a gentler form of massage, remedial massage can be effective for clients with long-term or chronic conditions as part of their treatment plan. It can help to flush toxins out of the body, stimulating the circulatory system and increasing blood flow to assist in the healing process.
There are many similarities between remedial massage and sports massage
It can come down to personal preference for particular therapists or the style which you prefer. If you are unsure which is right for you, pop into our clinic on Bridge Street, Christchurch or give us a call. We would be happy to discuss the options with you further so you can decide.
Whichever form of treatment you use, our highly trained therapists will complete a thorough assessment and tailor treatments to meet your goals. Book now online or call 01202 473800.
