Massage therapy is a manual therapy involving the application of techniques to promote healing and free restrictions in the soft tissues of our body. These techniques can include pressure, holding, vibration, rocking, friction, kneading and compression with the hands, fingers, thumbs and sometimes fists, forearms, elbows or even the feet.

Manual therapy techniques can benefit the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems and often has a positive influence on the overall health and well-being of the client.

Can massage help improve my pain and movement?

Yes, massage can help improve pain and movement! After treatment(s) pain and discomfort is often reduced and movement or range of motion can increase. Massage initiates a relaxation of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments), improvement in blood flow and circulation and a relaxation of nerve tissues. Appropriate massage therapies can have a dramatic effect on short and long term pain and discomfort.

What ailment is massage commonly used to treat?

Massage is commonly employed to treat ailments such as muscular tension, work related injuries, sports and dancing injuries, repetitive strain injury, whiplash, pre-natal pregnancy conditions, arthritis, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression and digestive dysfunctions.

What modalities of massage are available and which one is the right type of massage for my needs?

There are a number of different types of massage to choose from within the modality of manual therapy depending on your individual needs.

Remedial massage is a massage performed with the intent to remedy or initiate a positive change to a restriction, range of motion deficiency, pain or dysfunction and integrates a range of different techniques as required.

Sports preparation and post sports massage is often more intensive in style and attendance patterns. It often integrates remedial techniques with the intent to promote the best possible outcome for athletes either prior to or after a sporting an event.

Swedish massage or relaxation massage is a massage that utilises more surface techniques to the skin and superficial muscles and is designed to calm and relax the body and spirit.

Lymphatic Drainage massage is a very superficial massage to the skin using techniques designed to initiate the flow and movement of lymph fluid to the lymph nodes closest to the affected site with the intent to reduce post operative or post injury oedema.

Acupressure massage is a massage performed with the intent to balance or initiate a positive change to pattern of dysfunction according to the philosophy of traditional Chinese Medicine. While it is related to Acupuncture it is not invasive and integrates a range of different techniques as required.

What should I expect from my massage session?

During an initial consultation, the practitioner shall ask you some questions to understand your needs, why you are in attendance and what outcomes can be realistically achieved. To facilitate this your practitioner shall ask relevant questions about your medical history to date and you may then participate in some range of motion tests as required to determine your specific needs.

The practitioner shall formulate a treatment plan and an appropriate treatment shall be discussed with you then performed. During the treatment communication is encouraged between you and the practitioner in relation to the possible intensity and your own personal endurance, depending on your particular needs.
The duration and frequency of a massage session varies according to your individual needs. Generally, sessions range from 30 – 90 minutes depending on the outcome required. For general health and wellbeing a 60 minute session is the typical length of stay.

While there are many positive effects of manual therapy, there is also an expectation that due to certain techniques being applied to the tissues that some clients may experience some level of intensity during treatment depending on your individual needs. It is also an expectation and a natural consequence of this manual interaction that you may experience some level of post treatment soreness depending on the modality and its application.

How often should I enjoy a massage?

Generally, there are two distinct groups of individuals that choose to integrate manual therapy into their lives.

The first group tend to take a more preventative point of view and choose to enjoy regular massage for general health and wellbeing. This is achieved by consistently maintaining their body, minimising muscular restrictions as they arise to assist in ensuring that they continue to enjoy their activities and lives. This group chooses to maintain their performance, movement, range of motion by initially attending when an injury event is acute and then continue to build on the achievements made during their initial treatments by attending either weekly, fortnightly or monthly sessions.

The second group are inclined to attend when things develop into more chronic conditions or when an injury or event prevents them from continuing to perform a common task in their lives. People in this group attend on a “needs basis” only.

Is manual therapy or massage a safe modality?

Yes, manual therapy or massage has been shown to be a very safe modality! Manual therapies including massage have been proven to be very safe when performed by suitably qualified and experienced practitioners. Clients are encouraged to communicate relevant conditions or contraindications prior to the commencement of any treatments. You may experience some level of intensity during treatment depending on your individual needs and there is an expectation that as a natural consequence of manual interaction that this may lead to the experience of some level of post treatment soreness depending on the modality and its application.

What if I am pregnant?

Clients are encouraged to communicate relevant conditions or contraindications prior to the commencement of any treatments. Depending on your individual needs, there may be some modifications to your treatment process or restrictions on the scope of what can be performed or what outcomes can be realistically achieved. To facilitate this you practitioner shall ask relevant questions about your medical history to date and your particular trimester as required to determine your specific needs.

How many treatments do I need?

The number of treatments required will vary from person to person depending on your individual needs, the particular ailment presented, the outcome and time frame identified and any allied concurrent treatments being undertaken. At each treatment the overall plan will be reviewed and the treatment strategy shall evolve accordingly.

What time frame between appointments do you recommend?

The time frame or frequency of attendance at treatments will vary from person to person depending on your individual needs, the particular ailment presented, the outcome and time frame identified and any allied concurrent treatments being undertaken. At each treatment the overall plan will be reviewed and the treatment strategy shall evolve accordingly.

Chronic and acute conditions shall have different requirements and outcomes. Generally, clients shall need an appropriate recovery time between sessions and this shall be determined on an individual basis.

Should I eat before a treatment?

Some clients do and others do not eat prior to treatments. It really depends on you! As food requires digestion, this can make some clients tired or even uncomfortable for a period of around an hour after eating, however others appear fine. It is suggested, therefore that in the interests of your comfort that if larger meals are to be consumed it should be done so at least an hour before treatment or any time after a treatment.

What if I am taking some medication?

During a consultation, the practitioner shall ask you some questions to understand your needs, why you are in attendance and what outcomes can be realistically achieved. To facilitate this you practitioner shall ask relevant questions about your medical history to date and this shall include any medications that may be relevant to your treatment. It is always best practice to identify possible interactions or outcomes that may result due to manual therapy interactions. Please indicate if you are on blood thinners, an insulin dependent diabetic, have high or low blood pressure, are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or if you have any allergies especially to oils, nuts, vitamin E etc.

How do I get the most benefit after my treatments?

Often you shall be informed of any additional steps needed to assist with your recovery. This may consist of such things as appropriate stretches, strengthening exercises, the application of cold compresses or the recommendation to drink more water.

How do I achieve the best results during my treatment?

For the best results, you should relax, listen to and communicate with your healthcare professional. If there is anything relating to your treatment that you are not sure about, please ask questions!

How far in advance do I need to book for a treatment?

Booking a regular appointment or creating an appointment at the completion of a treatment is always the best practice. Otherwise, please call, SMS or email to check the availability of session times in the week that you are interested in attending. Please indicate your preferred day or time, as you may be placed on a waiting list and offered a time in the event that there has been a cancellation that meets your needs.

When are you available for bookings?

Our practitioners are available by appointment only from Monday to Saturday. Appointments are generally made between 9am – 6.30pm.

How do I make an appointment?

While booking a regular appointment or creating an appointment at the completion of a treatment is always the best practice, you are also welcome to call, SMS or email to check the availability of session times in the week that you are interested in attending. Please indicate your preferred day or time, as you may be placed on a waiting list and offered a time in the event that there has been a cancellation that meets your needs.

Requests for bookings are welcome by phone, voice mail, email or SMS. Messages are responded as soon as practicable indicating current available days and times. When a booking is requested by SMS or voice mail, the time, if it is still available is confirmed or an alternative is offered by voice mail or SMS. Confirmed bookings usually receive a reminder the day before by SMS.

How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Rescheduling a booking or a regular appointment at the completion of a treatment is always the best practice. However, you are also welcome to call, SMS or email to cancel or reschedule.

If you are required to cancel or reschedule an appointment please respond upon receipt of the reminder SMS. If you are unable to attend and need to notify us on the day please respond immediately, preferably by SMS to enable clients on a waiting list the best possible chance to take the appointment.

What should I wear to a treatment?

Clients usually attend the treatment rooms in their normal street or business clothes. Manual therapy is performed according to a “Code of Conduct”.

While it is important that you are comfortable, it is our normal practice to drape clients with towels depending on your individual needs. During the treatment process appropriate areas are uncovered to allow for the application of techniques and even oils to the area of the body being worked on. We do require you to wear underwear or athletic shorts to enable the appropriate treatment directly to the skin and muscles and to allow the placement of towels or covers to maintain your modesty.

While underwear is usually always kept in place it is often required when for example, working on shoulder injuries to suggest that the brazier be removed only if you are comfortable to do so. You will be draped to maintain your modesty and our professional codes at all times.

What should I bring to appointments?

Please bring to your appointment any relevant medical referrals, reports, or other relevant information you think may be necessary to assist us with your treatment plan.

Do you provide massages under Workers Compensation?

Yes, we have approved WorkCover treatment providers who provide assistance to employers and quality rehabilitation and health care to injured workers.

To attend as a WorkCover client, you shall need a referral from your treating Doctor and the Remedial Massage Therapist shall then communicate with your insurer via your case manager, the referring Doctor and the employer as required. For further information talk to your referring Doctor.

What payment methods are available?

We accept payments directly through HICAPS for participating health funds for clients with ancillary health benefits cover. Any gap payable is accepted by credit card, Visa, Mastercard or EFTPOS debit cards.

While we do accept cash we do not accept cheques unless prior arrangements have been made or direct deposits have been requested and cleared prior to treatment.

When do I need to pay?

Treatments are paid for at the time of service, usually before or at the end of each session. Our Gift Vouchers are also accepted and must be surrendered at the time of service otherwise the standard consultation fee shall apply.

Can I claim through my private health insurer or Medicare?

Our Remedial Massage practitioners are currently recognised by all known private health insurance funds in Australia depending on your level of cover.

Medicare provides hospital cover for Australian Citizens and those with permanent residence. Medicare does not provide cover for ancillary, complementary or allied health services such as massage therapy.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions!

To learn more about our products or services, contact us and we will invite you to a FREE information seminar.

Remedial Therapy Solutions
Suite 3, Level 2, “Gordon Centre”
802-808 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW, Australia 2072
Phone: 0416 227 567