Physio and Massage

Massage therapy complements physiotherapy in many ways – the primary goal of both therapies is to relieve muscle tension, pain, and spasms to bring you back to peak performance. While they may be different in certain aspects, making use of both modalities can accelerate your recovery process.  

Massage therapy involves a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) performing therapeutic massages that produce a relaxation response, release trigger points, and improve flexibility. This helps your body make positive physiological changes. A relaxation response is when your heart and breathing rate slow down, and your blood pressure decreases which stops your stress hormone production. This relieves you from the medical effects of stress, risks of hypertension, acute fatigue, and other physical dysfunctions. 

Physiotherapy is a drug-free, long-term approach to strengthening your body to ensure that it manages physical activities better. It benefits people from all backgrounds, experiences, and ages as it can alleviate a wide range of conditions such as acute injuries and chronic pain.  

Together, physio and massage can make a remarkable difference in helping you manage pain and recover from injuries or surgeries.  

3 Ways Physio and Massage Can Help You Get Back to Doing the Things You Love 

  1. Faster recovery 

Physiotherapy is a reliable source of recovery, but it can sometimes take a longer time to show the effects. When massage therapy is added to the process, it can be beneficial. Massages are scientifically proven to help calm the nervous system, allowing you to go into better stretches with a deeper range of motion. This helps your body recover faster.  

  1. Increased range of motion 

In cases where the joints are affected, physiotherapy can be difficult as it requires you to move all your muscles and joints to get your body back to its normal state. This is where massage therapy comes in handy. A clinical massage will loosen your muscles and reduce tension between them. This will impact your range of motion and increase the efficacy of your physiotherapy sessions. 

  1. Improved general wellbeing  

Massage helps to stimulate and regulate your body, circulate lymph fluid, and reduce swelling. It also lengthens your muscles, tightens them, and improves their strength. When massages and physiotherapy are used in combination, they stimulate your body’s natural healing process and keep your body in proper alignment. This also decreases the chances of you experiencing muscle spasms, soreness, and discomfort as massages ensure an excellent circulation of the lymphatic system and free flow of nerve impulses through your body.  

Getting the right treatment for you 

Whilst it is tempting to attempt to self-diagnose through Google searches or TikTok, it is imperative that if you are in pain or struggling with mobility that you seek professional help. Only a qualified medical practitioner / physiotherapist will be able to diagnose and treat safely and effectively. Their expertise will then assist you with a personalised treatment plan that includes the best therapies for your problem. 

Some treatments include: 

  • Sports Massage: Sports Massage utilises techniques such as kneading, friction, and stretching to loosen tight muscles and increase circulation. This type of massage targets deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, breaking down adhesions, improving blood flow, and reducing inflammation. It aims to improve flexibility and range of motion of the muscles while reducing tension and pain.  
  • Sports Physiotherapy: Sports Physiotherapy employs a range of techniques such as manual therapy techniques, electrical stimulation, and exercises in order to improve strength, flexibility, and stability. Physiotherapy treatments can also include the use of heat, cold, and ultrasound to reduce pain and promote healing. It aims to optimise healing, prevent re-injury, and improve your overall performance. 
  • Mummy MOT: Mummy MOT, a form of postnatal therapy within women’s health treatments, helps to rectify any physical challenges that need attention. It looks at key areas such as posture and alignment, pelvic floor strength and function, abdominal muscle separation, and breathing patterns. It aims to address concerns like pelvic pain or pressure, bladder control issues, lower back or hip pain, and abdominal muscle weakness.  
  • Sports Injury Physiotherapy: This is a sport-specific rehabilitation approach that takes into account specific movements and physical requirements of your activity, whether it is running, cycling, swimming, or team sports.  
  • Massage for Stress Headache: Massage therapy is a great way to relieve and treat stress headaches. A deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, breaking up muscular adhesions which relieve compressed nerves. Another massage option is the Swedish massage which uses long, flowing strokes to reduce stress and improve circulation.    

An Initial Assessment With True Physio 

We will look at: 

  • Medical History: Our physiotherapists will review your medical history, past injuries, and lifestyle factors to understand the context of your injury.  
  • Physical Examination: They will assess the affected areas for range of movement, muscle strength, alignment, and any signs of inflammation. 
  • Functional Assessment: The therapist will then evaluate how the pain affects daily activities, mobility, and specific movements that worsen or relieve the pain. 
  • Pain and Movement Assessment: They will then assess the impact of pain on certain movements to identify dysfunctional patterns that may be contributing to or worsening the pain.  

Why Choose True Physio for Physio and Massage? 

Physio and massage are very effective and holistic treatment options for a range of pain and injuries. We focus on creating personalised treatment plans that will treat the root causes of your pain. This ensures that we can properly manage your injury and prevent future recurrences.  

With 9 clinics in the UK and decades of experience, we are your trusted local physiotherapy clinic that can help you kickstart your treatment journey. Book an appointment with us today and let us help.