Remedial Massage and Manipulation

For thousands of years massage has been used for its therapeutic and healing effects on the body. While it has not always been understood why massage worked, the positive results were recognised and appreciated. From the relief of muscular and skeletal pain to the treatment of a wide range of conditions and ailments, massage has proven itself an effective tool for medicinal healing and general body maintenance. Kate and Rosalind provide massage.

Modern advances in science and medicine have brought with them a better understanding of how and why massage works. A better understanding of the biomechanics of the body has also brought important advances in massage itself.   This increased knowledge has allowed for the refinement of existing techniques and has allowed development of new approaches. Today, massage has again entered the medical mainstream and is seen by many as an important adjunct to qualified medical treatment. Massage from a suitably qualified therapist can be adapted to the patient's need to be relaxing or with lymphatic drainage, some mobilization or stronger manipulative techniques. Relaxing massage will not include manipulation.

Treatment for Spinal Problems, Posture Pump Disc Hydration and Decompression

For older people and people with certain spinal disorders such as osteophyte growths or fixation of vertebrae spinal manipulation is contraindicated. They can have non-manipulative articulatory treatments but a way to correct spinal curves is the ideal. Many neck and shoulder problems occur because the forward curve of the cervical (neck) spine has been lost resulting in the head going forwards.

Ultimately if this is not corrected there is progressive forward bending and the stooped posture commony seen in the elderly results. This does not have to happen! Proper breathing is impossible with such stooped posture. A picture of the person from the side should show a straight line from the ear canal to the top of the shoulder. If the line from the ear canal is forward of the shoulder it means the neck is jutting forwards and has lost its normal curve. 

We can now offer treatment with the Posture Pump neck and lumbar devices for 15 - 30 minutes, either as a stand alone or part of a massage session. Treatments start with 15 minutes. MRI scans before and after treatment have shown an immediate improvement after one session. The discs become hydrated and pressure from bulging discs between the neck vertebrae into the anterior subarachnoid space (the spinal cord) is removed which immediately relieves pain.  After the first session there will be some improvement and any disc bulges will have receded and the discs will become thicker as they are rehydrated. Misalignments of vertebrae will be corrected. New patients will need an initial assessment before the first treatment.

It was never thought that discs can regain their normal structure. Although research with before and after MRI scans have shown this structural change a simple photograpth from the side view before and after treatments will track progress. The device puts a gentle but firm (8 PSI) pressure (to your comfortable level) by an inflatable cushion strategically placed under the neck. This is pumped and released a few times before pumping up and holding for a while. Immediate relief is felt in the neck and head. There is lessening of the "buffalo" hump (kyphosis) spine and head jutting forwards.  Note this treatment cannot be used if there are any metal plates in the neck.

In some cases after a trial in the clnic it may be suggested to purchase one for ongoing home treatment. Some professional guidance is needed to learn how to use one or someone can help at home to adjust the device once shown. We do not sell these devices. We also offer the lumbar treatment Posture Pump an extremely comfortable and effective solution to acute and chronic back pain in addition so either or both together can be treated.

Manipulative Therapy

This is a physical treatment primarily used by physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors or osteopaths to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability; it most commonly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation. Three notable forms of manual therapy are manipulation, mobilization and massage. Rosalind provides all three, manipulation can be incorporated into remedial massage as needed.

Manipulation is the artful introduction of a rapid rotational, shear or distraction force into an articulation. This is most often associated with osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation but  manipulative therapists who are not osteopaths or chiropractors use many of the same techniques but have been trained via a different pathway or were osteopaths and naturopaths who chose not to go on the register of osteopaths. Many call it naturopathic manipulation.

Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of articular and soft-tissue (myofascial) stretching intended to improve bio-mechanical elasticity. Massage is typically the repetitive rubbing, stripping or kneading of myofascial tissues to principally improve interstitial fluid dynamics.

Practitioners often develop a style that incorporates several aspects of treatment that is centred on the patient's needs. This is good as a dynamic therapeutic relationship builds up that means treatment is bespoke.