Therapeutic Massage is a hands-on treatment designed to relieve deep muscle tension, improve structural balance, and support long-term recovery from pain and injury. At our Christchurch clinics, therapeutic massage is often integrated with acupuncture and other traditional techniques to deliver comprehensive musculoskeletal care.
What Is Therapeutic Massage?
Therapeutic massage involves a combination of specialised manual techniques, including:
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Kneading
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Deep tissue pressure
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Stretching
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Soft tissue manipulation
These techniques target the deeper layers of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to restore normal movement and relieve chronic tension.
How the Method Works
During a therapeutic massage session, the practitioner applies controlled pressure to areas of tightness, dysfunction, or pain. This helps:
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Break down adhesions
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Reduce muscle knots
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Improve circulation
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Relax the nervous system
The treatment is tailored to each patient’s condition, making it suitable for both acute injuries and long-standing pain.
Purpose of Therapeutic Massage
The main purpose is to manually manipulate soft tissues to improve their function. This includes:
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Muscles
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Tendons
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Ligaments
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Fascia
Therapeutic massage is especially effective for people with physically demanding jobs, posture-related issues, or sports injuries.
Key Benefits
1. Releases Deep Muscle Tension
Targets tight, overworked muscles to restore natural softness and reduce discomfort.
2. Improves Structural Alignment
By addressing imbalances in the soft tissues, therapeutic massage helps the body move more efficiently.
3. Essential for Injury Recovery
Supports healing by breaking down scar tissue and increasing nutrient-rich blood flow to injured areas.
4. Manages Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Ideal for conditions such as back pain, neck stiffness, shoulder tension, and repetitive strain injuries.
How It Supports Healing
Therapeutic massage helps to:
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Increase blood circulation
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Reduce stress hormones such as cortisol
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Relax the muscles and nervous system
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Improve joint mobility
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Restore full range of motion
This makes it a powerful treatment for maintaining long-term health and preventing future injuries.
Who Can Benefit?
Therapeutic massage is suitable for:
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Office workers with posture-related pain
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Athletes recovering from strain or overuse
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Individuals with chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain
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Those dealing with stress, tension, or restricted movement