Massage therapy involves hands-on pressure, kneading, and stretching to relieve tension, knots, shortening and scar tissue in muscles and other soft tissues. There is a vast array of different styles and techniques of such soft tissue release, from those that use lots of oil such as “effleurage” and “Swedish massage” to those that use very little or no oil, for example, “clinical trigger point massage” or “cross fibre soft tissue”.

Long, superficial sweeping strokes tend to improve circulation and drainage, whilst more advanced techniques arguably have a more long-lasting therapeutic affect. For example, the acupressure style (often referred to as “inhibition”, “neuro-muscular technique” or “ischaemic compression”) promotes the release of muscle knots (trigger points). Other types of advanced clinical massage involve very short rubbing or frictional movements (friction massage or “frictions”) to break down fibrotic scar tissue and improve collagen formation within the connective tissues. Pressures, applications and effects can vary vastly depending on the practitioners’ use of precise techniques involved.

Massage Therapy at Spine Plus?

Our therapists can gear their treatments towards whatever outcome you desire or require. If you are seeking a soothing, relaxing massage to mentally unwind, you need look no further, your treatment will mainly consist of Swedish style, long relaxing and sweeping strokes. On the other hand, if you are seeking a more therapeutic treatment, to iron out knots and trigger points, to manage a chronic myofascial pain condition, or to improve mobility as part of pre and post-sporting preparation – then the treatment will consist of the more advance massage therapy techniques outlined about. This type of advanced, clinical massage therapy is what we specialise in at Spine Plus, it requires a precise knowledge of human anatomy and will likely differ considerably from the style of massage available at beauty salons.

As mentioned above long sweeping strokes generally improve blood flow to and from the muscles and other soft tissues, improve lymphatic drainage and removal of waste products (such as lactic acid). Ischaemic compression is thought to work on a couple of different levels, the initial temporary increase in pain is followed by modulation in pain perception within the nervous system resulting in reduced localised and referred pain. Also, by temporarily restricting the blood flow to the muscle knot (trigger point) to which the pressure is being applied, this will induce a rush of blood to the area once the pressure is released, helping to flush out waste products from deep within the muscle and also restore delivery of oxygen-carrying blood to the parts of the muscle that need it most. Cross-fibre soft tissue massage is similar to ischaemic compression except that a small amplitude stretch is applied at 90 degrees to the direction of the muscle fibres; this in effect applies a localised stretch to that part of the muscle that is most taut and shortened and also helps to release adhesions that can occur between the fibres as a result of injury of inflammation. Massage tools may be used with this technique to further enhance contact pressures and engagement with specific muscle fibres (this may referred to as “instrument-assisted massage” or “instrument-assisted soft tissue release”). Similarly, certain types of massage tools may be used to improve restrictions within the fascia or membranes encasing and connecting muscles (e.g. Graston Technique), or used during friction massage. Friction massage tends to be used at sites of scar tissue (fibrosis) from old injuries, such as previously healed muscle tears, where the collagen fibres tend to have formed in a disorientated direction rather than in parallel lines as would be the case with healthy tissue, friction is applied to break down deformed collagen (scar tissue) at and to stimulate healing and improved collagen deposition and orientation.