Massage Therapy vs. Physiotherapy: Which One Do I Need?

To figure out which practice between Massage Therapy or Physiotherapy is right for you, just ask yourself this one question. “Do I need fast relief for muscular pain?” or “Do I want techniques for long-term help?”.

If you’re leaning towards the first, massage therapy is the ideal treatment. Alternatively, if you want recovery, contact our physiotherapists today.

Understanding the differences between physiotherapy and massage therapy may help you decide on which style of therapy/ or combination of services will best suit your needs.

Summary

Physio Therapy

  • Strengthens and develops muscles with a range of exercises.
  • Long-term relief for afflicted areas or injuries.
  • May implement massage into practice.
  • Identification of injuries or musculoskeletal complications.
  • Will focus on muscles, joint mobilisation, posture and other factors.

Massage Therapy

  • Improves relaxation.
  • Can reduce pain from existing conditions.
  • Improves body circulation and can lower swelling.
  • Soothes tight muscles and can be used for injured sites.

The Benefits Of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy utilises a range of techniques for the treatment of injury or ailments. A physiotherapist will take time to understand the patient’s condition and any pre-existing injuries to focus on or avoid. Then their treatment will utilise several modalities and programs for the best results.

At Body Viva, our team of professional physiotherapists will work with you to help your body recover to its full potential following injury, disease or other mobility/function limitations we face in day-to-day life. Some techniques used by a physiotherapist include: Joint Mobilisation, Muscle Energy Techniques, Soft tissue release, Tendon Movements, Exercise Prescription and many more.

Physiotherapy is an ongoing process that combines several at-home exercises and in-clinic procedures to foster the best results. A physiotherapist will assist in person by running exercises or guided stretches and even may perform massaging. Then they should give you a list of exercises to assist recovery.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is utilised for the relaxation of muscles and promoting body recovery. It can be used in conjunction with physiotherapy to accentuate the effects, or it can be used independently to improve a person’s quality of life.

During a massage, a registered massage therapist uses techniques such as Rubbing, Kneading, Effleurage, Tapping and even Vibration to stimulate the muscles and relieve pain, tension or discomfort.

Massaging can also keep your muscles healthy, which improves performance, prevents injury, and, when done regularly, can correct posture. At BodyViva, we also offer remedial and relaxation massages to enrich your day.

Another reason massage therapy is so popular is because of the mental advantages. It can promote mental wellness by giving patients a relaxing experience that puts them in a meditative state. Massage therapy has been shown to improve a person’s sleep, relieve symptoms of depression, lower stress, and invigorate their body and mind.

Best Results Can Come With Combined Treatment

Massage therapy plays a fantastic role in the relaxation of pain. At the same time, physiotherapy is more calculated and focuses on diving into the cause of your issues and finding the correct rehabilitation techniques.

Of course, physiotherapy can be taxing on your muscles, so massaging is a great way to ensure proper blood flow and enhance the recovery environment. If you feel like your pain comes from stress-related sources, massage therapy is great for calming down and decreasing stress.

If you’re looking for a combined approach to physical wellness, give BodyViva a call. We understand our bodies deserve the best treatment, which is why we offer a holistic range of physical therapy services. From Massage to Physiotherapy and even Podiatry, we’ll look after you from head to toe!

BodyViva in Springwood is a multidisciplinary clinic with a range of health practitioners ready to ease your pain through physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, podiatry and pilates. Visit BodyViva today!