Therapeutic Massage vs. Relaxation Massage

A Relaxation/Spa Massage, or as I like to call it a "Textbook Massage" uses classic Swedish massage techniques. The massage therapist will use light to medium pressure, depending on the client’s preference, and the intent of the session is to help the client relax. This type of massage is often performed in a day spa or resort and follows the standard massage pattern ie., back, leg, leg, foot, foot, roll over, leg, leg, foot, foot, arm, hand, arm, hand, neck, head, face. and this pattern usually remains the same for every client, and every session.


Therapeutic Massage Sessions - are setup quite differently from a Relaxation/Spa massage. This focused session is anything but "textbook" using advanced techniques, to seek out and treat the cause of the pain. A Therapeutic Massage session may involve more Client-Therapist interaction to determine and address individual goals and concerns, and aknowledge body awareness. Therapeutic or Clinical Massage Practitioners will often see a client more frequently for the first few months. This might include half hour massages three times a week, or weekly hour massages for a couple of months.  Some clients assume that a massage therapist working in a spa or salon will be able to offer a more therapeutic or clinical massage outcome. This is usually Not the case since most spa or relaxation massage therapist have focused their training and adjusted their techniques towards the spa setting and are frequently geared to provide a relaxation massage usually making her unqualified or unfamilar with the techniques required to offer more advanced treatments.


Therapeutic Massage provides Treatment to relieve Chronic & Temporary Pain related  to

Daily Stress & Tension
Chronic Fatique
Fibromyalgia
Sports related Pain & Injuries
Repetitive Stress or Strain Injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome or Tennis elbow)
Whiplash
Arthritis
Migranes
TMJ or jaw complaints
Special Needs such as Autism and Down’s syndrome
Cancer or Palliative Care

Just to name a few.