Know more about Remedial Massage
This page explains how remedial massage is assessed and delivered at Heal Young Massage, including how treatment decisions are made and what clients can expect from an assessment-led approach.
What is Remedial Massage
Remedial massage is an assessment-led, treatment-focused approach designed to improve movement function, manage pain, and support recovery.
Rather than providing relaxation alone, remedial massage focuses on understanding why discomfort or restriction is occurring and addressing the underlying contributing factors.
At Heal Young Massage, remedial massage is guided by clinical reasoning, movement assessment, and individualised treatment planning.
Definition of Remedial Massage from Medibank (Australian Private Health Fund Standard for HICAP code: 105, 205)
Remedial massage is the systematic assessment and treatment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body to assist in rehabilitation, pain and injury management. It’s performed to create favourable conditions for the body to return to normal health after injury and is defined by the premise that the treatment can reasonably reverse specific physical effects a patient may be presenting. If a patient has suffered a moderate injury resulting in structural pain and/or loss of function, remediation is required to reduce or eliminate pain and restore that function. Remedial massage is designed to balance muscle/soft tissue length, tension, and tone, which will in turn promote the return to normal joint/capsular/bone position; increase the flow of blood and lymph, particularly in the injured areas, thus removing blockages, damaged cells, scar tissue and adhesions resulting from the injury.
A remedial therapist must know anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to determine where to treat patients. Their services must be based on best practice principles. Before any remedial massage treatment begins, thorough patient consultation and assessment are to be performed to ascertain the patient’s current health status. Suppose the patient is suitable for remedial massage and relying on the patient’s feedback to identify the areas that require attention. In that case, the therapist can apply the appropriate treatment.
How Remedial Massage Differs from Relaxation Massage
Relaxation or spa-style massage is primarily designed to promote comfort and general wellbeing.
Remedial massage differs in that it:
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begins with assessment rather than routine techniques
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focuses on function and movement quality
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targets specific areas contributing to symptoms
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aims to support longer-term improvement, not just short-term relief
For this reason, remedial massage may involve periods of discomfort, though treatment intensity is always adjusted to remain safe and appropriate for the individual.
Who Remedial Massage Is Suitable For
Remedial massage may be suitable if you:
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experience ongoing or recurring pain
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want assessment-led care rather than guesswork
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are physically active or involved in sport
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want to better understand how your body moves and responds to load
This approach is commonly used by active adults, athletes, and individuals managing long-standing musculoskeletal issues.
When Remedial Massage May Not Be the Right Choice
Remedial massage may not be suitable if:
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you are only seeking relaxation
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you prefer spa-style treatments
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you do not wish to be assessed or discuss movement patterns
In these cases, a relaxation-focused massage service may be a better fit.
What to Expect During a Remedial Massage Session
Sessions typically begin with brief discussion and observation of relevant movement or areas of concern. Treatment is then tailored based on what is identified, rather than following a fixed routine.
The focus is on effectiveness rather than intensity. Pressure and techniques are adjusted throughout the session to remain within an acceptable and safe range.
Alongside hands-on treatment, clients may be guided to better understand:
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movement efficiency
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contributing habits or patterns
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simple strategies to support recovery between sessions
Assessment-Led, Individualised Care
At Heal Young Massage, remedial massage is delivered as part of a clinical, assessment-led approach.
Treatment decisions are guided by professional judgement, experience, and — when clinically appropriate — objective assessment tools.
The goal is not to “fix everything in one session”, but to help the body move toward a more resilient, sustainable state over time.
Assessment is an important part of remedial massage.
Therapists may assess how your body moves, where discomfort is present, and how muscles and soft tissues are functioning. Most assessments are based on knowledge of anatomy and how the body works.
Some therapists may also use other assessment methods depending on their training and background. The type of assessment used will vary based on the therapist’s qualifications and experience.
Current assessment options from Heal Young Massage by Hill Yang
Assessment may include observing and palpating how muscles, fascia, and joints perform during functional movements, such as daily activities, exercise, or sport. This helps identify areas of restriction, overload, or compensation that may be contributing to symptoms.
Gait assessment may be used to evaluate how movement patterns change during walking and running, and how muscles respond under load.
Breathing patterns may also be observed, both at rest and during movement, as breathing can influence movement efficiency and overall function.
When clinically appropriate, real-time biofeedback systems such as VALD Performance and Strength by Numbers (AXIT) may be used to assess strength, balance, and reaction time, supporting objective measurement and informed clinical decision-making.
The Real-Time Biofeedback VALD and AXIT system assess the Strength, balance, and reaction time tests.
https://valdperformance.com/
https://www.strengthbynumbers.com/
Pressure test by Activ5 Dynamometer.
https://activ5.com/
Blood pressure by Omron blood pressure monitor.
Blood oxygen concentration, heart rate, and PPG (photoplethysmogram), which detects blood volume changes in the microvascular bed of tissue by BloodOximeter.
Treatment options for Remedial Massage
Following assessment, Hill will discuss the findings with the client and collaboratively determine which treatment approaches are most appropriate for the session, based on the individual’s presentation, tolerance, and goals.
At Heal Young Massage, remedial massage treatment options may include a combination of the following techniques, applied when clinically appropriate:
Remedial hot stone
Relaxation techniques (clinical, not spa-based)
Deep tissue techniques
Trigger point therapy
PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)
Myofascial release
Aromatherapy
Chinese medical massage
Cupping
Gua Sha
Kinesio taping
Massage gun applications
Dry needling
Relaxation techniques can form part of a remedial massage session; however, this is not a spa-style relaxation massage. These techniques are typically used when a client’s condition is not suitable for deeper or more direct approaches such as deep tissue work, trigger point therapy, or myofascial release.
As the client’s condition changes and tolerance improves, treatment may progress to more targeted techniques aimed at reducing pain, restoring movement function, and supporting longer-term recovery.