How remedial massage is
assessed and delivered here.
New to remedial massage — or wondering what makes this different? This page explains what to expect in a session, how treatment decisions are made, and what techniques are used. No jargon, no assumptions.
Remedial massage is defined by assessment before treatment. Before hands-on work begins, the presenting condition is evaluated — through movement observation, palpation, history, and where indicated, objective measurement. Treatment is then matched to what the assessment finds, not applied as a routine. This is what separates remedial practice from general massage.
The clinical standard
What remedial massage
is defined as.
The Australian private health fund standard sets out the clinical basis for remedial massage — the definition that governs how it is recognised, billed, and delivered under HICAP codes 105 and 205.
Industry Definition — Australian Private Health Fund Standard (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 is 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 and soft tissue length, tension, and tone, which will in turn promote the return to normal joint, capsular, and 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.
Source: Medibank — Australian Private Health Fund HICAP Standard Definition of Remedial Massage
The key phrase is the highlighted one: assessment before treatment. This is the clinical foundation that every session at Heal Young Massage is built on — not a marketing claim, but the professional standard that defines remedial practice.
The process
What happens in
a session here.
Every appointment follows the same sequence — assessment first, treatment second. Here is the short version.
Your presentation is understood first
Hill takes your history, watches how you move, and palpates the relevant areas. This happens before any hands-on treatment begins — it shapes every decision made in the session.
Treatment follows what assessment finds
There is no preset routine. Technique, pressure, and focus area are chosen based on what the assessment identifies — and adjusted throughout the session as the tissue responds.
You leave knowing what was found
At the end of the session, Hill explains what was identified and what was done. Where relevant, simple self-management — specific movements or tools — is discussed to extend the effect between appointments.
The assessment process goes deeper than most expect — walking analysis, stair assessment, bilateral fascial palpation, kinetic chain tracing, and objective force measurement where indicated. Read the full clinical approach →
Techniques and tools
What is available —
and how each is selected.
No single technique suits every presentation. The following are available at Heal Young Massage — each applied when assessment indicates it is appropriate, not as a default or menu selection.
Manual Therapy
Dynamic Myofascial Release
Integrates sustained manual pressure with controlled movement to engage the myofascial system — targeting fascial restrictions through length, load, and direction. Requires fabric contact; most sessions are clothes-on.
Research & clinical evidence →Deep Tissue Techniques
Sustained pressure to deeper muscle layers — applied when assessment supports it, not as a default intensity setting.
Trigger Point Therapy
Targeted pressure to hyperirritable points within muscle tissue to reduce referral patterns and improve local function.
Myofascial Release
Directional sustained pressure to elongate restricted connective tissue — distinct from general compression massage.
PNF Stretching
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation — active-assisted techniques to restore range of motion through neuromuscular engagement.
Remedial Hot Stone
Thermal therapy combined with targeted remedial technique for deeper tissue access where clinically indicated.
Chinese Medical Massage
Traditional Tui Na techniques applied alongside Western remedial approaches where clinically appropriate.
Relaxation Techniques
Used clinically when deeper or more direct techniques are not appropriate for the current presentation — not as a spa-style default.
Instrument-Assisted Techniques
Cupping
Negative pressure to decompress superficial fascia and support local circulation.
Gua Sha
Instrument-assisted technique to address surface fascial restriction and promote tissue mobility.
Kinesio Taping
Elastic therapeutic taping to support joint position and muscle function between sessions.
Massage Gun
Percussive therapy applied to targeted areas as a clinical adjunct.
Dry Needling
Fine-needle technique targeting myofascial trigger points. Queensland-qualified practitioner.
Clinical Assessment Methods & Technology Full assessment approach →
Movement Screening
Observation and palpation of muscles, fascia, and joints during functional tasks relevant to daily activities or sport.
Gait & Running Analysis
Evaluation of walking and running mechanics to identify load distribution, asymmetry, and compensation patterns.
Breathing Assessment
Respiratory mechanics at rest and under load — breathing pattern can influence movement efficiency and spinal loading.
VALD ForceDecks
Bilateral force plates measuring strength output, movement mechanics, and load symmetry between limbs during functional tasks.
AxIT System
Force plates for walking and running force asymmetry analysis, combined with dynamometry for objective muscle strength measurement.
VALD HumanTrak
Markerless 3D AI motion capture for real-time biomechanical analysis — joint angles, movement range, and functional asymmetries.
activForce Dynamometer
Portable handheld dynamometer for objective muscle strength testing across multiple muscle groups and joint positions.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Real-time musculoskeletal soft tissue visualisation — used to observe muscle, tendon, and fascial structure where clinically indicated.
Assessment tools are used as a clinical aid to inform treatment decisions — not as diagnostic instruments. All findings are applied within the scope of remedial massage practice.
Practical information
What to expect
at your appointment.
Duration
60 minutes standard appointment — includes assessment, treatment, and post-session discussion
What to wear
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Most sessions are clothes-on — Dynamic Myofascial Release requires direct fabric contact without oil
Health fund rebates
May apply under Extras cover — check with your provider for HICAP code 105 (Remedial Massage) or 205 (Remedial Massage)
Common questions
How it works —
frequently asked.
Does every session start with assessment, or just the first one?
Assessment is part of every session, though the depth varies. The first appointment involves a full intake and movement screen. Follow-up sessions begin with a brief check-in on changes since the last visit — this still informs treatment decisions before hands-on work begins.
Why are most sessions clothes-on?
The primary technique used at Heal Young Massage — Dynamic Myofascial Release — requires direct fabric contact. Oil prevents the technique from engaging properly. This means the practitioner works directly through your clothing rather than on bare skin with oil. Loose, comfortable clothing is ideal.
How does treatment intensity work?
Intensity is matched to what assessment indicates and what your tissue tolerates. More pressure is not always more effective — direction, depth, and timing matter more than force. Treatment intensity is adjusted throughout based on your response, not applied at a fixed level throughout the session.
What is the difference between remedial massage and a relaxation massage?
Relaxation massage prioritises comfort and general wellbeing through consistent technique applied across the whole body. Remedial massage begins with assessment, targets specific contributing areas, and uses technique selection based on clinical judgement. Sessions may involve some discomfort — pressure is always kept within a safe and appropriate range, but the aim is clinical effect rather than uniform relaxation.
Is remedial massage covered by private health insurance?
Many Australian private health funds cover remedial massage under Extras. Coverage and rebate amounts vary by fund and policy level. Hill Yang is registered with Massage & Myotherapy Australia (MMA #031045), which is recognised by most major funds. Check with your provider regarding HICAP code 105 or 205.
Assessment first.
Treatment second.
Every appointment at Heal Young Massage begins with understanding your presentation before any hands-on work begins.
Educational content only. Not medical advice. Individual results vary. Hill Yang is an ESSA Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES #17005) and Remedial Massage Therapist (MMA #031045). The industry definition quoted is sourced from the Medibank Australian Private Health Fund HICAP Standard. Always consult a qualified health professional for personal health concerns.