Understanding musculoskeletal Pain: When to Try Clinical Massage therapy
Historically musculoskeletal pain was primarily attributed to muscle injury or strain. However, scientific research has revolutionised our understanding of the musculoskeletal system and pain mechanisms.
Current science demonstrates that in most cases, it’s actually the myofascial tissue—the connective tissue surrounding and interpenetrating our muscles—that plays the dominant role in chronic pain conditions.
This paradigm shift explains why traditional treatments focusing solely on muscles often provide only temporary or limited relief. This new understanding has transformed treatment approaches, with techniques specifically targeting the fascial system proving really effective for the treatment of conditions previously resistant to conventional therapies.
Clinical massage therapy, at our Brighton & Hove based clinic is a treatment method in which a variety of advanced soft tissue techniques are mixed within a single session, with Myofascial release at the core of it.
This makes clinical massage very effective in treating pain and/or clinical conditions, as well as the perfect treatment method for athletes looking for injury prevention and/or sports conditioning.
What techniques we use during a clinical massage session
We’ve come across different therapeutic concepts under the term “Clinical massage”. At our clinic we use a combination of advanced soft tissue techniques that we adapt accordingly to each client’s needs within each session.
These techniques include Myofascial release (both direct as seen in structural integration and indirect work) and Trigger Point work, as well as sport massage strokes, acupressure, advanced stretching techniques and some craniosacral work.
What conditions can clinical massage help with
- Recurring back pain
- Headaches/Migraines
- Pain in Neck and Shoulders
- TMJ Disfunction (Related symptoms – headaches, anxiety, jaw pain, neck stiffness/pain, ear ringing/pain)
- Pain down the arms, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sciatica, Leg pain/Tingling
- Numbness/Tingling
- Hip and Pelvic Floor Pain or Conditions
- Knee pain
- Stress, Anxiety and Wellbeing
Why is the fascia responsible for most musculoskeletal pain and conditions
We can look at the fascial network as a three-dimensional spider web throughout the body. It can have different composition depending on the location and function. For example, the superficial fascia found in the lower back (thoracolumbar fascia) is thick and denser than the fascia found through muscle tissue which is gluey and has a more viscous composition.
Regardless of the location or exact function, the myofascial tissue can develop restrictions and adhesions, which in term result in musculoskeletal pain and compensatory patterns that increase the strain within the system.
One of the main reasons why the myofascial tissue plays such a big role in musculoskeletal pain is due to the great amount of nerve endings that it possesses.
With more nerve endings than the skin itself, fascia is extremely sensitive to both mechanical and biochemical changes in our body, constantly adapting to the environment. Some of these receptors communicate directly with the brain.
- Mechanoreceptors: These respond to mechanical pressure and stretching, sending information about body position and movement to the brain.
- Nociceptors: These pain receptors become activated when fascia is damaged, inflamed, or under excessive strain. They’re particularly abundant in fascia and play a crucial role in chronic pain conditions. These can get activated when there’s no actual tissue damage.
- Proprioceptors and entoroceptors: These receptors provide information about body position/movement and information about how our body feels. These last ones are part of why myofascial release can also affect how we feel emotionally.
When restrictions develop in the fascial system, these receptors can become hypersensitive or dysfunctional, creating pain signals even in the absence of actual tissue damage.
This explains how addressing these restrictions can provide significant pain relief where other approaches have failed.
When to Consider Clinical Massage Therapy
- Experiencing musculoskeletal pain or tension that doesn’t go away on its own: Conditions that persist for a while are often a result of compensatory patterns and involve complex fascial restrictions. In these instances releasing the fascia as a whole interconnected system results in long lasting pain relief. Conventional treatment methods don’t seem to be equally as effective.
- Experiencing a musculoskeletal clinical presentation: Clinical massage is a very effective method for the treatment of these conditions (see list at the beginning of this post). Clients often end up in our treatment room after all other treatment methods have failed to help them.
- Notice compensatory patterns: Following up on the point made above, if you can observe compensatory patterns in your body (like tilting or rotating for example of the rib cage or the head, easy to observe) it’s a good sign to go see someone that can help you balance out your myofascial system. Compensatory patterns are usually a result of myofascial restrictions.
- Looking for an injury prevention treatment method: Injury prevention happens as a result of addressing the whole system and improving the health and quality of the soft tissue.
- Looking for a non-invasive effective approach to musculoskeletal health: Clinical massage is a method that produces effective positive change in a short period of time.
- Looking for a whole-body treatment approach that can also help with emotional healing: Clinical massage considers how fascial restrictions in one area can affect seemingly unrelated parts of the body, addressing the whole system as one. Clinical massage is also a great gateway into the central nervous system and it’s a great way to encourage emotional healing.
What to Expect During Your First Clinical Massage Session
During your first treatment session we’ll look at current symptoms and musculoskeletal and medical history.
We’ll do a postural assessment: This helps identifying fascial restrictions and compensatory patterns that might be contributing to the presentation.
We’ll do an orthopaedic assessment when needed. This helps to identify the structures involved and the characteristics of the injury.
The treatment session will consist of a combination of various techniques depending on your specific needs.
After the treatment we’ll provide self-care recommendations: We might show you how to do myofascial release or myofascial stretching between others.
What to Expect after the Treatment
Most clients notice some improvement after the first session, with some experiencing complete clearing of symptoms. In a great number of cases a series of ideally weekly treatment sessions are required to achieve lasting results.
In most cases we expect results within 3-4 weekly sessions.