Massage Works Dandenong Ranges
Why Consider Remedial Therapy
Conventional Remedial Therapy is based on the fundamentals of Physiotherapy and aims to release tightness, promote circulation, enhance muscle activation and strength through postural correction and soft tissue massage. The Remedial Therapy I practice is a fusion of East and West combining the conventional model with knowledge of the effects of energetic Qi flow.
Bringing understanding of energetic Qi flow to assessment gives insight to conditions not well understood by conventional therapy. It is often key to understanding dysfunction, pain and injury in our body and results beyond expectation can be achieved attending to this energetic flow. While I may speak much about energy…the treatment is physical. There are no incantations or invocations. I do not discount energetic and spiritual healing practices but no amount of these overcomes the distortion from a postural or structural anomaly imposing chronic strain on the body's structure.
Energetically, the principle factor at play is a proximal block at hip or shoulder has a distal effect in the limb. In our University training we discussed many conditions for which we were not given a treatment plan nor timeline to resolution. Conventional treatment outcomes for these conditions are poor and the expectation was that we would merely provide limited temporary relief. However, I have learned that chronic and acute conditions in the Plantar Fascia, Chronic Calf, Hamstrings or Gluteal region in the lower limbs and wrist, forearm and elbow in the upper limbs are frequently the result of a proximal energetic Qi flow blockage that can be eliminated by appropriately targeted Remedial therapy. For example, conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic Compartment Syndrome, Piriformis Syndrome, Repetitive Strain Injury and Carpal Tunnel. Where the condition has not degenerated to rupture or bony spurs, it may only require one to three treatment sessions for resolution.
A common example is a rotated left hip, chronically binding the left Sacro-Iliac Joint. The SIJ may or may not be painful as a result of being held several times beyond its normal range of motion but the resulting tightness through the heavy ligamental structure of the joint blocks energetic Qi flow down the backline of the lower limb. A subtle thickening and tightening through the connective tissue results that under the influence of other factors can escalate to pain, dysfunction and injury along that line. This is the most common cause of Plantar Fasciitis in the left foot. However, conventional therapists not considering energetic Qi flow do not connect the dots between the hip posture anomaly, SIJ and the foot, carryout extensive treatment to foot, ankle and calf with poor outcomes. Whereas, correcting the minor hip posture anomaly and relieving strain through the SIJ, eliminates the energetic block and can rapidly resolve the condition.
Note that similar effects can be sighted on the right side but the underlying mechanism on left and right sides generally differ owing to structural leg length discrepancy. This left sided hip rotation is an unconscious anatomic adjustment pulling up the longer left leg in the presence of leg length discrepancy to reduce pelvic tilt, make up feel more comfortable and protect the spine to some degree. Owing to the fact a short right leg is a dominant genetic trait, the majority of cases present with an anteriorly rotated left hip and a level right hip. This is the First Cardinal Sign of Short Right Leg Syndrome. Right sided cases are most often due to the Second Cardinal Sign of SRLS of rigidity about the right hip primarily due to gait effects from the structurally short leg.
Even in the event of lumbar injury, assessment of structural leg length is not considered in medical examination in this country. A structurally short right leg is a dominant genetic trait and with few exceptions we are all affected by it to some degree impacting the pelvis, lower limbs and spine. This postural anomaly characterised by Two Signature Traits and Three Cardinal Signs generates chronic strain through the soft tissue of the pelvis and lumbro-sacral region. I describe this as Short Right Leg Syndrome.
While I consider it to be a contributory factor in lumbar pain and injury, in other respects biomechanical and neurological effects are minimal. It is largely dismissed by conventional therapy. They are blind to the energetic Qi flow blockage created by the tightening and rigidity imposed by this strain through the pelvis. SRLS is responsible for many mobility issues and is unknown to conventional therapists. Flexibility through the pelvis is preventative. Where acute symptoms are experienced, use of an adjusting heel lift under the structurally short leg often proves to be extraordinarily therapeutic.
While the scope of practice for Remedial Therapy is pain, dysfunction and injury affecting mobility, it is well known there are beneficial side effects to internal health and vitality from massage treatment. This is better understood considering there are twelve bilateral organ or acupuncture meridian channels described by Traditional Chinese Medicine. Removing postural strain and releasing soft tissue tightness with Remedial Massage Therapy improves energetic Qi flow through these channels. This has a direct consequence on health as internal organ function improves with increased energy flow.
Delving deeper reveals the connection between emotion, energetic Qi flow and the state of soft tissue. This is discussed in my articles on the Heart and Wholistic Massage Therapy. Simply put, clearing postural and fascial blockages enables energetic Qi to flow smoothly again, taking with it the burden of accumulated emotional trauma. This is fundamental to all massage therapy.