“Remedial massage” gets thrown around a lot, but a lot of people book one without really knowing what it means. Fair enough, it’s not exactly self-explanatory.

So what is it?

Remedial massage is targeted, hands-on treatment aimed at a specific problem. That might be pain, an old injury, restricted movement, or muscles that have been compensating for something else for too long. Instead of working generally over your whole body, the therapist focuses on what’s actually going on and treats the cause, not just the spot that hurts.

It’s a genuinely different approach to a regular massage. Where a relaxation massage is about easing stress and helping you switch off, remedial massage is closer to physical treatment. It can involve firmer pressure, specific techniques aimed at particular muscles or areas, and a proper conversation upfront about what’s actually bothering you and how long it’s been going on.

What’s the difference between remedial and relaxation massage, then?

Relaxation massage is general. Broad, even strokes, calming, good for stress and general tension, and it feels great. But it’s not designed to fix an underlying issue, and if the same tightness or pain shows up again a few days later, that’s usually a sign it needed treatment rather than relaxation.

Remedial massage is specific. It’s built around what’s causing the problem, not just where you feel it. If you’ve got a nagging injury, one-sided tightness, or pain that keeps coming back in the same spot, that’s remedial territory.

Neither one is “better.” They’re just built for different things.

What does a session actually involve?

At S&T STEPS, every remedial session with Stacey starts with an actual conversation. What’s going on, how long it’s been happening, what you do for work or training, and what you’re hoping to get out of the session. From there, treatment is specific to you, not a set routine run the same way regardless of what you need.

Stacey draws on remedial massage, sports therapy, dry needling and cupping depending on what’s actually going to help, and she’s spent over a decade doing this, including AFL and VFL level work with Melbourne Football Club and Casey Demons.

Who’s it for?

You don’t need to be an athlete or train regularly to book. Remedial massage helps tradies carrying the load of a physical job, desk workers with tension that’s built up quietly, runners and lifters managing training wear and tear, and anyone dealing with pain, stiffness or restricted movement that hasn’t gone away on its own.

If something’s not moving right, that’s reason enough to book.

Ready to book?

If you’re dealing with pain, an old injury, or tightness that keeps coming back, book a remedial massage session with Stacey.