There are many misconceptions about massage therapy. The following outlines the basics of my practice as a Remedial Massage Therapist.

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The vast majority of my work is therapeutic massage treating pain and injury. Remedial Massage Therapy is an assessment and treatment framework incorporating the fundamentals of Physiotherapy to assess posture, pain and injury. Fused with an understanding of the Eastern philosophy of energetic Qi flow, outcomes beyond expectation are achieved. Treatment is largely massage based to release tightness, strengthen weakness and promote circulation. My practice also includes Osteopathic Fascial Release techniques, Craniosacral Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medical practices of Cupping and Gua Sha. By and large it is an overtly physical form of treatment.​

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Remedial Massage and Myotherapy are the only forms of therapeutic massage treatment recognised by the Health Department and are covered as Items 105 and 205 for health insurance purposes. I am a registered provider with all Health Funds and Workcover.

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How I came to massage or "Problem in arm. Come from shoulder." 

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The story of how my ten year association with Professor Wong Lun OBE OAM, 10th dan Tang So Do, influenced me starts here.

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/how-i-came-to-massage

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Fusion of East and West

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I provide a fusion of Eastern philosophy and Western medical science giving better insight to conditions not fully understood by conventional practitioners and for which they have poor treatment outcomes. This is more than the act of using a few Traditional Chinese Medical techniques. It is the understanding of energetic Qi flow in the body and it's contribution pain, dysfunction and injury. 

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/fusion-of-east-west

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Chinese Cupping and Gua Sha

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Two treatments from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping is the application of vacuum cups to the body that for a deep penetrating, prolonged stretch on the soft tissue. Gua Sha, often called scraping or spooning, is a rubbing technique using an smooth edged instrument to make the capillaries flush and radiate heat.

 

Cupping releases general Fascial tightness, drawing out stagnant blood and energetic Qi that has been unable to move due to the physical tightness in the soft tissue. The stronger the cupping marks, the more it was needed. Treatment outcomes beyond expectation resolving chronic pain and suffering. It is not appropriate for all conditions.

 

Gua Sha clears heat from the musculature and connective tissue right down to the bone that creates tightness like cords of steel which resist all attempts to clear. Cupping, massage, stretching, needling, manipulating the joints all fail until the internal heat is cleared. This can be done with diet over some months, the TCM herbal treatment in weeks or topically by  Gua Sha in minutes.

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/chinese-cupping

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/chinese-cupping-notes-for-therapists

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/gua-sha

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Craniosacral Therapy and Fascial Release

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Simply put, Craniosacral Therapy is the release of fascial restrictions in the cranium, brain and spine. The effect of this treatment ultimately extends to the entire body. Using the lightest of touch, the degree of movement in these releases is mostly in the order of microns but to the practitioner it can feel like several millimetres of travel are achieved. In truth, at times I am not yet sure whether I am sensing movement or energetic pulses, barriers and waves. Outcome for the client/patient can be profound and even life changing. This work is carried out in concert with the Cranial Rhythm of expansion and contraction of the bones of the skull moving at a rate of approximately 5 to 6 cycles per minute. This action is thought to be associated with the mechanism of Spino-Cerebral Fluid production and distribution but there are energetic life forces rhythmically at work here too.

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The same technique used for the gentlest of releases in Craniosacral Therapy are used treating limbs, torso and major joints of the body. Indirect Fascial Release comes from the practice of Osteopathy. As with Craniosacral Therapy, wrapping my head around Indirect Fascial Release and learning to incorporate into Remedial practice took years. It is now a component of all treatments I carry out dealing with long held unconscious holding patterns. 
 

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/cranio-sacral-therapy

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Wholistic Massage Therapy​

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"The physical facilitates the emotional. Tension blocks energetic Qi flow affecting circulation…leading to stagnation and pain. Rhythmic massage softens physical tightness, reduces blood pressure, activates the parasympathetic nervous system enabling energy to move once again. Energy and emotion are tied together residing in our physical being. Good energy from positive experience buoys us up. Bad energy from trauma is black, heavy and needs to be cleared."

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/wholistic-massage-therapy

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Short Right Leg Syndrome

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Even or near even leg length is rare. We all have a short right leg...it is an evolutionary adaptation that gave mother and child a greater chance of survival in prehistoric times. Mechanically, the short right leg optimises carrying baby on the left hip, freeing the strong right arm for work and defence. As we stiffen with age and lose the ability to walk like a cat, we bemoan the dysfunctional effects and wonder why we have a short right leg.

 

An increasingly important aspect of my work focuses on the effects of structural leg length discrepancy on pelvic posture. The distortion and strain through the pelvis underlies many lower limb, lumbro-sacral and spinal issues. It is always the right leg that is short. Assessment of leg length is typically not included in medical examination even in the presence of lumbar injury where it is a significant contributory factor. 

More complex discussions on the website cover Short Right Leg Syndrome and the resulting contra-lateral hip rotation, assessment of the Lumbro-Sacral complex and consequent chronic tightness, pain and suffering this causes along the back line of the lower limbs...gluteal, hamstring, calf, Achilles and and plantar fascia...plus effects above the waist from mild scoliosis.

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/srls

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RSI and Carpal Tunnel

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Unconscious holding patterns and tightness through the torso and shoulder block energetic Qi flow to the upper limbs causing Repetitive Strain Injury and Carpal Tunnel.

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​https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/repetitive-strain-injury
https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/carpal-tunnel

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Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic Compartment Syndrome, Hamstring and Gluteal Dysfunction

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I describe a common cause for presentation of these conditions as Left and Right Lower Limb Mechanisms resulting from postural distortion and strain at the pelvis blocking energetic Qi flow to the backline of the lower limb. There can be other contributory factors but without attending to the postural issues at the pelvis, full resolution of the condition can not be achieved.

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/plantar-fasciitis

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/left-lower-limb-mechanism
https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/right-lower-limb-mechanism

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/pelvic-block

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Sports Massage​

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I am experienced working on athletes of the highest standard. I have been a high performing athlete both as a youth and mature age veteran and have done sports massage treatments for cyclists, tennis and badminton players, runners, triathletes, gymnasts, divers, dancers, martial artists, yoga instructors and Army commandos. Many of these have represented their countries in international competition and the Olympics. I have a massage routine called The Mr Australia Rubdown developed over a decade working on a now six time winner of the Mr Australia body building title.

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/sports-massage

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Lymphatic Drainage Case Study

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A full Lymphatic Drainage session will take at least 90 minutes. However, it is not always necessary to do a full session where one limb only may be affected. For those that need Lymphatic Drainage, it can be powerful and have a dramatic effect. The Lymphatic system can be blocked and this treatment clearing and promoting lymphatic drainage normalises function, improves immunity, known to reduce headache, malaise and fluid retention.
 

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/lymphatic-drainage

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​Thankyou

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Simon Crittenden
Remedial Massage Therapist
Member of Massage & Myotherapy Australia

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Massage Works Dandenong Ranges
18 First Ave, Cockatoo  VIC  3781

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mbl 0416 268 255