What’s the Difference & Which One Do You Need?

If you’ve ever wondered whether to book a myotherapy session or a remedial massage, you’re not alone. While both treatments aim to reduce pain, improve movement, and support recovery, they’re not exactly the same—and choosing the right one can make a real difference to your results.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Remedial Massage?

Remedial massage is a hands-on therapy designed to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote healing. It focuses on soft tissue issues — like tightness, soreness, or injury — using techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and stretching.

Common reasons people choose remedial massage:

General muscle tightness or soreness
Recovery after exercise or injury
Stress and tension relief
Supporting overall wellbeing

Benefits of remedial massage:

Improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage
Reduces muscle tension and stiffness
Relieves stress and promotes relaxation
Assists with injury recovery
Helps improve sleep quality

What Is Myotherapy?

Myotherapy is a more targeted, clinical form of musculoskeletal treatment. It involves a detailed assessment and treatment plan for specific pain, dysfunction, or postural issues. Along with hands-on techniques (similar to remedial massage), a myotherapist may use dry needling, cupping, joint mobilisations, exercise prescription, and postural advice to address the root cause of your symptoms — not just the surface tension.

Myotherapy is ideal for:

Persistent or recurring pain (e.g. headaches, back pain, jaw/TMJ pain)
Postural imbalances or desk-related issues
Sports injuries or rehabilitation
Chronic conditions like sciatica or tendonitis
Nerve-related pain or referred pain patterns

Benefits of myotherapy:

Treats both symptoms and underlying causes
Provides long-term relief and injury prevention
Uses a combination of manual therapy and corrective exercise
Offers a personalised treatment plan
Supports nervous system regulation and functional movement

So… Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re feeling…	Try this:
Sore, tight, or stiff from everyday stress, workouts, or posture	Remedial massage is a great way to loosen up and feel better fast.
Dealing with ongoing pain, injury, or specific dysfunction (like jaw issues, headaches, or nerve pain)	Myotherapy goes deeper—assessing, diagnosing, and treating the root cause.
Unsure what you need?	We can help you figure it out. Book a myotherapy session to start with an assessment—we’ll guide you from there.

Final Thoughts

Both remedial massage and myotherapy have their place — and at The Modern Myo, you don’t have to choose blindly. We’re trained in both, and we tailor every treatment to your body, your lifestyle, and your goals.

Ready to feel better, move better, and live with less pain?
Book your appointment now and we’ll take care of the rest.