The work of a medical massage therapist differs from that of a general or spa massage therapist.
Medical massage therapists have advanced training and experience that allows them to provide care focused on healing injuries, improving function, or increasing circulation. General massage therapists typically work in spas with the main goal to provide relaxation for their clients. They may use similar techniques as a medical massage therapist, and they may even be able to alleviate some pain, too.
A medical massage differs in three important ways:
- It is outcome-based. In addition to stress relief and relaxation, a medical massage focuses on a medical need. It is often used to manage pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, relieve nerve compression, improve digestion, increase flexibility or treat other health care concerns.
- It targets your needs through a variety of techniques. Spa massage and medical massage may feel similar, but their techniques differ. During a spa massage, the techniques likely focus on relaxation. A medical massage therapist will use a broader set of therapies for muscle health and recovery.
- It includes specific follow-up recommendations. A medical massage therapist will provide a targeted plan for treatment, along with recommendations for a series of timed visits versus a periodic spa visit.
Medical massage can be a beneficial part of health and wellness, especially to manage conditions made worse by stress, and to aid in physical pain and injury rehabilitation. Massage and bodywork can also be a valuable component following Physical Therapy (or in conjunction) to help clients continue their recovery process.
Perhaps most impressively, research has show that the therapeutic relationship between massage therapists and patients can have benefits on depression and anxiety levels equivalent to meeting regularly with a psychotherapist. Massage in conjunction with psychotherapy by a licensed mental health provider can be a valuable component to patient health outcomes when depression and anxiety impact overall health and wellness during recovery from surgery, injuries, chronic pain management, cancer treatment, and other acute or chronic conditions.
Why Massage?
Research has shown Massage Therapy can effectively....
- Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
- Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
- Ease medication dependence.
- Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
- Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
- Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
- Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
- Increase joint flexibility.
- Lessen depression and anxiety.
- Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
- Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
- Reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling.
- Reduce spasms and cramping.
- Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
- Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
- Relieve migraine pain.
What to Expect
Treatments are centered around the goals outlined by the referring physician or health provider. It is practiced on a comfortable Massage Table in a private space with session lengths of 15 or 30 or 45 minutes. Pressure levels vary from extremely light to extremely deep and pressure is dependent upon the health condition of the client/patient. Sessions occur in a dedicated Massage Therapy office. Regular updates can be provided to the referring physician if requested.
How to Refer to Massage
The best way to refer a patient for massage is to write either a referral or fill out a provider "permission" form. Please print them out and have the patient bring it with them to their massage session.
