What is Medical Massage Therapy?
Massages aren’t just for “spa days.”
Find out how medical massage therapy can help treat a variety of conditions.
When it comes to rest and relaxation, there’s nothing better than a massage. Millions of Americans benefit from massages and it’s easy to see why! Massages are great at reducing stress and tension, improving range of motion, and even preventing more serious medical conditions.
But massages are more than just something to indulge in on Mother’s Day or a beach vacation. Medical massage can provide effective relief from pain, soreness, and injury.
But what is medical massage therapy and what conditions can it help?
What is Medical Massage?
Medical massage therapy is designed to strategically target medical conditions that are diagnosed by a physician. During your medical massage treatment, your therapist will use different massage techniques and procedures. Medical massages usually occur in 30-minute or 1-hour blocks of time.
Consulting a doctor or chiropractor first can ensure that you’re receiving the right form of treatment. Reasons your doctor might prescribe a medical massage include:
- Treatment of musculoskeletal issues;
- Physical therapy to build strength and flexibility;
- Treatment of sports injuries, car accident injuries, muscle pains and cramps, migraines, and edema;
- As a complement to psychotherapeutic programs.
Additionally, there are many types of massage that your therapist may use, from deep tissue massage to trigger point therapy, and even stretching techniques.
Your doctor will write specific recommendations for your licensed massage therapist to follow and will monitor your treatment and recovery.
The Benefits of Medical Massage
Medical massage therapy helps relax sore or tight muscles, relieve nerve pain, release trigger points, increase blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. Additionally, medical massage avoids the side effects and dependency issues of prescribed pain medications.
Medical massage can be used to treat a number of conditions, including:
- Whiplash
- Herniated Discs
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Headaches
- Back Pain
- Muscle Sprains
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- and more.
A massage can also:
- Improve your posture and coordination
- Calm your nervous system
- Prevent chronic pain conditions
- Improve flexibility
- Aid digestion
After answering the question, “What is medical massage?” it’s a wonder more people don’t choose these treatments!
Can I Get a Medical Massage at a Spa?
There are many different types of massage. A hot stone or Swedish massage is certainly relaxing, but it’s not the same thing as a medical massage.
A spa massage is a one-time visit for the express purpose of comfort and relaxation. At a spa, your massage therapist will not have access to your medical history, x-rays, or details about your injury. They are also limited on the massage techniques they can use, as most spas don’t have a doctor on-site. At the most, they may ask you a few questions about your body (whether you have any troublesome, sore, or painful areas, for example), but once your massage is over, your contact with them has ended.
A medical massage treatment, on the other hand, has a different goal in mind: healing.
Rather than a one-time visit, you will likely have a series of visits that focus on treating a physical medical condition. Your massage sessions might even be uncomfortable or painful, as the goal is to treat an underlying condition and alleviate pain in the long-term, rather than focus on short-term relaxation.
Whether you’re receiving a sports massage, therapeutic massage, or neuromuscular therapy, the goal of a medical massage treatment is to allow your body to heal. Your therapist will receive information on your condition and medical history from a doctor who is monitoring your recovery.
At a spa, there is no medical doctor to oversee your treatment.
Find Real Pain Relief
What is medical massage therapy? It’s your chance at a pain-free, more comfortable life.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, your medical massage treatments are always monitored and explained by chiropractor and founder, Dr. Justin Cough. Dr. Cough believes in focusing on the body’s natural healing mechanisms and medical massage plays a critical role. What’s more, medical massage is covered by auto insurance, workers’ compensation, and some health insurance policies.
When you trust Oviedo Chiropractic with your auto accident injury, sports injury, or chronic condition, you won’t get treatment for your pain, you’ll get relief from your pain.
Feel the difference! Schedule an appointment today to discover relief.
