What is Medical Massage Therapy?

   
Medical massage therapy is an outcome based, it is based on setting goals and achieving results. A medical massage starts with a diagnosis or assessment by a qualified professional and concentrates on  that medical necessity. Medical massage therapy is used to address different health issues. It is used to manage pain, alleviate nerve compression, decrease inflammation, boost the immune system and circulation, enhance flexibility, and assist in both injury and post-surgical recovery. It is different from general spa massage treatments, which focus on relaxation and stress reduction without expanding into other medical areas for possible treatment.

Medical massage therapists  should have a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology, in-depth knowledge of the interaction between muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, a full understanding of the body’s systems, and experience with musculoskeletal pathologies. For example, my AOS degree included education and training relating to neurology (the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system), pathology (the branch of medical science that is focused on the study and diagnosis of disease), myology (the study of the structure, arrangement, and action of muscles), anatomy (the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans), and physiology (the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts). 

However, successfully practicing medical massage therapy it's not just about understanding the physical components of the human body, it also relies on having the knowledge and experience to be able to put together an assessment based on an initial diagnosis but signs and symptoms as well. That sensation in your arm may not be originating from the site of pain in your arm. That foot pain may very well be caused by a muscle dysfunction in your legs. That low back pain can be from a foot, leg, or pelvic imbalance.

If you are looking for pain management or recovery, please reach out for a free consultation to get started.