Medical Massage Q & A

What is Medical Massage?

Medical Massage is prescribed and intended to resolve conditions that have been diagnosed and prescribed by a Physician. The massage therapist can use a variety of modalities or techniques, but will focus the Medical Massage session on the areas of the body related to the diagnosis.

Can I use my insurance for Medical Massage Therapy?

YES! Call our offices today to find out how!

Massage Therapists are not permitted to diagnose and must work from a doctor’s prescription if they are claiming to treat a specific condition. Non-prescribed therapy may also be administered where a massage therapy professional’s assessment shows soft-tissue imbalances. When massage therapists and physicians coordinate their ability to diagnose and treat patients, the patient is the big winner. Medical massage can be an incredibly effective treatment for many soft tissue injuries as well as psychological disorders. Medical massage therapy can improve the general health and well-being of an individual. It has been found to relieve the symptoms of a wide range of conditions, including the ability to relieve stress and anxiety, to facilitate rehabilitation after injury, and to address depression.

A survey conducted in 2007 in the United States found that approximately 18 million adults and 700,000 children had used massage therapy for a range of conditions over the previous year.

Benefits of medical massage therapy

• The specific benefit of medical massage therapy depends on the condition that is being treated. However, benefits of the therapy can include:
• Releasing sore and tight muscles that can cause a lack of blood supply to soft tissues and hypersensitivity to touch; known as Ischemia
• Relieving nerve entrapment and compression
• Deactivating Myofascial trigger points
• Decreasing pain and inflammation
• Improving circulation and alleviating stress
• Aiding digestion
• Improving flexibility and range of motion
• Calming the nervous system
• Improving coordination and posture
• Helping prevent future chronic pain conditions

What is Neuromuscular Massage Therapy?

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy is a modality that uses educated full-body assessment to enhance the pain relief that massage therapy can bring to a client. NMT focuses mainly with trigger point therapy to bring pain relief. Yet, many bodywork modalities may be incorporated to bring positive therapeutic results.

How should I prepare?

In your first session, you will receive a full-body in-depth Neuromuscular Assessment. Includes intake paperwork, Postural Assessment, Range of Motion Assessment, Orthopedic Testing if needed, and Health Education. Once done with the assessment, a full-body assessment massage will take the remainder of the time. The goal of this session is to gather the information needed to build a game plan for your pain relief. Please bring any relevant medical paperwork and or diagnosis to the session. THIS SESSION IS NOT TO DIAGNOSE. This session is to see what we can do to help and not hurt you.

Every session after the first, begins with a short check-in assessment then, custom bodywork for you. Please wear clothing made to move and keep decency. Minimal to no emollient is used. As this is a custom massage, many positions and stretches may be required for results. No worries if your range of motion is decreased, everything can be modified to best help you.