While many people seek a relaxing massage to tame tension, others require a deeper, more focused massage to address a specific condition. This type of bodywork is called medical massage. Medical massage is a specialized form of massage therapy that focuses on treating specific medical conditions and promoting healing in the body.
How Medical Massage Differs From a Spa Massage
While the goal of a spa massage is to provide relaxation and stress relief, a medical massage goes beyond that. It aims to address underlying musculoskeletal or medical issues and promote pain relief. A skilled medical massage therapist will use various techniques to release scar tissue, increase the pliability of fascia, and improve joint mobility. By focusing on the health of your muscles and joints, medical massage is extremely effective for easing pain and other related musculoskeletal soft tissue ailments.
It is advisable to consult with a doctor or chiropractor before undergoing medical massage therapy to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition. A collaborative approach promotes personalized care and maximizes the benefits of your massage.
Conditions That Can Be Addressed
Some conditions that have been found to have marked improvement with consistent medical massage therapy include:
- Musculoskeletal issues
- Poor joint mobility
- Range of motion limitations
- Sports injuries
- Muscle pain, tightness, and cramping
- Edema (swelling)
- Migraines
- Chronic stress
Benefits of Medical Massage
Beyond pain relief, medical massage offers many benefits for your overall well-being. One of the greatest benefits is improving circulation. Medical massage promotes the flow of oxygenated blood to your joints, connective tissue, muscles, and organs. An increase of oxygenated blood circulating through the body enhances the body’s ability to flush out toxins and has been proven to help reduce inflammation, release tension within the muscle tissue, and even prevent chronic pain conditions. Additional benefits from medical massage include:
- Decreased pain
- Increased flexibility
- Improved posture and coordination
- Improved digestion
- Deactivation of trigger points in the muscle tissue
- Calming and soothing of the nervous system
What to Expect During a Session
Unlike a spa massage where relaxation is achieved after one session, medical massage often requires a series of sessions to effectively treat your condition. While some sessions may be relaxing, others may involve discomfort or even some pain. Remember, the goal of this type of therapy is long-term relief, not short-term relaxation.
It’s important to be prepared and come with relevant information for your massage therapist to make the most of your session. Be ready to inform of any injuries, existing pain, or recommendations from your doctor. This will help tailor your session to your specific needs and goals.
Extensive Training and Certification
To become a medical massage therapist, extensive training and certifications are required. Outside the standard 500 hours of training required to become a licensed massage therapist, medical massage therapists must have additional education in pathology, kinesiology, range of motion, functional pain, and lifestyle. This additional knowledge enables a thorough assessment to be conducted and will help accurately identify a person’s needs and specific condition.
At Denton Sports Chiropractic, our licensed massage therapists have longtime experience with medical massage and work closely with our doctors to provide comprehensive care. Our patients have experienced significant relief from conditions such as back pain, herniated discs, whiplash, sciatica, overuse injuries, and muscle sprains by including medical massage in their treatment plans.
Ready to book a session to see how medical massage can help you? Call Denton Sports Chiropractic today. We want to help you heal and get back to doing what you love in life!
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