Massage is an ancient therapy that has been used for hundreds of years to heal the mind, body and spirit. Massages are a great way to relieve pain caused by injury, post-operative recovery and chronic issues like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Massage therapy also has many other benefits, such as improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety. While a massage is beneficial for anyone who would like to treat themselves to a little extra TLC, they can be especially useful for athletes recovering from injury or surgery, as well as those suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Physical therapists are one of the most common sources of medical massages today – patients will find that their physical therapist will recommend them during recovery from an injury and may prescribe massages in some cases if massage therapy is recommended by their doctor. However, there are plenty of other options available to someone looking to improve their health with therapeutic massage.
Many people choose to visit a massage therapist in their area to receive medical massage therapy. There are also many medical massage spas that specialize in providing massages for those with chronic pain or other conditions. Operating much like a physical therapy clinic, a massage spa will typically have different types of rooms and equipment depending on the services they provide.
Another option is visiting an esthetician specializing in medical massages . Medical massages provided by an esthetician can be similar to those given by a physical therapist – they can be helpful in reducing pain and swelling from injuries, relieving stress and relaxing tense muscles. Visiting an esthetician specializing in medical massages is a great option for those who would like to receive the benefits of massage therapy but prefer not to schedule appointments with a physical therapist or doctor. While it may take longer to complete a medical massage session at an esthetician's office, they typically allow you to stay clothed while receiving treatment which could make you feel more comfortable than visiting your local clinic.
What is a Medical Massage?
Medical massage therapy is a specialization of the more general practice of massage therapy. It follows different sets of principles that are used to treat disease and injury. The objective in therapeutic massage is to reduce the pain and discomfort felt by an individual suffering from a chronic injury or medical condition, while also improving their functional abilities so that they can go about daily life with as little struggle as possible. Some people choose this kind of treatment because it doesn't involve taking medication for long periods of time. Others prefer it because it can be relaxing and relieving compared to traditional forms of medicine. Because most individuals do not receive medical massages on a regular basis, some may even consider them to be luxury services that don't have any medicinal benefits. A massage therapist will be able to explain the principles behind their treatment, and can show you how it leads to positive results for those suffering from health conditions. A medical massage is a type of therapeutic bodywork that has been shown to improve quality of life. Medical massage therapy can be used in the treatment of a number of conditions and illnesses, such as injuries or chronic pain. The goal of medical massage therapy is to increase range-of-motion, reduce muscle tension and promote circulation. The movement of lymphatic fluid and the reduction of inflammation often play a big role in treatment as well.
Types of Medical Massages
There are many different ways to approach medical massage based on individual needs, some of which include:
Deep tissue work This is ideal for people who have chronic issues such as arthritis and fibromyalgia that limit their mobility or ability to exercise. The massage focuses on increasing blood flow, improving muscle function and releasing tension along the spine so muscles can relax correctly.
Myofascial release This technique targets layers of soft tissues like fascia, tendons and ligaments in order to improve range of motion and reduce pain in specific areas of the body. Neuromuscular therapy This method works best on clients who want targeted relief from acute injuries. It's also beneficial for individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and degenerative bone disease. Orthopedic massage This technique is great for athletes who have had injuries that limit their range of motion or cause chronic discomfort. It can break up scar tissue or reduce inflammation in joints and muscles by increasing support around the area. Reflexology This technique works on almost every part of the body, helping to re-balance energy throughout the entire body and promote healing and wellness.
Reiki massage This method is great for people who are looking to relax while receiving a therapeutic session that can also help to improve their sleep quality. Finding the right type of medical massage treatment will ultimately depend on what you want from your sessions. It can take time getting used to all the different techniques but don't give up - your therapist should be able to recommend other types if none feel quite right for you!
Most common causes of injury that are helped by Medical Massage
The most common causes of injury that are helped by medical massage therapy include:
Workers compensation injuries.
Sports injuries.
Post acute injury care.
Auto accidents and associated soft tissue trauma such as whiplash.
Recovery from any injury, including these injuries can be made more effective with the help of a medical massage therapist. Using techniques such as myofascial release and neuromuscular therapy to reduce pain in injured muscle tissue or ligaments & tendons that have been overstretched. These modalities are also used to aid the body's natural self-healing process, helping muscles, bones and soft tissues regain their strength so you can return to your normal activities sooner.
Another common use for medical massages is post-operative recovery , especially after orthopedic surgeries (hip replacement, knee replacement) or surgeries involving cancer treatments . By getting a few post-op sessions with a qualified massage they will be able to recommend strategies for improved recovery after surgery.
Pre and post-surgical massage therapy is also used before and after cosmetic surgeries like liposuction, tummy tucks, facelifts and eyelid lifts to reduce swelling in the area of surgery and improve tissue elasticity. The benefits of this type of care can be seen both during the procedure and with a faster recovery once the surgery is complete.
An additional use for medical massages that have become more common in recent years is as part of an overall wellness program . Chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or other debilitating diseases are often treated with medical massage therapy which has been shown to increase range of motion while decreasing pain associated with these conditions. Some hospitals even provide on-site massage therapists to aid patients with insomnia as a result of the stress they are under. Medical massages of this type have also been proven to improve quality of life for cancer patients, especially those being treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy . The increased levels of circulation mean that these treatments can be more effective while at the same time less painful, allowing the patient to get more out of their treatment schedule. The benefits from medical massages can be seen immediately after your first session. However, if you are going through physical therapy or need to continue with rehabilitative exercises, it is recommended to receive massage therapy as part of an overall wellness program so that your muscles stay limber and do not develop scar tissue which can interfere with future physical progress.
How do Medical Massages help those recovering from injury?
Massage therapy is commonly used to treat injuries, such as whiplash from car accidents or lower back pain from heavy lifting at work. Patients who receive massage therapy within 48 hours of an injury have been shown to experience less muscle spasms and pain, along with decreased swelling. One study showed that in patients who received a medical massage on the day of their injury, they reported fewer symptoms than both those who missed a massage and those who were not treated for three days. By receiving medical massage early on in your recovery, you could help reduce your risk for long term problems associated with these types of injuries. Massage therapy has also been shown to be effective in treating whiplash from car accidents. In a study conducted on patients who underwent cervical spine manipulation, those who received massage therapy reported being significantly less uncomfortable than the control group did.
Medical massage can also help people recover following surgery or as an adjunct to rehabilitation following a debilitating injury or illness like cancer. Patients who receive touch therapy following orthopedic procedures are able to return home sooner and have shorter hospital stays overall. Studies show that postoperative medical massage leads to improved mobility and range of motion for both breast reconstruction and mastectomy patients. Additionally, chronic pain can be treated with various types of bodywork that include medical massage techniques, such as Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT). Massage has been shown to help reduce pain and improve the quality of sleep in patients with chronic muscle pain.
Massage therapy has also been shown to be effective for the treatment of other ailments, such as anxiety and depression. Massage stimulates nerves under the skin that send impulses throughout the body, which helps to release endorphins that can combat feelings of anxiety or depression. The power of massage likely comes from a combination of both physical and psychological factors: increasing circulation leads to increased oxygenation, while touching someone elicits feelings of relaxation. In one study on cancer survivors who experienced symptoms like fatigue or insomnia, massage was shown to significantly increase quality of life scores over time without increasing distress levels associated with cancer-related concerns.
Studies have also demonstrated that massage therapy reduces inflammation and helps to increase the body's immune response. The mechanism behind this is not fully known, however massage has been shown to lead to a reduction in concentrations of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) and catecholamines (substances that are involved in inflammatory processes). Massage can also decrease levels of other substances linked with inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and prostaglandins. Medical massage could improve your quality of life if you have an injury or chronic pain condition. Touching someone and receiving touch yourself may be therapeutic on both a psychological level due to feelings of relaxation it elicits, but also from a physiological perspective by causing nerve impulses that release endorphins and reduce stress hormones. Massage therapy can also be used to treat mental health issues like anxiety and depression, complications from cancer and in the aftermath of surgery.
Benefits of Medical Massages
Many people aren't aware of the benefits that they will experience when they get therapeutic massage therapy. Massage therapy is a great way to relieve pain caused by injury, post-operative recovery and chronic issues like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Massage therapy also has many other benefits such as improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety and improved immune function. These benefits make it a great personal investment for anyone with health complaints that require long-term treatment. It's an investment worth making if you want to improve your overall health and well-being. Another benefit of medical massages is improved immune function. If your body is in constant pain it becomes stressed because you are not able to go about daily life normally. This stress causes your immune system to become compromised so you get sick more often, and when you do get sick it's harder for your body to fight off infections because it doesn't have the same energy reserves as healthy individuals. Scientific studies show that massage has a positive effect on cytokines , which are molecules involved in the growth, repair and maintenance of tissues. They also regulate the immune system so you're less likely to catch a cold or flu while getting medical massages on a regular basis. One important thing to keep in mind is that there are different types of massage therapists depending on what their specializations are. Some therapeutic massage therapists have received training that allows them to treat certain conditions with more specificity, whereas others only know about general treatment methods for injuries and chronic pain. If you are seeing someone for medical massage therapy make sure they're qualified because it can help achieve better results faster if they have extensive knowledge of which muscles contribute to your symptoms, where your body's trigger points are located and how best to manipulate them without causing further injury.
Medical massages are a great way to relieve pain caused by injury, post-operative recovery and chronic issues like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Massage therapy also has many other benefits, such as improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety and improved immune function. If you’ve been considering medical massage for yourself or someone in your family but aren't sure where to start, this article will provide some guidance on how to find the right therapist for you and what types of treatments would be appropriate given your situation. Medical massage is often covered by insurance so it's worth checking with them before starting sessions with a new practitioner. It can take time getting used to all the different techniques that might feel uncomfortable at first - don't give up! The more regularly you receive treatments, the quicker you'll start to feel results. It's an investment worth making if you want to improve your overall health and well-being.
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