Very often there can be a fine line between medical and therapeutic massage therapy. For instance, general discomfort in an area usually responds very well to a therapeutic session. If pain or discomfort was due to a tight, over stimulated muscle, you can expect to feel better after the session. Often it is a terrific jumpstart to getting better.

 

However, very often, the muscle and soft tissue need to be re-educated. This will enable them to get and stay better. An example would be a short, contracted muscle being re-taught to stay properly lengthened, thereby allowing proper blood flow, nerve innervations, full range of motion and a decrease in pain or discomfort. Medical geared massage incorporates many of the same techniques as therapeutic massage, along with more advanced modalities.

 

The goal of medical techniques is to produce permanent changes or in some cases, such as paraplegia, to maintain the health of the tissue. We measure the results of medical massage by noting a reduction of pain or discomfort for longer periods of time between sessions. Below you will find a general guideline outlining the major differences between medical and therapeutic massage. However, I strongly recommend asking the advice of your therapist or if you have any reason to believe that medically geared massage would be more beneficial to you than therapeutic massage, please don’t hesitate to arrange for a consultation.

 

A consultation will consist of reviewing your medical history, a hands-on evaluation and a determination as to whether we believe that medical geared massage sessions would be in your best interest. We do not charge for consultations.

Medical Massage Therapy Session (All but JB MFR)

  • Treats the muscles, fascia and Trigger Points
  • Addresses shortened and over- lengthened muscles
  • Sedates or stimulates muscles
  • Specific, focused work, based on a treatment plan session
  • Feedback from the client during the session is customary
  • Often, sessions can produce some temporary discomfort
  • 30-45 minute sessions.
  • Each session will generally last longer and longer.

Therapeutic Massage Therapy Session

  • Treats the muscles, may affect fascia and Trigger Points
  • Addresses shortened muscles
  • Sedates muscles and the mind
  • Most often incorporates a full body
  • Feedback is welcome, but not usually
  • Feels Great!
  • 30-60-90 minute sessions
  • The length of results will vary
Medical Massage Therapy Session Most often for:

 

Pain, CT Syndrome, TMJ, Sciatica, Herniated Discs, Scoliosis, Migraines, Muscle Spasms, M.S., Whiplash, Injuries, Chronic muscle tightness/tension, etc.

Therapeutic Massage Therapy Most often for:

 

Stress, Discomfort, Insomnia, Depression, Fatigue, High Blood Pressure, Muscle tightness/tension, Asthma, etc

Fascia is a tough connective tissue that spreads throughout the body in a three-dimensional web from head to foot. Much like a highly fluid, elastic body stocking, it functions without interruption. Fascia comes together at the end of muscles to become tendons, which attach to bones. It has been estimated that if every structure of the body except the fascia were removed, the body would retain its shape. A malfunction of one of the body’s systems due to trauma, poor posture, or inflammation can cause a binding, impinging or adhering of the fascia either to itself or to another body structure such as a muscle, bone or organ. This results in an abnormal pressure on any or all of the body’s components. Binding and restrictions in one area will affect other parts and areas of the body, similar to pulling on one end of a sweater, another area will be affected. The treatment used to treat myofascial restrictions is referred to as Myofascial Release.

Trigger points are accumulations of waste products around a nerve receptor. Trigger points form in muscles and/or fascia, which has been overused or injured. They can present themselves as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, etc. Active trigger points are those, which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. It is common to attribute this discomfort to other conditions. The treatment used to treat trigger points is referred to as Trigger Point Therapy.

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