Medical massage

View Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses.

Medical massage is a general term which is used for massage therapy aimed at addressing medical conditions. It is different in its aims from relaxation massage, although both kinds of massage may use the same techniques. It is used to address chronic conditions and pain. Medical massage may take place in a medical office but can also take place elsewhere such as in a complementary health clinic or in a practitioner's own space or an individual's home.

When you arrive for a session your therapist will take a case history to find out about you and the history of your ailment. You can discuss your hopes for an outcome and they can consider the best way forward to treat you. If you are consulting them in a medical office you may also discuss your case with a doctor as well so that there is a multidisciplinary approach to tackling your condition. Medical massage is not the option to choose if you are simply looking for relaxation, even though it may bring about a very relaxed state. It is much more of an option to consider when you have a chronic or persistent pain or have sustained an injury and would like help and support in finding ways for it to heal.

Medical massage may use a variety of techniques to treat you. Your therapist will select the methods which seem most appropriate for your individual case. This could include a combination of Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and other techniques. Each of these can be effective in combating symptoms of long-term health conditions and injuries. Swedish massage uses five main strokes – effleurage (a light touch), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping), friction (deepest tissue massage), and shaking. It is the basic massage which will be used by most practitioners in order to tackle your presenting condition.

Deep tissue massage uses these five techniques but makes them slower and deeper to help remove adhesions (rigid tissue) and to work on sorting the deep connective tissue. It also works on the fascia, that is, the tissue which surrounds every muscle in the body. This can bring profound relief from tensions and muscle spasms. Trigger point therapy works on blood flow and restricts blood flow to an area for up to 30 seconds before restoring it. This brings about a pleasurable rush of blood and a boost to circulation. All of these techniques help to clear out toxins that may build up in muscles. You are strongly advised to drink plenty of water after your medical massage in order to help flush these toxins out of your system.

Some therapists consider that all kinds of massage could be considered to offer medical benefits and so the term medical massage is considered controversial in some areas. Although there is a national certification there is no state licensure for medical massage therapists and so any therapist can use this as a title if they choose. There is an association for medical massage therapists which can recommend appropriately-qualified practitioners.

Medical massage can help with a host of conditions including back pain, neck pain, repetitive strain injury, sciatica, migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome, movement and motion issues, swelling, sports injuries, postural issues, and other conditions involving chronic pain or fatigue as well as injuries sustained from accidents and other incidents.

Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses

Ashworth College

Coursework, Diploma.
Massage Techniques.
Online School.

Marinello Schools of Beauty

Certificate.
Massage Therapy.
California.

Concorde

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Tennessee, California.

Tri-State Business Institute

Therapeutic Massage Career

The program at Tri-State Business Institute offers a wide variety of techniques, both basic and specialty. These include client draping, product knowledge, and how to set up a professional message room. Students will be trained in all aspects of a career in Therapeutic Massage. Conducting proper client consolidation, safety, sanitation, and ethics are also taught to the student.

Associate.
Therapeutic Massage.
Pennsylvania.

Fortis Institute

Associate, Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Florida, Pennsylvania.