Medical massage therapy is a specialized field within massage therapy that focuses on addressing specific medical conditions and injuries. It differs significantly from spa massage, which primarily aims at relaxation and stress relief. This article delves into the definition of medical massage, the training required to become a medical massage therapist, and the various benefits it offers.
Defining Medical Massage Therapy
Medical massage therapy is an outcome-based massage, primarily the application of a specific treatment targeted to the specific problem the patient presents with a diagnosis and are administered after a thorough assessment/evaluation by the medical massage therapist with specific outcomes being the basis for treatment. According to Article 155, Section 7801 of New York State Law, the practice of massage therapy is defined as engaging in applying a scientific system of activity to the muscular structure of the human body by means of stroking, kneading, tapping, and vibrating with the hands or vibrators for the purpose of improving muscle tone and circulation. While this definition is broad, medical massage hones in on therapeutic work customized to the individual's medical needs.
Rachel Simhon, LMT, notes that medical massage at Bodyworks DW is different from spa experiences because it provides customized, therapeutic work. The key distinction lies in the intention of the work; medical massage therapists in NYC focus on helping to manage a medical condition for the long term. This outcome-based approach aims to improve functionality after an injury, relieve pain, or manage chronic conditions like arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS).
Spa Massage vs. Medical Massage
The intention behind a spa massage is generally relaxation and non-specified self-care, prioritizing feeling good in the moment, and can have very wonderful results in overall mood. Spas often enhance the customer experience with comforts like robes and aromatherapy, which can be very relaxing. However, the results usually don’t last very long.
Medical massage therapy, on the other hand, may sometimes feel uncomfortable during the session, but the results can last much longer. When performed in a series of sessions that build on each other, many conditions can be improved or eliminated for the long term. Clients at Bodyworks DW are often referred for medical massage by physicians, surgeons, and/or physical therapists.
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Conditions Treated with Medical Massage
Medical massage can help with a variety of conditions, including:
- Physical pain from muscle tension around the spine and major joints of the body
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Sciatica
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Torticollis
- Frozen shoulder
- Work-related or repetitive stress injuries
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Sports injuries
- Anxiety
- Headaches and migraines
- Pain from arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Scar tissue from trauma and surgeries
What to Expect During a Medical Massage Session
At a medical massage session, a thorough intake is conducted. The therapist asks questions to understand the client's goals. The most important details involve the timeline or history of the client's concerns, which helps the therapist establish if particular issues are acute or chronic. This information is crucial for determining the most appropriate techniques and estimating the number of sessions needed to achieve the desired outcome. For example, neck pain that came on suddenly and for the first time two days ago after taking a long standardized test is different than neck pain that has come and gone for the last five years after whiplash from a car accident.
During a medical massage, the therapist might also ask questions about the client’s lifestyle, as a ballet dancer will have vastly different priorities than an attorney who sits for 12 hours a day at their desk.
Assessment and Planning
After the initial consultation, the therapist will assess the client's posture and alignment. This involves visually establishing the location of certain landmarks, such as the position of the head in relation to the ribcage and pelvis. The therapist may also assess how certain joints move in relation to each other, asking the client to bend forward, backward, side to side, and rotate to determine the range of motion in all three planes. Sometimes, the therapist will observe the client walking or running. Manual muscle testing may be performed to assess the strength and function of certain muscles, and therapists will use palpation to develop a plan for the session.
The assessment is important so that the therapist doesn’t simply get stuck rubbing the areas that hurt, as in a spa massage session, but to address the actual root causes of the client's complaints. Low back pain might be relieved by work on the hips, or elbow pain improved by focusing on the neck.
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Individualized Treatment
While a spa massage might evenly divide time between both left and right sides of the body and front/back, medical massage is an individualized session based on specific issues. Because pain is frequently caused by asymmetrical posture, an asymmetrical, customized session is often needed to bring the client into balance. The session may skip areas of the body or feel quite asymmetrical.
Post-Massage Recommendations
At the end of a medical massage session, the therapist will discuss specific follow-up recommendations with the client. This may include the number of follow-up sessions needed and the intervals between them. The therapist may also suggest exercises or lifestyle changes to implement between sessions to help the body accept changes initiated during the session and to keep pain in check going forward.
In some cases, medical massage alone may not be sufficient, and the therapist may refer the client to other wellness providers such as a Pilates instructor, physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, or orthopedist.
Training and Education for Medical Massage Therapists
To become a medical massage therapist, one must first pursue licensure as a massage therapist. Standard massage education consists of about 500 hours of training, which is sufficient experience to begin practicing massage at a spa location. A massage therapy education program may require 300-1,000 hours of training which prepares individuals to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
While there is no extra certification required in New York State to perform medical massage therapy above and beyond a New York State license to practice massage therapy, those that choose to expand their range to the medical massage branch are required to take part in further training to gain knowledge in a range of motion, lifestyle, functional pain, pathology, and kinesiology.
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Post-licensure training and mentoring are available for therapists who want to focus more on medical massage. Any Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) is qualified to do medical massage if they have training on how to treat specific problems. Massage customers should ask their therapist about their training and experience in treating the specific conditions that they have.
Curriculum and Techniques
Programs for medical massage therapy training will vary somewhat from school to school. At The Praxis Institute, students prepare themselves for potential careers in clinical massage, using advanced massage therapy techniques. Clinical massage therapists use techniques such as deep tissue, electrostimulation, ultrasound, neuromuscular, lymphatic drainage, and sports massage. These practitioners help clients recover from traumatic muscle injuries through their in-depth understanding of physiology and anatomy, as well as a varied arsenal of massage techniques. They also use pain-reducing massage techniques to help clients receive short-term relief from chronic pain. By introducing targeted manual strokes and therapeutic devices, these healthcare professionals can provide treatment in coordination with medical practitioners.
The Growing Field of Medical Massage
Employment of massage therapists, including medical massage therapists, is expected to grow much faster than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook projects employment of massage therapists to grow at a faster than average rate-17.7% through 2033.
One reason for this growth is due to advances in medical research related to the use of massage therapy for medical purposes. Alternative medical treatments are becoming popular among patients who are no longer satisfied with pills and other medical procedures.
Work Environments
Medical massage therapists typically work in hospitals and medical clinics. A medical massage therapist needs to be flexible to the healthcare environment, as there are some major differences between the work environment in a hospital or clinic setting and the work environment at a spa. For instance, you likely will be working at a patient’s bedside, navigating around medical equipment, IVs, and other obstacles. You will most likely be dealing with harsh lighting and may be interrupted frequently. Scheduling is often not as predictable in a hospital, clinic, or nursing home.
One major advantage of working as a medical massage therapist instead of as a massage therapist in a spa is that you will not need to worry about marketing your services or scheduling clients, as patients will be referred to you by medical staff.
Qualities of a Medical Massage Therapist
Medical massage therapists will spend the majority of their day treating patients and therefore should have great communication skills and emotional resilience. Someone interested in medical massage therapy must be interested in a role as a medical massage therapist, and take a closer look at medical massage training requires a high level of collaboration when it comes to helping patients achieve wellness goals and comfort working one-on-one with patients in a quiet environment.
Benefits of Medical Massage
Medical massage is advantageous in a lot of different ways. Clients can benefit greatly from a variety of medical massage treatment techniques.
Pain Management
Massage therapy is increasingly regarded as an effective treatment for chronic pain and other health issues. In addition to providing comfort, a medical massage offers relaxation and has little-to-no adverse side effects.
Scar Tissue Reduction
In addition to relieving muscle tension, massage can also break up scar tissue, which can cause discomfort or limit the range of motion. Breaking down these restrictions allows you to move freely without pain.
Muscle Tension Alleviation
Medical massage alleviates muscle tension, which can lead to headaches or neck pain. These treatments also improve circulation, bringing nutrient-rich blood to your joints, organs, and muscles so they have the nutrients they need for healthy function.
Trigger Point Control
Medical massages specifically target these sensitive areas with specialized techniques, improving coordination between muscles and joints.
Enhanced Sleep Quality
Medical massage improves sleep quality by releasing built-up toxins from muscles, which makes most people feel less restless throughout the night.
Improved Mental Well-being
Medical massage not only improves physical ailments but also improves mental well-being. Massage can cause the brain to release endorphins, neurotransmitters that make us feel joy, comfort, even euphoria. This allows the nervous system to work better with your muscles and joints.
Managing Compensatory Injury
Massage Manages Compensatory Injury. compensatory injuries. correctly. on your abdominal muscles than usual. and pain in this area. prone to compensation. body. further injury or pain. and reduces muscle tightness. ways. improved mental clarity. life activities. stress-related issues.
Historical Context
The first written records of massage therapy in Ayurvedic range between 1,500 and 500 B.C.E., but research suggests the practice of these techniques centuries before. Massage has been used as a medical treatment dating back to the Chinese over 5,000 years ago. More recently professor Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914), a neurologist in Philadelphia is thought to be the first to bring massage to the attention of the US medical community.
In 1884, Douglas Graham, MD of Boston Massachusetts wrote A Practical Treatise on Massage which focuses on the treatment of specific diseases and disorders by using massage as a treatment. In 1885, Harvey Kellogg published the classic textbook The Art of Massage, Its Physiological Effects and Therapeutic Actions. During the nineteenth century, massage in Europe was described in the medical literature and was taught at institutions and also offered by lay practitioners. In 1886, William Murrell, an English Physician wrote a book Massage as a Mode of Treatment.
The American Medical Massage Association (1998) and The United States Medical Massage Association (1999) followed with similar goals of lifting the profession to higher standards and, in turn, giving patients a better outcome.
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