What is Therapeutic Massage?
Massage therapy is known to aid in treatment of mental and emotional problems, including stress, anxiety, and even depression. However, there are also massage sessions which focus on deeper muscle layers and fascia (connective tissue). These sessions are more therapeutic in that they aim to treat muscular pain, injury, stiffness, and range of motion. By receiving therapeutic massage, you can open up another treatment option to aid in your pain management.
A therapeutic massage session may combine multiple modalities: sports massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, structural integration, lymphatic facilitation, and more. Taking a thorough history and clinical assessment allows the therapist to understand which techniques will be most effective. Often, a typical "routine" is not used as the therapist adapts the session to your needs, preferences, and even occupation. Specific techniques and stretches are employed to disrupt existing pain patterns.
Conditions in which therapeutic massage can be beneficial include:
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
• Insomnia
• Headaches/Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Whiplash
• Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)
• Low-back pain & Sciatica
• Frozen shoulder/hip
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
• Lymphatic drainage
• Post-surgical scar tissue
• & more
While these sessions are typically "deeper", they are not intended to be incredibly painful. Bringing anyone to the point of pain nullifies any potential benefit of the massage due to muscular guarding. Essentially, your body will try to protect itself by further contracting the muscle in pain. Given how the goal of massage is to alleviate existing tension, inducing pain beyond a comfortable threshold can be counterintuitive. If a slightly painful technique will be used, your therapist will inform you. As always, communicate with your therapist should you feel adjustments in treatment need to be made.
At the end of your session, your therapist may provide you with stretches and at-home care to prolong the effects of treatment. If necessary, follow-up treatment and a care plan will be provided.
Remember, pain patterns don't dissolve overnight, have patience with yourself throughout your recovery process.
If you're still wondering whether this treatment can help you, feel free to book a consultation so we can understand your therapeutic needs.
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