What is a Medical Massage?
Medical massage aims to address particular medical conditions with techniques that are often recommended by healthcare professionals. Distinct from typical relaxation massages, this therapeutic form intends to mitigate pain stemming from injuries, ongoing health issues, and recovery after surgery.
Our method incorporates a variety of techniques including deep tissue work, myofascial release, and others to target and treat problem areas, enhance proper body alignment, and boost overall physiological functions.
At Tummy Temple, our expertly trained massage therapists deliver medical massages, collaborating with your health practitioners to develop treatments uniquely suited to your medical needs. Each session is designed not only to alleviate discomfort but also to promote enduring health benefits by improving lymphatic flow, boosting blood circulation, and easing stress.
Benefits of Medical Massage
- Pain Relief: Medical massage specifically targets and alleviates pain from chronic conditions, injuries, and post-surgical recovery, offering a focused approach to pain management.
- Improved Circulation: By enhancing blood flow, medical massage aids in healing and reduces recovery times, making it a critical component of rehabilitation.
- Stress Reduction: This form of massage offers significant stress relief, which can improve mental health and enhance the overall quality of life through targeted relaxation techniques.
- Increased Mobility: Medical massage helps restore mobility and flexibility, reducing stiffness in muscles and joints, and improving physical function.
- Boosted Immune System: The technique stimulates lymph flow, enhancing the body’s natural defense system through therapeutic touch.
- Reduced Dependency on Medication: Medical massage can naturally manage symptoms, decreasing the need for pain medication by addressing the root causes of discomfort.
- Personalized Care: Each medical massage session is tailored specifically to the individual’s health issues, providing targeted therapeutic benefits that are custom-designed for each patient.
Who Can Benefit from Medical Massage?
- Office Workers: Medical massage provides relief from posture-related issues and repetitive strain injuries, which are prevalent in desk-bound professions.
- Athletes: It is particularly beneficial for athletes looking to recover faster and improve performance by addressing sports injuries and enhancing recovery processes.
- Individuals with Chronic Pain: Especially effective for those battling long-term pain from conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia, medical massage offers a targeted approach to pain relief.
- Post-Surgical Patients: Helps speed up recovery and alleviate post-operative pain, making it an excellent option for those recently out of surgery.
- Those with Limited Mobility: Assists individuals experiencing stiffness and reduced mobility, often due to aging or specific health conditions, by improving flexibility and movement.
- People Under High Stress: Medical massage is instrumental in managing the physical manifestations of stress and anxiety, promoting a more relaxed state of mind.
- Patients with Lymphatic Disorders: Enhances lymph flow and drainage, crucial for individuals suffering from medical conditions that affect the lymphatic system, thus supporting overall health.
Contraindications for Medical Massage
What are the contraindications (conditions) that could prevent me from receiving massage therapy?
A contraindication is any indication or symptom that makes it inadvisable to use a particular therapy. Please call us at 206-729-6211 if you believe you have a contraindication. We will help clarify your situation and ensure that your next step is a solid one!
The following are contraindications for massage therapy. If any of these apply to you we are not able to treat you with massage therapy at the present time, unless you have a written prescription from an MD or ND showing supervision over our services for the contraindication.
Contraindications for Therapeutic Massage
For Belly Massage
- Aortic or abdominal aneurism.
- Active and metastasizing cancers of the GI (gastro intestinal) tract or reproductive system.
- Acute abdominal pain (please call us at 206-729-6211 to clarify) – It depends on what is causing the acute pain. We may encourage you to see an MD first.
- Abdominal surgery – Please call us to inquire about your situation as this does not apply to all surgeries: 206-729-6211. Massage is generally fine after the 6 week mark post surgery.
- Acute inflammatory conditions of the GI tract. Please call us to inquire about your situation as we can direct you towards supplementation that may possibly alleviate the pain and then start a massage treatment plan: 206-729-6211.
- Recent history of GI or rectal bleeding. Please call to discuss. For example, bleeding from hemorrhoids is not a problem.
- Hematuria (blood in urine) – Please call to discuss.
For Full body massage
- High fever
- Acute pain or acute inflammatory condition.
- Congestive heart failure / phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis / other severe vascular conditions
- Uncontrolled hypertension.
- History of – uncontrolled – seizures.
- Recent heart attack.
- Renal insufficiency.
- Epilepsy or psychoses
For massaging a specific region of the body
- Communicable skin diseases.
- Open wounds.
- Acute inflammation or acute pain in a specific region of the body. Please call to discuss.
Medical Massage Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes a medical massage from a regular massage?
Medical massages are specifically designed to address diagnosed conditions as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, whereas regular massages are generally aimed at relaxation and stress relief.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to receive a medical massage?
While a referral is not always necessary, some insurance plans require it for coverage. It’s also beneficial to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure a medical massage is suitable for your condition.
Can medical massage help with migraine relief?
Yes, medical massage can target the muscles and trigger points that might contribute to migraines and tension headaches, offering significant relief.
How often should I get a medical massage?
Frequency can vary based on your specific health needs, but typically, it may be recommended weekly or bi-weekly during the initial phase of treatment, with adjustments as your condition improves.
Is medical massage covered by health insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance provider and policy. We recommend checking with your insurance to understand if medical massage is included in your plan.
What should I expect during my first medical massage session?
During your initial visit, a licensed massage therapist will assess your specific health concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan. The session will focus on targeted areas related to your medical needs.
Are there any conditions that medical massage can worsen?
Medical massage is generally safe, but it’s crucial to communicate your complete health history to your therapist as conditions like acute inflammation, infection, or certain skin conditions could be contraindicated.
What are the contraindications for Medical Massage?
What are the contraindications (conditions) that could prevent me from receiving massage therapy?
A contraindication is any indication or symptom that makes it inadvisable to use a particular therapy. Please call us at 206-729-6211 if you believe you have a contraindication. We will help clarify your situation and ensure that your next step is a solid one!
The following are contraindications for massage therapy. If any of these apply to you we are not able to treat you with massage therapy at the present time, unless you have a written prescription from an MD or ND showing supervision over our services for the contraindication.
Contraindications for Therapeutic Massage
For Belly Massage
- Aortic or abdominal aneurism.
- Active and metastasizing cancers of the GI (gastro intestinal) tract or reproductive system.
- Acute abdominal pain (please call us at 206-729-6211 to clarify) – It depends on what is causing the acute pain. We may encourage you to see an MD first.
- Abdominal surgery – Please call us to inquire about your situation as this does not apply to all surgeries: 206-729-6211. Massage is generally fine after the 6 week mark post surgery.
- Acute inflammatory conditions of the GI tract. Please call us to inquire about your situation as we can direct you towards supplementation that may possibly alleviate the pain and then start a massage treatment plan: 206-729-6211.
- Recent history of GI or rectal bleeding. Please call to discuss. For example, bleeding from hemorrhoids is not a problem.
- Hematuria (blood in urine) – Please call to discuss.
For Full body massage
- High fever
- Acute pain or acute inflammatory condition.
- Congestive heart failure / phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis / other severe vascular conditions
- Uncontrolled hypertension.
- History of – uncontrolled – seizures.
- Recent heart attack.
- Renal insufficiency.
- Epilepsy or psychoses
For massaging a specific region of the body
- Communicable skin diseases.
- Open wounds.
- Acute inflammation or acute pain in a specific region of the body. Please call to discuss.
Conclusion
If you’re navigating chronic pain, recovering from surgery, or dealing with stress-related symptoms, medical massage offers a specialized solution designed to meet your specific health needs. By incorporating regular medical massage sessions into your care routine, you can experience sustained relief and significant improvements in your physical and mental well-being.
Ensure that your medical massage sessions are conducted by certified massage therapists who specialize in this form of therapy. Choosing experienced professionals at Tummy Temple ensures that your treatment is not only effective but also customized to optimize your health outcomes, allowing you to lead a more comfortable and productive life.
