What Is Medical Massage and How It Can Help You?

You're going about your daily life, but every move you make is accompanied by a nagging pain or stiffness that just won't go away. 

Whether it's due to an old injury that never quite healed right or a chronic condition that's been slowly wearing you down, you find yourself constantly limited by your own body.

It's a frustrating and often isolating experience, but the good news is that you don't have to resign yourself to a life of discomfort and restricted mobility. There's a powerful ally in your corner, and it comes in the form of medical massage therapy.

Now, you might be thinking, "Isn't massage just a fancy way to relax?" While it's true that massage can be incredibly relaxing, medical massage is a whole different ballgame. 

In this article, we explore medical massage, the various conditions it can help treat, and the specific techniques used by skilled medical massage therapists.

What Makes Medical Massage Unique?

Medical massage stands apart from occasional spa massages which briefly reduce general stress. Customized medical massage involves detailed initial health evaluations identifying limited mobility or pain areas unique to each patient.  

Licensed therapists then develop tailored treatment plans targeting root causes of discomfort, not just masking symptoms. The emphasis remains on injury rehabilitation, postural re-alignment, and resolving complex pain syndromes. 

Many providers like Complete Wellness integrate medical massage with physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and lifestyle changes for reinforced outcomes. It’s about nurturing the whole patient ecosystem supporting natural healing.

Over a series of appointments, medical massage builds a cumulative positive effect much like consistent training. It gradually releases built-up tension in the body, improving flexibility and mobility over several treatments.

Conditions Treated with Medical Massage

Medical massage serves as an effective complement to conventional treatments for various chronic pain and injury conditions by providing natural, holistic relief:

1. Chronic Issues

For chronic issues like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines, massage can reduce flare-up intensity and frequency when combined with standard medication management. Massaging tight muscles and connective tissues helps reduce inflammation and pain.

2. Injuries 

For injuries causing defined pain points like herniated discs pressing on nerves, sciatica shooting down the leg, or frozen shoulder limiting movement, medical massage targets the strained surroundings contributing to symptoms.

3. Repetitive Strains

It also helps with stress issues from repetitive work like carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrists, tennis elbow along the forearms, and even upper back/neck muscle knots related to poor computer ergonomics.

4. Sports Injuries

Additionally, massage aids post-op recovery for strains, sprains, and swelling by flushing tissues with fresh blood flow and draining built-up fluid accumulation. 

Techniques Used in Medical Massage

Medical massage blends various hands-on techniques to target different tissue layers needing care for lasting relief:

1. Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy applies direct, sustained pressure to painfully contracted muscle knots using fingers, tools, or elbows. It helps muscles release accumulated tension. Complete Wellness offers trigger point therapy as part of its integrated medical massage treatment.

2. Myofascial Release

Myofascial release uses gentle, sustained stretching to release tension in the fascia - the thin tissue that wraps around your muscles. Sometimes the fascia can become tight and stick to the muscles, creating knots and pulling on joints. 

Myofascial release techniques gently unstick and stretch these tight spots, reducing pain and restriction.

3. Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy applies focused pressure and stretching to tender points where nerves pass through muscle tissue. This combined stimulation soothes irritated nerves that may feel tight or painful. 

4. Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic drainage massage uses gentle, rhythmic pumping motions along the lymph vessels (which carry fluid including germs, and damaged cells away from the body's tissues). This helps stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid which can stagnate after injuries and surgeries. 

Getting the fluid moving again enhances drainage and reduces localized swelling in the area.

Experience Lasting Relief Through Therapeutic Touch

As we’ve discussed before, medical massage eases chronic pain and restores mobility by addressing the root causes of discomfort. 

From soothing strained muscles to calming irritated nerves, medical massage therapists have a diverse toolkit to address various conditions. 

At Complete Wellness, our medical massage treatment combines modalities like trigger point therapy and myofascial release for an integrative approach to resolving pain at its source. 

Some benefits of our medical massage therapy include improved blood circulation, reduced stress, and improved sleep quality.

Book an appointment today with Complete Wellness to experience lasting pain relief.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What is the difference between Swedish and medical massage?

Swedish massage uses long, flowing strokes for general relaxation. Medical massage applies targeted techniques to address specific pain conditions, mobility limitations, or injuries as part of a treatment plan.

2. Is a sports massage better than a medical massage?

Sports massage focuses on enhancing athletic performance and recovery. Medical massage treats a wider range of pain syndromes and chronic issues. The best choice depends on your specific needs and goals.

3. Should I get a normal massage or a deep tissue massage?  

A regular Swedish massage uses gentle pressure for overall relaxation. Deep tissue massage applies more intense pressure to release chronic muscle tension. Consult your therapist on which is most appropriate for your situation.

4. Which massage is best for the full body?

Swedish massage is the most common full-body massage for relaxation. However, medical massage can also address pain relief throughout the entire body depending on your treatment plan.

5. Why do I feel so tired after a massage?

Feeling fatigued after a massage is normal. It's a sign your body is responding to the therapeutic stimulation and releasing deeply held tension. This rebalancing can be draining, so rest and hydration after sessions for recovery.