Medical Massage is very different from what most people expect when they sign up for a massage. The purpose is not so much to relax the client but to fix a physical problem. The massage, therefore, is much more aggressive and can sometimes cause the client to become sore afterwards. This is the type of massage typically associated with Chiropractic, and Physical Therapy. It can be billed to medical insurance, wokers compensation, and auto insurance in cases of accident. It requires a prescription from a doctor.
Frequently massage therapists in this field will use their elbows to ease a tight muscle or knot rather than the slow even strokes of a Swedish Massage. By pinning the muscle or knot under the elbow or thumbs, blood is forced into that area and the muscle is forced to relax. Relaxing the muscles quickly is important because each session is usually only 30 minutes long.
Once the muscles have been relaxed, the client is then sent for various other treatments, such as ultra sounds, e-stems (low voltage electric pulses), and adjustments by the chiropractor. Relaxing the muscles prior to these treatments can make adjustments smoother, quicker, and less painful. |
