What Is Medical Massage?
 Medical massage is a results-oriented, evidence-based approach to relieve pain and discomfort related to soft tissue and body structure.
The training for medical massage includes a solid base of anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, psychology, and nutrition as well as the various hands-on modalities of Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, hydrotherapy, lymph, neuromuscular, myofascial, pain management, etc. Therapists also learn to properly assess clients and write up appropriate records such as SOAP notes and progress reports.
Medical massage therapists are trained to assess their clients before and after treatments to determine effectiveness of the therapy. Treatment begins with determining the origin or root of the pain the client is experiencing.
Before a therapist graduates, they have completed nearly 100 hours in a clinical setting treating a wide variety of clients from the community. The therapists also learn to present basic wellness education to the community.
Medical massage therapists are able to bill for Workman’s Comp, certain groups of risk management, and personal injuries related to accidents with a physicians referral.
Medical massage can be an effective treatment for many conditions:
- Tendonitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Anxiety
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- Myofascial pain
- Trigger points
- Athletic injuries
- TMJ
- Emotional stress
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- Sprain
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-injury rehab
- Edema
- Depression
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- Strain
- Sciatica
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Insomnia
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What are the benefits of receiving regular massage treatments?
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- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.
- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.
- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles
- Reduces spasms and cramping
- Increases joint flexibility
- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level
- Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.
- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.
- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.
- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.
- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays.
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Massage is a perfect elixir for good health, but it can also provide an integration of body and mind. By producing a meditative state or heightened awareness of living in the present moment, massage can provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true relaxation and peace.
(Massage benefits information was published by Body Sense Magazine in the Fall of 2001.)
Links
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American Massage Therapy Association
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Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals
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California Massage Therapy Council
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The National Certification Board for Therapeutic
Massage & Bodywork
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Community Service
Hands-on Medical Massage School believes that the therapist should learn to serve their community. Students become involved in sports events, health fairs, fund raising activities, such as; the Ronald McDonald House, the Unforgettables Foundation, American Heart Association, etc. We encourage graduates to become Chamber of Commerce members in order to network and become more involved in their own communities.
Student Life
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