Literally! It could be what the doctor, physical therapist or even the dentist ordered. In most cases, you do not need an order from a healthcare provider to receive treatment from a medical massage therapist (MMT).
There are many benefits of massage and it is being used more often in the medical setting as additional research is being done on the effects when used in combination with other treatments and alternative therapies. The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science also discusses the increase in use of massage therapy in the medical field.
In the hospital setting, a medical massage therapist may treat patients with conditions such as fibromyalgia pain, cancer, and patients on hospice.
Read on to learn how medical massage (A.K.A. therapeutic massage) is different from other types of massage. It might be a game-changer for you.
More than a massage
How is this type of treatment different from the other types of massage such as those discussed in this Health Line article?
This is a more specialized form of massage where specific conditions are treated using a combination of techniques to help correct the problem. It usually isn’t just for relaxation or relief of tension, although, some conditions like anxiety, depression and insomnia may benefit from these as well.
The licensed massage therapist (LMT) will talk to the patient about why they are there and ask specific questions about the pain, discomfort, or other reasons for the appointment. The LMT will perform a physical assessment and develop a treatment plan.
This probably sounds very different from what you may know about getting a massage. Pain, discomfort, and limited mobility have a significant impact on our lives and need special attention and care. Some rely on these treatments to function in their everyday lives.
Do you have to see a doctor first?
There are times when you know you should seek medical attention first. If you are in serious pain, you should see a doctor. If there is a wound, discoloration, or something that just does not look or feel right then you should see a physician.
You may have already seen a doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. That’s great! When you have an appointment, ask while you are there. However, for many common issues, you do not need to be evaluated by another healthcare provider before seeking treatment from an MMT.
Maybe you already know that you carry a lot of tension in your back, shoulders and neck that causes headaches. You might have plantar fasciitis that causes sharp shooting pain in the heel of your foot in the first few steps of the morning. Back and neck pain are very common. These are just a few very common issues that can be taken care of without a trip to the doctor every time.
When in doubt, ask.
Conditions that can be treated
There are quite a few conditions that can be treated with the many techniques that have been developed over the years and around the world.
Here are some common issues that can be treated with massage:
- Tension headaches
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
- Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMJ Dysfunction)
- Sciatica
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Certain types of swelling
- Scar tissue restriction and pain
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- And the list goes on
If you have questions about whether therapeutic massage is right for you, contact a medical massage therapist near you and just ask.
Treatment options
You have heard of Swedish, deep tissue and Thai massage as well as some others. Each has their own techniques and purpose. There are many ways to achieve similar effects and thank goodness! Some people have sensitivities to pressure, heat or cold, range of motion limitations and more.
Here are just ten of the techniques that can be used in medical massage:
- Swedish
- Deep tissue
- Trigger point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Cupping (static and cupping massage)
- Gua Sha (A.K.A. scraping or coining)
- Active and passive stretching
- Post isometric stretching
- Pin & stretch
- Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
- And so many more
Depending on the problem to be addressed, one or several of these techniques may be used. Treatment should always be specific to the individual patient’s needs.
Where to find them
This specialty of massage therapy can be found in the hospitalist setting, clinics, nursing home facilities or in private practice.
Chances are that you will be looking for one that is in a private practice or works in a clinic. If your healthcare provider doesn’t know of one to refer you to, here are a couple of options.
You can check online directories such as these:
Otherwise, Google will likely have the answer.
Try searching for “massage therapy near me” or massage therapy + your city/town. If you live in a city, then the chances are that you will have at least a few to choose from. Smaller towns may not have exactly what you need, and you may have to look at surrounding towns as well.
From there you can review the results to see if they might provide the services you are looking for. You may need to call and ask them. If they don’t, ask them if they know someone in the area who does.
Does insurance cover medical massage?
Some physicians are familiar with the benefits of massage and may even write a prescription for treatment of a specific condition. This prescription is needed if you would like your insurance to cover the cost. Not all insurance companies cover massage therapy, however.
Because of this, many massage therapy practices are private pay only and do not accept insurance. There are often requirements and restrictions (including time restrictions) by insurance companies. Even if your insurance doesn’t cover the treatment, it may still save you some money in sales tax.
Conclusion
Medical massage therapy is there to help decrease or relieve tension, pain, and improve the quality of life for the patient. It is the specialized study conditions and practice of using techniques to achieve a therapeutic outcome. These therapists are focused on providing a service and caring for their patients.
They study and apply many different techniques to achieve the treatment goals of their patients. They may use many tools of the trade as allowed by their scope of practice in addition to their fingers, hands, fists, forearms, elbows, etc. Be curious and ask questions.
About the author
Ethan Pariseau is a licensed massage therapist, Registered Nurse, and a freelance health writer. He is passionate about health-related topics and educating others so they can better understand their conditions and take an active role in their own health journey.
Links and resources used in this article
The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science – https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/medical-massage-therapist/
Health Line article “What Are the Different Types of Massage?” – https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage
The Mayo Clinic – Benefits of Massage – https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/benefits-of-massage-therapy
American Massage Therapy Association – Find A Massage Therapist – https://www.amtamassage.org/find-massage-therapist/?utm_source=radio&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=famt
Massage Book directory – Massage Book Health Grades directory – https://www.healthgrades.com/massage-therapy-directory