It has been a common practice for many people to go to spas and wellness centers to get a massage and other relaxation procedures after a tiring day at work. Wayne massage practice owner and other wellness center owners can attest to that fact. But did you know that you can also have medical massage therapy for your illness? Let us discover the difference between medical massage therapy from other massage types and their benefits.
It has been a common practice for many people to go to spas and wellness centers to get a massage and other relaxation procedures after a tiring day at work. Wayne massage practice owner and other wellness center owners can attest to that fact. But did you know that you can also have medical massage therapy for your illness? Let us discover the difference between medical massage therapy from other massage types and their benefits.
Medical massage therapy: What is it?
If a regular wellness massage therapy is being measured as effective the way it soothes the muscles and relaxes the body, medical massage therapy is different in the sense that it is measured by its effect in improving a patient’s condition. This is also known as a treatment massage or clinical massage, directed because of the outcome a health practitioner is aiming for. In medical massage therapy, instead of a masseuse doing the massage, the treatment is performed by a health care practitioner trained as a medical massage therapist. The Medical Massage Practitioners of America (MMPA) describes this as a result-oriented therapy targeting a specific part of the body.
What’s the difference between wellness massage and medical massage therapy?
The main difference between the two types of massage is geared towards the results. Wellness massage targets tired and tense muscles to give comfort and renewed energy to a client. In medical massage, a specific condition is being targeted to be treated in a specific location of the body, using almost the same techniques. Also, as mentioned earlier, a trained medical massage therapist does the whole treatment instead of a regular masseuse. The duration depends on the severity of the medical condition and the expected effect of the therapy, and the whole procedure may be billed to insurance as this is medically necessary. Instead of client satisfaction as the main basis of efficiency, medical massage therapy is measured by its effect on a specific medical condition.
What conditions can it treat?
Although the use of massage therapy in treating a medical condition is considered secondary or complementary only, there are so many studies that prove its effectiveness. Most illnesses it addresses are based on musculoskeletal discomforts, like sprains, strains, tissue injury related to sports, fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome. But, there are also some patients and doctors alike that account using this type of massage therapy on anxiety, insomnia, stress-related conditions, TMD or TMJ pain, migraines and headaches, and digestive problems.
Tips on getting a medical massage therapy
Find a licensed therapist. A licensed massage therapist can perform the massage, but in some states in the US, there are specific treatment training that they need to undergo to be able to qualify as a medical massage therapist.
Ask your doctor. Getting this type of massage should be prescribed by your doctor. Discuss your concerns with your trusted doctor so he and refer or recommend a therapist that he knows can help your situation.
Talk to your insurance provider. Before getting the massage, contact your insurance provider to confirm if the treatment is indeed covered so you wouldn’t have any problem with payment after the treatment.
