What Is Massage Therapy?

The thought of massage therapy may be all you need to set an appointment, but wait until you learn the benefits of massage therapy. If you are feeling sore, stressed, or experiencing pain throughout your body, you may need massage therapy. You may already realize the need is present which has brought you here in search of more information. So what exactly is massage therapy? Are there different types of massage therapy? Where is the best medical massage therapy near me? Keep reading to learn more about massage therapy.

What is massage therapy used for?

Massage therapy is used to treat a wide variety of issues. Some of its main functions are:

• Pain treatment
• Work injury
• Motor vehicle injury
• Sports injury
• Help with rehabilitation from an injury or surgery
• Relieve stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
• Induce Relaxation

What is considered massage therapy?

Many types of therapy can be called massage therapy but what is massage therapy really? Massage therapy is usually performed by a licensed practitioner generally called a licensed massage therapist or registered massage therapist. They are trained to manipulate the soft tissues of the body including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints to facilitate healing and reduce pain.

How is massage therapy done?

There are many different types of massage therapy. Most require a massage therapist to be licensed and have additional training. Some common types are Swedish massage, sports massage therapy, rehabilitative massage, deep tissue myofascial massage therapy, trigger point massage, hot stone massage and aromatherapy massage. All will involve the manipulation of the body’s tissue with varying degrees of pressure. A massage therapist can use long strokes, short strokes, or a combination of both. Massages can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours, or longer, depending on the patient’s needs. Patients are typically placed in a seated position or lying down on a massage table. The method depends on the type of massage you and your practitioner have chosen.

What are the benefits of massage therapy?

Massage therapy can offer patients a long list of benefits. Discomfort throughout your body is not something you should have to live with. If you are experiencing any type of discomfort you should seek medical attention as you may need massage therapy. Some of the benefits associated with massage therapy are:

• Improved recovery of soft tissue injury
• Stress reduction
• Reduced muscle tension
• Relaxation
• Increased joint mobility
• Reduced anxiety

What are the different types of massage therapists?

There are many types of massage therapists. In addition to being licensed, most will have a certain speciality. For example, a massage therapist may perform Swedish massage, sports massage therapy, rehabilitative massage, trigger point massage and deep tissue myofascial massage therapy. The type of therapist you see would depend on your health issue and what you want to accomplish.

What is the difference between medical massage and massage therapy?

Medical massage therapy is designed to help facilitate relief from pain and healing for a patient. It is sometimes called clinical massage therapy, although this term can apply to many types of therapeutic massage therapy. The goal of medical massage therapy can include pain management, relieve general tension, help patients to recover from surgery or an injury, and help improve mobility. Medical massages can work on chronic or acute conditions such as headaches, repetitive strain injuries, trauma, and whiplash.
If you are interested in trying medical massage therapy you can search online for a practitioner by using the term, ‘medical massage therapy near me.’ Often medical or clinical massage therapy will be recommended with physical therapy or chiropractic care. If this is the case, try searching online for ‘physical therapy massage near me,’ or ‘chiropractor massage therapy near me.’ If you are in the Portland area, Portland Wellness Care has a team of expert massage therapists available to treat your symptoms.

Other types of massage therapy, often called Spa Massage therapy, focus more on well being, relaxation, and reducing stress and anxiety. While it may treat pain and underlying health issues, that is not its primary goal.

What are the side effects of a massage?

Massage therapists apply pressure and manipulate the patient’s soft tissue using long and/or short strokes. Depending on the type of massage and the amount of pressure applied, a patient can expect to have some short term side effects. Sometimes there is slight bruising from the pressure applied. Mild soreness one to two days after a massage is the most common side effect.

What skills does a massage therapist need?

In most states, practitioners must be licensed to call themselves a massage therapist. States have different licensing requirements. Programs can consist of as little as 500 hours or more than a 1,000 hours of training. Like all health care practitioners, massage therapists need communication skills, empathy, and the ability to make decisions regarding a patient’s care, at the very least. Massage therapists also need physical strength and stamina to be able to treat the patient effectively.

What is the best massage technique?

The type of massage technique that is best for you will depend on your condition and what you are having treated. The massage technique used usually depends on the type of treatment. Different massage types or treatments may also use different amounts of pressure. For example, Swedish massage typically applies less pressure so it may be good for people who are sensitive to touch, new to massage therapy, or have a lot of tension. Deep tissue massage on the other hand applies a lot of pressure to the soft tissue. It’s typically used for conditions such as muscle pain and problems, anxiety, injury, and imbalance. Aromatherapy massages are used to reduce issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, and pain. To determine what kind of massage technique is best for you, you should start by consulting a medical professional or massage therapist.

How does massage relieve pain?

Massages use different amounts of pressure which may relax muscles, joints, and tendons. Massages can relieve anxiety and stress for the patient. The manipulation of the soft tissues can stimulate nerves to block pain signals to the brain. Every patient is different and so the effectiveness of pain relief will differ from patient to patient.

What should I do after a massage?

It is important to drink water after a massage because they can be dehydrating. Drinking water will help flush toxins out of your body. It’s also important to urinate for the same reason. After a massage you may also want to stretch to help realign your muscles. Your massage therapist or health professional will give you specific aftercare instructions based on your condition.

What should I avoid after a massage?

Sometimes, you should avoid being overly active after a massage. You don’t want to strain your muscles since they have just been manipulated. While it is recommended to shower after a massage, you should wait at least one hour before doing so. This allows your skin to properly absorb any lotions or oils that were used during the massage.

When should I get a medical massage?

People often put off getting a massage because of the time involved, cost, or the assumption that it will not help. Most everyone can benefit from massage therapy. If you feel your body is in need of a medical massage you should contact a doctor or physical medicine physician to see if they recommend a medical massage. Medical massages may provide temporary relief from stress or anxiety. They may also help with pain management.

If you have experienced trauma as a result of a work injury, motor vehicle injury, sports injury, accident or surgery, massage therapy can help you heal. Some people are concerned about the cost but you may find your health insurance covers medical massage therapy. At Portland Wellness Care, we understand that finances should never get in the way of living a healthy and pain free life. Portland Urgent Care and Portland Wellness Care accept most insurance plans and provide discounted rates to those who pay at the time of service with a CHUSA membership.

Why choose Portland Wellness Care for Massage Therapy?

Neck and back pain, joint and muscle pain can seriously affect your quality of life. It can make any type of motion very uncomfortable and interfere with your ability to work or participate in activities you enjoy. If you are in the Portland area and are experiencing back pain or muscle pain, you should visit Portland Wellness Care. We see patients 6 days a week with an appointment. Portland Wellness Care, in association with Portland Urgent Care , provides patients with an integrative healthcare clinic that features the latest medical technologies and training. For urgent care needs, you should visit or contact Portland Urgent Care. For massage therapy treatment, contact Portland Wellness Care. Portland Wellness Care provides the following services. . .

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Diagnostic Imaging
  
• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation services
  
• Laser Therapy
  

Conclusion

There are a variety of reasons a patient may need massage therapy. Whether you have been diagnosed with massage therapy treatment or not, you should contact Portland Wellness Care. Our team of medical professionals can help create a personalized treatment plan and determine the type of massage therapy that is best for you. Massage therapy is considered a valuable part of a comprehensive healthcare plan. If you feel that you could benefit from massage therapy, you should seek treatment immediately.

Discover comprehensive wellness care. . . contact Portland Wellness Care today!