Therapeutic Massage
Techniques for Chronic Pain Relief
Therapeutic massage modalities use various techniques to provide chronic pain relief. These types of bodywork include medical massage and neuromuscular massage among others. These therapies are becoming more widely practiced in the medical community at large.
Massage can be used as a treatment therapy for a variety of problems from musculoskeletal disorders, like back pain to autoimmune diseases, like fibromyalgia. The act of massaging is in itself therapeutic. Research has shown that general touch can promote health and well-being.
The earliest records of massage show that it was used as a healing art. This use has extended into modern times. Now the science of this healing is more clearly understood.
Therapeutic massage is usually focused on correcting a problem that is causing pain or illness. The therapist will have you fill out an intake form. This form will include questions about your pain and your medical history. It is important that you fill this out thoroughly and correctly. The therapist must know about any medical conditions you have and medications you take. Some medications, like muscle relaxers, or medical conditions, like high blood pressure, are contraindicated for massage. The therapist cannot work on you in these cases without permission from your doctor. The therapist needs to know this information so they don't injury you during the massage. Here is an article about what to expect at your first massage.
Many forms of bodywork used for therapy have their roots in Swedish massage, the mother of most Western styles. Swedish massage therapy provides the basic strokes used in massage. The work of innovators like Janet Travell, the inventor of trigger point therapy, and Ida Rolf, the inventor of Rolfing helped lay the foundation for modern therapeutic bodywork.
Some more commonly known forms of therapeutic massage include:
When looking for a therapist be sure to make sure they have the proper credentials. Most therapeutic modalities require separate certification besides their massage school certificate. Many forms of bodywork have websites where you can view a list of therapists in your area who have been certified to practice that form of massage. Try to find a therapist that has experience treating the condition you are having difficulty with. Talk to your therapist before the massage and ask some questions to get to know what kind of experience they have.
You can find therapeutic massage offered in spa setting, but those massage therapy techniques usually aren't their specialities. Look for massage clinics, pain management clinics, physical therapy offices and chiropractor's offices.
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