Medical Massage therapy is unique due to its ability to advance healing of the body after injury or surgical procedures. Medical massage is a treatment specifically performed on clients in need of muscle and body rehabilitation who have been referred by their physician, chiropractor, or naturopath.
Like our wellness massage, our Licensed Massage Practitioners may use Swedish, deep tissue, pregnancy (including pre/post natal), or sports massage during medical treatment. In addition, therapists will integrate other techniques such as myofascial release, intraoral massage, or neuromuscular and injury treatment modalities, depending on diagnosis by your physician.You and the massage therapist will discuss what treatment will best suit your needs. An initial number of sessions should be recommended by your physician to allow the therapist to gain information about your state and to determine the best course of treatment. See more information on many of the techniques below:
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release focuses on releasing tightness and shortness throughout the muscles. This therapy addresses any pain in areas high in soft tissue such as the back, shoulder, or hip areas. Myofascial release can also aid in fibromyalgia, migraines, improve skeletal and muscular alignment, or provide pain relief to allow normal movement and greater function to the body.The massage therapist will work on the fascia, feeling for stiff or tight areas and stretching those that feel rigid with light manual pressure to release tightness.The patient’s progress is gauged by level of increased motion, flexibility, function, and/or a decrease in pain.
Prenatal/Postnatal Massage
If your physician refers you to massage therapy in order to help alleviate discomfort during or after your term of pregnancy, your massage therapist will work specifically with you on where your treatments should be start in order for you to reach full improvement. Speak with the therapist about your pregnancy and your needs. Benefits of prenatal massage include decreased anxiety and stress, relaxing of muscle cramps or spasms, relief of headaches or pain in the lower back, neck, hips and legs, increased circulation, reduced swelling and stress on weight-bearing joints,, and better sleep.We offer pregnancy cushions which can be used throughout the entire pregnancy. Our cushions allow an expecting mother to lie face down, while the cushion supports the belly. We will also use various bolsters for safe and comfortable positions during your massage.
Postpartum massage is designed to help restore the body to its pre-pregnant condition. It can also improve breast feeding, reduce musculoskeletal tension and pain you might develop caring for a newborn, decrease postpartum depression, improve healing of cesarean birth, aid in structural re-alignment of the spine and pelvis, and more.
Neuromuscular Technique
Neuromuscular techniques are a group of modalities that address the brain and body connection. For example, Trigger Point Therapy, where the massage therapist locates a specific point correlating to where you are experiencing pain and then applies continuous pressure using their fingers, knuckles, or elbows. This pressure can reset the messages that the brain is sending to the muscles in order to release tension. Often clients will experience some muscle soreness following massage including neuromuscular techniques. However, the muscle soreness will disappear within a few days and the client’s body will feel more relaxed.
Sports/Injury Treatment
This treatment is centered on directly treating a variety of soft tissue and repetitive-motion injuries that previously have not responded favorably to other types of sports therapies. Those who have obtained sports-related injury, any trauma or overstrain of a muscle can benefit from this treatment, in addition to those suffering from chronic headaches, poor posture, back, shoulder, or spinal pain, sciatica, shin splints, knee injuries, ankle injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure is applied throughout the body to find the injured area. The tightness and range of motion and movement is determined. Filaments, tendons and ligaments are examined for any tears or breaks.When abnormal muscle tissue is discovered, the massage therapist will undergo an intensive series of massage techniques in order to move the muscle through its full range of motion. This will relieve the surrounding tissues of any adhesions, knots, or scar tissue that form and block the injured muscle to allow for the free flow of blood, lymph fluid and nerve conduction so the muscle will heal.
Intraoral Massage
This massage is a safe and effective technique that works on muscles both inside and outside the mouth, neck and throat. It is a treatment for patients who have clenching, grinding, a painful clicking jaw, jaw tension, migraines, sinus pain or problems, head injuries, whiplash, chronic ear congestion, tinnitus, or emotional trauma and chronic face and neck pain. It is extremely beneficial and even helps balance the upper body. Gloves are worn while working inside the mouth to release the muscles and fascia of the face and mouth. Many patients have been successfully treated for TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) using
Intra-Oral massage therapy.
Note: Ballard Health Center and Wellness Spa currently only has one massage practitioner able to provide this type of service. Please request this therapy directly when booking an appointment.