Have you sustained a rotator cuff injury? Are you living with shoulder impingement? Maybe you’re recovering from a sports-related injury such as tennis or golfer’s elbow. Whatever the case may be, therapeutic massage could be the answer you’ve been searching for when it comes to finding pain relief.
To learn more about our clinic’s therapeutic massage methods and how they can help alleviate upper extremity pain conditions, contact our clinic to set up an appointment today.
What is therapeutic massage?
When you hear the word “massage”, you might think of a relaxing day in a spa. Therapeutic massage can be just as relaxing, however, it’s a method used in occupational therapy that promotes tissue healing and helps to relax tight muscles that may have become painful during periods of overuse.
Deep tissue massage is beneficial to athletes and anyone who needs to relieve tension in their deep musculature. This type of massage loosens up your muscles and their connective tissues.
Swedish massage is more gentle and targets more superficial tissues, perfect for anyone looking to relax and relieve mental as well as physical stress. This type of massage relaxes any stiff or tense muscles you may have, allowing for increased blood flow and fluid to drain from swollen areas.
Pressure point massage is effective for relieving tender points within the body’s fascial tissue (which protectively encases connective tissue much like the casing of sausage!)
Myofascial release creates room for tissues that may be trapped by distortions or fascial adhesions, freeing them from constriction.
An occupational or hand therapist will be able to properly assess your upper extremity pain condition to decide which of these kinds of therapeutic massage are appropriate for your treatment.
What conditions can therapeutic massage help relieve?
Therapeutic massage can help patients dealing with adhesions, scar tissue, swelling and inflammation, and even those dealing with a lot of stress in their lives. It can also help with recovery from specific injuries, such as fibromyalgia and edema. Depending on where you store your stress, for example, your shoulders or back, you may feel increased levels of tension that require the touch of an experienced massage therapist.
Other benefits of therapeutic massage include:
- Improved mood
- Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Accelerated healing
- Improved range of motion
- Reduced pain
What to expect during a therapeutic massage treatment
When you come to our clinic for a therapeutic massage appointment, you should expect a thorough examination and some questions about your medical history. Make sure you dress comfortably as well!
If massage therapy is recommended as part of your treatment plan, we’ll make sure you’re seated or lying down in a comfortable position (depending on the target treatment area).
We value our patients’ dignity and privacy, so you can rest assured that if certain articles of clothing need to be moved to allow our therapists access to the target tissue, you will always be appropriately covered (whether that’s on the spine or limbs).
Your therapist may use oils or special lotions infused with essential oils during your massage. Aromatic essential oils are used to boost the massage’s benefits by stimulating the sense of smell and improving neurological involvement. Aromatherapy, gentle touch, and fluid movements can all work together to maximize the benefits of each treatment.
Our therapists can talk to you about any pain you’re dealing with and work with you in a coordinated manner to encourage healing on all levels and help you gain a better understanding of your body and what’s going on with it.
We’re not just interested in symptom relief; we want to find and treat the root cause (or causes) of your symptoms so that your recovery is more complete and lasting!
Call our clinic for more information today
If you’re experiencing upper extremity pain as the result of an injury or a chronic condition you’ve been dealing with for a while, rest assured that there are options available to you for relief.
Our clinic employs skilled and knowledgeable hand and occupational therapists who understand how to find and target areas of pain in your body, and also teach you how to manage your discomfort in the future as well. If you think therapeutic massage might be a good fit for you, call us today to set up an appointment!
