Clinical Massage

The Biological Benefits of Frequent Massage

 
 
 
 
 
What is clinical massage?
 
Clinical massage is focused on relief from an injury, disease, or medical condition and the treatments tend to be directed to a defined affected area of the body and the treatments can be more intensive.
 

What sets Clinical massage apart from the numerous other massage techniques is the fact that it, itself, is not a specific ‘technique’. Rather, the term ‘Clinical’ is used to refer to the locomotor (Orthopedics) system, as it is used in conventional medicine. An analogy can be made with the phrase ‘Orthopedic Medicine’, which describes a conceptual approach to medical practice, more than just one particular treatment method. Similarly, the phrase ‘Clinical massage’ describes a comprehensive system, rather than a particular technique (though some are attempting to use the phrase to describe a specific ‘technique’). As a comprehensive system, Clinical massage is capable of integrating a variety of massage’s most effective techniques in the treatment of soft-tissue dysfunctions, pain, and injuries. Four component parts characterize the system of Clinical massage: Clinical assessment, matching the physiology of the tissue injury with the physiological effects of treatment, treatment adaptability, and understanding of the rehabilitation protocol.

Clinical massage is a system made up of a variety of different techniques. Despite the difference in techniques, there are several underlying principles that are essential to the system. The first is assessment and evaluation skills. When working with soft tissue pain and injury it is essential the practitioner be able to assess the nature of the condition and understand its physiological makeup. In order to determine if massage is appropriate, and what kind of massage, if any, should be done, the practitioner must have some method of systematic evaluation of the client’s condition.

 

Not only should the practitioner be familiar with the condition, but also with the most frequently used massage techniques. Therefore, the second component of the Clinical massage system is to match the physiology of the injury with the physiological effects of the treatment technique. There is no single massage modality that will effectively treat all of the diverse types of pain and injury conditions. Rather, in some situations a particular technique will be highly beneficial, yet when used on another condition it may be contraindicated. Therefore, the massage therapist must understand the physiological effects of the treatment that s/he chooses.

The third component of Clinical massage is treatment adaptability. Clearly, with the diversity of conditions, the practitioner should not rigidly adhere to one set of techniques. In addition, each client will provide a unique presentation of the pain or injury condition. As such, the practitioner will most effectively treat their client with a protocol that is individually suited to that person.

Finally, the Clinical massage system recommends understanding the rehabilitation protocol. Rehabilitation protocol is a phrase used to describe the most effective progression through the stages of soft tissue healing. It includes knowledge of proper tissue healing and injury prevention. While it is not appropriate for the massage therapist to prescribe a rehabilitation plan, the practitioner of Clinical massage often works in conjunction with other health professionals and it is important that s/he understand these rehabilitation factors.

Clinical massage is an exciting new approach to the treatment of numerous pain and injury conditions previously treated only with conventional methods. Providing a comprehensive system of treatment that incorporates a wide variety of massage treatment techniques, Clinical massage enables the practitioner to choose the most effective treatment for a particular condition. The Clinical massage practitioner is knowledgeable and skilled in their understanding of pain and injury conditions and massage treatment techniques. This combination of expertise provides for the most effective treatment of soft tissue pain and injury conditions using massage therapy.

 
What is the purpose of medical and clinical massage?
 
It is a movement-based manual therapy that helps restore range of motion, break up scar tissue, release muscle adhesions, increase blood flow and reduce chronic and acute pain.
 
What are the benefits of receiving a clinical massage therapy session?
 
 
  • Reducing stress and increasing relaxation.
  • Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension.
  • Improving circulation, energy, and alertness.
  • Lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Improving immune function.
What is the main benefit of therapeutic massages?

In addition to soothing sore muscles, massage therapy can reduce bodily pain in people who struggle with chronic pain or any syndrome of which pain is a side effect. Studies show that therapeutic massage can relieve pain related to fibromyalgia, surgery, and more.
 
What is the difference between a massage and a medical massage?
 
During a spa massage, the techniques likely focus on relaxation. A medical massage therapist will use a broader set of therapies for muscle health and recovery. It includes specific follow-up recommendations
 
How important do you think clinical massage is in the field of massage therapy?
 
By helping to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, quiet the mind, reduce pain and increase body awareness massage therapy is a great way to help one to maintain and find emotional and mental balance
 

Treated Conditions 

  • Sciatica
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Neck & Back Pain
  • Acute & chronic muscular pain
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Stress
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)
  • Headaches & Migraines
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Joint Pain, Arthritis
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Frozen Shoulder
 
What are 4 types of massage?
 
  • Swedish massage. Swedish massage is one of the best known and widely practiced varieties. …

The Swedish massage is one of the most common types of massages you can get. It is performed to energize the body and improve overall health. This type of massage involves actions like percussion, kneading, vibration, tapping, and rolling. Massage oil or lotion is used to protect the skin from friction. In the full-body Swedish massage, your therapist will usually start by massaging your back and neck, then the legs, arms, hands, and sometimes the feet. This massage sometimes includes a relaxing head massage (also known as a scalp massage, Indian head massage, or Champissage).

  • Deep tissue and trigger point therapy. …

Deep Tissue Massage is based on Swedish massage and uses similar strokes but, unlike Swedish, it focuses on all muscle layers from the superficial to the deepest ones. Deep tissue massage is a highly therapeutic and specific technique that is very effective in releasing restrictions of the deeper muscles and the underlying connective tissue. Although deep tissue massage can be performed on the whole body, it often focuses on specific affected areas.

Deep Tissue Massage can be very effective in releasing chronic patterns of tension and restoring the structural and functional integrity of the musculoskeletal system. Deep tissue massage can address dysfunctions relating to stress, prolonged computer work, bad posture, sports or any other type of injuries, excessive athletic training, repetitive overuse of muscle groups (which can result in various syndromes, like Repetitive Stress Syndrome, Carpal tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Patellofemoral Syndrome, various orthopedic conditions ( i.e. scoliosis), headaches, etc.

  • Sports massage therapy. …

Sports Massage is a combination of massage strokes and techniques combined with flexibility and specific exercise routines geared to increase an athlete’s performance capabilities. The application of Sports Massage is determined by one’s own specific anatomical and physiological needs. Basic musculoskeletal evaluations, orthopedic assessments, and flexibility analyses do this. By determining the athlete’s specific needs, the Sports Massage therapist will not only be able to provide increased strength, speed, and flexibility, but also improve biomechanical efficiency and decrease the potential for injury. This is a comprehensive program with a shared responsibility between the Sports Massage Therapist and the athlete.

  • Cupping therapy. …

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage. The benefits of cupping include local pain relief and muscle relaxation. Cupping improves overall health by removing the energy blockages that TCM practitioners identify as barriers to the flow of healthy energy or qi. For athletes, cupping may help increase blood flow to a particular muscle region or help reduce pain.

What is the deepest massage?
 
During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. You can be naked during this massage or wear your underwear.
 
 
 

25 Reasons to Get a Massage

  1. Relieve stress
  2. Relieve postoperative pain
  3. Reduce anxiety
  4. Manage low-back pain
  5. Help fibromyalgia pain
  6. Reduce muscle tension
  7. Enhance exercise performance
  8. Relieve tension headaches
  9. Sleep better
  10. Ease symptoms of depression
  11. Improve cardiovascular health
  12. Reduce the pain of osteoarthritis
  13. Decrease stress in cancer patients
  14. Improve balance in older adults
  15. Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain
  16. Temper effects of dementia
  17. Promote relaxation
  18. Lower blood pressure
  19. Decrease symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  20. Help chronic neck pain
  21. Lower joint replacement pain
  22. Increase range of motion
  23. Decrease migraine frequency
  24. Improve the quality of life in hospice care
  25. Reduce chemotherapy-related nausea
 
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*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the scope of practice, medical diagnosis, or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company, or specific massage therapy technique, modality, or approach. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.