3 Differences between a Medical Massage and a Spa Massage

So many issues are demanding our attention these days. Our body takes a toll and a pounding with these life demands.Massage has been used as a medical treatment dating back to the Chinese over 5000 years ago.

More recently Professor Silas Weir Mitchell a neurologist in Philadelphia is thought to be the first to bring massage to the attention of the US medical community. In 1884, Douglas Graham, MD of Boston Massachusetts wrote A Practical Treatise on Massage which focuses on the treatment of specific diseases and disorders by using massage as a treatment.

Dr Harvey Kellogg published the classic textbook The Art of Massage, Its Physiological Effects and Therapeutic Actions in 1885. During the nineteenth century, massage in Europe was described in the medical literature and was taught at institutions and also offered by lay practitioners. English Physician William Murrell, wrote a book Massage as a Mode of Treatment in 1886. M.Y. Mudrov, MD in Russia used massage and movement exercises in his medical practice with adults and later applied it to the development of children. As a form of treatment Massage has been popular as a form of medical treatment since the late 1700s in Russia.

When we tell someone that we offer medical massages, we often get a confused look followed by a question, “ What makes it different from a spa massage?” There is, in fact, a difference. In both, someone applies pressure to your body. However, a medical massage differs in three important ways:

1. The Outcome is Different

In that in addition to stress relief and relaxation, a medical massage focuses on a medical need. It is often used to manage pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, relieve nerve compression, improve digestion, increase flexibility or treat other health care concerns.

2. It Targets Your Needs Through a Variety of Techniques

Spa massage and medical massage may feel similar, but their techniques differ. During a spa massage, the techniques likely focus on relaxation. Our medical massage therapist will use a broader set of therapies for muscle health and recovery.It includes specific follow-up recommendations.

3. Provide a Targeted Plan for Treatment

A medical massage therapist will provide a targeted plan for treatment, along with recommendations for a series of timed visits versus a periodic spa visit.

Types of Massages:

Depending on your treatment goal and medical need, our provider can use multiple treatments to meet your specific need. Below is a list of some of our offerings.

• Swedish Massage

• Deep tissue and trigger point therapy

• Sports Massage

• Reflexology

• Myofascial Release

• Healing Touch

• Prenatal and Postnatal Massage

• Aromatherapy

• Chair Massage

• Thai Massage

• Cupping therapy

Diagnoses that Benefits from Medical Massage:

• Stress related tension

• Cancer related issues

• Fatigue

• Sleep disorders

• Fibromyalgia

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Low back pain

• Depression...just to name a few

We encourage you to come in out of the pain and discomfort that you may be experiencing due to medical reason such as listed above.

Finance is always one of the main reasons why some treatments are not sought after or ignored. However, with Medical Massage it is good to know that most insurance covers this cost as a medical necessity.