What is Medical Massage?
Medical Massage is massage therapy prescribed by a physician and involves an examination in which the ROOT CAUSE of the pain/disorder is discovered and rectified in a minimal number of visits (usually between 4 and 10 visits, depending on the severity of the disorder).
There are two exceptions to this. If your condition is caused by habitual poor posture, then a few more treatments may be needed or your condition is something other than a soft tissue disorder such as a misaligned joint. If this is the case, massage may still help significantly, and you will be referred to a trusted specialist.
Medical Massage is useful in addressing conditions such as:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sciatica
- Piriformis syndrome
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Pain associated with bulged or injured spinal disks the disk, but can help alleviate much of the pain associated with the injury).
- Migraines/headaches
- Pain associated with pregnancy
- Constipation
- Range of motion issues
- Fibromyalgia
- Back and Neck pain
- Plantar fasciitis (involving pain in the foot)
- Repetitive use injuries such as those listed and tennis elbow, golfer's elbow
- TMJ
- Pain associated with restricted fascia
- Pain associated with postural imbalances
- Muscle cramps
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Sports injuries
- Work injuries
- Auto injuries
- Edema (swelling)
- And many others
Insurance Billing
If you have been injured in a car accident, on the job, or if you have another injury or condition for which medical massage is necessary, your doctor may give you a prescription for massage therapy.
The process is simple:
1. Have your Healthcare Professional write a prescription that is related to his
diagnosis.
2. Call Massage by Design to schedule your appointment.
3. We will verify that your insurance will cover the treatment.
4. Receive your treatment as prescribed by your Healthcare Professional.
We work with medical doctors, physical therapist, chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals when it is medically indicated and prescribed for their patients.
I've scheduled a massage, now what should I expect?
During your initial massage treatment, you will be asked to fill out a client intake form. It has a place to list any underlying medical conditions. The therapist should be aware of any of these. Even if you have an allergy to something in the oil the therapist uses, you should list this. You should be asked at any subsequent visits about any new medical or physical conditions. If you're not asked, volunteer that information if there is anything the therapist should know.
After the form is completed, you will be examined for the root cause of your disorder by examining the tissues around the discomfort, and examining muscles nearby that might be implicated. Then, your therapist will look at your overall structure to see if other imbalances exist that contribute to your condition.
Finally, your massage therapist may use myofascial release, trigger point therapy, muscle stripping, manual lymphatic drain, neuromuscular realignment and other techniques to address your condition.
There are several contraindications for receiving a massage. If you have any of the following conditions, you should NOT get a massage:
- Fever
- Any type of infectious disease
- Systemic infections
- Severe cold
- Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury
- Blood clot
- Pregnancy-induced diabetes, toxemia, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia
- High blood pressure (unless under control with medication)
- Heart disease
- Cancer (unless prescribed or okay'd by doctor)
- Open skin lesions or sores (therapist may work around them if localized)
- Prohibited by a physician
