There are differences between a therapeutic massage and a spa massage. Sometimes a therapeutic massage is also called a clinical or medical massage . The main goal of a spa massage is typically relaxation, stress relief, and promoting good sleep.
However, a therapeutic massage treatment is planned out with a specicial goal in mind. Typically, to relieve pain or tension on a specific part of the body. Often patients are referred by a doctor and insurance may even cover all or some of the treatments. With therapeutic treatment, the intention is to improve a specific ailment or condition. A common reason for therapeutic massage is often injury resulting from a car accident.
These types of massage are often covered by insurance and All Body Kneads also accepts Health Savings Accounts and Health Flex spending accounts.
Types of Therapeutic Massage
There are many different types of massage and therapeutic massage uses techniques that target specific areas or issues. The two most common types are:
Myofascial Release
Myofascial tissue is a type of thin, strong, fibrous connective tissue that extends throughout your body to provide support and protection to your muscles and bones. When this tissue gets damaged, tightened, or “bunched up” it can cause pain. In severe cases a patient can develop Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
During a myofascial release massage the therapist gently massages the myofascia and feels for stiff or tightened areas. Normal myofascia should feel pliable and elastic. The therapist will begin massaging and stretching the areas that feel rigid with light manual pressure. This allows the tissue to release pressure and tightness. The process is repeated multiple times on the same area (and any other ares) until the the tension is fully released.
Conditions that are treated by myofascial release include:
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point massage is designed to relieve pain in particular areas of the body by applying pressure or vibration into trigger points. Trigger points are points in the muscles where knots may form, and the pinpointed pressure is designed to relax those knots and ease pain.
It can be a safe self-treatment with the potential to help with many common pain problems that don’t respond well (or at all) to anything else.
Treatment is very similar to myofascial release. Muscle pain is big deal and aches and pains are an extremely common medical complaint. Trigger points seem to be a factor in many of them.
Common conditions treated by trigger point therapy include:
- sciatica
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic jaw pain
- toothaches
- earaches
- sinusitis
- ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- dizziness
- A sore throat or a lump in the throat
- fibromyalgia
- unexplained pain
Therapeutic Message Results
While a spa massage may successfully relax you or temporarily relieve some stress, therapeutic massage will produce tangible results. It is based around your health needs and goals. All Body Kneads provides therapeutic massage and Bilky is experienced in both Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Therapy.
Please call 517-898-2899 or visit our website to book an appointment online.
I’m glad you talked about applying pressure or vibration to trigger points, a trigger point massage is intended to reduce pain in certain body parts. My aunt has been complaining about her throbbing legs that’s why she wants to have a therapeutic massage. I appreciate you helping me learn about your article, I’ll make certain that she knows which massage is the best one that will help to solve her dilemma.