top of page

What’s Included In A Medical Massage?

Do you have a nagging pain that just won't go away? Or perhaps an injury that's been bothering you for weeks on end. If so, it might be time to try medical massage therapy. Medical massage is used primarily as a form of physical therapy and rehabilitation for treating muscle injuries, chronic pain, and other orthopedic conditions. It can also help improve flexibility and range of motion in the joints. The therapist uses their hands or forearms to apply pressure to your muscles and soft tissue structures on your body with the goal of improving blood flow and circulation while alleviating muscular tension. This type of treatment helps many people feel better by relieving discomfort associated with chronic pain or repetitive use injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.

What’s Included In A Medical Massage?

Medical conditions that can be treated by medical massage include:


  • Chronic Pain

Pain can be excruciating which is why medical massage has become so popular as an alternative to medication. Arthritis, back pain, joint pain, osteoarthritis, muscle injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia can cause individuals to experience a great deal of discomfort on a daily basis.


People suffering from these types of conditions find relief through medical massage treatments. The inclusive procedures will vary depending on the client’s needs but typically includes a range of motion techniques, trigger point release therapy, and myofascial decompression treatment among others.


With medical massage therapy, you will receive hands-on manual pressure to help reduce your pain levels quickly! In addition, this type of treatment helps to improve circulation throughout the body which helps with lymphatic drainage and tissue repair - another key factor when it comes down to staying healthy even during times of acute or chronic pain!


  • Medical Recovery From Injuries And Operations

Medical massages are effective at treating a variety of injuries, including soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains as well as postoperative rehabilitation following surgery. Chronic pain can be caused by various factors that impact the nervous system or musculoskeletal structures. The massage therapist will focus on these areas to alleviate tension in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints while stimulating blood flow to promote healing.


Standard medical massaging techniques include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), and vibration/shaking motions which help reduce scar adhesion after an operation for example. Medical Massages may also involve specific treatment modalities like myofascial release, which is effective for softening tight muscles and connective tissues.


  • Medical Massage Treats Postural Imbalances

Medical massage treatments can help you to improve posture by breaking down adhesions in the muscles and increasing your range of motion. Proper alignment is essential for an individual’s overall health, both physically and mentally.


Medical massage treats a variety of issues from years of sitting at a computer or driving that cause excessive tension throughout the body which may lead to chronic pain conditions such as sciatica, scoliosis, and tightness in certain muscle groups.


What Types Of Massage Are Included in Medical Massage?

Each different type of medical massage has its own specific inclusions but they all share the same goal: to provide you with physical relief from pain or discomfort while also promoting your mental wellbeing through relaxation techniques. Medical massage provides a wide range of benefits, and there are various types of medical massages that you can receive including:


  • Sports Massage

It’s a form of body therapy that helps to treat injuries and enhance performance especially if you're an athlete or someone who's athletic. It includes many beneficial techniques. In fact, you should receive one from your doctor if you have been injured or are in pain due to an illness or condition which cannot be treated by drugs or surgery alone.


  • Myofascial Release Massage

This common medical massage type is often used as a treatment for chronic pain and several painful musculoskeletal conditions such as tendinitis, myofascial syndrome (trigger point), or spinal dysfunction.


As the name suggests, this form of relief works by targeting tight muscles and connective tissue which causes pain in various parts of your body including the back, neck, shoulders, and hips.


  • Trigger Point Release Massage

A Trigger Point Release massage is a therapeutic and relaxing massage that works on the less-used areas of your body.


The therapist will apply deep pressure to specific muscles, tendons, and other tissues in order to reduce pain and tension as well as enhance flexibility. This type of therapy can be used for many different conditions such as headaches, migraines, neck or back pain, shoulder discomfort, or even postural disorders like rounded shoulders from sitting at a desk all day long. These massages are also known as “medical” because they work on several medical conditions! The trigger point release technique uses slow movements with direct treatment over tight muscle groups like knots which helps break them up and restore normal function within the body.


  • Reflexology

Reflexology is a type of medical massage practice that targets the pressure points on your feet and hands. The goal behind this treatment is to help release tension in your body, increase blood flow and circulation, while also helping you relax.


What Can I Expect From A Medical Massage?

When it comes to all types of medical massages you can expect them to be therapeutic due to their ability to provide physical benefits like:


  • Pain reduction from injuries or illness that cannot be treated with drugs alone

  • Enhanced muscle flexibility and movement

  • Improved blood circulation throughout your body

  • Reduced muscle tension and stress levels


In addition to the physical benefits, medical massages can also improve your emotional wellbeing by reducing negative thoughts or feelings such as:


  • Anxiety and depression due to pain or discomfort from an injury or illness

  • Stress caused by a lack of sleep, poor diet habits, work overload, etc. which leads to mental fatigue and burnout.


We hope this article has helped you learn about the different types of medical massage and some of the conditions that can be treated by a medical massage. Whether you have an injury from playing sports, had surgery on your leg, or are looking for relief after sitting at work all day, a medical massage may be able to help! To find out how we can help you get started with this incredible therapy call us today. We will walk you through what exactly goes into a medical massage and offer tips about what to expect when receiving one.

Are You Looking for a Certified Medical Massage Therapist You Can Trust?


The Sanctuary Pleasant Hill LLC features a full range of services that are done using touch-based therapy. Our skilled clinical massage and treatment therapists use their hands to manipulate the soft tissues of your body in order to relieve pain, improve health conditions, and promote wellness through holistic treatments like massage therapy! Located in Pleasant Hill, The Sanctuary is a Holistic Healing Center that specializes in exceptional treatments aimed at helping tough to treat conditions. Our aim is to nurture and relax each of our guests with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. We provide a quiet restful space to help you escape from stress and invigorate your spirit. The choice of how to move forward on your journey is a personal decision, honored without judgment. Start your journey with us today, click here to schedule your appointment!

bottom of page