What is orthopedic massage
Orthopedic massage is a type of massage therapy that involves the use of physical manipulation ( manual therapy), clinical thinking, and reasoning in order to alleviate pain in soft tissues. The body’s soft tissues are targeted to treat or reduce pain by addressing the joint as a whole. Orthopedic massage uses techniques like myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and more in order to improve functionality and alleviate pain in their clients. Taking a look at multiple factors that can lead to dysfunction. Orthopedic massage therapists focus more on things like pain patterns, injury rehabilitation, and sports injuries.
What I am trying to say is that we don’t treat the whole body equally. Sometimes your armpit area is causing your neck issues and we will do soft tissue mobilizations to get it moving better. Other times you may have low back issues but really your hip flexors are holding you in a position that shortens your flexors while stretching your hamstrings. Causing you to tilt at the pelvis and pinch that low back.
How Can This Help with Pain Relief
The main objective of an orthopedic massage is the relief of musculoskeletal pain. It takes a look at the movement and all the tissues involved. Doing so can get close to the root cause, or even find the root cause of dysfunction. At Tranquil Therapy we move slowly and prep the muscles, nervous system, and the client by assessing the best place to start. From here we use slow, gradual, pressure to elicit change in the tissues below. We concentrate more on the joints themselves and how all of the soft tissues play a role in the dysfunction. You have to address the issue from multiple angles making sure you get as much as you can.
We use a various application of different techniques such as Trigger point therapy, Myofascial release, Dermoneuromodulating-ion, & Neuromuscular therapy.
Orthopedic massage can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Such as frozen shoulder, sports injuries, and more. It is important to find a qualified massage therapist. They can determine and build the best treatment plan for your individual needs.
The Difference Between Traditional Massage and Orthopedic Massage
There is some overlap between traditional massage and orthopedic massage. There are some distinct differences though. Mainly in their approaches to addressing pain and discomfort. Traditional massage typically targets the superficial fascia and underlying muscle layers. While orthopedic massage is focused on the muscle layers and how they interact with each other to cause dysfunction.
Not to be confused with “Deep Tissue Massage” since both can target deeper tissues. This is known more as a way to ask for more pressure but more pressure does not equate to “better” work. You can get a “deep” pressure feeling when you’re on the right spot. Instead of trying to flatten muscles orthopedic massage aims to get a response from those muscles.
Orthopedic massage is more focused on treating specific musculoskeletal problems while traditional massage is known more for its relaxing effects. Although that will help overall pain it may do so without it being an intentional outcome.
Orthopedic massage will also focus a lot more on rehabilitation. Using things like assessment tests, muscle testing, and strength training as part of it’s treatment plan.
End Goals
Our Goal is to help our clients with their functional movement. To move without pain and manage it through education. Ask your therapist how they can help you to find one that can meet your unique needs. At Tranquil Therapy we are always taking new classes and studying to ensure out clients have the best chance at a pain free lifestyle. This includes completing a personal training program that we reference during most sessions.
Some of the websites we like to give our clients are Muscle wiki and Darebee, they help my clients continue their fitness practice when they are able to move better. Tranquil Therapy offers some strength training with longer sessions, however this is focused on rehabilitation work. You should continue strength training long after rehab and PT.
