A. What is medical massage therapy and why should YOU use it? What is Medical Massage?

1) Focus- Medical Massage combines deep tissue massage with manual joint mobilization. It is a system that uses manual techniques designed to reduce pain, spasm, and inflammation. 2) (Information taken from Milwaukee best massage) Medical Massage uses science and art of treating soft tissue via palpation and manipulation to treat, alleviate or prevent disease (without diagnosing or prescribing). Massage therapy also allows us to treat pain quickly and without drugs.

3) Use example of own experience:, There are many reasons and to use medical massage and different reasons for its use. -Overall health -therapy purposes -mental well being -maintenance B. Focus- Medical Massage combines deep tissue massage with manual joint mobilization. It is a system that uses manual techniques designed to reduce pain, spasm, and inflammation. 1) Medical massage focus on the joint complexs of the body. This would include any area that affected by a joint. C. Purpose of Medical Massage : Stimulate soft tissue repair, Decrease connective tissue fibrosis, contraction, and adhesions through a specialized method of soft tissue elongation ( this is the tissue within the muscle, and generally tendon attachment)

Decreases soft tissue edema (swelling) and normalizes tissue fluid by using specialized methods of tissue compression and connective tissue mobilization Improves neuro signals through the peripheral and central nervous systems Provokes soft tissue repair, regeneration, and remodeling by stimulating the biomechanical process of healing. D. GoalsReduction of the clients pain Reduction or elimination of inflammation in the affected areas Restoration of normal range of motion to the affected joint You may be asking, what do these three descriptions mean? Massage helps to: A. Stimulate soft tissue repair, regeneration, and remodeling - using corrective and restorative therapy. B. Decreases connective tissue fibrosis (damage), contraction, and adhesions through elongation methods (working to lengthen short muscle and tendon due to underuse or misuse.) C. decrease soft tissue swelling and normalize tissue fluid using compression and mobilization. D. helps to normalize nervous system structures that travel to and from soft tissue structures. E. Helps in the healing process by soft tissue repair, regeneration, and remodeling. Pain is more than an annoying occurrence. It is a form of sensation and communication that alters joint function

 Pain can either be part of the process of correction and restoration of normal function OR it can be part of the progressive degenerative change seen with chronic joint stress Is it for relaxation purposes or physical ailment/healing purposes?? Medical massage is generally used as a type of therapy for healing purposes. Once the client is used to the process of therapy and techniques it is relaxing and encourages mental well being E. Massage and lifestyle: 1. Massage is only a small part of a healthy lifestyle. a. Healthy diet Restriction of : white breads, white sugar, white rice and white pasta, , a healthy amount of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats ( nuts, nut butters, and avocados, coconut oils and palm kernel oil) and lots of whole grains, salable fiber (fruits, vegetables, and syllium), and healthy proteins, and if no restrictions to water, 4-6 glasses of water a day. b. Regular exercise - CV Wellness center, classes, trainer, pool, activities, F. Long term goals 1. Is massage a temporary or long term fix. a. Ideally when you are treated for a certain ailment, we want to initially decrease pain and inflammation as well as normalize tissue. My goal as your therapist is to have a long term treatment plan that includes a maintenance stage. This is typically a treatment once a month every 4-6 weeks. This is where I believe a healthy lifestyle and diet all complement one another. Just like you routinely go to the doctor, chiropractor, or have a regular exercise regimen, massage will help to maintain decreased symptoms in acute and chronic acute ailments. G. Treatment Plans and Prices 1. Patients who are in acute or chronic acute stages typically are

suggested to make appointments within days or weeks of each other to break our bodys natural pain cycle. 2. You can typically expect 1-5 weeks of continued treatment with the goal that each week be dwindled down. 1. Week 1 (3x) 2. Week 2 (2x) 3. Week 3 (2x) 4. Week 4 (1x) 5. Week 5 (1x) After these 5 weeks, maintenance is generally advised.