What is Orthopedic Massage?

Above and beyond the many hours of training (techniques, anatomy, physiology, pathology & more...) to obtain a certification as well as a license, the Orthopedic Massage Therapist has been trained in a comprehensive system, and is now capable of integrating a variety of the most effective techniques in the treatment of soft-tissue disfunctions, pain & injuries. The four parts that characterize the system are: Assessment, match the function of the injury to the physiological effects of treatment, adaptability and proper rehabilitation protocol.

Will my health insurance cover the massage fee's?

Personal injury protection or primary care ins. will sometimes cover massage to help with the recovery from an accident or injury. Workmans compensation plans may also cover on the job injuries. With so many variables, please call the office for more details.

Will I need to remove my clothing?

Commonly, people remove just the clothing surrounding the injury site. However, there are exceptions to this rule. A Trigger Point (knot) in your neck, shoulder or chest might be causing that pain in your arm or hand. Low back pain can stem from your buttocks or calf. Some people get completely undressed no matter what. Some people stay dressed, even knowing that they will be draped with a sheet the entire time. All that matters is the individuals comfort.

How often should I get a treatment?

The more often you receive a treatment, the more benefits you will gain. A good maintainence practice would be to receive a treatment approx. every 5 weeks or so. It truly depends on the type of problem or injury. You might need to be seen on a more regular basis in the beginning to have more of an impact.

Is massage therapy always appropriate?

There are some conditions for which massage is not appropriate. These conditions require closer communication between the therapist and your physician.

Will the treatment be painful?

This is kept relatively simple. The patient is given a guideline prior to treatment; Mild, Medium & Painful. Even if the therapist can only work in the mild category because thats all the patient can handle, results are still achieved. A patient is never asked to allow him/herself to be worked on in the painful category, although some can. Some actually ask for it. Medium is the general rule.

How long is a treatment session?

The type of treatment usually dictates the length. (1 treatment hour is approx. 55 minutes for most).