What is Massage Therapy?

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Massage Therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, consisting primarily of manual techniques such as applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and moving muscles and body tissues. 

It is delivered to improve the flow of blood and lymph, to reduce muscular tension, to affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and to enhance tissue healing.

Massage has been practiced in most cultures, both Eastern and Western, throughout human history, and was one of the earliest tools that people used to try to relieve pain.

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What are the different types of massage?

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The term “Massage Therapy” includes many types. The most common forms of Massage Therapy in Western countries are Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Sports Massage.

 

• Swedish Massage uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, generally in the direction of blood flow toward the heart, and sometimes combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used to promote general relaxation, improve circulation and range of motion, and relieve muscle tension.

 

• Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction directed across the grain of the muscles. It is applied with greater pressure and to deeper layers of muscle than Swedish, which is why it is called Deep Tissue and is effective for chronic muscular tension.

 

• Sports Massage uses techniques that are similar to Swedish and deep tissue but are specially adapted to deal with the effects of athletic performance on the body and the needs of athletes regarding training, performing, and recovery from injury.

 

 

What to expect from your massage at O&P Clinic?

 

In practice, at O&P clinic, your Therapist combines several methods in her work. She ascertains each person's needs and then uses the techniques from the different types of massage that will best meet those needs.
 

 

 

O&P Clinic's Massage versus a Spa Massage

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In both, your Therapist applies pressure to your body. However, our Medical Massage differs in three ways:

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• It is outcome-based. In addition to stress relief and relaxation, our Medical Massage focuses on a medical need. It can help managing pain, reducing inflammation, relieving nerve compression, increasing flexibility or helping other health care concerns.

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• It targets your needs through a variety of techniques. Spa massage and medical massage may feel similar, but their techniques differ. During a spa massage, the techniques likely focus on relaxation. A medical Massage Therapist will use a broader set of therapies for muscle health and recovery.

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• It includes specific follow-up recommendations. Your Therapist provides a targeted plan for treatment, along with recommendations for a series of times visits versus a periodic spa visit.

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What should I wear to my appointment?

 

We recommend wearing shorts and loose-fitting clothing.

We always want you to be comfortable, but keep in mind that your practitioner may need to examine more than just the area of pain.

If you’re still unsure on what to wear to your appointment, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

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