More People are Trying Medical Massage Therapy For Pain Relief
Posted: September 28th, 2018
Why Are People Turning to Medical Massage Therapy for Pain Relief?
Pain is a major health issue that affects millions of people worldwide on a daily basis. The advancements being made in the areas of pain management and chronic pain relief are very promising, and they provide hope for those of us affected by traumatic injuries as well as serious medical conditions.
One aspect of care that is gaining much traction is massage therapy. While it was once considered a fringe or alternative approach, this is no longer the case. Instead, it has proven its efficacy in the treatment of many injuries and conditions, which has transitioned this care option into the mainstream and garnered widespread acceptance. That being said, here are some reasons why people are turning to medical massage therapy for pain relief.
Medical massage is a highly individualized course of care that is prescribed by a doctor. As such, it requires a specific treatment plan that is developed for the patient on a case-by-case basis. This involves setting individual goals for improvement within a certain period of time. The patient's progress is charted and recorded by a licensed massage therapist or team of professionals. These progress notes are shared with the referring physician. By doing so, the doctor, therapist, and patient can work together to determine how effective the therapy is and whether this approach will work for the long-term (if needed), or if a different course of treatment should be explored.
There are a variety of reasons why people are turning to this therapy option for pain relief. Some patients require care in the aftermath of a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident (MVA), work-related mishap, or injuries sustained in sports-related activities. Others may be dealing with debilitating medical conditions and mobility issues that impede their ability to function as well as impact their quality of life. Examples of these afflictions include Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis (MS), victims of stroke, and patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), just to name a few.
As with any rehabilitation program, working to repair soft tissue damage, build strength, and improve mobility is the key to success. This approach has established its ability to help achieve these goals and provide painful injury relief.
The frequency of treatment will depend on several factors including the severity and state of the injury or injuries, the medical condition(s) involved, how chronic or acute the afflictions, and the patient's overall health status. Some patients may need 2-3 weeks of therapy to effectively treat their issues while others may require several weeks or months of care. In many cases, home rehab, strengthening exercises, and other therapies may be prescribed in conjugation with medical massage. This combined therapy approach has proven very successful for many patients suffering from painful injuries and conditions.