How are medical massages different from massages found at spas?
There’s often a misconception where people believe that a spa massage is exactly the same as a medical massage. Patients often opt for a massage given at their local gym or a similar facility. This isn’t a strange misconception, because all massages share similar traits and goals. There are important distinctions between these two types of massages. Depending on the ultimate goal and other factors. Today, we’re going to look at a few of these factors so we can put this subject to rest.
Different Patient/Client Interaction
The first difference you’ll notice between a spa massage and a medical massage is your interaction with the person administering it. With a spa massage, the masseuse (or spa therapist) is primarily focused on a person’s general needs. These needs include relaxation or tight muscles or stress. A medical massage will involve a discussion of the particular situation and ailments.
Based on a Specific Outcome
Spa massages are based on a general need whereas medical massages focus on achieving a more specific outcome. This outcome could be the alleviation of chronic pain, relieving nerve compression, improving circulation, increasing flexibility, or other health concerns. Much of the time, medical massages are focused almost on getting you back to normal following an injury or other health event.
Different Techniques
Many people don’t immediately understand why spa massages and medical massages are different. A big reason is because the therapist will utilize different techniques during a session. Whereas a spa massage is what they call a Swedish massage. These center on relaxation. A medical massage therapist will use a wider array of therapies such as trigger point therapy or myofascial release that are meant to focus on pain relief, muscle health recovery, and other health needs.
Targets Particular Circumstances
A typical spa massage feels great. People tend to get them done because they’re feeling stressed or tense and are looking for a way to relax. A medical massage involves much more specific circumstances. Perhaps you’ve been involved in a car accident and need to focus on relieving pain? Maybe you’re an athlete who’s been injured and needs to focus on muscle recovery. These circumstances can be relieved to a very small extent by a spa massage, but it takes a medical massage treatment to solve the problem. Only a medical message therapist has the training and experience required for these specific needs.
Additional Massage Sessions
Since a spa massage is primarily about relaxation, people tend to get them whenever they have time or whenever the mood strikes them. With medical massages, you’re targeting a very specific circumstance and/or health need. This typically means that a series of massage visits and continuing education will be required as you go along the road to full recovery.
Post-Massage Recommendations
After a spa massage, the therapist will likely just tell you to have a great day and send you on your way. The post-massage period following medical massage therapy will include instructions from either your physician, the massage therapist, or both. This is necessary because in order to alleviate certain ailments. There are also at-home techniques that you can use between massaging sessions.
Contact East West Healing Solutions for Medical Massages in Palm Harbor
East West Healing Solutions offers medical massages that can help you recover from injury and improve your health. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a massage appointment, call us at (727) 216-3972 today.
