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Massage as Part of Physical Therapy
12/18/2014
A soft tissue massage can feel amazing. It’s a great way of getting rids of all those little aches and pains that we all seem to accumulate throughout life. But soft tissue massages can do more than just make us feel better. They have also become a part of some physical therapy treatment plans.
Massage has been used as a part of physical therapy for centuries, starting with the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Today’s massages have been improved through the study of physiology and anatomy, of course, making them much more effective. A good physical therapist will know how a patient’s muscles work together and just where to press or kneed in order to release tension, decrease pain, and more.
What can massage help with? Those who are in physical therapy may have a soft tissue massage for one or more of the following reasons:
• To help relieve pain
• To help improve a muscle’s flexibility
• To help improve the patient’s overall mobility
• To improve circulation
• To decrease or stop muscle spasms
Of course, you can also get a soft tissue massage at many salons and spas. These massages are a bit different from deep tissue massages. Often, the therapist or masseuse will gently glide their hands over the muscles or tissue instead of pressing down with their fingers or elbow. Depending on what is required, however, the therapist may need to knead the area or even use techniques that are designed to help break up scar tissue or trigger soft tissue release. These techniques may, out of necessity, require more pressure.
While massaging can be a very beneficial part of physical therapy, it’s usually not the only form of treatment a patient receives. Often, massage is combined with other methods in order to create a plan that will get restore a patient’s mobility as soon as possible.
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