Presented By: Medical Massage of Delaware, LLC

Most of us have suffered from a soft tissue injury at some time in our lives. Soft tissues are the supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments of our body skeleton. An injury to any of these tissues can be caused by overuse, inappropriate use of deconditioned muscles, repetitive motion, or a single event, such as a collision, fall or trauma.

Soft tissue injuries can be very painful and difficult to treat because the connective tissue, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are so intimately connected. In response to an injury, the body’s own healing mechanism immediately kicks in, increasing circulation to the area to facilitate healing. This ‘healthy’ response often yields swelling, instability, and PAIN. Acute or chronic pain in the neck, back, or other part of the body can make daily activities much more difficult, interfering with work, family, and social life.

This article will discuss in depth Medical Massage, a treatment optional which may be right for you. Further, it will differentiate Medical Massage from a wellness massage.

A New Treatment Idea…. Medical Massage
This treatment modality has been around for many years, but is being increasingly employed by the medical community as an effective injury recovery and pain management tool. While Medical Massage’s therapeutic benefits have been appreciated for thousands of years, many think of massage solely in the context of “spa” massage. Although enhancing health and wellbeing, spa massage (or more appropriately called a wellness massage) is very different than a medical massage. The differences between wellness massage and medical massage therapy relate to the clinical approach utilized.
This chart highlights the differences:

How Medical Massage Works
In Medical Massage, the therapist utilizes a variety of techniques to restore structural muscle balance. The goal is to lengthen shortened muscles, strengthen overstretched muscles, and realign the scar tissue. Although scar tissue is a normal part of the healing process it can constrict muscles and impinge upon blood vessels and nerves at the injury site, a major cause of pain. Knowledgeable therapists are able to identify, isolate, and manipulate the affected muscles, and break up and realign scar tissue.  Treatment results in a reduction in pain, increased circulation to the affected area, and improved flexibility and range of motion.  The restored muscle balance minimizes strain at the injury site.  This pain relief allows you to “get your life back!”  Without pain, you can resume work, recreation, hobbies, or care-taking.
To maintain healthy soft tissue following treatment, therapists educate patients in self-care techniques.  This empowers them to speed their recovery and quickly minimize and control any pain from future injuries.

Conditions Which Benefit From Medical Massage
Some of the medical conditions that benefit from medical massage are:  neck pain, whiplash, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff or other shoulder injuries, headaches, numbness and tingling in the arms or legs, repetitive motion injuries, carpal tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, and sciatica or low back pain. Currently in the state of Delaware, Medical Massage treatment is covered under automobile insurance and worker’s compensation. Medical Massage specialists are working diligently to get this treatment covered by all forms of medical insurance. Private pay is always available. Contact your health care provider today for a prescription referral.

Trisha Peterson, R.N., COHN-S, is owner and partner of Medical Massage of Delaware, LLC, a newly established business that specializes in the treatment of soft tissue injuries related to work, personal, or auto accidents. Trisha obtained her BSN from Gwynedd Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA, and has extensive experience in corporate occupational health managing disability and work injury recovery. In partnership with experienced health care practitioner, Jackie Staker, R.N., COHN-S, Medical Massage of Delaware, LLC, was opened as a complementary treatment option to assist those experiencing pain. Partner and clinician Linda Ogilvie, R.N., Nationally Certified Medical Massage Therapist and co-owner of Medical Massage of the Rockies, LLC, developed the Ogilvie Meiu Injury Treatment Program (ITP). This ITP has been extremely successful in offering pain relief. Offices in Wilmington, Newark, and Millsboro are available to serve you. For further information, or for an appointment, please call (888) 757-1951 or email mmod@comcast.net.