Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a hands-on treatment that can reduce pain, relieve muscle tension, and support recovery. At MOTION, massage therapy is performed by our licensed clinicians (PT, OT, PTA, and COTA) as part of a comprehensive, integrated approach to rehabilitation. Rather than a standalone service, massage therapy at MOTION is incorporated into your overall plan of care when appropriate to complement and enhance your physical therapy treatment.
What Massage Therapy Can Help With
Massage therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions and concerns. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Muscle tension, tightness, and soreness
- Neck, shoulder, and upper back pain
- Low back pain and stiffness
- Headaches related to muscle tension
- Soft tissue pain and overuse injuries
- Recovery support following activity or injury
What to Expect
Your physical therapist will incorporate massage therapy techniques into your session based on your specific symptoms, goals, and plan of care. Techniques may include Swedish massage for general relaxation and circulation, deep tissue massage to address chronic muscle tension and soft tissue restrictions, trigger point therapy to release localized areas of muscle tightness, and myofascial release to improve mobility and reduce pain. Your therapist will adjust pressure and technique based on your comfort level and how your body responds to treatment. Various techniques may be utilized by our therapists, including:
- Swedish massage – for general relaxation and circulation
- Deep tissue massage – to address chronic muscle tension and soft tissue restrictions
- Trigger point therapy – to release localized areas of muscle tightness
- Myofascial release – to improve mobility and reduce pain
- Manual lymphatic drainage - to address chronic swelling or lymphedema
- Retrograde massage - to address acute swelling due to surgery or traumatic injury
A Natural Complement to Physical Therapy
Addressing muscle tension and soft tissue restrictions alongside strengthening and movement retraining creates a more complete approach to recovery. By incorporating massage therapy techniques into your plan of care, your physical therapist can help reduce pain more effectively, improve your body's response to exercise and activity, and support a smoother, faster recovery overall.