Most people think of massage as a nice way to relax and unwind. But sometimes what you really need is a massage that hurts a little. Increasingly, doctors and patients are using “medical massage” as a therapeutic tool for all sorts of painful conditions—for example, those caused by car accidents, falls or sports injuries. I like to recommend it also for people dealing with certain health problems, such as insomnia, migraine and jet lag, that you might not initially think would be helped by massage.
Medical massage can be painful because it goes beyond the simple strokes used most often in, say, Swedish massage and actually stretches and pulls muscles, separating adhesions between muscles and fascia (the thin sheath that overlays muscles). This deeper muscle work has a healing effect because it promotes blood flow and nerve signaling to your muscles.
When I make a massage referral, I counsel my patients to be their own guides in determining whether the intensity of the massage is right for them. I suggest that they pay attention to their bodies to distinguish between pain that helps and pain that hurts too much. Even if you’ve never had a massage, you know the different effects that going for a brisk walk or running up a hill will have on your body. Apply that same awareness to your massage—does it seem to be helping or does it just hurt? Your body will give you the answers if you listen. While medical massage may involve some discomfort, it should not bruise you or cause pain that lasts for more than a minute. You should immediately tell the massage practitioner if his/her work is too intense for you.
The terminology that practitioners use for what I call medical massage varies. I’ve seen it referred to as deep tissue, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, Rolfing and Thai massage. The name—and even the method—is less important than what actually happens. It’s the movement of muscle and related tissue (such as tendons, ligaments and fascia) that you’re looking for. The symptoms being treated with massage should improve fairly quickly. For the conditions I mention above, for example, one to three massage sessions have given my patients significant health benefits.
If you’ve got a complaint that’s just not responding to your doctor’s treatment plan and you think medical massage might help, by all means ask about it. Your doctor can help you determine whether it might aid your condition. If your doctor believes that massage is medically necessary and refers you for treatment, your health insurer may cover some or all of the cost.
The best way to choose a massage therapist is to ask your physician and friends for recommendations. Search online to find out if your state licenses massage therapists. If it does, then be sure to select a practitioner who is licensed. I refer my patients to practitioners who have several years of experience performing medical massage rather than those who work mainly at spas or establishments that offer massages primarily for relaxation.
Helpful: To get the best circulatory benefit from your massage, drink plenty of water before and after your treatment.
