According to the American Medical Massage Association (AMMA), medical massage is “A system of manually applied techniques designed to reduce pain, establish normal tissue tension, create a positive tissue environment and normalize the movement of the musculoskeletal system. Medical massage is a scientifically based method of manual therapy that seeks a clear understanding of the scientific principles of physiology that affect connective and soft tissue healing and treatment.”

• Medical Massage is NOT a general treatment. Rather, Medical Massage Therapy is applied as a specific manual therapy to the areas relating to the diagnoses provided by the primary care physician.
• Medical massage therapy is delivered to an anatomical region of the patient’s body based upon soft tissue and joint exam findings and various other assessment procedures.
• Medical massage treatment plans involve progressive stages of manual therapy treatment, the goal of which is to correct abnormal conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system while reducing or eliminating pain.
• Medical massage adopts the terminology, techniques and protocols used by the traditional allopathic medical health care systems.
• A typical medical massage session lasts between 30 minutes and 90 minutes.

Swedish massage is the style that comes to mind when most people think about massage. It was developed in Stockholm two centuries ago and is the most common and best-known type of bodywork performed today. The goal of Swedish massage is relaxation of the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Additional techniques include: Circular pressure applied by the hands and palms; firm kneading; percussion-like tapping; bending and stretching. Lotion is often used to reduce friction and stimulate the skin. Swedish massage is an exceptional treatment for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation, enhancing flexibility, and easing tension.

Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage, but is used to target muscle knots (trigger points), release chronic muscle tension, reduce inflammation and aid in the elimination of scar tissue. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints). While Swedish massage uses strokes aligned with the grain of the muscles, deep tissue massage uses strokes across the grain. Because techniques such as deep finger pressure are used, the treated area may be slightly uncomfortable, with soreness that lasts one or two days before giving way to the desired relaxation and pain relief.

The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point therapy. These painful points located within taut bands of muscle are known as trigger points because they ”trigger” pain in another part of the body. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain). Trigger points are treated primarily with the application of sustained, usually static, pressure. Sometimes this is referred to as ischemic pressure and can vary from very light to heavy depending on the stage of development of the trigger point. Through the softening of trigger points, Integrated Wellness Systems’ Neuromuscular Massage aims to reduce chronic pain, increase range of motion, and correct postural distortions.

Sports Massage Sports massage is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the massage are specific to the athlete’s sport of choice and are often focused on a particular troublesome area like the knee or the shoulder. Aspects of massage are gaining popularity as useful components in a balanced training regimen. Sports massage can be used as a means to enhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event. Athletes have discovered that specially designed massage promotes flexibility, removes fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries, and prepares them to compete at their absolute best.

Pregnancy is a turbulent time for an expectant mom, with symptoms that include fatigue/tiredness, swelling, nausea/morning sickness, backache, headache and emotional turbulence. Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache for the entire term. Fortunately, pregnancy massage can help ease symptoms and let you focus on what is most important: preparing for your newborn baby. Integrated Wellness Systems provides a special table for the maximum comfort of pregnant clients.

Massage during pregnancy is considered safe, and Integrated Wellness System’s specialty in pregnancy massage will ensure all the proper precautions are taken to maximize your benefits from the treatment. Massage will increase circulation and help create space in the body to relieve the pressure from the baby's weight. Weight gain and joint laxity can cause women to feel off-balance and clumsy. Massage can relax the muscles around the joints to improve balance. (Reference: “Expecting Moms Embrace Massage: Pregnancy Massage Contributes to Nine Healthy Months” by Hope Bentley).

Fertility Massage is a comprehensive approach on both an emotional and personal level. Through multiple massage techniques your therapist will aid in your body’s relaxation process, helping you to conceive naturally. It is tailored for you, the client, based upon areas that may need cleansing and congestion release. This service is for both male and female clients and works best when working with both partners.

"Women undergoing high-tech infertility treatments are being treated to a relaxing foot and leg massage just prior to embryo transfer. The results so far ...are promising. Even more encouraging are the findings of Harvard University stress expert Alice Domar, PhD. She reports that a number of women undergoing stress-reducing therapies to help them deal with the frustrations of infertility actually got pregnant -- simply by learning how to relax." (from WebMD, Getting Pregnant: Ways to Improve Your Fertility).

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