HealthIntegratedMassage.com

You are joining a growing number of men and women who have found therapeutic massage to be a valuable addition to their health and fitness routines, and an effective complement to other health care services. Many people seek therapeutic massage as a natural means to promote healthy body functioning, and to enhance the body's own restorative powers.

As with any new experience, you probably have many questions about what to expect in your first massage session. This section is designed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions from newcomers to therapeutic massage, and make your first visit as comfortable and productive as possible.

Today, massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven a benefit to many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis and bursitis.

What Can I Expect At My First Therapeutic Massage?

First time massage clients are typically uncomfortable with the unfamiliar process. When a first time client arrives and is welcomed and introduced to their certified massage therapist in the reception area. The reception area offers a tranquil, yet professional atmosphere where Western influences grace the room. The new client is then asked for their completed client intake form. The client intake form is reviewed and then discussed with the massage therapist and the client. The decision as to which massage techniques will work best for the client and their needs is selected. Any unanswered questions are politely and respectfully addressed while the client is informed that the most important aspect is their comfort with every facet of the massage.

You can expect your massage therapy session, whether a relaxation session or therapeutic medical session to be beneficial. Your massage therapist will help assure this.

The client is then invited to the massage room which offers a relaxing, professional and tranquil setting. Adequate time is allowed for the client to prepare for their massage. During your session you can wear the amount and type of clothing that feels most comfortable for you. If you have elected to have a therapeutic medical massage therapy that is better facilitated by removal of some clothing, your certified massage will enter the room only after you are undress in private, and drape yourself under the sheets provided on the table. You may leave underwear on or off, at your discretion. It is best to remove jewelry and glasses. There is ample storage and space provided for these items.

You'll lie on a comfortably heated padded massage table covered by a draping. If you are receiving therapy on a chair, a specially designed chair is provided. The therapist will always undrape only that part of your body being treated, ensuring that your modesty is respected at all times. You can expect a peaceful environment for your massage with comfortable room temperature and smoothing music.

Through out the massage the therapist will be communicating to the client inquiring about their preferences, likes and dislikes. During the massage the body is respectfully draped at all times, with no area of the body exposed that is not being massaged. The client's comfort is always held in high regard as well as respecting the client and their body. A carrier oil that is unscented is used to aide your massage therapist.

You may choose to talk during your session or you may opt to gather your thoughts and remain quiet. In either case, report anything that needs your therapist's attention.

Following your massage a post massage interview is conducted online. This information allows your certified massage therapist to improve future appointments. As there are numerous benefits massage therapy can provide, open communication, and building a trusting, professional relationship ensures the client receives all that his/her massage offers for the future appointments. Relax and experience the art - and science - of massage therapy.

What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Therapeutic Massage?

…Stress Reduction: Massage is a great way to reduce the stress in your life. Not only are they physical effects very soothing, but also there is often reduced anxiety and increased feelings of well-being. Massage has been proven to reduce levels of “stress hormones” that can be hazardous to your health.
…Pain Relief: Muscular aches and pains, and some nerve impingements are often reduced or eliminated through massage therapy. In addition, when combined with multiple styles of massage therapy like Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT), Myofascial Release, and Trigger Point Therapy, those with chronic pain may get long-lasting relief. Pain relief from conditions such as chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, lupus, myofascial pain syndrome, migraines and other headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis is common.
…Less Soreness: Muscle soreness from your fitness activities, called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), can be decreased with massage.
…Improved Circulation: The circulation of the blood and lymph are generally improved, helping to eliminate toxins, improve immune function, feel great, and promote healthy bodily function. This is true of all massage techniques but especially with Swedish massage.
…Improved Flexibility: Massage can enhance tissue elasticity, flexibility and help increase the range of motion (mobility) of your joints. Even people with some forms of arthritis can receive this benefit—ask your doctor.
…Better Sleep: Many people sleep more restfully after receiving massage therapy. The benefit continues even days after massage therapy.
…Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Studies by the Touch Research Institute of the University of Miami reports reduced anxiety and feelings of depression with regular massage therapy.

What Are More Physical Benefits Of Therapeutic Massage?

Massage Helps In Many Ways, Including:
• Helps aid relaxation
• Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
• Reduces pain and swelling
• Reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Enhances athletic performance
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing
• Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
• Reduces blood pressure
• Helps relieve tension-related headaches
• Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
• Improves posture Strengthens the immune system
• Enhances joint flexibility & range of motion
• Stimulates the release of your bodies pain killers (endorphins)
• Helps prevent and alleviate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Reduces stress related illness

Where Will My Therapeutic Massage Session Take Place?

Your massage session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will be on a padded table especially designed for your comfort. Most massages are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, you may decide what amount of clothing you prefer to wear for your own comfort. You will have privacy to undress and you will be fully draped throughout your session except for the area being worked on.

How Will Therapeutic Massage Feel?

Massaging healthy tissue is almost always a pleasant sensation that feels very good. Some deep tissue massage to areas of injury, trauma, chronic pain or inflammation might be uncomfortable which usually lessens noticeably in the first few minutes, but should never be extremely painful. Massage will be adjusted to suit each client's particular needs. I will use every precaution necessary to minimize your pain, and will work carefully within what feels right to you, so it is important you let me know immediately if you feel any discomfort during the massage so I can adjust the treatment as necessary. Techniques may change subtly from one session to the next as for what a person needs one week may differ from what he or she needs the next week. Therefore, I always work with intention. A good therapist is a great listener, is intuitive and applies that knowledge to better serve the client. Almost everyone enjoys the positive effects from receiving a massage . The benefits are numerous for people of all ages and activity levels. Therapeutic massage feels wonderful and is very healthful. Additionally, touch is a physical need like oxygen and nutrition. People require touch to truly thrive and massage provides a safe and caring way to receive the contact we all need.

What Is The Difference Between Relaxation Massage And Medical Therapeutic Massage?

Relaxation massage works all muscles and improves circulation and may include the following: gentle stretches, long flowing strokes, soothing holding of energy points, rhythmic rocking, comfortably supported movement of limbs, nurturing breath instruction and comfortable kneading of tight muscles.

Medical therapeutic massage is used for treatment when soft tissues of the body are causing pain and/or dysfunction. The focus of the session is to address the soft tissue pain and dysfunction. The client often feels more relaxed after the therapy due to elimination or diminishment of pain. Several Modalities work deeper into the grizzly and fibrous and dehydrated muscles to improve respiration, digestion, release fibrous tissues, relieve knots, relieve shortened muscles, and help to increase range of motion and increase elimination. Medical massage directly addresses numerous health issues.

How Will I Know Which Type Of Massage Is Best For Me?

Before the hands-on part of a session begins, a careful assessment of soft-tissue problems is needed. Discussion between the client and therapist will help identify work needed. This part of the medical therapeutic session frequently takes longer than the assessment phase of a relaxation session.

Treatment massage also differs from relaxation massage in several other ways. One important difference is the amount of verbal exchange between therapist and client. During relaxation sessions there may be little or no verbal exchange between therapist and client or verbal exchange may take the form of chatting. During a treatment session, on the other hand, verbal exchange is essential to assist the therapist in providing the most beneficial treatment. This verbal exchange may be information relayed from client to therapist about changes in tissue discomfort. Good communication is also needed during change of client position that is often needed to address a particular problem. The therapist may also request the client to use the muscle being treated in a very specific movement. and assign self care homework.

Medical Therapeutic massage techniques are not painful to receive. A trained therapist will monitor the reactions of the client and modify techniques accordingly. The therapy does not have to hurt to help. Treatment manual therapies have precise protocols applied in specific ways to address particular dysfunctions especially regarding prescriptions from Physicians and Chiropractors in injury cases. They are not relaxation techniques applied with more pressure. Manual therapies have been used for thousands years by dozens of cultures to improve the healthful functioning of the musculo-skeletal system.

How Long Does A Therapeutic Treatment Session Last?

The treatment itself – treatments generally last from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on several factors. Most commonly treatments are 1 hour in duration. Think about how long you think it would take to adequately manipulate a single muscle and then think of how many muscles that you wish to have manipulated or that require manipulation. Keep this in mind when forming expectations in relation to the duration of the treatment.

The effects – the effects of a treatment depend on the nature of the treatment (see 'how will I feel after the treatment') and the relative response of your muscles to that treatment. The potential of the treatment to last is entirely dependent on your ability to maintain your muscles in the condition to which they are left at the completion of a treatment. (*see also 'how often should I receive treatment' below)

Depending on the type of massage style (modality), in most cases, results can be felt as soon as your massage session is completed. Clients feel rejuvenated and relaxed. Chronic (old) conditions may require specific massage techniques and could take up to 4 to 6 weeks (or more) of therapeutic massage to achieve results. There is no guarantee, but the positive feeling of caring touch has a healing power.

What If I'm Overweight Or Embarrassed About My Body?

People often say they'd get a massage if they lost weight first or didn't have that cellulite on the back of their thighs. Don't let this stop you. You're denying yourself quite a therapeutic and healing experience. Therapeutic massage therapists have seen bodies in every imaginable shape and size, from young to old, and they're not there trying to judge your physique or ogle your body. They're professionals who have found therapeutic massage to be a wonderful healing gift to give to men and women alike, regardless of age and weight, and are happy to be a part of the alternative health care industry and to share what they were trained to do in a healing safe environment.

The Importance Of Movement And Stretching …

STRETCH-STRETCH-STRETCH – muscles that spend excessive amounts of time in a contracted state become dysfunctional … if they are not encouraged to move, relax, stretch, and counteract the muscle contraction…

As we age, misuse or abuse our muscles, sustain illnesses and injury, and repetitively contract our muscles, their elasticity or ability to stretch and fully lengthen diminishes. Our muscles’ ability to lengthen and stretch is also decreased if the blood supply to them is not abundant or if they are being stimulated by our nervous system. I often talk about getting circulation into your muscles by playing piano firmly on the muscle area of concern. Even the constant bombardment of physical and psychological stress can affect our muscles’ tension and therefore their ability to passively stretch. It is important to realize that if we do not actively stretch our muscles, in order to function to their fullest potential, they must reach a fully lengthened state on their own, passively or under the contractive force of opposing muscles. Unfortunately, due to these factors that influence elasticity, this just does not occur sufficiently to allow optimal function of our muscles or to prevent dysfunction and muscle imbalances. Furthermore, when the elasticity of a muscle is diminished, it has a tendency to tear (to varying degrees), when it is forced to stretch under the contractive internal force of opposing muscles or stretch while it is contracted and subjected to an external force. This is the nature of how muscles become strained and ligaments become sprained. The cycle of inelasticity is continued and compounded…unless we intervene.

REMEMBER It is your actions that will maintain, enhance, facilitate, or hinder the course of the therapy and ultimately your health, as with all forms of healthcare. Therefore, it is important to take an active role in the betterment of your muscular health.

You can do this by following your therapist’s recommendations (self care, stretching, etc.), receiving regular treatment, and striving to become aware of possible causes and contributing factors. This will allow you to work with your therapist to overcome musculoskeletal dysfunction so eventually your maintenance treatments become preventative, rather than restorative, in nature.

What Should I Do During The Therapeutic Massage Session?

Make yourself comfortable. Many people just close their eyes, listen to the music and completely relax, others like to talk. Feel free to ask questions about particular technique(s) you are receiving. I will ask you if the pressure I am using is OK several times throughout the session, especially if deep tissue work is required. I will ask you about tender spots. I will gently move you (such as lifting your arm) or ask you to move what is needed. I may ask you at times to stretch certain muscles with certain movements to facilitate further circulation and healing.

As muscle tension is alleviated along with its associated pain, feelings may be physical, psychological, or even emotional. Therefore, feelings during the treatment are often that of relief, well-being, and good feelings expected of receiving therapeutic massage. However, since therapeutic massage therapy is often working with varying degrees of muscle contraction and dysfunction, it is possible that some discomfort may be experienced during the course of manipulating such muscles.

It is important that if at any time you feel uncomfortable (pressure, technique, temperature, etc.) please let me know. This will allow your preferences surrounding your treatment to be preserved. How you feel during the treatment will be greatly influenced by your level of comfort. Manipulating muscle can be much like trying to lift a child. If the child resists, it can be very difficult. If a therapist is trying to stretch a muscle that you are contracting, then this can hinder the process. You may not be aware that you are contracting a muscle, however your therapist is. This may be an involuntary muscle contraction (such as a spasm) in which muscle contracts in an attempt to protect and immobilize an injured or overworked area. Such a contraction may be necessary with a recent injury, however, once it becomes prolonged it can actually hinder the recovery process. It can become the source of your pain and is often the reason people seek treatment. The contraction may also be a voluntary muscle contraction. If a therapist senses the contraction is voluntary, you may be told to relax, let go, etc.. Again, if this voluntary muscle contraction is due to discomfort, please let me know and together we can take a different approach.

How Will I Feel After The Therapeutic Massage Session?

This depends on the nature of your treatment and how you react as an individual. You may feel stimulated, relaxed, even tired (but not likely fatigued as you may feel when blood and circulation is stagnant or not flowing). You may feel a reduction in muscle tension and pain and an increase circulation (warmth) and range of motion. It depends on the length of treatment, the intent of the treatment, the techniques employed throughout the treatment, your comfort throughout the treatment, the condition in which you arrived, whether or not any underlying conditions are caused by muscle tension or if muscle tension is a symptom, your therapist, etc.

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your therapeutic massage. I recommend 3 bottles. Please note - some people experience some muscular tenderness after a session if deep tissue work has been performed, particularly if the muscles are not used to being manipulated. Please feel free to discuss this with me if you have concerns. As a trained therapist I know how to minimize discomfort while accomplishing the greatest amount of relief. Movement and circulation come into play and greatly help with the achy bruised types of muscle tenderness feelings.

Possibility of negative reactions – as with all methods of treatment, negative reactions are a possibility. A method to determine if this may be the case is to assimilate treatment to exercise. If exercise may cause you problems then your therapist should be made aware of this. Treatment adjustments can be made and as it can be compared to exercise, it is exercise without the energy expenditure. As metabolic wastes may be built up in your muscles it is also possible to experience somewhat of an ill feeling as they are released for elimination into our circulation. Furthermore, due to the increased circulation surrounding the muscles, it is possible to experience some tenderness. Although the tissue would probably not be physically bruised, since blood still has the same chemicals as it does when tissues are bruised, that similar 'tenderness to touch' may be experienced. Depending on the longevity of the problems, it is also possible to experience a perceived worsening of the problems before they can gradually be put on a more desirable path to recovery that will be more beneficial in the long run.

Depending on the type of therapy and specific client concerns, general relaxation massage should not hurt. If your muscles feel tight and sore, there may be some discomfort at first. Any therapy that directly addresses soft-tissue or muscular discomfort (such as neuromuscular, deep tissue, trigger point, or similar therapies) may be uncomfortable when treating irritated areas: The discomfort does not come from the work itself, but from the irritated tissue. Many partners in health describe the therapeutic work as “hurting good,” meaning they feel the difference between constructive and destructive discomfort.

Most importantly, provide a complete health history and keep your therapist updated on your health so your therapist can customize a treatment to most suit your needs. Follow your home self care suggestions given to you by your therapist, and let your therapist know if you experience any negative reactions. If so, other self care suggestions will be made.

What Is A Postural Or Muscle Imbalance?

Our musculoskeletal system consists of a frame (skeleton) and muscles that mold the position of that frame. Furthermore, crossing every joint are muscles that pull the bone in one direction and other muscles that pull the bone in the opposing direction. Since muscles can only pull and not push, our frame is in the midst of a constant ‘tug of war’.

When the position of our frame is examined when we are at rest, postural/ muscle imbalances become apparent. Contracted muscle fibers continue to pull causing a distortion in musculoskeletal balance as evidenced by the relative position of our frame.

When Is A Muscle Imbalance Considered Musculoskeletal Dysfunction?

Imbalances within our musculoskeletal system are very common. Our flexors tend to dominate our extensors, we develop dominance in our right or left side for performing actions, we sustain injuries, and we place our bodies under physical and psychological stress, etc. Furthermore, our other muscles attempt to compensate for imbalance causing even more imbalance. The longer muscle imbalances last, the more permanent they become as the underlying joint surfaces may wear and erode causing a more permanent change in the structure of our frame. Therefore, in realizing the common nature of muscle imbalance, it is important to recognize when such an imbalance is dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system and when permanent imbalance of this system becomes a possibility.

A muscle imbalance can be considered to be musculoskeletal dysfunction when the musculoskeletal system is unable to function normally, it’s performance is diminished, or if there is a negative impact on or from other systems or organs of the body. Therefore, a muscle must be able to fully relax/ stretch, fully contract, and contract in the absence of pain throughout it’s range of motion. Furthermore, muscle contraction should not affect other systems, such as the nervous system resulting in numbness and tingling, the circulatory system resulting in ischemia, pain, etc., or the skeletal system resulting in changes in our frame, all of which can produce further systemic consequences. The degree of permanence of the musculoskeletal dysfunction/ muscle imbalance depends on the resulting condition or condition to which it is a result of (ie. if musculoskeletal dysfunction is the cause of the condition or if it is a symptom), and the degree to which other systems are affected.

What Is A 'Knot'?

Since muscles are constructed of fibers, it is possible for a group of fibers to be contracted, rather than the whole muscle. These contracted fibers may become adhered or 'stuck together' from overuse, previous injury, strain, repetitive use, etc. due to the formation of inflammation, scar tissue development, immobilization, protective muscle contraction, spasm, chronic conditions, or something to promote a sustained partial muscle contraction. The muscle fibers are not actually in a 'knot', however several people have adopted it as a descriptive term.

In fact, it is simply a contracted section of a muscle. Due to the state it is in, it becomes depleted of oxygen and therefore sore. A massage therapist cannot feel the soreness. A massage therapists' ability to locate these 'sore spots' are actually just the massage therapists' ability to identify and locate a contracted muscle. This mysterious ability is complemented by the therapists' knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, assessments, and advanced treatment techniques so they can determine a course of action and manipulate the muscle as required.

What does respiration and circulation have to do with muscle pain?

Due to our muscle cells’ metabolic processes and functions, they have a direct relationship with many of the systems of our body. Thus, muscle dysfunction has the ability to directly affect each of these systems of the body. Similarly, each system of the body can affect muscle function. As previously mentioned, when muscle sustains a contraction for a prolonged period of time it can become deprived of blood. It can even compress the vessels that are trying to supply it with blood. Of course, blood carries all the nutrients and oxygen necessary for it to function and it carries away all the wastes and carbon dioxide that it produces. If these wastes build up, it can create a 'toxic' environment within these muscles (which is why our body gets rid of them as wastes). This, coupled with the diminished supply of oxygen and nutrients, creates an 'ischemic' environment for the muscle resulting in pain. This is similar to a heart attack (also a muscle therefore acting and reacting the same), however in such a case, the blood supply is blocked from within the blood vessels rather than externally and blood flow is completely restricted rather than partially. Since we can identify with a heart attack, it is easier to visualize such a development for our skeletal muscles. A more common occurrence is that of a tension headache, which, as the name implies, is pain in our head from muscle tension in our head and neck muscles, resulting in a decreased oxygen supply...and so on.

Part of what massage therapists do is manipulate muscles and enhance the blood flow around the muscles. This promotes the 'free-flow' of oxygen and nutrients with carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes, therefore, reducing pain associated with such a situation, addressing the muscle dysfunction, and allowing the muscle to perform its functions more readily.

So ‘knots’ are called “adhesions” and are muscles or areas of soft-tissue that are sticking together. Although pain or discomfort are not always present, flexibility and range of motion in and around a joint may be limited. Knots (adhesions) often occur around a site of previous surgery, injury or inflammation.

What Does Respiration And Circulation Have To Do With Muscle Pain?

How Often Should I Receive A Therapeutic Massage?

Your personal situation will determine when and how often to receive a therapeutic massage. In cases of chronic pain or certain medical conditions and/or injuries, your physician may determine the frequency and length or your medical massage sessions. Other times, you and your therapist can work out therapeutic massage frequency and length for your specific needs. When stressful situations arise, a therapeutic massage can help you relax, release pain from tension and let go. The cumulative effects of a weekly or bi-weekly therapeutic massage can certainly enhance your health and well-being.

Because of the various benefits that therapeutic massage offers, it is unlikely a person could receive too much. (I think it was Bob Hope who stated that he received a massage every morning. He attributed his longevity to that.) Therapeutic massage has a cumulative effect on both soft tissue repair and decreasing stress. Although a one-time session can be very helpful and feels great, regular therapeutic massage is recommended to achieve the best results. There are clients I see weekly, every 2 or 3 weeks, monthly, as well as those who call when needed. Much depends on a person’s physical condition, as well as time and financial considerations, which are always respected.

I came across this interesting boat analogy …

Firstly, picture yourself in a boat and that this particular boat has a leak. At first you ignore it, but then your feet start to get cold. You attempt to scoop out some of the water with your hands but feel like you are getting nowhere. You cover your eyes for a while but find things haven’t improved when you open them. To top it all off, it looks like rain. You look around and see other people still afloat in their boats, some better than others. An Olympic rower even cruises past. For some reason you wait helplessly until the water in the boat is inches away from the top, then you ask the Olympic rower what his secret is. You find out that there is a bailing water specialist just around the corner. Even though you’ve heard that some of these specialists are better at bailing water and are more qualified than others, you make your way over to her. She examines the condition of your boat and determines that she can help. You tell her she’s got one hour. So, she bails hard for an hour…

…in case you haven’t realized, the boat is your musculoskeletal system, the leak is the onset of muscle tension, your feet getting cold is the onset of pain, scooping some water is a little instinctive self massage, covering your eyes is masking the symptoms with some pain killers, the rain is some external stress, the olympic rower is an olympic rower, and the bailing water specialist is your Registered Therapeutic Massage Therapist (often a must for Olympians)…

A bailing water specialist can help you get the water in your boat to a manageable level even to the point where it is not necessary for you to have cold feet. This may take a few heavy duty bailing sessions within a short time frame or a more gradual approach depending on the condition of your boat when you arrive, your willingness to help and not hinder, your commitment to maintaining and enhancing the condition of your boat, and your ability to work with your bailing water specialist to identify and become aware of possible causes and contributing factors. Your specialist will give you some tips and suggestions and even give you some tools of your own. Unfortunately, our boats are always going to take on some water…whether we’re sustaining new leaks, not maintaining old ones, or just due to the weather. Therefore, it is recommended to see your specialist regularly even just for a maintenance bailing. Of course it is the goal of the specialist to have you recognize when you start to ignore leaks and seek her help before your feet start to get cold. However, it is your boat and you can fill it as you wish. Just realize that the more it fills, the more bailing you are going to require.

REMEMBER… Mind Your Only Boat … I mean Body

Whether it is nobler to sink in silence or seek help…that is the question.

If you would like a more concrete answer, you can use this as a general guideline (unless otherwise suggested by your therapist):

- with a problem that needs to be addressed:

- minimum commitment of once per week for 4 weeks or until able to go pain-free for a full week (4 treatments will give you a good idea as to whether or not the therapy is giving you the benefits you desire - if it is not, express your concern to your therapist and they will either alter your treatment, explain what may be impeding progress, or should be able to refer you to someone else whether that may be a different therapist or different therapy)

- gradually increase the time between treatments while still maintaining a pain-free state (with commitment to stretching, self-care, etc., you will be able to sustain a much longer time frame)

- once you have reached a month long time frame continue to see your therapist on a monthly basis for a maintenance treatment, regardless of whether or not the problem has been resolved

- without a problem that needs to be addressed:

- as per the monthly maintenance treatment with a problem area (keep in mind your therapist is a trained specialist in musculoskeletal dysfunction and may make you aware of problems in muscles that you did not know existed).

Should I Eat Before A Therapeutic Massage?

After eating, your body is focused on digestion and it is best not to eat half hour before your session. You may not want to eat a heavy meal and then lie on a massage table.

Are There Any Medical Conditions That Would Make Therapeutic Massage or Bodywork Inadvisable?

Yes. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not get a therapeutic massage:

* Severe cold or Fever

* Infectious diseases

* Systemic infections

* Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury

* Liver and kidney diseases

* Blood clot

* Pregnancy-induced diabetes, toxemia

* High blood pressure (unless under control with medication)

* Heart disease

* Cancer

* Open skin lesions or sores (therapist may be able to work around them)

Your therapeutic massage therapist doesn't want to make an underlying medical condition worse, and you don't want to pass anything contagious to the therapist. If you're unsure about whether a minor condition should prohibit you from getting a therapeutic massage, call your therapist before your appointment. If you have a chronic medical condition, check with your doctor before proceeding on a course of therapeutic massage therapy. Before your initial visit, you'll be asked to fill out a client intake form. This will provide the therapist with your name, address, and phone number, along with any underlying medical conditions that could affect your therapy.

That's why it's imperative that before we begin your first session, that the health history in the client intake form is completed. It is important you inform me of any health problems or medications you are taking.

People with a history of Thrombosis or Phlebitis should not receive therapeutic massage (or at least deep massage therapy) due to blood clots breaking free resulting in possible heart attack or stroke.

The growth of some forms of cancer might be exacerbated by deep therapeutic massage as it improves circulation and sends nutrients and oxygen to healthy cells as well as cancerous cells alike.

Severe injuries or surgery sites should not be manipulated directly for 48 to 72 hours as further damage to tissue may occur. Please consult with your doctor to be certain. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for therapeutic massage prior to any session. This also gives me an opportunity to assess your general therapeutic massage needs, ensure that therapeutic massage therapy is deemed appropriate for these needs, and discuss the desired outcome of your session(s).

Please be advised that no specific problems of medical, structural, psychological or dietary nature will be dealt with, but I will be happy to refer you to the appropriate licensed medical professional.

If you have a fever, severe cold, flu or any other potentially contagious symptoms, you should not receive a therapeutic massage. Please call 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment and I will be happy to reschedule you.

What about Insurance … I See My Health Care Reimbursement Plans and Flex Care Plans reimburse for Therapeutic Massage, What Do I Need To Do?

Yes most of these types of plans will reimburse if therapeutic massage is prescribed as medically necessary by a health care provider such as your physician, your chiropractor, or your orthopedic doctor. These are your pre-taxed dollars set aside for services and products your medical insurance company will not normally cover. Your care plan therapeutic sessions are paid for at the time of your visit. I will need to have a copy of your prescription for my files and will provide you with a paid in full invoice and summary at each session. The prescription usually states x amount of treatments with the diagnosed areas to be treated. You would turn the prescription and the invoice into your plan for reimbursement. Call your plan and ask what specifically they need to get from you in order for them to cover therapeutic massage. They will provide you with all of the proper details.

As far as other insurance coverage for massage therapy, it varies according to the type of insurance plan, what condition you need therapeutic massage therapy for, and more.

Your standard health insurance or major medical coverage may cover massage therapy or it may not, check with the insurance companies benefits department. The benefits department's phone number is usually on the back of your insurance card. In most cases, if massage therapy is covered you will need a prescription from your primary care physician or chiropractor. If you have a deductible that has not been met, you may be responsible for that amount before the insurance company pays. You will have to pay for your visit at the time of your visit and send the billing information to your insurance company to have them reimburse you. They may partially pay for your sessions or not at all.

Worker's Compensation covers therapeutic massage therapy usually without any cost to the covered worker. To receive therapeutic massage therapy you must have an active claim and receive a prescription for therapeutic massage therapy from your primary physician or chiropractor. There is a prescription for their convenience located on this website in the intake form section.

Personal Injury Plans associated with your auto insurance often cover therapeutic massage therapy to assist in recovering from injuries sustained in an auto accident. There is a prescription for their convenience located on this website in the intake form section.

If you believe that your auto insurance, worker's comp, or flex plan will cover your therapeutic massage therapy needs please call me. You'll need to fill out the specific Client Intake Form and gather some information for me including: Insurance plan name/numbers, Social Security Number, Date of Accident/Injury, Adjuster/Case Worker name, Doctor's name, Condition needing treatment, What treatment you've already had, etc. Once a prescription and coverage is confirmed I'll be able to set up your first appointment.

Relationship With Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is proven throughout the years to be a very effective. There is involvement with many other systems with Chiropractic care, especially those doctors practicing Applied Kinesiology. Chiropractic care primarily addresses neuromusculoskeletal problems by addressing the relationship between the nervous system and the musculoskelatal system, and most appointments range from between 10 and 30 minutes. Most therapeutic massage therapy sessions are usually one hour or more and concentrate on the affected muscles. For these and other reasons, therapeutic massage and Chiropractic care have been found to work very effectively together. Examples would include motor vehicle accident injuries, workman’s compensation injuries, treatments of most types of headaches, muscle spasms from slips and falls, fibromialgia and a plethora of other muscular and soft tissue pain issues.

Where Are You Located?

12400 Pillsbury Ave. S.
Burnsville, MN 55337
Integrated Health Massage
Christine Fox NCTMB

For an appointment call

(651)402--6692

Gift Certificates Available

From the East on Hwy 13 before 35W

South on Nicollet; West on Travelers Trail;

South on Pillsbury; office building on the right.

From 35W and Burnsville Parkway

East on Burnsville Parkway; North on

Pillsbury Ave; office building on the left.

Back building entrance.