OrthoMed Massage Clinic- Types of Massage Offered- Northborough MA

What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in
the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons
and fascia.
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the
grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on
more specific areas.
Deep tissue massage may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better
than ever within a day or two.

Why get a Deep Tissue Massage?
It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up
toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating
properly.

What is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage?
The purpose is to "un-stick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the
muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.

Medical Massage:
Medical Massage is medically necessary massage prescribed by a Physician, Chiropractor or Physical Therapist and provided to the patient. It has a
specific treatment plan that is outcome based, with a specific goal for improvement, in a specific time frame.
We will work with your referring Physician, Chiropractor, or PT, utilizing their diagnosis and treatment plan, to assist you in achieving maximum
medical improvement for your specific soft tissue injury.

There are various reasons why a person seeks Medical Massage. A specific event such as an injury from an automobile accident or a work related
accident, physical trauma due to sporting activity, repetitive stress injuries, postural distortions that has become traumatic to your body or chronic
pain that remains long after an injury or surgery has healed.
Working to realign soft tissue and improve range of motion is a primary goal of any rehabilitation program. Medical Massage can help you achieve
these goals.

While Massage Therapy is not intended to replace appropriate medical care, there are a number of conditions in which Medical Massage is helpful as a
form of treatment.

Condition such as:

•        Headaches
•        Temporomandibular sprain/strain
•        Cervical Pain
•        Whiplash (Cervical Sprain/Strain)
•        Upper, Mid and Low Back Pain
•        Shoulder, Arm, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain
•        Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
•        Sciatica
•        Leg, Knee, Ankle and Foot Pain
•        Postural Distortions
•        Chronic Pain
•        Sprains and Strains
•        Tendonitis
•        Neuritis (Nerve Inflammation)
•        Neuralgia (Nerve Pain)
•        Radiculitis (Radiating Pain)

Orthopedic Massage:

The goal of Orthopedic Massage is to induce a change in the structure and function of the neuromusculoskeletal soft tissue to promote healing of the
whole person. Orthopedic Massage combines elements of myofascial release, neuromuscular reeducation, soft tissue mobilization and muscle energy
techniques taken from the world of osteopathic medicine. One of the unique concepts at the heart of Orthopedic Massage is that muscles, tendons and
ligaments have a normal position relative to the neighboring soft tissue and the joint they affect. If soft tissue has a normal, specific alignment and
placement within the body, relative to the surrounding tissue, then injury, either as a result of accidents, sudden impacts or strains, chronic postural
problems or repetitive stresses, can cause the soft tissues to fall out of correct placement and alignment. Orthopedic Massage aims to correct
alignment through the use of specific directional soft tissue mobilization, active resisted contractions of the affected muscles (Muscle Energy
Technique) and joint mobilization.
When receiving a treatment using Orthopedic Massage, the client receiving the treatment is not completely passive, as would be the case in more
traditional deep tissue massage. Instead, the therapist works with the client in performing specific isometric contractions of the affected muscles, a
system known as Muscle Energy Technique. Since these assisted contractions are in a specific direction, habitual patterns of holding and involuntary
spasms can more easily be released. Having the client become aware of the contractions allows strengthening of weak muscles that have been
endorsed due to the overly tight muscles that oppose their motion. Combining release of overly tight (hypertonic) muscles and strengthening of weak
muscles, the muscular tensions around a specific joint are normalized, thus reducing pain and increasing awareness, both conscious and unconscious.
When doing soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release, the therapist will work each muscle in the particular direction needed in order to correct
the positional dysfunction that is creating pain. For example, when the big muscles along the spine in the back, the erectors, become very tight, they
also shorten, moving closer to the spine itself. Using Orthopedic Massage techniques, the therapist would work to release this dysfunction by moving
the muscle gently away from the spine, freeing up the joints to move in a wider range of motion, without pain. Often after a treatment, clients will
report feeling "lighter" as the joints no longer having irregular compressive forces on them, allowing them to feel freer.
Along with work on the table, it is often very helpful to have the therapist work with the client on stretches and exercises that can be done at home or
at work in order to help the client strengthen and release the muscles around the tight and painful joints. In order to truly get all the benefit possible
out of your treatment time, home exercises and stretches are a must. The client needs to be actively involved in their own recovery, reversing the
affects of poor posture or repetitive stresses created in the work environment. The combination of massage and home stretching/strengthening is the
core of the neuromuscular reeducation. If you have an injury or chronic pain in any joint or muscle, caused by an accident, or repetitive stresses,
please call us to schedule an initial evaluation and a series of treatments to relieve yourself of these pains.
Feel your mental stress and physical tension melt away as you drift along on melodic strains of soothing music. Your sore, tired, tight muscles are
gently rocked, stroked, stretched and kneaded until pliable and sedated.

Relaxation Massage

Wellness/relaxation massage is available in 60, 90 and 120- minute sessions.
This services works well for those with:
•        Insomnia
•        Increased stress