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clinical massage therapy (CMT)

What is Clinical Massage Therapy and what does it do?

Clinical Massage Therapy is collaboration on Swedish massage and manual manipulation of soft tissue. Some of the components of CMT are touch processes to the skin and underlying tissue, and soft tissue mobilization.

Massage therapy can be utilized in many different ways. Sometimes its reducing chronic headaches or sports related injuries. Other times it is scar tissue reduction or helping improve range of motion of a reduced limb. It could be treatment more towards posture correction, or to help that clicking/snapping in your jaw.

There are things that your Massage Therapist can treat that most people don't even think about! How about having flat feet, or a spinal curvature? We can get you on track with what to do after getting a whiplash disorder from a motor vehicle incident (MVI) Massage therapy can benefit most everyone whether they need relief from MVA accidents, sport injuries or conditions that cause chronic and acute pain. Massage therapy is an effective way to aid in the healing process.

What does clinical massage focus on?

Primarily clinical massage therapy aids in the rehabilitation of muscles and other soft tissues of the body like joints. Whether it be from a surgery or sports injury, or simple fall on ice, Massage therapy can help stimulate the healing process faster and more efficiently than the standard MICE* healing protocol.

We will start with assessing your current condition or injury both with verbal and hands on testing if necessary to provide a focused treatment as well as rehabilitative homecare to conclude the treatment ensuring a patient can help their own healing as much as possible between appointments.

If you are ever unsure if your therapist can treat your condition, it is as simple as asking.

Why Do People Receive Clinical Massage Therapy?
  • Relief from pain in the muscles and joints of the body including Back, Neck, Shoulder etc.…
  • Chronic Tension Headache relief
  • TMJD (Temporomandibular joint disorder) for jaw dysfunction and pain from Clenching/ Grinding/Surgery
  • Muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains
  • Post-injury and post surgical rehabilitation
  • Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis

How many treatments will I need?

This is always a varying question with a lot of factors involved but if a patient comes in with an injury or condition we will discuss the best treatment amount for you. Some people only need one treatment to help improve their conditions while others will need a more involved treatment plan.

Not everyone will need weekly treatment but some will. These are generally going to be surgery recovery and major muscle injuries and conditions. My general rule if you feel you are unable to keep up with your homecare and remedial exercise at least 2/3 times a day while undergoing the healing process, you should come weekly for 4 treatments with another assessment of progress at that point, to get the most out of your treatments, remedial exercise and homecare is very important.

Some are able to be very diligent with their remedial exercise and homecare; those may only need a treatment every 2 weeks for 4 treatments, always with a reassessment of pain scale, range of motion and general ability to perform pain free daily activity at the end of the treatment plan.

Do I have to be a Physiotherapy Patient?

No, Massage Therapy does not always have to be used in conjunction with Physiotherapy or vice versa, We address an ever growing collection of conditions which do not necessarily have to be associated with a Physiotherapy treatment.

So if you do come in seeking both types of treatment/rehabilitation, you can be assured of a well-organized and integrative team who will be there for every step of your healing process.

We are always happy to work together and will coordinate with each other so you get the most out of your treatments without overwhelming your weekly schedule, which can be hectic.

*MICE Movement, Ice, Compression, Elevation

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