Therapeutic Medical Massage in Washington, D.C.

Clinical Massage Therapy Near Me

What is therapeutic medical massage?

Therapeutic medical massage, also known as clinical massage, is used by physical therapists for rehabilitation and recovery from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions. Administered by licensed physical therapists in a clinical setting, therapeutic medical massage addresses your specific therapeutic goals and plan, complementing your medical treatment. It includes treatments including exercises, mobility training, and strength building, and sometimes includes massage as a component of treatment.

Therapeutic medical massage focuses on manipulating the body's soft tissues to alleviate muscle tension, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.

Our Release PT physical therapists are trained healthcare professionals who offer medical massage, and also diagnose and treat physical abnormalities while restoring physical function and promoting physical activity.

The decision between traditional massage therapy vs physical therapy should be based on your specific needs and therapeutic goals. If you do not need medically- based physical therapy, then traditional massage therapy may be a solution. But to improve your physical condition, for recovery and rehabilitation medical massage will complement your medical treatment.

When should clinical massage be used?

Clinical massage is particularly beneficial for:

Post-Injury Rehabilitation: Aiding recovery and reducing pain after injuries like sprains or muscle tears.
Chronic Pain Management: Effective for conditions like arthritis or back pain.
Post-Surgical Recovery: Helps reduce swelling, improve circulation, and prevent scar tissue post-surgery.
Sports Injuries: Used by athletes for recovery and to enhance muscle flexibility.
Overuse Injuries: Alleviates repetitive strain injuries from occupations or sports.
Stress and Tension Relief: Useful for general muscle tension and stress-related physical symptoms.
Neurological Conditions: Provides relief from muscle rigidity or spasms in conditions like Parkinson’s disease or post-stroke.

What are the benefits of clinical massage therapy?

The benefits of therapeutic medical massage include:

Pain Relief: Effectively reduces pain from injuries, chronic conditions, and post-surgical recovery. Stimulates the release of endorphins.
Improved Circulation: Enhances blood flow to muscles, and aids the healing process by delivering more oxygen and nutrients.
Muscle Relaxation: Relieves muscle tension and spasms, promoting relaxation.
Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Improves joint range of motion, elasticity, and muscle flexibility.
Reduced Edema and Inflammation: Helps reduce swelling and inflammation after injuries or surgery.
Stress Reduction: Has a calming effect that reduces stress and anxiety.
Improved Sleep Quality: Promotes better sleep patterns through relaxation.
Enhanced Healing: Accelerates the recovery process after injuries or surgery.
Promotes Tissue Regeneration: Encourages tissue regeneration, breaks down scar tissue, and is used to rehabilitate sports injuries and for post-surgical care.
Boosts Immune System: Enhances the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Increased Body Awareness: Improves self-care practices.
Enhanced Overall Well-being: Massages have a positive impact on a patient's mental and emotional state, and self-care practices while promoting relaxation and stress relief.

What are the techniques used in clinical massage?

At Release PT, our experienced physical therapists use a combination of these techniques during therapeutic medical massage:

Deep Tissue Massage: Targets deeper muscle layers to relieve chronic tension.
Myofascial Release: Applies gentle pressure to connective tissue for pain relief and motion restoration.
Trigger Point Therapy: Focuses on specific tight muscle areas to alleviate spasms and pain.
Sports Massage: Tailored for athletes, addresses muscle stress from repetitive movements.
Neuromuscular Therapy: Balances the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, useful for conditions like sciatica.
Lymphatic Drainage: Gently promotes lymph flow for waste removal to reduce swelling.
Joint Mobilization: Involves moving joints to improve function and reduce pain.

How much does clinical massage therapy cost?

Clinical massages with one of our physical therapists are included as part of your full physical therapy treatment plan and are conducted along with your other treatments. Your initial evaluation is $239 and all sessions after that are $209.

In addition to a clinical massage, we also offer traditional, full-body massages with our massage therapist, Alyxx Johnson, who is located at our flagship location at 2134 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. Her prices are as follows and include gratuity:

50 minutes $150
80 minutes $220
110 minutes $290

What’s the difference between a therapeutic medical massage and a traditional spa massage?

Therapeutic medical massage and spa massage differ significantly in their objectives, methods, and settings so understanding their distinctions is important for choosing the appropriate type of massage based on your health goals.

Therapeutic medical massage is a therapeutic approach highly customized to a patient's health needs, performed by licensed therapists in clinical settings, and aimed at healing and rehabilitation.

Spa massage focuses on relaxation and general wellness, using generalized techniques like Swedish massage and aromatherapy, in a spa environment. Spa massages are performed by certified therapists who specialize in relaxation, and while they can be customized, they are different from therapeutic medical massage.

How often should you get a clinical massage?

The recommended frequency of therapeutic medical massage varies. Acute conditions or post-injury recovery often require more frequent sessions, possibly 1-2 times a week. For chronic conditions, weekly or bi-weekly sessions may be effective. Post-surgery rehab might begin with frequent massages, reducing over time. Preventative care typically needs less frequent sessions. The exact frequency should be adjusted based on personal response to treatment with guidance from one of our Release PT physical therapists.

What should you not do after getting a therapeutic medical massage?

After a therapeutic medical massage, follow these instructions:

Avoid Strenuous Activity: Steer clear of heavy exercise or activities to prevent muscle strain.
Refrain from Heavy Lifting: Avoid injury. Don't lift heavy objects immediately after your massage.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water to help flush out toxins released during the massage.
Skip Alcohol and Caffeine: These can dehydrate you and negate the benefits of the massage.
Take a Warm Shower: Take a warm shower instead of a hot one to prevent increasing muscle soreness.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to any discomfort and avoid activities that might worsen it.
Follow Post-Massage Instructions: Adhere to the specific guidance your therapist has given you post-session.

What conditions are treated with clinical massage?

Therapeutic medical massage is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including:

Musculoskeletal Issues: Such as back pain, neck pain, and muscle injuries.
Chronic Pain: Including conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Injury Rehabilitation: Aids in recovery from sports injuries and post-surgical healing.
Stress and Anxiety: Helps reduce stress levels and manage anxiety.
Headaches: Including tension headaches and migraines.
Circulatory Problems: Improves blood circulation, beneficial for hypertension.
Respiratory Issues: Can aid in easing breathing difficulties.
Digestive Disorders: Helps manage symptoms of conditions like IBS.
Pregnancy-Related Discomforts: Alleviates back pain and swelling during pregnancy.
Sleep Disorders: Promotes relaxation and improves sleep quality.
Neurological Conditions: Useful for symptoms of Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Is clinical massage covered by insurance?

We are an out-of-network provider, so our patients pay out of pocket for their visits. Your initial evaluation and treatment is $239, and follow-up treatments are $209. All sessions last 55 minutes. To save you time and trouble, we can obtain your out-of-network benefits information from your insurance provider prior to your visit and submit the claims on your behalf. You are then reimbursed directly by your insurance company based on your out-of-network policy. All fees are due at the time of service.

Clinical Massage Therapy in Washington, D.C.

At Release physical therapy, our clinicians are trained to determine which specific techniques will be most effective for individual patients and injuries. In some cases, therapeutic medical massage will be used in conjunction with many other therapies to treat a condition. Consistent with Release Physical Therapy’s commitment to individualized care, we make sure that the massage is customized to each patient. Set up an appointment to learn more.

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