How To Become a Medical Massage Therapist

2007-04-17 10:41:55

( Pharmeceutical-Medical )



Medical massage therapy is a form of manual therapy, typically prescribed by a physician, which is utilized as a definitive or palliative treatment of medical diseases. A medical massage therapist uses various techniques to relax muscle groups, maintain normal tissue tension and promote soft tissue and connective tissue healing. Medical massage therapy has also been shown to decrease pain severity, improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, and increase a joint’s range of motion. Because of these, medical massage therapy is an effective complementary treatment for a wide range of diseases, including multiple sclerosis, whiplash injuries and arthritis. Medical massage therapy is also especially valuable in rehabilitation therapy.

As a medical massage therapist, you may choose to work in a hospital setting or set up your own private or group practice. You can also work as a therapist for a company or a sports team. You may also do home visits for patients with special needs, such as the elderly.

A typical medical massage can last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. However, the role of a medical massage therapist does not end there. You also have to educate the patient regarding the illness. You should explain to them what you are doing and why medical massage is beneficial. This will allow you to establish rapport with the patient, ensure that the patient will follow-up and generate positive feedback.

If you want to become a medical massage therapist, there are numerous schools offering massage therapy and physical therapy courses that you can apply to. These schools will teach you different medical massage techniques, such as myofascial release, trigger point and neuromuscular therapy and various rehabilitative techniques.

After you have graduated, it is then recommended that you acquire a license from your state. This will help your practice by increasing your credibility and allowing you to bill insurance companies with less hassle. You do not need to have a certification or become a member of any medical massage organization, although these may help improve your skill and increase your connections.


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