The Benefits of Medical Massage
Annika Miller Lampropoulos
Photo by Conscious Design on Unsplash
The Rexburg Free Clinic is proud to offer massage therapy appointments on Mondays from 3:00-5:40 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:00-6:40 p.m as of May 2021.
Massage therapy is different from relaxation massages. Licensed massage therapists in Idaho must complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an approved massage therapy program and be certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
A medical massage therapist works closely with doctors to treat patients who are affected by pain, illness, and injury. They use various massage techniques to manipulate muscles and soft tissue to treat chronic pain and injuries.
Here are a few benefits of massage therapy as shown by research:
Arthritis sufferers report fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety.
High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
Preterm infants have improved weight gain.
Assists with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shortens maternity hospital stays.
Relieves migraine pain.
According to Anton Borja, the division director of Integrative Medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, nearly any type of pain diagnosis could potentially benefit from massage therapy. He says:
“I often refer my patients for massage therapy for problems like low back pain and neck pain. I refer cancer patients who are experiencing pain or dealing with side effects from chemotherapy. Some chemo causes neuropathy in the hands and feet, and patients often see improvement in their symptoms with regular massage. Many professional athletes are in pain because of injuries, and they’re utilizing massage and acupuncture as non-pharmaceutical treatments. Both of these can be effective methods to control pain.”
One of the most common complaints of medical patients in the United States is for lower back pain. According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans suffer from lower back pain at any given time. 1 in 10 Americans uses a prescription painkiller. These drugs can be highly addictive and contribute to the U.S. opioid epidemic.
Utilizing massage therapy can greatly reduce the need for prescription painkillers and benefit patient’s quality of life. The Rexburg Free Clinic is proud to be able to offer an alternative treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain.
The American Massage Therapy Association is an active advocate for massage therapy. Work is being done across the United States to educate the public about the benefits of massage therapy for pain and especially as an alternative to opioids.
Most recently, Florida passed a new law that requires the Department of Health to develop and publish an online educational pamphlet on the use of non-opioid alternatives for pain, including massage therapy. The publication includes information about the advantages of each non-opioid approach, with references on its efficacy. This legislature will make a difference in how the residents of Florida view their options for pain care and management, with a clear endorsement of massage therapy (AMTA).
NBC medical correspondent Dr. John Torres even reported on the Today Show that the CDC now recommends massage therapy as an alternative to opioids.
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For further information about the benefits of massage therapy, please visit the American Massage Therapy Association’s website at amtamassage.org
For information about scheduling a massage therapy appointment at the Rexburg Free Clinic please give us a call at (208) 716-8723.