Massage therapists have come a long way in reducing pain and improving wellness. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy. Back pain affects around three in four adults at some point in their lives. Research supports that massage is a bona fide back pain treatment option. This could be welcome news to those who prefer not to use medications or invasive approaches to managing back pain. The right massage therapists can make all the difference in achieving the benefits.
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The first thing is to determine the goalsΒ from the massage itself.
Figuring out what is to be achieved from the massage is essential to finding the right therapist.
A massage can be performed in health clubs, spas, medical clinics, and at home. The location does not predict the massage type or specialty of the massage therapists, but it can be an indicator. For athletic performance, a gym or Crossfit center massage therapist is a good place to start. If massage is part of a back and neck pain management plan, look into the massage therapists at a medical or therapeutic massage clinic.
When searching, get recommendations, and ask plenty of questions to get all the information needed.
After a few prospects have been found, ask plenty of questions before making an appointment. This can help determine if this will be a long-term therapeutic relationship or a one-time visit. If looking to manage a serious spinal condition, the recommendation would be to find a therapist with more experience.
Massage education programs that are only entry-level do not provide in-depth education and practice for the many specific and complex spinal conditions. The real experience comes from years of practice along with continued education. This is how massage therapists are able to expand their clinical analysis and treatment development expertise. Get a sense of the massage therapistβs education and practice experience. This will help significantly when choosing a therapist best equipped.
If a long-term therapeutic relationship for managing a spinal condition is the goal, it may be worth waiting for. A therapist with a long wait time for initial appointments means they have patients that see them regularly, which is an excellent sign of quality care. One possible option for individuals waiting for their appointment is to go to a local massage school to get treated. This option is less expensive, great for body maintenance, and provides opportunities for training therapists.
A quality indicator is the professionalism of the therapist. This includes the extent to which they model the values of a healthcare professional valued by the patient. This is different for everyone. Questions to consider:
Feeling at ease during the appointment/s is very important to massage success and relief. If anything about the therapist causes hesitation, look for another.
Massage is an excellent back pain treatment option that has gained popularity as a complement to pain management plans and as an alternative to invasive procedures. But massage is not a cure-all. Often the cause of the back pain does not go away entirely. This is where massage therapy comes in as a pain management tool.
Itβs important to consider the conditionβs duration and severity when evaluating the success of a session. This helps in planning the massage schedule. When there is a complex and established spinal condition, be patient, as a 1-hour massage will not solve a 10-year back pain battle. However, with perseverance, massage can safely and effectively help reduce pain and promote a better quality of life.
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Massage Therapists and Spine Health" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
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Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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